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PIJBLII 

YIRGILII MAEONIS 

OPERA. 



Uniform, with this Volume, 

THE WORKS 

OP 

QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS, 

WITH NOTES AND NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS, 

Crown 8vo, 10s. 6d., antique binding. 



THE WORKS 



PUBLIUS VIRGILIUS MARO, 

FROM THE TEXT OF HEYNE AND WAGNEK. 

WITH ENGLISH NOTES, A METRICAL INDEX, AND AN EPITOME 
OF WAGNER's QUiESTIONES VIRGILIANiE. 



AECHIBALD HAMILTON BRYCE, A.B., 

LATE SENIOR CLASSICAL MODEEATOB, TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN : ONE OF THE 
CLASSICAL MASTEKS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL OP EUINBUEGH. 



A BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR, 



KEY. HENRY THOMPSON, M.A., 

(FOEMEELT SCHOLAE OF ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, CA5IBRIDGE,) 
VrCAE OF CHAKD. 



Illusirat^ir foitl^ (^ngra&iitgs from % maut ^ni^^zniu §mxm. 



LONDON AND GLASGOW: 
RICHARD ORIFFIN AND COMPANY, 

PUBLISHERS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW. 






^ 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



BUCOLICON— LIBEE. 

Rural Scene. Vatican Manuscript 

Apollo. Visconti, Monum. Borghesiani 

Country Scene. Antiq. cf Herculaneum 

Death of Julius C^sar. Camuerin . 

Julius C^sar, on a Denarius 

Bacchus, Faun, and Satyr. Bartoli Admiranda 

Roman Shepherd. Museum Florentinvm 

Musical Prize. Panof. Bild. Antik Leben. 

PoRM of Incantation, /rom a Bas-relief 

Cupid drawn by Dolphins. Rossi, Gemme Antiche 

Lucius Cornelius Cinna. Rossi, Gemme Antiche 

Sylvanus. Montfaucon 

Cupid and Centaur. Rossi, RaccoUa di Statue Antiche 

Calliope. Rossi, Raccolta di Statue Antiche . 



PAGB 

3 
7 
10 
12 
14 
15 
17 
19 
20 
23 
24 
26 
27 
28 



aEOEGICON— LIBEE I. 

Maecenas. Visconti, Iconographie Romaine 

The Zodiac. Sargent .... 

Roman Plough, Museum Florentinwn 

Jupiter and Titans. Miill Denk. der Alt. Kunst. 

Ceres. MUH. Denk. der Alt. Kunst 

Greek Chariot. Panof. Bild. Antik. Leben. . 



31 
32 
35 

38 
40 
44 



aEOEaiCON— LIBEE II. 



Bacchus. MUll. Denk. der Alt. Kunst. 

Hercules, on a Quadrans 

Roman Triumph. Bartoli Admiranda 



47 
49 
51 



LIST OF ILLITSTEATIONS. 



BaISChiis, on a Silver Coin o/Naxus in Sicily 

Autumn. Antiq. (T Herculaneum 

Sacrificing a Kid to Bacchus. Rossi, Gemme Aniicke 

Fauns dancing on Skin Bottles. Montfaucon 

Lapithae and Centaurs. Panof. Bild. Antik. Leben. 

Sacrifice to Bacchus. Panof. Bild. Antik. Leben. . 

E.OMB seated on the Seven Hills, on a Large Brass of Vespasian 



aEOEaiCON— LIBER III. 

Pales. Museum Florentinum .... 

Naval Column. Overbeke, les Restes de V Ancienne Rome 

Castor and Pollux, on a Denarius 

Games of the Circus. Museum Florentinum . 

Hero and Leander, on a Coin of Abydos 

Apollo in Car. Antiq. d' Herculaneum 

Cave CANEM,/?'om a Mosaic at Pompeii 

Sacred Utensils, /ro/w a Large Brass of Marcus Aurelius 

Roman Emperor Sacrificing, on a Large Brass of Caligula 

.^scuLAPius, on a Medal of Commodus 



aEORaiCON— LIBER IV. 

M^CENAS. Visconti, Iconographie Romaine 

Sacrifice to Ctbele. Rossi, Gemme Antiche 

The Cyclops. Vatican Manuscript 

Egypt overflowed by the Nile. Bonomi 

The Tiber, /rom a Statue in the Vatican 

Roman Lyres. Hope's Costumes of the A ncients 

Orpheus torn to pieces by Bacchantes, /ro/n a Bas-relief 

Naples. The ancient Parthenope. Bough 



iENEIDOS— LIBER I. 

Judgment of Paris. Museum Florentinum 

JuKo,from a Statue in the Vatican 

Neptune. Montfaucon . 

The Togx, fro7n ancient Statues . 

Venus Victrix. Rossi, Gemme Antiche 

Source of the Scamander on Mount Ida. Sargent 

Hector drawn at the Chariot of Achilles, /rom an Antique Gem 

Cupid breaking the Thunderbolts of Jove. Museum Florentinum 



LIST OF IlLITSTRATIOirS. 



iENEIDOS— LIBER II. 

The Capture of Tkot. Vatican Manuscript . 

Sacrifice of Iphigenia, on a Vase. Bartoli Admiranda 

JjXOCOO^, from the Statue in the Vatican 

Aedes Vestae, on a Denarius . 

Gate of Lions, Mycenae. Sargent 

Rape of Cassandra. Museum Florentinum 

Death of Priam, /rom an ancient Vase 

JcpiTER, Juno, and MiNERTAj/z-om a Bas-relief in the Capitol 

Aeneas, on a Large Brass of Antoninus . 

Light- ARMED Greek Soldier. Panof. Bild. Antih. Leben. 



iENEIDOS— LIBER III. 

Aeneas leaving Troy. Vatican Manuscript . 

Tripod, on a Coin of Crotona .... 

Remains of the Temple of Jupiter in the Troad. Sargent 

Bacchantes, from an Antique Gem 

Harpy, /row an Ancient Greek Vase 

Athenian Exercises. Panof. Bild. Antik. Leben. 

Roman Armour, /rom the Column of Trojan 

Andromache at the Tomb of Hector, from an Ancient Gem 

Sacrifice. Bossi, Gemme Antiche 

Venus and Anchises, /rom an Ancient Bronze . 

View of Mount -3!1tna ..... 

Polyphemus. Antiq. d' Herculaneum . 

Temple op Concord, Agrigentum. L'Univers Pittoresque 

Roman Banquet. Bartoli Admiranda . 



iENEIDOS— LIBER lY. 

Dido Sacrificing. Vatican Manuscript 
Hymen. Beal Museo Borbonico 
Mercury. Antiq. d'Herculaneum 
Bacchantes, on a Vase. Real Museo Borbonico 
Roman Ship, from a Tomb at Pompeii . 
Hecate, from an Ancient Bronze . 
Aurora, froin an Etruscan Urn . 
Hannibal. Visconti, Iconogrophie Grecque 
Death of Dibo, from an Ancient Statue 
FouNTAN near Carthage. Sir Grenville Temple 



^NEIDOS— LIBER Y. 

'Ro^iA'N Snips, from Paintings at Serculaneum . 
Serpent encircling the Altar. Antiq. d'Herculaneum 



193 

195 



LIST OF ILLUSTEATIOJv'S. 



KoMAN Suits, from a Large Brass of Commodus 
Group of Sea Deities. Antiq. (T Hercukineum 
Foot Eacing. Panof Bild. Antik. Leben. 
Greek Youth attired for the Games. Panof. Griech 
Armed Racer. Rossi, Gemme Antiche 
Hercules, on a Coin of Lacedemon 
Boxing with the Cestus. Bardon . 
Bow and Quiver, /row the Arch, of Constantine 
Greek Warrior. Panof. Bild. Antik. Leben. . 
Jupiter Pluvius, /?-om the Column of Antoninus 
Consul Marking out a City, on a Denuriiis . 
Venus Aphrodite. Rossi, Gemme Antiche 
The Sirens, yrow an Etruscan Sarcophayus 

^NEIDOS— LIBER VI 

Ceres, Pluto, and Proserpine. Miill. Denk. der Alt. Kunst. 

Sibylla. Rossi, Raccolta di Statue Antiche 

Apollo, /ro?/i the Statue in the Vatican . 

Castor and Pollux, on a Denarius 

Roman Trumpeter, from the Column of Trajan 

Funeral Pyre, on a Large Brass of Antoninus Pius 

Sacrificial Instruments, on a Denarius of Nero 

Sacrifice to Diana, from the Lydian Marbles . 

Charon. Panof. Griechinnen und Griechen 

Cerberus. Vatican Manuscript 

Tisiphone. Vatican Manuscript 

Jupiter with Thunderbolt. Hope's Costumes of the Ancients 

Music and Dancing. Antiq. d'Herculaneum . 

Victory. Montfaucon .... 

Augustus. Museum Florentinum 

Numa Pompilius and Angus Martius. Iconografia da Canini 

Cato, from an Antique Gem 

SciPio Africanus. Visconii, Iconographie Grecque 

Caius Gracchus. Museum Florentinum 

Marcellus. Rossi, Raccolta di Statue Antiche 

Augustus in Triumphal Car, from a Large Brass 

Triumph of Vespasian and Titus, after Julio Romano 

^NEIDOS— LIBER VII. 

Erato. Rossi, Raccolta di Statue Antiche 

Saturn, from an Antique Gem 

The East and the West. Montfaucon 

Janus, on an As . 

Coin of Samos, in the Hunterian Museum 

Fate. Bartoli Admiranda 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Rape op Helen, yVom a Bas-relief 

Bacchante. An tig. d' HercuJaneum 

Allecto. Bartoli Admiranda . 

Romans and Gauls, from the Column of Trajan 

Temple of Janus, on a Large Brass of Nero . 

Praeneste. VUnivers Pittoresque 

Roman Soldiers, /rom the Arch of Severus 

DiA'SA, from a Statue in the Louvre 

Arch of Janus Quadrierons. Morelii, Sfc, Vedute di Roma 



iENEIDOS— LIBER VIII. 

Infant Hercules. Real Museo Borhonico 

The White Sow, on a Large Brass of Antoninus 

Coin of Ilium in the Troad. Hunterian Museum 

The Labours of Hercules, /row a Bas-relief 

The Capitol, on a Large Brass of Vespasian . 

The Capitol, on a Medallion of Domitian 

The Forum, on a Large Brass of Trajan 

The Forum, on a Large Brass of Trajan 

Venus and Vulcan, /rom an Ancient Gem 

The Head of Medusa, on a Coin of Rhodes 

Sacrificing to the Lares. Rossi, Gemme Antiche 

Jupiter, on a Semis ..... 

Romulus and Remus, on a Denarius 

Titus Tatius. Iconografia da Canini . 

Reconciliation of the Romans and Sabines, on a Coin of Faustina 

CocLES DEFENDING THE Bridge. Muscum Florentinum 

The Capitol, on a Denarius .... 

Ancilia, on a Denarius ..... 

M. Agrippa. Visconti, Iconographie Romaine . 

M. Antonius. Visconti, Lconographie Romaine 

Cleopatra. Visconti, Lconographie Grecque 

Egyptian Gods. Rosellini .... 



^NEIDOS— LIBER IX. 

Ships changing into Virgins. Vatican Manuscript . . . 299 

Crescent of Troops. Sargent ..... 300 

Greek Warrior and Statue of Minerva. Museum Florentinum . 303 

Roman Soldiers. Montfaucon ..... 304 

Greek Warrior setting out for the Wars. Panof. Bild. Ant. Leben. 307 

Roman Augur, on a Denarius ...... 308 

Dacian Horseman, from the Column of Trajan . . . 309 

Greek Warrior. Hope' s Costumes of the Ancients . . . 310 
A^ci^:!iT: CB.oYfss, from Ancient Monuments . . . .311 



XIV 



LIST OF ILLUSTEATIONS. 



The Testudo. Sargent . . . . . 

EoMAN Emperor, from the Column of Trajan 

Tibia. The Double Flute, /rom a Painting at Pompeii 

Slingers. Sargent . . . . . 

Bat op Baiae. Robertson . . . . 

EoMAN Consul and Dacian. Montfaucon 

The Battering Kam. Sargent . . . . 



PAGB 

313 
315 
316 
318 
319 
320 
322 



iENEIDOS— LIBEE X. 

Council op the Gods, from a Bas-relief 

Roman Soldier discharging a Catapult. Sargent . 

Clio. Rossi, Raccolta di Statue Antiche 

Group op Sea Monsters. Antiq. d'Herculaneum 

Roman Legionaries, from the Column of Trajan 

Greek Chariot, on a Coin of Sicily 

Dead Warrior. Miis. Capitol 

Greek Warriors in Chariot. Panof. Bild. Antik. Lehen. 

Jupiter and Juno. Bartoli Admiranda 

Statue op a Greek Warrior. Panof Bild. Antik. Lehen. 

Roman Horse Soldier. Montfaucon . 



32.5 
328 
329 
331 
333 
336 
338 
340 
341 
345 
348 



tENEIDOS— LIBER XI. 

Raising a Trophy. Sargent . . . . . .351 

Funeral Ceremonies. Panof Bild. Antik. Lehen. . . . 352 

Funeral Procession. Bartoli Admiranda . . . . 353 

Funeral Pile. Bar don . . . , . . 356 

Ambassadors. On a Medal of Augustus .... 360 

Vulcan making the Shield op Achilles. Milll. Denk. der Alt. Kunst. 362 
Roman Military Labourers. Montfaucon .... 363 

Theseus, Hippoltte, and Deinomache. Hope's Costumes of the Ancients 368 
Jupiter, with Statue of Victory. Hope's Costumes of the Ancients . 370 
Roman Military Labourers. Montfaucon .... 374 



^NEIDOS— LIBER XII. 

Roman Triumph. Real Museo Borhonico 

Vends, on a Denarius ..... 

Sacrificial Implements, on a Denarius 

^ATTi,^ ScEHB, from a Mosaic at Poinpeii 

Ancient Surgery, y?-o/« a Terra Cotta in the British Museum 

Dacians attacking a Roman Fort. Montfaucon 

Mount Athos. Sargent .... 

Arch op Constantine. Morelli, Sfc, Veduti di Roma . 

Roman Standards, on a Denarius 



377 
378 
382 
384 
387 
392 
394 
397 
400 




BIOGEAPHICAL MEMOIE OF YIEGIL 



EEV. HENRY THOMPSON, M.A. 

FoEMERLT Scholar op St. John's College, CAiiBEiDGE, Vicau of Chaed, SojrEESEi 



PuBLius YiEGiLrus^ Maro was bom at Andes, near Mantua, on the 15 th 
October, u.c. 684. His father, Virgilius Maro, was an opulent farmer ; who, 
being an intelligent person, gave his son a liberal Greek and Latin education at 
Cremona and Milan, which was completed under the poet Parthenius, and the 
Epicurean Syron. From his father, Virgil inherited the family estate at Mantua. 
But before the Triumvirate undertook their expedition against Brutus and Cas- 
sias, they had agreed at Mutina, in order to retain their soldiers in allegiance, 
to give them, in the event of success, eighteen principal towns of Italy, which 
had adhered to the opposite faction ; and among these were Yenusium and Cre- 
mona. Thus, in the distribution which followed the consummation of the war, 
the neighbourhood of Mantua to the devoted Cremona ensured it a fate scarcely 
less deplorable from the lawless soldiery. The patrimony of Virgil was conse- 
quently confiscated. By whose intercession he regained it authors are not 
agreed. Asinius Pollio and Maecenas, the celebrated patron of literature, have 
the best authorities in then: favour. Pollio, having charge of that district, pro- 
bably recommended his case to Msecenas, who was little likely to have been 
otherwise acquainted with the son of obscure rustics, as all Virgil's biographers 
represent his parents to have been. On this event his 1st Eclogue wa?, most 

1 Vergilius in the oldest Medicean MSS., and in the Vatican MS. 



XVI BIOGEAPHICAL MEMOIE OE VIRGIL. 

certainly, composed. The character of Tityrus in this poem may not have been 
intended for Virgil himself, although some of the ancients so understood it, and 
the poet elsewhere appropriates the name ; ^ it is, however, a lively picture of the 
surprise and gratitude of an outcast, who finds himself suddenly restored to his 
domestic comforts, and contrasts strikingly with the desperate melancholy of the 
houseless wanderer Meliboeus, taking his last survey of the desolated hearth, with 
which all his dearest affections were associated. The removal of PoUio was 
attended with disastrous consequences to Virgil. His estate was again seized 
by the rapacious military, and himself compelled to seek his safety by flight to 
Rome. The story of his second expulsion is treated in the IXth Eclogue. He 
succeeded in again recovering his patrimony, apparently through the interest of 
one Varus, of whom he speaks in the highest strain of commendation in the 
Vlth and IXth Eclogues; who this Varus was cannot now be determined.^ 
Perhaps he was Quinctilius Varus, whose death Horace deplores in the XXIVth 
Ode of the 1st Book, and of whom he there speaks as the especial friend of Virgil. 
Donatus and Servius make him Alfenus Varus, who was, according to the latter 
grammarian, appointed to succeed Pollio in the government of the country in 
which Mantua was situate. This opinion is rejected by Heyne, from chronologi- 
cal considerations. Yet it is not necessary to suppose the Varus of the gram- 
marians the same with the eminent jurist ; and no person was so likely to have 
been instrumental in reinstating the poet in his possessions, as he who had them 
in absolute control. 

That Virgil was early acquainted with Augustus, Maecenas, and many of the 
most eminent literary persons of his time, and that this acquaintance was not 
long in ripening into intimacy, is certain ; though of the origin of this intercourse 
we have no accounts but such as are palpably fabulous. The misfortunes of his 
youth were probably, as is sometimes the case, the foundation of his subsequent 
elevation. These brought him into communication with men who would soon 
appreciate his elegant and cultivated mind. At an early period of his acquain- 
tance with Maecenas he accompanied that statesman, together with Horace, 
Varius, and Plotius, on the celebrated expedition to Brundusium, whither the 
minister was sent by Augustus to treat with Antony. From the same munificent 
patron he acquired an ample fortune, and had residences in Rome, Campania, 
and (according to Donatus) in Sicily. The authority of this writer, which, 
however, is not always to be implicitly relied on, pronounces the poet to have 
been kind and generous to his parents ; and the general character of Virgil here 
confirms the statement of his biographer. 

Virgil was studious of the opportunities which his own good fortune had given 
him of enriching his country's literature. His local situation, added to his mode 
of living, had engendered in him a strong perception of the pleasures of rural 

1 EcL vi. 4. 8 Conf. Heyne, Excurs. ii. ad Bucolica. 



BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIH OF YIEGIL. 



XV ll 



life. The beauties of Theocritus, therefore, M-ere deeply felt by him ; the Tst 
and IXth Eclogues, in which he attempted to convey their spirit in his native 
tongue, have been already noticed. Martyn, however, conjectures that the Alexis 
and Palcemon were the earliest in point of composition, from the following 
passage in the Daplinis : — 

Hac nos te fragili donabiraus antfe cicuta : 

Haec nos : " Formosum Corydon ardebat Alexin :" 

Hsec eadem docuit : " Cujum pecus ? an Meliboei?" 

He then makes the Daplinis the third in order. His argument is : " As the 
poet does not give the least hint here of his having composed any other, it seems 
probable that these were the three first Eclogues which our author composed.'"^ 
The subject is scarcely of sufficient importance to demand a formal refutation of 
Martyn's argument, which is certainly defective : suffice it to state that about 
this time the Bucolics were completed. It will be preferable to take a sketch of 
the Bucolic Muse, as she appeared attired in the Latian garb by the hand of Yirgii. 




No department of Greek poetry promised less to the Latin imitator than the 
pastoral. The poems of Theocritus, Bion, and Moschus, are distinguished by a 
simplicity equally remote from epic majesty and sordid rusticity. Every charm 
of the country has been rifled to adorn them, and almost every deformity care- 
fully concealed. If the Romans were unfortunate in possessing no Attic dialect 
for dramatic expression, the want of a Doric was a still greater obstacle to suc- 
cess in the pastoral. This dialect at once removed the reader from the town, 
while it afforded the Muse every facility of utterance. The lordly language of 



1 On the order of tlie Eclogues, see Biilir. Gesch. d, Rom. Lit 

a 



1S7, and the references. 



XVIU BIOGEAPHIOAL MEMOIR OF VIEGIL. 

imperial Rome was ill suited to convey tlie unpremeditated effusions of unlettered 
herdsmen. If Virgil, therefore, has fallen very far short of his great prototype, 
the difficulty of his attempt must not be forgotten. Indeed, he appears not in- 
sensible of it himself; and, by the nature of the language in -which he composed, 
he has been compelled to abandon his original intention, and to attempt loftier 
flights than the nature of pastoral poetry strictly justifies. 

The Eclogues of Yirgil possess one remarkable characteristic; they are alle- 
gories. This at once introduces a great difference between them and the Theo- 
critean Idyl. The allegorical veil is sometimes allowed to fall, and the shepherds 
who represent the poet and his friends converse like scholars and philosophers. 
It has been a great question, whether the Alexis partakes of this figurative 
character ; many are of opinion that it is merely an imitation of the ^Epxarvig 
of Theocritus. All the grammarians, however, identify the poet with Corydon ; 
and there is the higher authority of his contemporary, Propertius, as well as 
those of Martial and Apulejus, on the same side ; ^ but the real name of Alexis is 
a matter of considerable doubt. The opinion mentioned by Servius, that Augustus 
was intended, scarcely deserves to be noticed. Some make Alexis to have been 
Alexander, a slave of Pollio ; but most probably he belonged to Maecenas. 
Painful doubts overhang this portion of Virgil's history f but Juvenal most as- 
suredly did not make any allusion to the subject in the following lines, which 
Dryden has most grossly amplified and perverted :^ — 

si Virgilio puer et tolerabile deesset 

Hospitium, caderent omnes b crinibus hydri, — 
Surda nihil gemeret grave buccina. 

There is diflSculty in believing this to have been the first of Virgil's compositions, 
on the supposition of Alexis being the slave either of Maecenas or Augustus ; 
inasmuch as, in that case, it must have been written before we have any account 
of Virgil's acquaintance with either. 

But the most extraordinary composition of Virgil is his Pollio^ a poem which 

Prop. 2 Eleg. xxiv. 73 ; Mart. v. 16 ; viii. 56 ; ApuL Apolog. i. 13. 

2 Donatiis observes, "^o«j ita cum pueros amassc putavenint, ut Socrates Alcibiadem, et Plato 
suospueros."— T/^. Virg. 20. Charity "hopetli all things;" but the state of heathen morality, 
even among the most intellectual and refined, was such as to allow and indulge abominations 
■which, in any professedly Christian society, however rude, would cover their perpetrators with 

nfamy : and whatever may have been the conduct of Virgil, Horace, Catullus, Tibullus, and others, 
they have not hesitated to follow Greek examples of this nature in their writings. It is, however 
right to observe that the Eoman poets generally claimed the privilege of bad morals on paper, 
while they renounced it in act. See in particular Catull. xvii.; 0^•id. Trist. ii. 154; Mart. i. 15 
Plan. Epist. iii. 5; iv. 14; and Hadrian's epitaph on Voconius. Profligate literature was no dis- 
grace, rather otherwise, even when a profligate life Avould have been iniamous. The peculiarity 
of Virgil's case, however, is, that he makes no such apology forhimseU^ and, indeed, needs it less, 
perhaps, than any of his extant contemporaries; while yet his identity with his "Corydon" 
appears, fi-om external evidence, to be indubitable. On this account his memory bears a stain, 
which those of Horace and Tibullus, who have written as offensively, have commonly escaped. 

3 Sat. vii. 69 



EIOGEAPniCAL MEilOIE OF YTEGIL. XIX 

has been the subject of endless conjecture. The much litigated and unsettled 
question, " whom vras it intended to commemorate?" we shall pass over, as 
not materially connected with our subject ; only observing that this honour has 
been ascribed to the young Marcellus, to a son of Pollio, to a son of Augustus, 
to Asinius Gallus, to Drusus, and lastly, even to Augustus himself.^ What is 
principally worthy of notice is, that this poem exhibits a coincidence with the 
Sacred "Writings too close to be fortuitous. That the Greeks had acquired in- 
directly some acquaintance with the histories of the Hebrew Scriptures is not to 
be doubted ; .as Hesiod and Ovid, the expounders of their theology, have clearly 
discovered it ; and it is probable that Theocritus, at the court of Ptolemy, had 
seen the Sacred Yolume, and even borrowed its phraseology.^ But in this poem 
Yirgil only imitated Theocritus in the structure of the composition ; for, with one 
or two exceptions, there is no similarity in details, which in Yirgil resemble an 
epitome of Scripture prophecies of the I^Iessiah. Though much of the fabulous 
history of the early world is corrupted from Holy Scripture, the Greeks in general 
were ignorant of its source, and were too much possessed with a contempt for 
" barbarian" literature to study, much less to imitate, the Hebrew writers. The 
universal contempt entertained for the Jews at Rome made it still less probable 
that their literature would meet imitation, or even perusal, there. An intelligent 
writer,^ indeed, imagines that he has discovered an avowal, on the part of Yir- 
gil, of his mteution to avail himself of the treasures of Hebrew poetry, in the 
line* 

Primus Idumaas referam tibi, Mantua, palmas ; 

but to this it is only necessary to reply, that the line cited was not written until 
after the Pollio was composed. The inquirer must, therefore, advance on other 
ground than that of supposing that Yirgil accommodated the prophetic Scriptures 
to his purpose- The poet has, indeed, given us a clue in our inquiries ; he has 
asserted that his prophecies are taken from the verses of the Cumcean Sibyl. 
The fable of the Sibyl's interview with Tarquiu is well known. The books wdiich 
she was supposed to have given to the Eomans Avere destroyed in the conflagra- 
tion of the Capitol during the Marsian war ; emissaries were then despatched by 
the Senate throughout Italy, Greece, Asia, and the coasts of Africa, to col- 
lect the best authenticated prophecies of the various Sibyls ; and the collection 
thus made was called " Oimceum Carmen,'*'' because it was compiled to supply 
the loss of the writings of the Cumcean Sibyl, In this miscellany it is nothing im- 
probable that prophecies of the great Person then about to appear should be found ; 
especially when it is recollected that Tacitus and Suetonius have borne wdtness to 

The last opinion is maintained at great length, n a -work entitled, " Ohservations ta Elustra- 
tion of VirgU's celebrated Fourth Eclogue." Loudon, 1810. 

2 Comp. Id. XYiii. 30, Tvith cant. i. 9. 

3 Notes on the " Caliph Vathek." * Georg. iii 12. 



XX EIOGEAPHICAL AIEAIOIE Or TIEGIL. 

the general expectation of such a Person then prevalent in the East.^ It is also 
remarkable that .Elian mentions the Jewish Sibyl, together with the Cumaean ;- 
her oracles, therefore, 't\'hich Tvere probably in substance the same as the pro- 
phetical writings, were likely to be in the collection. Dionysins of Halicamassus, 
on the authority of Varro, asserts that such of the prophecies as were not genuine 
were Avrltten ia acrostichs.^ Eusebius has preserved a pretended acrostich oracle 
of the Erythriean Sibyl, the initial letters of which form the words IH20T2 
XPI2T02 ©EOT TI02 S.QTHP 2TATP02 ; but this is evidently a for- 
gery on the bare inspection. AVe have (jsip^ used for mankind, si'S^yAa for idols, 
and in one place the very words of Scripture have been quoted : " Qpijuog t ex. 
rrxurav Igtoci xoci /ipvyfio; oSovt^j!/." Constantine, in his " Aoyo; ra rZu 
otyico'j GvKKoyUy'' gives a very elaborate interpretation of the Pollio, with a 
Greek translation of the greater part of it, and asserts that the oracle, whence it 
was taken, was translated by Cicero into Latin verse, and annexed to his poems. 
TTe have now no trace of this translation, if it ever existed ; but it is a curious 
circumstance, that Cicero informs us that the Sibylline oracles did predict a king, 
and were written in acrostichs.* If any name were mentioned in them, it must 
have been Cornelius ; as the pretence which Leutulns adduced for his connection 
with Catiline was a Sibylline prophecy, portending that the empire of Rome was 
to be given to three Corneliif Cinna and Sylla having been the two former, the 
third Avas to be himself. It is by no means improbable that, among the pro- 
phecies copied from the Jewish Scriptures, or gleaned from Jewish tradition, 
which were in all probability found among the Sibylline writings, the great Sub- 
ject of prediction was called bs '\'^'^:', tJie jjoicer of God^^ which would assuredly 
have been translated Cornelius by the Romans. 

The author of the ingenious and elaborate Ohservoiions, who conceives that 
Yirgil meant to refer the Sibyl's prediction to Augustus, imagines the whole 
poem to be a metrical horoscope, and discovers a clear explanation of eveiy 
expression and allusion contained in it, by a reference to the phraseology of 
astrological art. How fiir this author is bigoted to hypothesis, may be conjec- 
tured from his application of the following lines to the sign Aries : 

Ipse sed in pratis Aries ]^rD. suave rubenti 
Murice, jam croceo mutabit vellera lute. 

Two lines before occurs the verse 

Eobustus quoque jam Tawris juga solvet arator; 

^ Tac V. Hist. ix. Suet. Vespas. iv. 2 Var. Hist. xii. 35. 

» Antiq. Rom. iv. 62. ** De Div. ii. 54. Cf. etiam Quinct. v. 10. 

^ Cic. 3 Cat ir. ; SalL Bell. Cat. ; Plutarch, in Vit. Cic 

6 Christ is called "the power of God," in 1 Cor. L 24; and nipa.? (Vy^C) «'*'":/>''«? in St. Luke 
i. 69. The number three thus applied may have been derived from some Old Testament intima- 
tions of the Holy Trinity. 



BIOGHAPIIICAL MEMOIE OF VIRGIL. XXI 

and tliere can be no doubt that the same ingenuity, had this line followed those 
above cited, would have given an equally convincing interpretation of Tauris. 
Any mind unsophisticated by hypothesis cannot fail to perceive that the poet is 
describing a time of universal opulence and rest, when agriculture and commerce 
should be alike unnecessary : and when the ram in the meadows (not in the 
skies), should wear his fleece, without the dyer's labour, attired in the most 
costly and splendid colours/ 

That the Daphnis was composed, like Milton's Lycidas, to commemorate 
the death of some real person, is scarcely to be doubted. That Menalcas repre- 
sents Virgil is evident from the conclusion, wherein he states himself to be the 
author of two of Virgil's Eclogues. Mopsus, according to Servius, is -Emilius 
Macer of Verona, who wrote a poetical history of serpents, plants, and birds, in 
imitation of Nicander, and a supplement to the lUad^ called AnteJwmerica and 
PostJiomerica. Bernhardy, Bahr, and others, after Wernsdorf, attribute, how- 
ever, the epic and didactic poems to different writers of the same name.^ If 
Daphnis be a personification, Julius Caesar is the only person whom the character 
can pourtray, as Heyne justly observes : although be believes the poem to be 
merely a commemoration of the celebrated Sicilian shepherd. Servius and 
Donatus make Daphnis the poet's brother Flaccus. An uncertain epigrammatist 
has the following distich : 

Tristia fata tui dum fles in " Daphnide" Flacci, 
Docte ]\Iaro, fratrem Dis immortalibus sequas. 

Virgil concluded his Bucolics with an elegant compliment to Cornelius Gallus, 
a celebrated contemporary poet, born at Forum Julii, in Gaul, about Virgil's 
own age, and his fellow-pupil under Syron, consoling him for the loss of his 
Lycoris, whom the old commentators assert to have been an actress, whose real 
name was Cytheris. She was the freedwoman of Volumnius Eutrapelus, and took 
the name of Volumnia. As she was familiar with Antony, the old commentators 
have supposed that she deserted Gallus to accompany Antony on his Gallic 
expedition. Heyne, however, in his argument of the Gallus, has shown, from 
chronological considerations, that this could not be the case. The genuine poems 
of Gallus, with the exception of a few fragments, are lost. They consisted of 
four books of elegies, called Amoves or Lycoris^ and a translation of Euphorion^ 
as we learn from Servius. A pretended edition of the works of Gallus was pub- 
lished by Pomponio Gaurico, at the beginning of the sixteenth century ; but the 
fraud was soon detected in Italy, and Tiraboschi attributes these poems,^ accord- 

1 The reader desirous of prosecuting subject of Virgil's Pollio is referred to the following 
works: Heyne's Virgil ; Cudworth's Intellectual System, book i. c. iv. sec. 16; Martyn's Virgil ; 
and Blondel, De Sibyllis. 

2 Bernhardy, Grundriss der Rom. Lit. Anm. 434; Aeussere Geschichte, 83, Bahr, Geschichte 
der Rom. Lit § 83 ; Wernsdorf, Poett. Latt. Minn. torn. iv. p. 579. 

3 Storia, part. iii. lib. iii. sec. 27. 



XXU BIOGEAPHICAL MEMOIE OF VIEGIL. 

iug to common report, to a certain Maximinian, who flourished in the time of 
Boetius. As an elegiac poet, Gallus ranked very high in public opinion. Ovid 
speaks of his fame as universal ; Propertius and Martial have borne testimony 
to his excellence ; and Yirgil, in his beautiful and extraordinary Vlth Eclogue, 
has panegyrized his Eupliorion in the noblest strains of mythological eulogy. 
Yirgil had also, according to Servius, celebrated his praises in the conclusion of 
his Georgics. Gallus was no less distinguished as a warrior than as a poet ; he 
was of great service to Augustus in the Egyptian war, and assisted in securing 
the person of Cleopatra. He was, in consequence, constituted the first prefect 
of Egypt. Here he appears to have conducted himself with arrogance and in- 
solence. He was afterwards condemned to banishment by the command of 
Augustus, on suspicion of having conspired against him ; a sentence which, how- 
ever, the poet anticipated by a voluntary death, u.c. 728 ; and Virgil, at the 
instance of the emperor, substituted for his eulogy on Gallus the fable of Aris- 
tceus. 

The publication of Virgil's Bucolics created a powerful sensation in literary 
Rome. The grammarians tell us that they were recited on the stage ; ^ and 
that, on one occasion, when Cicero was present in the theatre, and heard some 
verses of the Silenus recited by Cytheris, he called for the whole eclogue, and, 
when he had heard it through, exclaimed, '"'■ MagncB spes altera Roma;.'* 
This cannot be true, for Cicero was then dead : but we have better authority 
for the truth of the honours publicly lavished on A^irgil. From the author of the 
Dialogue de Oratoribus'~ we learn that, when some verses of Virgil were recited 
on the stage, and the poet happened to be present, all the spectators rose, and 
paid him the same marks of respect which they would have shown to Augustus. 
Propertius^ has celebrated the conclusion and publication of the Bucolics, and 
Ovid' has foretold their immortality. 

The poetical poAver which the Bucolics discovered induced Maecenas, almost 
as soon as they were finished (about U.C. 717), to request Virgil to undertake 
the Georgics. The neglected state of agriculture, in consequence of the civil 
wars, might be the reason why Ma3cenas chose this subject for Virgil's Muse : 
and indeed this condition of the country is graphically described by the poet 
himself : '" 

Ubi fas versa atque nefas ; tot bella per orbem, 
Tarn multoe scelerum fades : nou uUus aratro 
Dignus hones : squalent abductis arva colonis, 
Et curvae rigidum falces conflantur in ensem. 

But we must not suppose the statesman to have conceived that the military 
settlers could be moved by an exquisite poem to the cultivation of their estates. 

1 Donat in Vit. Virg. ; Serv. in Eel. vi. 11. 2 Dial, de Orat. xiii. 

3 ii. 34. * 1 Am. 12. 5 Georg. i. 162. 



BIOGEAPHICA.L MEMOIE OE TIEGIL. XXUl 

The fact was, that a more effectual and more delicate expedient for calling the 
attention of Augustus to this important subject could not be imagined; and in 
his power lay a gi-eat portion of the remedy. 

Of the character of the Georgics it is unnecessary to speak, because no 
reader of this memoir can be ignorant that this poem is the most elaborate and 
extraordinary instance of the power of genius in embellishmg a most baiTen 
subject, which human wit has ever afforded. The commonest precepts of 
farming are delivered with an elegance which could scarcely be attained by a 
poet who should endeavour to clothe in verse the sublimest maxims of philo- 
sophy. Indeed, one consideration alone is sufficient to show ns the excellence 
of Virgil in this particular — the uniform failm'e of his imitators. It is, however, 
much to be regretted that he was not free to choose his own subject, as, in all 
probability, he would have selected a theme better suited to his Muse. It is 
said that the poet, while employed on this immortal work, composed many 
verses every morning ; but, by the evening, reduced them to a very few ; so 
that he used to compare himself to a bear, which licks her shapeless offspring 
into form.^ 

According to the computation of Donatus, or the writer of the Life of Virgil 
ascribed to him, the poet must have been at Xaples, after six years' attention 
to the Georgics, when Augustus undertook the expedition against Antony, 
which ended in the decisive victory of Actium. To the year following that 
engagement the completion of the Georgics is commonly assigned. At what 
time the JEneid was first projected, is uncertain ; but Yirgil, like our Milton, 
appears from a very early period to have had a strong desire of composing an 
epic poem, and, like him also, to have been long undecided on his subject. 
That he had attempted something of the kind, before the Eclogues were finished, 
is evident from these verses in his Sileims : 

Quum canerem reges et prcelia^ Cynthius auvem 
Vellit, et admouuit; — 

and his ambition to produce some work of distinguished excellence is attested 
by the ardent exclamation in the opening of the Illd Georgic : 

Tentanda via est, qua me quoque possim 
ToUere humo, %-ictorque viriim volitare per era. 

Even in his Culex^ which he is said to have written at fifteen years of age, he 
gives promise of higher things : 

Posterius graviore sono tibi Musa loquetur 
Nostra, dabunt qutim securos mihi tempera fructus 

Ut tibi digna tuo poliautm' carmiua seusu. 

1 Donat. in Yit Yirg. ix.; Quinct. Lib. s. 3; Aul. GeU. x^ii. 10. 



XXIV 



BIOGEAPHICAL MEMOIR OF YIEGIL. 



He Is said to have begun a metrical chronicle of the Alban kings, but afterwards 
to have desisted in consequence of the harshness of the names.^ After the com- 
pletion of the Georgics, or, perhaps, some short time before, he laid down the 
plan of a regular epic on the wanderings of jEiieas, and the Roman destinies ; 
to form a sort of continuation of the Iliad to the Roman times, and to combine 
the features of that poem and the Odyssey. The idea was sufficiently noble, 
and the poem, long before its publication, or even conclusion, had obtained the 
very highest reputation. While Yirgil was employed on the jEneid, " quo nul- 
lum Latlo clarins exstat opus,^^^ Propertius wrote with generous admiration : 

Cedite, Romani scriptores ! cedite, Graii ! 
Nescio quid majus nascitur Iliade! ^ 

Augustus, while absent on his Cantabrian campaign, wrote repeatedly to Virgil 
for extracts from his poem in progress ; ,but the poet declined, on the ground 
that his work was unworthy the perusal of the prince- The correspondence is 
recorded by Macrobius, in the 1st Book of the Saturnalia ; but its genuineness 




is very questionable. The poet, on a subsequent occasion, recited to Augustus 
the Ilnd, IVth, and Vlth Books of the jEneid: the noblest portions, perhaps, 
of the whole poem. At the verse ending '' Tu Marcdlus eris^'' Octavia, who 
was present, is said to have fainted, overcome by this laudatory mention of her 
deceased son, and to have presented A^irgil with 10 sesterces for every verse of 
the passage. 

It would be palpably superfluous, in a sketch of this nature, to attempt an 
elaborate criticism on this great poem, familiar from their childhood to all 



1 Donat. Vit. Virg. viii.; Serv. in Eel. vi. 

3 II. Eleg. xxxiv. 66. 



2 Ovid, De Art. Am. iii. 337. 



BIOGEAPHICAL MEMOIR OT TIEGIL. XXV 

persons of educatiou. Most scholars are agreed that it wants the natural 
freshness and freedom of Homer, -while it exhibits a degree of art, elegance, and 
majesty never attempted ia any poem, save the Gcorgics of its author. It may, 
however, be pertinent to remark, that, smooth and uniform as its surface seems, 
it is really, in great measure, mosaic. That Virgil should have translated whole 
passages out of Homer, or even the Alexandrine writers, is no matter of cen- 
sm'e : he and his contemporaries would have thought the absence of such 
''purpurei panni " a defect ; and the high authorities of Dante, Ariosto, Tasso, 
Spenser, Camoens, and Milton ratify their opinion. But the same cannot be 
said of plagiarisms from Latin authors. How unscrupulously he appropriated 
whole verses of Enuius, of Lucretius, of Lucilius, of even his friend Yarius, and 
of others, the curious reader may find in the Ylth Book of Macrobius's Satur- 
nalia, Avhich will abundantly repay his perusal. His merit, therefore, in not 
interfering when others plagiarized his verses, and gained credit by them, is 
not so great as Donatus would have us believe. It may be right to add that 
the JEneid is a most conspicuous evidence of the learning, diligence, and anti- 
quarian research of its illustrious author. 

[^Availing himself of the pride and superstition of the Eoman people, which 
never abounded more than during the Augustan age, the poet traces the origin 
and establishment of the " eternal city " to those heroes and actions which had 
enough in them of what was human and ordinary to excite the sympathy of his 
countrymen ; intermingled with persons and circumstances of an extraordinary 
and superhuman character, to awaken their admiration and their awe. No 
subject could have been more happily chosen. It has been admired too for its 
perfect unity of action ; for while the episodes command the richest variety of 
description, they are always subordinated to the main object of the poem, which 
is to impress the divine authority under which iEneas first settled in Italy. The 
wrath of Juno, upon which the whole fate of iEneas seems at first suspended, is 
at once that of a woman and a goddess : the passion of Dido, and her general 
character, bring us nearer the present world ; but the poet is continually intro- 
ducing higher and more effectual influences, until, by the intervention of the 
father of gods and men, the Trojan name is to be continued in the Eoman, and 
thus heaven and earth are appeased. 



Hinc genus, Ausonio mixtum quod sanguine surget, 
Supra homines, supra ire Deos pietate videbis ; 
Nee gens ulla tuos jeque celebrabit houores. 
Annuit Ms Juno, et mentem Isetata retorsit. 

jEneid, xii, 84:1. 

1 The portion bracketed is talcen, -with slight alterations, from the article ^neid, formerly 
printed in the lexicograpliical part of the Encyclopaedia Metropolitana. The author is unknown 
to the present writer. 



XXVI BIOGEAPHICAL MEMOIE OF TIEG-IL. 

The Style, for sweetness and for beauty, occasionally, and in the author's 
finished passages, surpasses almost every other production of antiquity. " I see 
no foundation," says Dr. Blair, "for the opinion entertained by some critics 
that the ^neid is to be considered as an allegorical poem, which carries a con- 
stant reference to the character and reign of Augustus Caesar ; or that Virgil's 
main design in composing the jEneid was to reconcile the Eomans to the 
government of that prince, who is supposed to be shadowed out under the 

character of jEneas He had sufficient motives, as a poet, to determine 

him to the choice of his subject, from its being in itself both great and pleasing ; 
from its being suited to his genius, and its being attended with peculiar ad- 
vantages for the full display of poetical talents." ^ 

The first six books of the ^neid are tlie most elaborate part of the poem. 
The imperfections of the jEneid are alleged to be want of originality in some 
of the principal scenes, and defectiveness in the exhibition of character. That 
of Dido is by far the most decided and complete. But Voltaire has justly 
observed upon the strange confusion of interest excited by the story of the wars 
in Italy, in ^yhich one is continually tempted to espouse the cause of Turnus 
rather than that of ^neas ; and to which the exquisite scenes for displaying 
the tenderness of the poet in nan-atiug the story of Lavinia, seem to have been 
his only temptation.] 

Virgil, having just revised and altered the Bucolics and Georgics, projected, 
with a view to giving the ultimate polish to the ^neid, which he had now com- 
pleted, a torn- in Greece and Asia. With a dread almost prophetic, and an 
ardour not disproportionate, Horace addressed the ship which bore his departing 
friend : — 

Sic te Diva potens Cypri, 

Sic fratres Helence, lucida sidera, 
Ventorumque regat pater, 

Obstrictis aliis, prceter lapyga, 
Xavis, quae tibi creditum 

Debes Virgilium, fiaibus Atticis 
Eeddas incolumem, precor, 

Et serves animjB dimidium me^e ! - 

At Athens the poet met with Augustus, who was returning from Samos, where 
he had wintered after his Syrian expedition, to Eome. Changing his former 
intention, Virgil determined to accompany his patron. On a visit to Megara 
he was seized with a sudden indisposition, which his voyage increased, and he 
died a few days after his arrival at Brundusium,^ in his fifty-second year. 

1 Lectures on Rhetoric, vol. iiL 2 iw^^ }_ 0(j jj^ 

3 In a life of Virgil, prefixed to tlie Venetian edition of 1472, attributed to Servius, it is said 
tliat he died at Tarentum, on his -way to Metapontum. 



BIOGEAPHICAL ]\IEMOIR OF TIE GIL. XXVll 

According to Donatns he composed his epitaph, to be inscribed on his tomb at 
Naples, whither he desired his body to be conveyed for bnrial : 

Mantua me geniiit ; Calabri rapiaere ; tenet nunc 
Partheuope ; cecini pascua, rura, duces. 

The internal evidence militates forcibly against the ascription of these verses. 
Virgil was, however, buried (by order of Augustus, Donatus says,) in the road 
from Naples to Pulteoli, within two miles of the former place. On his death-bed 
he earnestly desired that his JEneid, as an imperfect work, might be burned, 
and even left in his will an injunction to that effect. Being, however, informed 
by the celebrated Yarius and Plotius Tucca, (the same who is mentioned by 
Horace, in his journey to Erimdusium,) that Augustus would not permit the 
destruction of his poem, he left it to them to publish, on condition that they 
would make no additions to the text, even for the purpose of supplying an 
unfinished verse. How far his executors were faithful to their trust must now 
be uncertain ; several unfinished verses are extant in the JEneid ; but the 
terminations of some complete lines render it not improbable that they have 
been supplied by another pen. The biography and the writings of Yirgil have, 
unfortunately, fallen into the hands of ignorant grammarians and monastics, who 
have most miserably corrupted both. A sample of the absurd legends with which 
some of his biographers have disfigured his history shall be presently offered to 
the curious reader. The corruptions of his writings are chiefly to be found in 
his minor poems. Donatus, presenting us with some occasional verses, which 
internal and external evidences alike repudiate,'^ mentions, as his acknowledged 
works, the Cafcdecta, the Moretum, the Priape'ia, the Epigrams, the Dirce^ 
and the Culex; and notices a poem called ^tna, the genuineness of which he 
considers doubtful. This poem is to be found, illustrated with copious disserta- 
tions, and notices of the authors to whom it has been ascribed, in the fourth 
volume of Wernsdorf 's Poetce Minores, where it is attributed to Lucilius Junior, 
a writer of the time of Nero. To these, Servius adds the Cii'ina, which is the 
same with the Ciris (a poem with some plausibility ascribed to Catullus,) and 
the Copa. The Catalecta are miscellaneous little poems, mostly in the style of 



1 "We may possibly except the epitaph on Balista, Virgil's schoolmaster, who Tvas stoned for his 
rohheries; 

Monte sub hoc lapidum tegitur Balista sepnltus ; 
Xocte, die, tutum, carpe, viator, iter. 

The verses are not first-rate; but the author is represented as "puer adhuc ; " and the occasion 
was provocative of the feelings of a schoolboy. In Donatus's description of Balista, "Ludi gla- 
diatorii magistram," the word "gladiatorii " is not in the earliest editions. Phocas is the authoiity 
for making BaUsta schoolmaster to Virgil. De Vit. Virg. 41 seqq. 



XXVlll BIOaEAPHICAL MEMOIE OF VIEGIL. 

Catullus. One Epigram, intituled Votum pro susceptd A^neidCy will not be 
ungrateful to the reader : 

Si mihi susceptura fuerit decurrere munus, 

Paphon, 6 sedes qu£e colis Idalias ! 
Troius iEneas Romana per oppida digno 

Jam tandem ut tecum carmine vectus eat: 
Non ego tlaure modo, aut picta tua templa tabella 

Ornabo, et puris serta feram manibus : 
Corniger bos aries bumiles et maxima taurus 

Victima sacratos tinget bonore feces ; 
Marmoreusque tibi, Dea, versicoloribus alis, 

In morem picta stabit Amor pbaretra. 
Adsis, 6 Cytherea ! tuus te Caesar Olympo, 

Et Surrentini literis era vocant. 

It is scarcely necessary to distinguish the Catalecta from the Epigrammata. 
The nature of the Priape'ia it is obviously unnecessary to investigate. The 
work now extant under that title is, substantially, Augustan, but the character 
of Yirgil forbids us to suppose that his pen has contributed to it in any im- 
portant degree. The Dirce is a poem attributed more correctly to Valerius 
Cato. The Moretum is a piece of very peculiar beauty ; and approaches nearer 
to Theocritus in spirit than any of the Bucolics. It bears also a remarkable 
resemblance to Bloomfield's Farmer's Boy. It is a lively description of a rustic's 
day, and takes its name from a kind of salad, called Moretum^ the making of 
which is described in it. The Copa is a Bacclianalian invitation, in the person 
of a Copa, or Syrian woman, who attended, as a dancer or singer, on houses of 
public entertainment — '•'- Amhiibaiarum collegia^ 

Of all the minor poems, however, ascribed to Virgil, the Culex is, for many 
reasons, the best deserving notice. Whatever doubts may be thrown on the 
genuineness of the others, there seems to be every reason lor believing that this 
poem, allowing for all its gross and manifold corruptions, is the work of Virgil. 
That Virgil wrote a poem bearing this name cannot be questioned ; for, besides 
the testimony of Donatus and Servius, we have the more respectable evidences 
of Martial,^ Statins," and Lucan,^ for the fact. Donatus quotes two verses from 
the poem, and Nonius Marcellus one, which are found in the extant copies. 
The poem, however, seems to have suffered much from alterations and inter- 
poltations. Allowing for these, it must have been a very beautiful production, 
and by far the most original effort of Virgil's Muse. It opens with a dedication 
to Octavius ; who this Octavius was is a matter of uncertainty. In the Cata- 
lecta mention is made of a certain Octavius who died in a paroxysm of anger 
occasioned by drinking ; if this person be, as some commentators suppose, the 

1 viii. 56. and xiv. 185. 2 2 Sylv. vii. 74. Id. Prcef. Sylv. Ub. i. » guet. Vit. Lucani. 



BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIK OF YIEGIL. XXIX 

same to whom the Cidex is addressed, he cannot be the Octaviiis of whose 
opinion Horace speaks so higlily in the Xth Satire of his 1st Book, since the 
Catalecta -were, according to Donatus's account, completed when Yirgil was 
fifteen years of age.^ From the dedication, the poet proceeds to a most glowing 
description of sunrise, and a goatherd driving his flock afield : and thence takes 
occasion to indulge in a long digression on the happiness of rural life, which, 
though less polished, is more winning and pathetic than the correspouding 
passage in the Georgics. He has not, indeed, surpassed in intensity of relish for 
the country his great model Lucretius ; but he has amplified him with great 
taste and independence, and this passage, taken all in all, is one of the most 
vivid and delicious in the whole range of Latin Poetry. From this, Yirgil 
returns to his short narrative. The noon approaches, and his rustic hero seeks 
the shelter of a grove to enjoy his siesta. "While he is sleeping, a serpent is on 
the point of destroying him, when a gnat, perceiving his danger, gives notice to 
him by a timely sting. Enraged with the insect, of whose benevolent intention he 
is ignorant, he instantly crushes him. At night, however, the shade of the gnat 
appears to him, and, after a poetical but tedious description of the regions of the 
departed, reproaches him for his ingratitude. In this passage the reader may 
trace the sketches from which Yirgil afterwards drew his finished pictures of the 
appearance of Hector, and the descents of Orpheus and jEneas. The goatherd, 
on awaking, as the only compensation in his power, erects a monument to his 
benefactor, with an inscription, which concludes the poem : 

Parve Cules, pecudum custos tibi tale merenti 
Fuueris officium ^-it£e pro munere reddit. 

The character of Yirgil, as drawn by Asconius Pedianus, and preserved to us 
by Donatus, is eminently pleasing. He is there represented as kind in disposition, 
attached to the learned and the virtuous, free from all envy, and delighted with 
the literary success of others no less than with his own; blaming none, and praising 
the good ; and so affable in manner, that none but the most perverse could fail 
to like, and even love him. He seemed to consider nothing his own ; his library 
belonged as much to his literary friends as to himself; and be often quoted the 
adage in Euripides, rcc rZu (p'lT^av koh/cc. By this amiable and conciliatory life, 
he established himself in the esteem of all the most eminent of his literary con- 
temporaries ; especially in that of Horace, Propertius, Yarius, Tucca, and Pollio. 
From Donatus, however, we learn that Anser declined his acquaintance from 
party considerations, being himself attached to Antony, in whose praise he com- 
posed a poem. Yet the splendour of Yirgil's success attracted many to perish in 
the blaze which they sought to extinguish. On the appearance of his Bucolics, 
an anonymous author published a dull parody, called Ardibucolica ; and one 

1 Some, ho-svever, correct, t^ventv-five. 



XXX BIOGEAPHICAL MEMOIE OE YIEGIL. 

Carvilius Pictor, in imitation of his worthy prototype Zoihis, composed an 
jEneidomastix. Bavius and Masvius, proverbial names for the impersonation 
of united dulness, envy, and calumny, attacked Virgil ; and Cornificius, also, 
appears to have written against him. Yirgil is said to have retaliated under 
the name of Amyntas, in his Alexis and Daplinis} But the most triumphant 
refutation of his adversaries has been the judgment of posterity. No writer, 
probably, ever exercised so wide an influence either in time or space. His works 
became forthwith,^ and still remain, text-books and school-books ; they were even 
translated into Greek ; they were commented oii by a cloud of grammarians ; 
they were the subject of innumerable epigrams ; they were formed into centos ; 
they were used for the purposes of divination. Virgil was the model of the 
Carlovingian poets; the "Magnus Apollo" of the chivalrous Von Veldeck; 
Dante exulted in his guidance ; and the later poetry of all Europeans has done 
homage to his supremacy. 

In person, according to Donatus, Virgil was tall ; his complexion was dark, 
his expression rustic, his manners shy, and of almost feminine modesty. These 
particulars may very well be traditional. Allusion has been already made to the 
magical powers ascribed to him, and, as a matter of curiosity, and illustrative 
of the ideas which prevailed concerning him in the middle ages, some of these 
fables may be appended. None of them are probably older than the 11th cen- 
tury. According, then, to his media3val chroniclers, Virgil became acquainted with 
necromancy by the assistance of an evil spirit, who promised to instruct him in 
the art so that he should never be surpassed, on condition of being liberated from 
a cavern in the side of a hill in which he was confined- Virgil fulfilled the con- 
dition, and afterwards defied the spirit to enter the hole at which he came out. 
The challenge was accepted ; but no sooner was the demon in the cave than 
Virgil closed it upon him. The story is probably derived from an Arabian tra- 
dition. Virgil's first necromantic exploit was the erection of the city of Naples, 
which he built on a foundation of eggs. On a square tower which he constructed 
there, he so balanced an egg, that, when it stirred, the city would be shaken with 
an earthquake ; and, whenever it broke, the city would sink. He made, and placed 
on one of the gates of his favourite town, a fly of copper, which prevented all 
living flies from entering the city. On a mount near that place, he set up a 
statue of the same metal, with a trumpet in its mouth, which, when the north 
wind blew, drove the fire and smoke from " the forges of Vulcan " with great noise 
to the sea. He made a public fire, near which he erected a brazen archer with 
bended bow, beneath which was inscribed : " Whoever strikes me, I shoot my 
arrow." A maniac defied the warning, when the statue discharged his arrow 
into the fire, and extinguished it. He surrounded his house and garden with an 
mmovable atmosphere, so that it never rained within the charmed enclosure. 

SeiT. n Eel. ii. and Suet, de HI. Gramm. svi. Juv. Sat vii. 227. 



BIOGEAPHICAL MEMOIR OF YIEGIL. 

He erected statues representing various nations ; and, when any nation was about 
to revolt against the Emperor, the corresponding statue rang a small bell, and 
gave ■warning to arm for the contest. As he advanced in years, he became 
desirous of renovating his youth by enchantment; and, with this view, erected a 
castle in a lonely spot, in the porch of which he set twenty-four copper statues, 
armed with iron flails, twelve on eacli side, which threshed continually, except 
when he withheld them. Hither he conducted a servant; and, leading him into 
a room lighted by a perpetual lamp, bade him kill him, cut the body in pieces, 
and place it in a barrel, for the oil of the lamp to drop upon for nine days, after 
which Virgil was to come forth a youth. The lamp was, notwithstanding, to 
be replenished daily. The instructions were complied with. The servant was 
made acquainted with the method of stopping the flails, and visited the apart- 
ment every day to replenish the lamp. At length the Emperor, missing Yirgil 
from court, threatened the servant with death if he did not convey him to his 
master. When the domestic had led the Emperor to the enchanted room, and 
had confessed his deed, the prince slew him on the spot. The figure of a little 
child was forthwith seen running round the barrel, exclaiming, " Cursed be the' 
time that ye ever came here." The replenishing of the lamp being suspended, 
the renovation was incomplete, and the magician poet died. 

Such is a specimen of the extraordinary absurdities wherewith mediaeval 
writers have overlaid the biography of Yirgil. It is, however, but a very slight 
notice of the mythology connected with the subject. Many fabulous inventions 
are omitted, and those which have been adduced have been merely sketched, as 
some readers may deem even these slender particulars unworthy of allusion in a 
serious though compendious biography. They have, however, in the writer's 
opinion, then' value — they show the high reputation which the name of Yirgil 
had attained, even when his works were least appreciated ; for magical powers 
were then ascribed in proportion as intellectual were exhibited ; and though 
Yirgil's mathematical and physical studies may have had possibly some influence 
in originating the fables reported of him, yet the general celebrity of his writings, 
the judgment of ancient critics, and the estimate which the learned were still 
able to form of his works, are sufficient to account for the phenomenon. These 
tales, in truth, only speak the language of one to whom they perhaps were, and 
then- subject certainly was, amply familiar : 

" Gloria and honour, Yirgile Mantuan, 
Be to thy name ! "^ 

Chaucer, Legend of Dido. 



p. VIEGILII MAEOXIS 

BUCOLICON 



LIBER 




ECLOGA I. TITYEUS. 



MELIB(EXJS. TITYErS. 



Mel. Tittre, tu patulse recubans sub tegmine fagi 
Silvestrem tenui Musam. meditaris avena : 
Nos patriae fines et dulcia linquimus arva ; 
Nos patriam fugimus : tu, Tityre, lentus in umbra 
Formosam resonare doces Amaryllida silvas. 

Tit, Meliboee, deus nobis bsec otia fecit : 
Namque erit ille mihi semper deus ; illius aram 
Ssepe tener nostris ab ovilibus imbuet agnus. 
Ille meas errare boves, ut cernis, et ipsum 
Ludere, quae vellem, calamo permisit agresti. 

Mel. Non equidem invideo ; miror magis : undique totis 
Usque adeo turbatur agris. En, ipse capellas 
Protenus asger ago ; banc etiam vix, Tityre, duco. 
Hie inter densas corulos modo iiamque gemellos, 
Spem gregis, ah ! silice in nuda connixa reliquit. 
Ssepe malum hoc nobis, si mens non Iseva fuisset, 
De coelo tactas memini prsedicere quercus. 
[Sgepe sinistra cava praedixit ab ilice cornix.] 
Sed tamen, iste deus qui sit, da, Tityre, nobis. 

Tit. Urbem quam dicunt Eomam, Meliboee, putavi 
Stultus ego buic nostrse similem, quo ssepe solemus 
Pastores ovium teneros depeUere fetus. 
Sic canibus catulos similes, sic matribus bsedos 
Noram ; sic parvis componere magna solebam. 



4< p. TIEGILII MAEOXIS 

Verum lisec tantum alias inter caput exbulit urbes, 
Quantum lenta solent inter viburna cupressi. 

Mel. Et quse tanta fuit Romam tibi causa videndi ? 

Tit. Libertas ; quse sera, tamen respexit inertem, 
Candidior postquam tondenti barba cadebat ; 
Respexit tamen, et longo post tempore venit, 
Postquam nos Amaryllis babet, Gralatea reliquit. 
Namque fatebor enim, dum me Gralatea tenebat, 
Nee spes libertatis erat, nee cm'a peculi. 
Quamvis multa meis exiret victima sseptis, 
Pinguis et ingratae premeretur caseus urbi : 
Non unquam gravis »re domum mihi dextra redibat. 

Mel. Mrrabar, quid maesta deos, Amarylli, vocares, 
Cui pendere sua patereris in arbore poma ; 
Tityrus bine aberat. Ipsse te, Tityre, pinus, 
Ipsi te fontes, ipsa beec arbusta vocabant. 

Tit. Quid facerem ? neque servitio me exii-e licebat, 
Nee tam prsesentes alibi cognoscere divos. 
Hie ilium vidi juvenem, Meliboee, quotannis 
Bis senos cui nostra dies altaria fumant. 
Hie milii responsum primus dedit ille petenti : 
" Pascite, ut ante, boves, pueri ; submittite tam'os." 

Mel. Fortunate senex, ergo tua rura manebunt ! 
Et tibi magna satis, quamvis lapis omnia nudus 
Limosoque palus obducat pascua junco. 
Non insueta graves tentabmit pabula fetas ; 
Nee mala vicini pecoris contagia laedent. 
Fortunate senex, liic inter flumina nota 
Et fontes sacros frigus captabis opacum. 
Hinc tibi, quae semper vicino ab limite saepes 
Hyblaeis apibus florem depasta salicti, 
Saepe levi somnum suadebit inire susurro : 
Hinc alta sub rupe canet frondator ad am'as ; 
Nee tamen interea raucae, tua cura, palumbes, 
Nee gemere aeria cessabit turtur ab ulmo. 

Tit. Ante leves ergo pascentur in aitbere cervi, 
Et freta destituent nudos in litore pisces ; 
Ante, pererratis amborum finibus, exsul 
Aut Ararim Parthus bibet, aut Germania Tigrim, 
Quam nostro illius labatur pectore vultus. 

Mel. At nos bine alii sitieutes ibimus Afros, 
Pars Scythiam et rapidum Cretce veniemus Oaxem, 
Et penitus toto divisos orbe Britannos. 
En miquam patrios longo post tempore fines, 
Pauperis et tuguri congestum cespite culmen, 
Post aliquot, mea regna videns, mii'abor aristas ? 



BIJCOLICA. ECL. II. 

Impius liasc tarn culta novalia miles habebit ? 
Barbarus has segetes ? en, quo cliscordia cives 
Procluxit miseros ! en, quels consevimus agros ! 
Insere nunc, Meliboee, piros, pone ordine vites : 
Ite meEG, felix quondam pecus, ite eapellse. 
Non ego vos posthac, viridi projectus in antro, 
Dumosa pendere procul de rupe videbo ; 
Carmina nulla canam ; non, me pascente, eapellas, 
Florentem cytisum et salices carpetis amaras. 

Tit. Hie tamenhanc mecumpoteras requiescere noctem 
Fronde super viridi ; sunt nobis mitia poma, 
Castanese moUes, et pressi copia lactis ; 
Et jam summa procul villarum eulmina fumant, 
Majoresque cadunt altis de montibus umbrge. 



ECLOaA II. ALEXIS. 

FoEMOsrM pastor Cory don ardebat Alexin, 
Delicias domini ; nee, quid speraret, habebat. 
Tantum inter densas, umbrosa cacumina, fagos 
Assidue veniebat ; ibi bsec incondita solus 
Montibus et silvis studio jactabat inani : 

" cinidelis Alexi, nihil mea carmina curas ? 
Nil nostri miserere ? Mori me denique coges. 
Nunc etiam pecudes umbras et frigora captant ; 
Nunc virides etiam occultant spineta lacertos ; 
Thestyhs et rapido fessis messoribus sestu 
Allia serpyllumque herbas contundit olentes ; ' 
At mecum raucis, tua dum vestigia lustro, 
Sole sub ardenti resonant arbusta cicadis. 
Nonne fuit satius, tristes Amaryllidis iras 
Atqu9 superba pati fastidia ? nonne Menalcan ? 
Quamvis ille niger, quamvis tu candidus esses. 
formose puer, nimium ne crede colori ! 
Alba ligustra cadunt vaccinia nigra leguntur. 
Despectus tibi sum, nee qui sim quseris, Alexi ; 
Quam dives pecoris, nivei quam lactis abundans. 
Mille meae Siculis errant in montibus agnse ; 
Lac mihi non sestate novum, non frigore defit. 
Canto, quse solitus, si quando armento vocabat, 
Amphion Dircseus in Actaso Aracyntho. 
Nee sum adeo informis ; nuper me in litore vidi, 
Quum placidum ventis staret mare ; non ego Daphnin, 
Judice te, metuam, si nunquam fallat imago. 



6 -p. TIEGILII MAEOISIS 

tantum libeat raecura tibi sordida rara 

Atque humiles habitare casas, et figere cervos, 

Haedorumque gregem viridi compellere bibisco ! 

Mecum una in silvis imitabere Pana canendo ; 

Pan primus calamos cera conjungere plures 

Instituit ; Pan curat oves oviumque magistros. 

Nee te poeniteat calamo trivisse labellum : 

Hsec eadem ut seii'et, quid non faciebat Amyntas ? 

Est mihi disparibus septem eompacta cieutis 

Fistula, Damoetas dono mibi quam dedit olim, 

Et dixit moriens : ' Te nunc babet ista secundum.' 

Dixit Damoetas : invidit stultus Amyntas. 

Prseterea duo nee tuta mibi valle reperti 

Capreoli, sparsis etiam nunc pellibus albo, 

Biiia die siccant ovis ubera ; quos tibi servo. 

Jam pridem a me illos abducere Thest^^lis orat ; 

Et faciet, quoniam sordent tibi munera nostra. 

Hue ades, o formose puer : tibi lilia plenis, 

Ecce, ferunt Nympbse calatbis ; tibi Candida Nais, 

Pallentes violas et summa papavera carpens, 

Narcissum et florem jungit bene olentis anetbi ; 

Turn, casia atque aliis intexens suavibus berbis, 

Mollia biteola pingit vaccinia caltba. 

Ispe ego cana legam tenera lanugine mala, 

Castaneasque nuces, mea quas Amaryllis amabat. 

Addam cerea pruna ; honos erit buic quoque pomo ; 

Et vos, o lam*i, carpam, et te, proxima myrte ; 

Sic posit se quoniam suaves miscetis odores. 

Rusticus es, Corydon, nee munera cm-at Alexis ; 

Nee, si muneribus certes, concedat lolas. 

Heu, beu, quid volui misero mihi ? floribus Austrum 

Perditus et liquidis immisi fontibus apros. 

Quem fugis, ah demens ? habitarunt di quoque silva^^, 

Dardaniusque Paris. Pallas, quas condidit, arces 

Ipsa colat : nobis placeant ante omnia silvae. 

Torva leeena lupum sequitur, lupus ipse capellam ; 

Florentem cytisum sequitm- lasciva capella ; 

Te Corydon, o Alexi ; trahit sua quemque voluptas. 

Aspice, aratra jugo referunt suspensa juvenci, 

Et sol crescentes decedens duplicat umbras : 

Me tamen urit amor ; quis enim modus adsit amori ? 

Ah Corydon, Corydon, quae te dementia cepit ! 

Semiputata tibi frondosa, vitis in ulmo est. 

Quin tu aliquid saltem potius, quorum indiget usus, 

Viminibus moUique paras detexere junco. 

Invenies alium, si te hie fastidit, Alexin." 



BT7C0LICA. ECL. III. 




l^^cT- 



^■^^^^■fii([i|lw-'^;.'i(llli:: ^ I 



ECLOaA III. PAL^MOlSr. 



MEISTALCAS. DAMGETAS. PAL^MOIS^. 

Meist. Die milii, Damoeta, cujum pecus ? an Meliboei ? 

Dam. Non, verum ^Egonis ; nuper mihi tradidit JEigon. 

Meist. Infelix o semper, oves, peeus ! ipse Neseram 
Dum fovet, ac, ne me sibi prseferat ilia, veretm*, 
Hie alienns oves custos bis mulget in bora ; 
Et SUCU3 pecori et lac subducitur agnis. 

Dam. Parcius ista viris tamen objicienda memento. 
Novimus et qui te, transversa tuentibus hircis, 
Et quo, sed faciles Nymphse risere, sacello. 

Meis". Tum, credo, quum me arbustum videre Miconis 
Atque mala vites incidere fake novellas. 

Dam. Aut hie ad veteres fagos quum Dapbnidis arcum 
Eregisti et calamos ; quae tu, perverse ISIenalca, 
Et, quum vidisti puero donata, dolebas, 
Et, si non aliqua nocuisses, mortuus esses. 

Men. Quid domini faciant, audent quum talia fares ! 
Non ego te vidi Damonis, pessime, caprum 



5 P. TTEGILTI MAEONIS 

Excipere insidiis, multum latrante Lycisca ? 

Et quum clamarem : " Quo nunc se proripit ille ? 

Tityre, coge pecus," tu post carecta latebas. 

Dam. An mihi cantando victus, non redderet ille, 
Quern mea carminibus meruisset fistula, caprum r 
Si nescis, meus ille caper fuit ; et mihi Damon 
Ipse fatebatur, sed reddere posse negabat. 

Mei^. Cantando tu ilium ? aut unquam tibi fistula cera 
Juncta fuit ? non tu in triviis, indocte, solebas 
Stridenti miserum stipula disperdere carmen ? 

Dam. Vis ergo inter nos, quid possit uterque, vicissim 
Experiamur ? ego banc vitulam (ne forte recuses, 
Bis venit ad mulctram, binos alit ubere fetus) 
Depono ; tu die, mecum quo pignore certes. 

Men. De grege non ausim quidquam deponere tecum ; 
Est mihi nam que domi pater, est injusta noverca ; 
Bisque die numerant ambo pecus, alter et lisedos. 
Verum, id quod multo tute ipse fatebere majus, 
Insanire libet quoniam tibi, pocula ponam 
Fagina, caelatum divini opus Alcimedontis, 
Lenta quibus torno facili superaddita vitis 
Diffusos hedera vestit pallente cor3anLbos. 
In medio duo signa, Conon, et quis fuit alter, 
Descripsit radio totum qui gentibus orbem, 
Tempora quae messor, quae curvus arator haberet ? 
Necdum illis labra admovi, sed condita servo. 

Dam. Et nobis idem Alcimedon quo pocula fecit, 
Et molli circum est ansas amplexus acantho, 
Orpheaque in medio posuit silvasque sequentes ; 
Necdum illis labra admovi, sed condita servo. 
Si ad vitulam spectas, nihil est, quod pocula laudes. 

M.'E'S. Nunquam hodie effugies ; veniam, quocumque 
vocaris. 
Audiat hsec tan turn, vel qui venit, ecce, Palsemon ; 
Efficiam, posthac ne quemquam voce lacessas. 

Dam. Quin age, si quid habes : in me mora non erit ulla. 
Nee quemquam fugio ; tantum, vicine Palaemon, 
Sensibus hsec imis, res est non parva, reponas. 

Pal. Dicite, quandoquidem in molli consedimus herba ; 
Et nunc omnis ager, nunc omnis parturit arbos. 
Nunc frondent silvae, nunc formosissimus annus. 
Incipe, Damoeta ; tu deinde sequere, Menalca. 
Alternis dicetis, amant alterna Camoense. 

Dam. Ab Jove principium, Musae ; Jovis omnia plena ; 
Ille colit terras, illi mea carmina curse. 

Men. Et me Phoebus amat ; Phoebo sua semper apud me 



BUCOLICA. ECL. III. 9 

Mimera sunt, lami, et suave rubens hyacinthus. 

Dam. Malo me Galatea petit, laseiva puella, 
Et fugit ad saliees, et se cupit ante videri, 

Meis". At mihi sese offert ultro mens ignis, Amyntas, 
Notior ut jam sit canibus uon Delia nostris. 

Dam. Parta mese Yeneri sunt munera ; nanique notavi 
Ipse locum, aeriae quo congessere palumbes. 

Me>^. Quod potui, puero silvestri ex arbore lecta 
Aurea mala decem misi ; eras altera mittam. 

Dam. O quoties, et quae nobis Galatea locuta est ! 
Partem aliquam, venti, divum referatis ad aures ! 

Men". Quid prodest, quod me ipse animo non spemis, 
Amjnta, 
Si, dum tu seetaris apros, ego retia servo ? 

Dam. Phyllida mitte mihi, meus est natalis, lolla : 
Quum faciam vitula pro frugibus, ipse venito. 

Mek. Phyllida amo ante alias ; nam me discedere flevit, 
Et, " Longum formose vale, vale," in quit, lolla. 

Dam. Triste lupus stabulis, maturis frugibus imbres, 
Arboribus venti, nobis Amaryllidis irse. 

Mei^. Dulce satis humor, depulsis arbutus haedis, 
Lenta salix feto peeori, mihi solus Amyntas. 

Dam. Pollio amat nostram, quamvis est rustica, Musam ; 
Pierides, vitulam lectori pascite vestro. 

Mei^". Pollio et ipse facit nova carmina: pascite taurum, 
Jam cornu petat et pedibus qui spargat arenam. 

Dam. Qui te, Pollio, amat, veniat, quo te quoque gaudet ; 
Mella fluant illi, ferat et rubus asper amomum. 

Meis". Qui Bavium non odit, amet tua carmina, Maevi ; 
Atque idem jungat vulpes et mulgeat hircos. 

Dam. Qui legitis flores et humi naseentia fraga, 
Erigidus, o pueri, fugite hinc, latet anguis in herba. 

Meis'. Parcite, oves, nimium procedere ; non bene ripse 
Creditur ; ipse aries etiam nunc vellera siccat. 

Dam. Tityre, pascentes a flumine reice capellas : 
Ipse, ubi tempus erit, omnes in fonte lavabo. 

ME]sr. Cogite oves, pueri ; si lac praeceperit aestus, 
Ut nuper, frustra pressabimus ubera palmis. 

Dam. Heu, heu, quam pingui macer est milii taurus in 
ervo ! 
Idem amor exitium peeori pecorisque magistro. 

Mei^. His certe neque amor causa est ; vix ossibus 
haerent ; 
Nescio quis teneros oculus mihi fascinat agnos. 

Dam. Die, quibus in terris, et eris mihi magnus Apollo, 
Tres pateat coeli spatium non amplius ulnas. 



10 p. TIEGILII MAEOXIS 

Meis". Die quibus in tenuis inscripti nomiua regum 
Nascantur flores ; et Phyllida solus habeto. \ 

Pal. Non nostrum inter vos tajitas componere Ktes ; '>'M 
[Et vitula tu dignus, et hie : et quisquis amores -J 

Aut metuet dulces aut experietur amaros.] 
Claudite jam rivos, pmeri ; sat prata biberunt. 




ECLOGA lY. POLLIO. 

SiCELlDES Musse, paullo majora canamus ; 
Non omnes arbusta juvant bumilesque myricag. 
Si canimus silvas, silvse sint consule dignse. 
Ultima Cumaei venit jam carminis cetas ; 
Magnus ab iutegro saeclorum nascitm' ordo. 
Jam redit et Virgo, redeunt Saturnia regna ; 
Jam nova progenies coelo demittitur alto. 



EUCOLICA. ECL. IT. H 

Tu modo nascenti puero quo ferrea priminn 
Desinet ac toto surget gens aurea mundo, 
Casta, fave, Lucina : tuus jam regnat Apollo. 
Teque adeo decus hoc sevi, te consule, inibit, 
PoUio, et incipient magni procedere menses ; 
Te duce, si qua manent, sceleris vestigia nostri 
Irrita perpetua solvent formidine terras. 
lUe deum vitam accipiet, divisque videbit 
Permixtos heroas, et ipse videbitur illis, 
Pacatumque reget patriis virtutibus orbem. 
At tibi prima, puer, nullo munuscula cultu 
Errantes hederas passim cum baccare tellus 
Mixtaque ridenti colocasia fundet acantbo. 
Ipsse lacte domum referent distenta capellse 
libera, nee magnos metuent armenta leones. 
Ipsa tibi blandos fundent cunabula flores. 
Occidet et serpens, et fallax berba veneni 
Occidet ; Assjrium vulgo nascetur amomum. 
At simul beroum laudes et facta parentis 
Jam legere et quae sit poteris cognoscere virtus : 
Molli paulatim flavescet campus arista, 
Incultisque rubens pendebit sentibus uva, 
Et durse quercus sudabunt roscida mella. 
Pauca tamen suberunt priscse vestigia fraudis. 
Quae tentare Thetim ratibus, quge cingere muris 
Oppida, quae jubeant telluri infindere sulcos. 
Alter erit tum Tipbjs, et altera quse vebat Argo 
Delectos beroas ; erunt etiam altera bella. 
At que iterum ad Trojam magnus mittetm^ Acbilles. 
Hinc, ubi jam firmata virum te fecerit setas, 
Cedet et ipse mari vector ; nee nautica pinus 
Mutabit merces : omnis feret omnia tellus : 
Non rastros patietur bumus, non vinea falcem ; 
Pobustus quoque jam tauris juga solvet arator ; 
Nee varios discet mentiri lana colores. 
Ipse sed in pratis aries jam suave rubenti 
Murice, jam croceo mutabit vellera luto ; 
Sponte sua sandyx pascentes vestiet agnos. 
"Taba ssecla," suis dixerunt, " cmTite," fusis 
Concordes stabili fatorum numine Parese. 
Aggredere o magnos, aderit jam tempus, bonores, 
Cara deum suboles, magnum Jovis incrementum ! 
Aspice convexo nutantem pondere mundum, 
Terrasque, tractusque maris, coelumque profundum ; 
Aspice, venture Isetantur ut omnia sasclo. 
mibi tam longse maneat pars ultima vitse, 



12 



p. YIRGILII MAEONIS 



Spiritus et, quantum sat erit tua dicere facta. 

Non me carminibus vincet nee Thracius Orpheus, 

Nee Linus ; huic mater quamvis atque huic pater adsit, 

Orphei Calliopea, Lino form.osus Apollo. 

Pan etiam Arcadia mecum si judice certet, 

Pan etiam Arcadia dicat se judice victum. 

Licipe, parve puer, risu cognoscere matrem ; 

Matri longa decern tulerunt fastidia menses. 

Incipe, parve puer ; cui non risere parentes, 

Nee deus hmic mensa, dea nee disruata cubili est. 



^ysiwm 




ECLOaA V. DAPHNIS. 

MEI^ALCAS. MOPSUS. 

Men. Cue non, Mopse, boni quoniam convenimus ambo, 
Tu calamos inflare leves, ego dicere versus, 
Hie corulis mixtas inter considimus ulmos ? 

Mop. Tu major ; tibi me est sequum parere, Menalca, 
Sive sub incertas Zephyris mutantibus umbras, 
Sive antro potius succedimus. Aspice, ut antrum 
Silvestris niris sparsit labrusca racemis. 



BUCOLICA. ECL. Y. 13 

METf. Montibus in nostris solus tibi certet Amyntas. 

Mop. Quid, si idem certet Phoebum superare canendo ? 

Meist. Incipe, Mopse, prior, si quos aut Phyllidis ignes, 
Aut x\lconis babes laudes, aut jurgia Codri. 
Incipe ; pascentes servabit Titjrus hsedos. 

Mop. Immo baec, in viridi nuper quse cortice fagi 
Carmina descripsi et modulans alterna notavi, 
Experiar ; tu deinde jubeto certet Amyntas. 

Me]!?^. Lenta salix quantum pallenti cedit olivae, 
Puniceis bumilis quantum saliunca rosetis : 
Judicio nostro tantum tibi cedit Amyntas. 

Mop. Sed tu desine plura, puer ; successimus antro. 
Exstinctum Nympbse crudeli funere Daphnin 
Elebant ; vos coruK testes et flumina Nymphis ; 
Quum complexa sui corpus miserabile nati 
Atque deos atque astra vocat crudelia mater. 
Non ulli pastos illis egere diebus 

Frigida, Daphni, boves ad flumina ; nulla neque amnem 
Libavit quadrupes, nee graminis attigit herbam. 
Dapbni, tuum Poenos etiam ingemuisse leones 
Interitum, montesque feri silvseque loquuntur. 
Daphnis et Armenias curru subjungere tigres 
Instituit ; Daphnis thiasos inducere Bacchi, 
Et foliis lentas intexere mollibus bastas. 
Vitis ut arboribus decori est, ut vitibus uvse, 
TJt gregibus tauri, segetes ut pinguibus arvis : 
Tu decus omne tuis. Postquam te fata tulerunt, 
Ipsa Pales agros atque ipse reliquit Apollo. 
G-randia ssepe quibus mandavimus bordea sulcis, 
Infelix lolium et steriles nascuntur avense ; 
Pro molli viola, pro purpureo narcisso 
Carduus et spinis surgit paliurus acutis. 
Spargite humum foliis, inducite fontibus umbras, 
Past ores, mandat fieri sibi talia Daphnis ; 
Et tumulum facite, et tumulo superaddite carmen : 
Daphnis ego in silvis, hinc usque ad sidera notus, 
Formosi pecoris custos, formosior ipse. 

Meist. Tale tuum carmen nobis, divine poeta. 
Quale sopor fessis in gramine, quale per sestum 
Dulcis aquae saliente sitim restinguere rivo ; 
Nee calamis solum sequiparas, sed voce magistrum. 
Fortunate puer, tu nunc eris alter ab illo. 
Nos tamen haec quocumque modo tibi nostra vicissim 
Dicemus, Daphninque tuum tollemus ad astra ; 
Daphnin ad astra feremus : amavit nos quoque Daphnis, 

Mop. An quidquam nobis tali sit munere majus ? 



14 p. VIEGILII MAEOIs^IS 

Et puer ipse fuit cantari dignus, et ista 
Jam pridem Stimicon laiidavit carmina nobis. 

Mek. Candidas insuetum miratur limen Olympi 
Sub pedibusque videt nubes et sidera Dapbms. 
Ergo alacris silvas et cetera rura voluptas 
Panaque pastoresque tenet Dryadasque puellas : 
Nee lupus insidias pecori, nee retia cervis 
Ulla dolum meditantur ; amat bonus otia Dapbnis. 
Ipsi Isetitia voces ad sidera jactant 
Intonsi montes ; ipsse jam carmina rupes, 
Ipsa sonant arbusta: " deus, dens ille, Menalca." 
Sis bonus o felixque tuis ! en quatuor aras : 
Ecce duas tibi, Dapbni, duas altaria Phoebo. 
Pocula bina novo spumantia lacte quotannis, 
Craterasque duo statuam tibi pinguis olivi ; 
Et multo in primis hilarans convivia Baccbo, 
Ante focum, si frigus erit, si messis, in umbra, 
Vina novum fundam calathis Ai'iusia nectar. 
Cantabunt mihi Damoetas et Lyctius ^gon ; 
Saltantes Satyros imitabitm* Alpbesiboeus. 
Hsec tibi semper erunt, et quum solemnia vota 
Reddemus Njanphis, et quum lustrabimus agros. 
Dum juga montis aper, fluvios dum piscis amabit, 
Dumque tbymo pascentur apes, dum rore cicadae, 
Semper bonos nomenque tuum laudesque manebunt. 
Ut Baccho Cererique, tibi sic vota quotannis 
Agricolse facient ; damnabis tu quoque votis. 

Mop. Qu3b tibi, quae tali reddam pro carmine dona ? 
Nam neque me tantum venientis sibilus austri, 
Nee percussa juvant fluctu tam litora, nee quae 
Saxosas inter decurrunt flumina valles. 

Men. Hac te nos fragili donabimus ante cicuta. 
Hose nos, Formosum Cory don ardebat Alexin : 
Ha3C eadem docuit, Cujum pecus ? an Meliboei ? 

Mop. At tu sume pedum, quod, me quum saepe rogaret, 
Non tulit Antigenes, et erat tum dignus amari, 
Formosum paribus nodis atque sere, Menalca. 




BUCOLICA. ECL. TI. 



15 







ECLOaA VI. SILENUS. 



Peima Syracosio dignata est ludere versu 
Nostra, neque erubuit silvas habitai^e, Thalia. 
Quum. canerem reges et proelia, Cyntliius aurem 
Yellit, et admonuit : " Pastorem, Tityre, pingues 
Pascere oportet oves, deductmn dieere carmen." 
Nunc ego (namque super tibi erunt, qui dieere laudes, 
Vare, tuas cupiant, et tristia condere bella,) 
Agrestem tenui meditabor arundine Musam. 
Non injussa cauo. Si quis tamen hsec quoque, si quis 
Captus amore leget, te nostrse, Vare, myricse, 
Te nemus onine eanet ; nee Plioebo gratior ulla est, 
Quam sibi quae Vari prsescripsit pagina nomen. 

Pergite, Pierides. Chromis et Mnasylus in antro 
Silenum pueri somno videre jacentem, 
Inflatuni hesterno venas, ut semper, laccho : 
Serta procul tantum capiti delapsa jacebant, 
Et gravis attrita pendebat cantharus ansa. 
Aggressi, nam ssepe senex spe carminis ambo 
Luserat, injiciunt ipsis ex vincula sertis, 
Addit se sociam timidisque supervenit Mgle, — 



16 p. YIEGILII MAEONIS 

J^gle, Naiadiim pulcherrima ; jamque videnti 
Sanguineis frontem moris et tempora pingit. 
Ille dolum ridens, " Quo vincula nectitis ?" inquit. 
" Soivite me, pueri ; satis est potuisse videri. 
Carmina, quse vultis, cognoscite ; carmina vobis, 
Huic aliud mercedis erit." Simul incipit ipse. 
Turn vero in numerum Faunosque ferasque videres 
Ludere, turn rigidas motare cacumina quercus. 
Nee tantum Phoebo gaudet ParDasia rupes ; 
Nee tantum E,liodope mirantur et Ismarus Orphea. 

Namque canebat, uti magnum per inane coacta 
Semina terrarumque animseque marisque fuissent 
Et liquidi simul ignis : ut his exordia primis 
Omnia, et ipse tener mmidi concreverit orbis ; 
Turn durare solum et discludere Nerea ponto 
Coeperit, et rerum paulatim sumere formas ; 
Jamque novum terrse stupeant lucescere solem, 
Altius atque cadant submotis nubibus imbres ; 
Incipiant silvse quum primum surgere, quumque 
Bara per ignotos errent animalia montes. 
Hinc lapides PjTrhae jactos, Saturnia regna, 
Caucasiasque refert volucres, furtumque Promethei. 
His adjungit, Hylan nautse quo fonte relictum 
Clamassent, ut litus, "Hyla, H^da," omne sonaret ; 
Et fortunatam, si mmquam armenta fuissent, 
Pasiphaen nivei solatur amore juvenci. 
Ah virgo infelix, quse te dementia cepit ! 
Proetides implermit falsis mugitibus agros ; 
At non tam tm'pes pecudum tamen ulla secuta est 
Concubitus, quamvis collo timuisset aratrum, 
Et S2epe in levi quaesisset cornua fronte. 
Ah virgo infelix, tu nunc in montibus erras : 
Ille, latus niveum molli fultus hyacintho, 
Ihce sub nigra pallentes ruminat herbas, 
Aut aliquam in magno sequitur grege. Claudite, Nymphj 
Dictsese Nymphse, nemorum jam claudite saltus, 
Si qua forte ferant oculis sese obvia nostris 
Errabunda bovis vestigia : forsitan ilium, 
Aut herba captum viridi, aut armenta secutum, 
Perducant ahquse stabula ad Goi*tynia vacca?. 
Tum canit Hesperidum miratam mala puellam : 
Tum Phaethontiadas musco circumdat amara? 
Corticis, atque solo proceras erigit alnos : 
Tum canit, errantem Permessi ad flumina Grallum 
Aonas in montes ut duxerit una sororum ; 
Utque viro Phoebi chorus assurrexerit omnis ; 



BUCOLICA. ECL. Til. 



17 



Ut Linus hcec illi divino carmine pastor, 

Floribus atque apio crines ornatris amaro, 

Dixerit : " Hos tibi dant calamos, en, accipe, Musae, 

Ascrseo quos ante seni, quibus ille solebat 

Cantando rigidas deducere montibus omos, 

His tibi Grvnei nemoiis dicatur origo, 

ISTe quis sit lucus, quo se plus jactet Apollo." 

Quid loquar, ut ScYllam Xisi, quam fama secuta est, 

Candida succinctam latrantibus inguina monstris 

Dulicbias vexasse rates, et gurgite in alto 

All ! timidos nautas canibus lacerasse marinis ; 

Aut ut mutatos Terei narraverit artus, 

Quas illi Philomela dapes, quse dona pararit, 

Quo cm'su deserta petiverit, et quibus ante 

Infelix sua tecta supei-volitaverit alis ? 

Omnia, quae, Phcebo quondam meditante, beatus 
Audiit Eurotas, jussitque ediscere laui'os, 
lUe canit ; pulsse referunt ad sidera valles : 
Cogere donee oves stabulis numerumque referri 
Jussit et invito processit Tesper Olympo. 




ECLOGA TIL MELIBCEES. 

ilELIBCErS. COETDO^', THTESIS. 

Mel. Forte sub arguta consederat iliee Dapbuis, 
Compulerantque greges Corvdon et Thp-sis in unum, 
^ c 



18 p. VIKaiLII MAEONIS 

Thyrsis oves, Cor^^don distentas lacte capellas, 

Ambo florentes setatibus, Arcades ambo, 

Et cantare pares, et respondere parati. 

Hue mihi, dum teneras defendo a frigore myrtos, 

Vir gregis ipse caper deerraverat : atque ego Dapbnin 

Aspicio. Ille ubi me contra videt : " Ocius," inquit, 

" Hue ades, o Meliboee : caper tibi salvus et hsedi ; 

Et si quid cessare potes, requiesce sub umbra. 

Hue ipsi potum venient per prata juvenci ; 

Hie virides ten era prgetexit arundine ripas 

MiQcius, eque sacra resonant examina quercu." 

Quid facerem ? neque ego Alcippen, nee Pbyllida liabebam, 

Depulsos a lacte domi quae clauderet agnos ; 

Et certamen erat Corydon cum Thyrside magnum. 

Postbabui tamen illorum mea seria ludo. 

Alternis igitm* contendere versibus ambo 

Coepere ; alternos Musse meminisse volebant. 

Hos Cor^^don, illos referebat in ordine Thyrsis. 

Cor. Nymphse, noster amor, Libethrides, aut mihi carmen, 
Quale meo Codro, eoncedite ; proxima Phoebi 
Versibus ille facit ; aut si non possumus omnes, 
Hie arguta sacra pendebit fistula pinu. 

TiiY, Pastores, hedera crescentem ornate poetam, 
Arcades, invidia rumpantur ut ilia Codro ; 
Aut si ultra placitum laudarit, baccare frontem 
Cingite, ne vati noceat mala lingua futm-o. 

Cor. Ssetosi caput hoc apri tibi, Deha, parvus 
Et ramosa Micon vivacis cornua cervi. 
Si proprium hoc fuerit, levi de marmore tota 
Puniceo stabis sm'as evincta cothurno. 

Thy. Smum lactis et hsec te liba, Priape, quotannis 
Exspectare sat est ; custos es pauperis horti. 
Nunc te marmoreum pro tempore fecimus ; at tu, 
Si fetura gregem suppleverit, am'eus esto. 

Cor. Nerme Galatea, thymo mihi dulcior Hyblse, 
Candidior ej^cnis, hedera formosior alba, 
Quum primimi pasti repetent prsesepia tauri, 
Si qua tui Corydonis habet te cura, venito. 

Thy. Immo ego Sardois videar tibi amarior herbis, 
Horridior rusco, projecta vilior alga. 
Si mihi non haec lux toto jam longior anno est. 
Ite domum pasti, si quis pudor, ite juvenci. 

Cor. Muscosi fontes, et somno moUior herba, 
Et quae vos rara viridis tegit arbutus umbra, 
Solstitium pecori defendite ; jam venit vestas 
Torrida, jam Iseto turgent in palmite gemmae . 



ErCOLICA. ECL. Til. 



19 



Thy. Hie focus et tsedse pingues, hie pluiiinus ignis 
Semper, et assidua postes fuligine nigri : 
Hie tantnm borejE curamus frigora, quantum 
Aut numerum lupus, aut torrentia flumina ripas. 

CoE. Stant et juniperi, et castaness hirsute ; 
Strata jacent passim sua quaque sub arbore poma ; 
Omnia nunc rident : at, si formosus Alexis 
Montibus bis abeat, videas et flumina sicca. 

Tht. Ai'et ager ; vitio moriens sitit aeris herba; 
Liber pampineas invidit collibus umbras : 
Pbjllidis adventu nostrse nemus omne virebit ; 
Jupiter et lasto descendet pluiimus imbri. 

CoE. Populus Alcidae gratissima, vitis laccbo, 
Formosa myrtus Teneri, sua lam-ea Pbosbo : 
Phyllis amat corulos ; illas dum Phyllis amabit, 
Xec myrtus yincet coinilos, nee laui-ea Phoebi. 

Tht. Praxinus in silyis puLclierrima. pinus in hoi-tis, 
Populus in fluyiis, abies in montibus altis : 
Ssepius at si me, Lycida formose, reyisas, 
Praxinus in silyis cedat tibi, pinus in hortis. 

Mel. Hsec memini, et yictum frustra contendere Thyrsin. 
[Ex iUo Cory don Cory don est tempore nobis,] 




20 



p. TEEGILII MAEOlfIS 




ECLOaA VIII. PHAEMACEUTRIA. 



DAMON. ALPHESIBCETJS. 



Pastoetim Musam Damonis et Alphesiboei, 
Immemor herbarum quos est mirata juvenca 
Certantes, quorum stupefactse carmine lynces, 
Et mutata suos requierunt flumina cursus ; 
Damonis Musam dicemus et Alphesibcei. 

Tu milii, seu magni superas jam saxa Timavi, 
Sive Oram Illyrici legis sequoris ; en erit unquam 
Ille dies, mihi quum liceat tua dicere facta ? 
En erit, ut liceat totum mihi ferre per orbem 
Sola Sopliocleo tua carmina digna cotliurno ? 
A te principium, tibi desinet ; accipe jussis 
Carmina coepta tuis ; atque banc sine tempora circum 
Inter victrices hederam tibi serpere lam-os. 



BT7C0LICA. ECL. YIII. 21 

Frigida vix ecelo noctis decesserat umbra, 
Quum ros in tenera pecori gratissimus herba, 
Incmnbens tereti Damon sic ccepit olivse : 

Dam. " Nascere,pr3eque diem veniens age,Lucifer, almiun ; 
Conjugis indigno Nisse deceptns amore 
Dum queror, et divos, quanquam nil testibus illis 
Profeci, extrema moriens tamen alloquor bora. 
Incipe Msenalios mecum, mea tibia, versus. 
Msenalus argutumque nemus pinosque loquentes 
Semper babet : semper pastoram ille audit amores, 
Panaque, qui primus calamos non passus inertes. 
Incipe Maenalios mecum, mea tibia, versus. 
Mopso Nisa datur ; quid non speremus amantes ? 
Jungentur jam giypbes equis ; sevoque sequenti 
Cum canibus timidi venient ad pocula damse. 
Mopse, novas incide faces ; tibi ducitur uxor ; 
Sparge, marite, nuces ; tibi deserit Hesperus CEtam. 
Incipe Msenalios mecimi, mea tibia, versus. 
digno conjuncta viro, dum despicis omnes, 
Dumque tibi est odio mea fistula, dumque capellse, 
Hirsutumque supercillium, promissaque barba, 
Nee cm-are deum credis mortalia quemquam ! 
Incipe Msenalios mecum, mea tibia, versus. 
Sepibus in nostris parvam te roscida mala 
(Dux ego vester eram) vidi cum matre legentem. 
Alter ab undecimo tum me jam ceperat annus ; 
Jam fragiles poteram a ten-a contingere ramos. 
TJt vidi, ut peril, ut me malus abstulit error ! 
Incipe Msenalios mecum, mea tibia, versus. 
Nunc scio, quid sit Amor ; dmis in cotibus ilium 
Aut Tmaros, aut Ebodope, aut extremi G-aramantes 
Nee generis nostri puerum nee sanguinis edunt. 
Incipe Msenalios mecum, mea tibia, versus. 
Ssevus Amor docuit natorum sanguine matrem 
Commaculare manus ; cradebs tu quoque, mater. 
Crudelis mater magis, an puer improbus ille ? 
Improbus ille puer ; crudebs to quoque, mater. 
Incipe Msenabos mecum, mea tibia, versus. 
Nunc et oves ultro fugiat lupus : am-ea dm-se 
Mala ferant quercus ; narcisso floreat alnus : 
Pinguia corticibus sudent electra myricse ; 
Certent et cycnis ululse ; sit Titjrus Orpbeus ; 
Orpbeus in silvis, inter delpbinas Arion. 
Incipe Msenalios mecum, mea tibia, versus. 
Omnia vel medium fiant mare. Yivite silvse ; 
Prseceps aerii specula de montis in undas 



22 p. YIEGILII MAEO>n:S 

Deferar ; extremum hoc munus morientis habeto. 
Desine Msenalios, jam desine, tibia, versus." 

Hsec Damon : vos, quae respondent Alphesiboeus. 
Dicite, Pierides ; non omnia possumus omnes. 

Alph. " Effer aqnam, et moUi cinge bsec altaria vitta, 
Verbenasque adole pingues et maseula tbura. 
Conjugis ut magicis sanos avertere sacris 
Experiar sensus ; nihil hie nisi carmina desmit. 
Ducite ab m-be domum, mea carmina, ducite Daplmin. 
Carmina vel eoelo possunt deducere lunam ; 
Carminibns Cii'ce socios mutavit TJlixi ; 
Frigidus m pratis cantando rumpifcm' anguis. 
Ducite ab m-be domum, mea carmina, ducite DapKnin. 
Tema tibi bsec primum triplici diversa colore 
Licia circumdo, terque bsec altaria circum 
Effigiem duco ; numero deus impai'e gaudet. 
Ducite ab m-be domum, mea carmina, ducite Daphnin. 
Necte tribus nodis ternos, Amaiylli, colores ; 
Necte, Amarjlli, modo ; et Veneris, die, vincula necto. 
Ducite ab m'be domum, mea carmina, ducite Daphnin. 
Limus ut hie dm'escit, et hsec ut cera liquesit 
Uno eodemque igni : sic nostro Daphnis amore. 
Sparge molam, et fragiles incende bitumine lam'os : 
Daphnis me mains m-it, ego banc in Daphnide laurum. 
Ducite ab m*be domum, mea carmina, ducite Daphrdn. 
Talis amor Daphnin, qualis quum fessa juvencum 
Per nemora atque altos quaerendo bucula lucos 
Propter aquse rivum viridi procumbit in ulva, 
Perdita, nee serse meminit decedere nocti — 
Talis amor teneat, nee sit mihi cura mederi. 
Ducite ab urbe domum, mea carmina, ducite Daphnin. 
Has ohm exuvias mihi perfidus ille reliquit 
Pignora cara sui, quse nunc ego hmine m ipso. 
Terra, tibi mando ; debent hsec pignora Daphnin. 
Ducite ab m'be domum, mea carmina, ducite Daphnin. 
Has herbas atque hsec Ponto mihi lecta venena 
Ipse dedit Moeris ; nascuntm' plurima Ponto. 
His ego ssepe lupum fieri et se condere sHvis 
Moerin, ssepe animas imis excire sepulcris, 
Atque satas aho vidi traducere messes. 
Ducite ab m'be domum, mea carmina, ducite Daphnin. 
Eer cineres, Amarylh, foras, rivoque fluenti 
Transque caput jace, nee respexeris. His ego Daphnin 
Aggrediar ; nihil ille deos, nil carmina curat. 
Ducite ab urbe domum, mea carmina, ducite Daphnin. 
Aspice ; corripuit tremuhs altaria flammis 



BUCOLICA, 



ECL. IX. 



23 



Sponte sua, dum feiTe moror, cinis ipse. Bonum sib ! 
Nescio quid certe est ; et Hylax in limine latrat. 
Credimus ? an, qui amant, ipsi sibi somnia fingunt ? 
Parcite, ab urbe venit, jam parcite, carmina, Daplmis.' 




ECLOaA IX. MCEEIS. 

Ltc. Quo te, Moeri, pedes ? an. quo via ducit, in urbem ? 

McEE. Lvcida, vivi pervenimus, advena nostri 
(Quod nunquam veriti sumus.) ut possessor agelli 
Diceret : " Hsec mea sunt ; veteres migrate coloni." 
Nunc victi, tristes, quoniam Fors omnia versat, 
Hos illi (quod nee bene vert at) mittimus baedos. 

Lyc. Certe equidem audieram, qua se subducere colles 
Incipiunt, mollique jugum demittere clivo, 
Usque ad aquam et veteres, jam fracta cacumina, fagos, 
Omnia carminibus vestrum servasse Menalcan. 

]McEE. Audieras, et fama fuit ; sed caiTnina tantum 
Xosti-a valent, Lvcida, tela inter Martia, quantum 
Chaonias dicunt, aquila veniente, columbas. 
Quod nisi me quacumque novas incidere lites 
Ante sinistra cava monuisset ab ilice cornix : 
Nee tuus bic Moeris, nee viveret ipse Menalcas. 

Lyc. Heu.caditinquemquamtantumscelus: beu.tua nobis 
Psene siniul tecum solatia rapta, Menalca r 
Quis caneret Xympbas r quis bumum florentibus herbis 
Spargeret, aut viiidi fontes induceret umbra ? 
Yel quae sublegi tacitus tibi carmina nuper 
Quum te ad delicias feiTCS, Amaryllida, nostras ? 
" Tityre, dum redeo, brevis est via, pasce capellas, 



24 p. VIEGILII MAEONIS 

Et potum pastas age, Tityre, et inter agendum 
Occursare capro, cornu ferit ille, caveto ?" 

M(EE. Immo hsec, quae Yaro nee dum perfecta canebat 
" Vara, tuum nomen, superet modo Mantua nobis, 
Mantua ysq miserse nimium vicina Cremonse, 
Cantantes sublime ferent ad sidera cjcni." 

Ltc. Sic tua Cyrneas fugiant examina taxos ; 
Sic cytiso pastse distendant ubera vaccse : 
Incipe, si quid habes. Et me fecere poetam 
Pierides ; sunt et mihi carmina ; me quo que dicunt 
Vatem pastores ; sed non ego credulus illis. 




Nam neqtie adhuc Vario videor nee dicere Cinna 
Digna, sed argutos inter strepere anser olores. 

McEE. Id quidem ago,et tacitus,Lycida,mecumipse voluto, 
Si valeam meminisse ; neque est ignobile carmen. 
" Hue ades, o Galatea ; quis est nam ludus in undis ? 
Hie ver purpm^eum ; varios hie flumina circum 
Fundit humus flores ; hie Candida populus antro 
Inmiinet, et lentaa texunt umbracula vites. 
Hue ades ; insani feriant sine litora fluctus." 

Lto. Quid, quae te pura solum sub nocte canentem 
Audieram ? numeros memini, si verba tenerem. 

M(EE. " Daphni, quid antiques signorum suspicis ortus ? 
Ecce Dionaei processit Cgesaris astrum, 
Astrum, quo segetes gauderent frugibus, et quo 
Duceret apricis in colHbus uva colorem. 
Insere, Daphni, piros ; carpent tua poma nepotes." 
Omnia fert aetas, animum quoque : seepe ego longos 
Cantando puerum memini me condere soles : 
Nunc oblita mihi tot carmina. Vox quoque Moerin 
Jam fugit ipsa ; lupi Mcsrin videre priores. 



BIJCOLICA. ECL. X. 25 

Sed tamen ista satis referet tibi saepe Menalcas. 

Ltc. Causando nostros in longiim ducis amores. 
Et nunc omne tibi stratum silet sequor ; et omnes, 
Aspice, ventosi ceciderunt murmnris aur^. 
Hinc adeo media est nobis via ; namque sepulcmni 
Ineipit apparere Bianoris. Hie nbi densas 
Agricolas stringimt frondes, hie, Moeri, canamus ; 
Hie liffidos depone : tamen veniemus in urbem. 
Aut si, nox pluviam ne coUigat ante, veremur, 
Cantantes licet nsqne (minus via Isedat) eamus. 
Cantantes ut eamus, ego hoc te fasce levabo. 

McEE. Desine plura, puer, et, quod nunc instat, agamus 
Carmina turn melius, quum venerit ipse, canemus. 



ECLOGA X. GALLUS. 

Exteemtj:5I bunc, Aretbusa, mibi concede laborem. 
Pauca meo G-allo, sed qu£e legat ipsa Ljcoris, 
Carmina sunt dicenda. Neget quis carmina Gallo ? 
Sic tibi, quum fiuctus subterlabere Sicanos, 
Doris amara suam non intermisceat undam. 
Incipe ; sollicitos Galli dicamus amores, 
Dum tenera attondent simse virgulta capell£e. 
Non canimus sm'dis ; respondent omnia silvse. 

Quae nemora, aut qui vos saltus liabuere, puellse 
ISTaides, indigno quum Gallus amore periret ? 
Nam neque Parnasi vobis juga, nam neque Pindi 
XJlla moram fecere, neque Aonie Aganippe. 
Ilium etiam lami, etiam flevere myricae ; 
Pinifer ilium etiam sola sub rupe jacentem 
Msenalus et gelidi fleverunt saxa Ljcsei ; 
Stant et oves cii-cum, nostii nee poenitet illas ; 
Nee te poeniteat pecoris, divine poeta : 
Et formosus oves ad flumina pavit Adonis. 
Venit et upilio ; tardi venere bubulci ; 
TJvidus hiberna venit de glande Menalcas. 
Omnes, " Unde amor iste," rogant, " tibi ?" Venit Apollo 
" Galle, quid insanis ?" inquit ; " tua cura Lycoris 
Perque nives alium perque horrida castra secuta est." 
Yerdt et agresti capitis Silvanus honore, 
Florentes ferulas et grandia lilia quassans. 
Pan, deus Ai'cadise, venit, quem vidimus ipsi 
Sanguineis ebuli baccis minioque rubentem. 
" Ecquis erit modus ?" inquit. '' Amor non talia cm'at. 



26 p. VTEGILn MAK02fIS 




Nec lacrimis crudelis Amor, nee gramina rivis, 
Nee eytiso saturantur apes, nee fronde eapellge." 
Tristis at ille : " Tamen cantabitis, Areades," inquit, 
" Montibus hsec vestris ; soli cantare periti 
Arcades. mihi turn quam molliter ossa quieseant, 
Vestra meos olim si fistula dieat amores ! 
Atque utinam ex vobis unus, vestrique fuissem 
Aut custos gregis, aut maturge vinitor uvse ! 
Certe sive mihi Phyllis, sive esset Amyntas, 
Sen quicumque furor, (quid trnn, si fuscus Amyntas ? 
Et nigra3 vi()la3 sunt, et vaceinia nigra) 
Mecum mter salices lenta sub vite jaceret ; 
Serta mihi Phylhs legeret, eantaret Amyntas. 
Hie gelidi fontes, hie mollia prat a, Lyeori, 
Hie nemus ; hie ipso teeum consumerer asvo. 
Nune insanus amor duri me Martis in armis 
Tela inter media atque adversos detinet hostes : 
Tu proeul a patria (nee sit mihi eredere tantum !) 
Alpinas, ah cWa ! nives et frigora E-heni 
Me sine sola vides. Ah te ne frigora lagdant ! 
Ah tibi ne teneras glacies seeet aspera plantas ! 
Ibo, et, Chaleidico quse sunt mihi eondita versu 
Carmina, pastoris Sieuli modulabor avena. 
Certum est in silvis, inter spelaea ferarum, 
Malle pati, tenerisque meos ineidere amores 
Arboribus ; creseent illas, ereseetis, amores. 
Interea mixtis lustrabo M^enala Nymphis, 
Aut aeres venabor apros ; non me ulla vetabmit 



EUCOLICA, ECL. X, 



27 



Frigora Partlienios canibus circumdare saltus. 
Jam mihi per rupes videor lucosque sonantes 
Ire ; libet Partho torquere Cydonia cornu 
Spicula ; tamquam hasc sint nostri medicina fiu-oris, 
Aut deus Die malis liominum mitescere discat. 
Jam neque Hamadryades rursum nee carmina nobis 
Ipsa placent ; ipsse rui'sum concedite silvae. 
'Nob. ilium nostri possunt mutare labores, 
^ec si frigoribus mediis Hebrumque bibamus, 
Sithoniasque nives hiemis subeamus aquosae, 
Nee si, qumn moriens alta liber aret in ulmo, 
j^Sthiopum versemus oves sub sidere Cancri. 
Omnia vincit Amor ; et nos cedamus Amori." 

Hsec sat erit, divse, vestrum cecinisse poetam, 
Dum sedet et gracili fiscellam texit hibisco, 
Pierides ; vos heec facietis maxima Grallo, 
Grallo, cujus amor tantum mihi creseit in horas, 
Quantum vere novo viridis se subjicit alnus. 
Surgamus ; solet esse gravis cantantibus umbra, 
Juniperi gravis umbra ; nocent et frugibus umbrae. 
Ite domum saturse, venit Hesperus, ite capellse. 




p. VIEGILII MAEONIS 

GEOEGICON 



LIBER PRIMUS. 




AD C. CIL:N^IUM MiECENATEM. 



Qtjid faciat Isetas segetes, quo sidere teiTam 
Yertere, Msecenas, nlmisque adjimgere vites 
Conveniat : quse cura bourn, qui cultus habendo 
Sit pecori ; apibus quanta experientia parcis ; 
Hinc canere incipiam. Vos, o clarissima mundi 
Lumina, labentem coelo quae ducitis annum, 
Liber et alma Ceres, vestro si munere tellus 
Cbaoniam pingui glandem mutavit arista, 
Poeulaque inventis Aebeolia miscuit uvis ; 
Et vos, agrestum prsesentia numina, Fauni, 
Fevie simul Eaunique pedem Dr3^adesque puellse : 
Munera vestra cano : tuque o, cui piima frementem 
Eudit equum magno tellus percussa tridenti, 
IsTeptune : et cultor nemorum, cui pinguia Cess 
Ter centum nivei tondent dumeta juvenci : 
Ipse nemus linquens patrium saltusque Ljcsei, 
Pan, ovium custos, tua si tibi Masnala curse, 
Adsis, Tegesee, favens ; oleseque Minerva 
Inventrix ; uncique puer monstrator aratri ; 
Et teneram ab radice ferens, Silvane, cupressum : 
Dique deseque omnes, studium quibus arva tueri, 
Quique novas alitis non ullo semine fruges, 



32 



p. VIEGILII MAEOKLS 



Quique satis largum coelo demittitis imbrem : 
Tuque adeo, quern mox quae sint habitura deorum 
Concilia, incertum est ; urbesne invisere, Caesar, 
Terrarumque velis curam, et te maximus orbis 
Auctorem frugum tempestatumque potentem 
Accipiat, cingens materna tempora myrto ; 
An deus immensi venias maris, ac tua nautse 
Numina sola colant, tibi serviat ultima Thule, 
Teque sibi generum Tetbys emat omnibus undis ; 
Anne novum tardis sidus te mensibus addas, 




Qua locus Erigonen inter Cbelasque sequentes 
Panditur ; ipse tibi jam brachia contrahit ardens 
Scorpios, et coeli justa plus parte reliquit : 
Quidquid eris (nam te nee sperent Tartara regem, 
Nee tibi regnandi veniat tam dira cupido, 
Quamvis Elysios miretur Grraecia campos, 
Nee repetita sequi curet Proserpina matrem) 
Da facilem cursum, atque audacibus annue coeptis 
Ignarosque vise mecum miseratus agrestes 
Ingredere, et votis jam nunc assuesce vocari. 



GEOEGICON LIE. I. 33 

Vere novo, gelldus canis quum montibus humor 
Liquitur, et zephyro putris se gleba resolvit, 
Depress© incipiat jam turn raihi tam^us aratro 
Ingemere, et sulco attritus splendescere vomer. 
Ilia seges demum votis respondit avari 
Agricolae, bis quae solem, bis frigora sensit ; 
lUius immensse ruperont horrea messes. 

At prius ignotmn ferro quam scindimus sequor, 
Yentos et varium coeli prsediscere morem 
Cm-a sit, ac patrios eultusque liabitusque loconim, 
Et quid quaeque ferat regio, et quid quseque recuset. 
Hie segetes, illic veniunt felicius uvse ; 
Arborei fetus alibi atque iujussa virescunt 
Grramina. Nonne vides, croceos ut Tmolus odores, 
India mittit ebur, molles sua thura Sabsei ; 
At Chalybes nudi ferrum, virosaque Pontus 
Castorea, Eliadum palmas Epiros equarum ? 
Continuo has leges seternaque foedera certis 
Imposuit natura locis, quo tempore primum 
Deucahon vacuum lapides jaetavit in orbem, 
TJnde homines nati, dmnmi genus. Ergo age, terrae 
Pingue solum primis extemplo a mensibus armi 
Eortes invertant tauri, glebasque jacentes 
Pm-verulenta coquat maturis solibus sestas : 
At si non fuerit tellus fecunda, sub ipsum 
Arcturum tenui sat erit suspendere sulco ; 
Illic, officiant Isetis ne frugibus herbse, 
Hie, sterilem exiguns ne deserat humor arenam. 

Alternis idem tonsas cessare novales 
Et segnem patiere situ durescere campum ; 
Aut ibi flava seres mutato sidere farra, 
XJnde prius Isetum sihqua quassante legumen, "^ ^■ 

Aut tenues fetus vjcise tristisque lupini 
Sustuleris fragiles calamos silvamque sonantem. 
Urit enim lini campum seges, m-it avenae ; 
Urunt Lethaeo perfusa papavera somno. 
Sed tamen alternis facihs labor, arida tantum 
Ne saturare timo pingui pudeat sola, neve 
Eifetos cinerem immundum jactare per agros. 
Sic quoque mutatis requiescunt letibus arva ; 
Nee nulla interea est inaratae gratia terras. 
Saepe etiam steriles incendere profuit agros, 
Atque levem stipulam crepitantibus m'ere flammis : 
Sive inde occultas vires et pabula terrae 
Pinguia concipiunt ; sive illis omne per ignem 
Excoquitur vitium, atque exudat inutihs humor ; 

D 



34 p. YIKGILII MAEONIS 

Seu plures calor ille vias et caeca relaxat 
Spiramenta, novas veniat qua sucus in herbas ; 
Seu durat magis et venas astringit hiantes, 
'Ne tenues pluvise, rapidive potentia solis 
Acrior, aut borese penetrabile frigus adurat. 
Multum adeo, rastris glebas qui frangit inertes 
Vimineasque trahit crates, juvat arva ; neque ilium 
Flava Ceres alto nequidquam spectat Oljmpo ; 
Et qui, procisso quae suscitat sequore terga, 
Rui'sus in obliquuni verso perrumpit aratro, 
Exercetque frequens tellurem, atque imperat arvis. 

Humida solstitia atque hiemes orate serenas, 
Agricolae ; hiberno laetissima pulvere farra 
Laetus ager ; nuUo tantum se Mysia cnltu 
Jactat, et ipsa suas mirantm* Gargara messes. 
Quid dicam, jacto qui semine cominus arva 
lusequitur cumulosque ruit male pinguis arenae ? 
Deinde satis fluvium inducit rivosque sequentes, 
Et, quum exustus ager morientibus £estuat berbis, 
Ecce supercilio clivosi tramitis undam 
Elicit ? iUa cadens raucum per levia murmur 
Saxa ciet, scatebrisque arentia temperat arva 
Quid, qid, ne gravidis procumbat culmus aristis, 
Luxuricm segetum tenera depascit in herba, 
Quum primum sulcos sequant sata ? quique paludis 
Collectum bumorem bibula deducit arena ? 
Praesertim incertis si mensibus amnis abundans 
Exit, et obducto late tenet omnia limo, 
Unde cavae tepido sudant bum ore lacunae. 

Nee tamen, haec quum sint bominumque boumque labores 
Versando terram experti, nibil improbus anser, 
Strymoniceque grues, et amaris intuba fibris 
Officiunt, aut umbra nocet. Pater ipse colendi 
Hand facilem esse viam voluit, primusque per artem 
Movit agros, curis acuens mortalia corda, 
Nee torpere gravi passus sua regna veterno. 
Ante Jovem nulli subigebant arva coloni ; 
Ne signare quidem aut partiri limite campum 
Fas erat : in medium qu^erebant, ipsaque teUus 
Omnia bberius, nullo poscente, ferebat. 
Ille malum virus serpentibus addidit atris, 
Praedarique lupos jussit, pontumque moveri ; 
Mellaque decussit foliis, ignemque removit, 
Et passim rivis currentia vina repressit, 
Ut varias usus meditando extunderet artes 
Paulatim, et sulcis frumenti quaereret berbam 



GEOEGICO:^' LIE. I. 



Ut silicis venis abstrusum excuderet ignem 
Tunc alnos primum fluvii sensere cavatas ; 
Navita turn stellis numeros et nomina fecit, 
Pleiadas, Hyadas, claramque Lycaonis Arcton ; 
Turn laqueis captare feras et fallere visco 
Inventum, et magnos canibus circumdare saltus 
Atque alius latum funda jam verberat amnem, 
Alta petens pelagoque alius trahit humida lina : 



S^ 



35 




Turn ferri rigor, atque argutse lamina serrse ; 
Nam primi cuneis scindebant fissile lignum : 
Turn varise venere artes ; labor omnia vicit 
Improbus et duris urgens in rebus egestas. 
Prima Ceres ferro mortales vertere terram 
Instituit, quum jam glandes atque arbuta saerse 
Deficerent silvas, et victum Dodona negaret. 
Mox et frumentis labor additus, ut mala culmos 
Esset robigo, segnisque horreret in arvis 
Carduus : intereunt segetes ; subit aspera silva, 
Lappseque tribulique, interque nitentia culta 
Infelix lolium et steriles dominantur avense. 
Quod nisi et assiduis terram insectabere rastris, 
Et sonitu terrebis aves, et riu-is opaci 
Ealce premes umbras, votisque vocaveris imbrem ; 
Heu ! magnum alterius frustra spectabis acervum, 
Concussaque famem in silvis solabere quercu. 

Dicendum et, quae sint dmis agrestibus arma, 
Quels sine nee potuere seri nee surgere messes : 
Vomis et inflexi primum grave robm' aratri, 
Tardaque Eleusinas matris volventia plaustra, 
Tribulaque trabeseque et iniquo pondere rastri ; 



36 p. TIBGILII MAEONIS 

Virgea prasterea Celei vilisque supellex, 
Arbutese crates et mystica vannus lacchi : 
Omnia quae multo ante memor provisa repones, 
Si te digna manet divini gloria ruris. 
Continue in silvis magna vi flexa domatur 
In burim et cnrvi formam accipit ulmus aratri ; 
Huic a stirpe pedes temo protentus in octo ; 
Binse aures, duplici aptantm' dentalia dorso. 
Cseditur et tilia ante jugo levis, altaque fagus, 
Stivaque, quae currus a tergo torqueat imos ; 
Et suspensa focis explorat robora fumus. 

Possum multa tibi veterum praecepta referre, 
Ni refugis, tenuesque piget cognoseere curas. 
Area cum primis ingenti sequanda cylindro 
Et vertenda manu et creta solidanda tenaci, 
Ne subeant herbse, neu pulvere victa fatiscat ; 
Tum varise illudant pestes : ssepe exiguus mus 
Sub terris posuitque domos atque horrea fecit ; 
Aut oculis capti fodere cubilia talpse ; 
Inventusque cavis bufo, et quae plurima terras 
Monstra ferunt ; populatque ingentem farris acervum 
Curcidio, atque inopi metuens formica senectae. 
Contemplator item, quum se nux plurima silvis 
Induct in florem et ramos curvabit olentes ; 
Si superant fetus, pariter frumenta sequentur, 
Magnaque cum magno veniet tritura calore ; 
At si luxuria foHorum exuberat umbra, 
Nequidquam pingues palea teret area culmos. 
Semina vidi equidem multos medicare serentes, 
Et nitro prius et nigra perfundere amurca, 
Grandior ut fetus siliquis fallacibus esset, 
Et quamvis igni exiguo properata maderent. 
Vidi lecta diu et multo spectata labore 
Degenerare tamen, ni vis humana quotannis 
Maxima quasque manu legeret ; sic omnia fatis 
In pejus ruere, ac retro sublapsa referri ; 
Non aliter quam qui adverso vix flumine lembum 
Remigiis subigit, si brachia forte remisit, 
Atque ilium in praeceps prono rapit alveus amni. 

Preeterea tam sunt Arcturi sidera nobis 
Haedorumque dies servandi et lucidus Anguis, 
Quam quibus in patriam ventosa per sequora vectis 
Pontus et ostriferi fauces tentantur Abydi. 
Libra die somnique pares ubi fecerit boras, 
Et medium luci atque umbris jam dividit orbem, 
Exercete, vii-i, tam-os ; serite bordea campis 



GEOEGICO>" LIB. I. 37 

Usque sub extremum bnimffi intractabilis iinbrem : . ^ 

Usee non et lini segetem et Cereale papaver ' "" 

Tempus humo tegere, et jamdudum incumbere aratiis, 

Dum sicca tellui-e licet, diim nubila pendent. __ ->. 

Yere fabis satio ; turn te quoque, ]\Iedica, puti'es -- ^ -^ i 

Accipilmt sulci, et milio venit annua cura, > 

Candidus auratis aperit quum comibus annum 

Taurus, et adverso cedens Canis occidit astro. 

At si triticeam in messem robustaque fan-a 

Exercebis bunium, solisque instabis aristis, 

Ante tibi Eose Atlantides abscondantur, 

Gnosiaque ardentis decedat stella Coronse, 

Debita quani sulcis committas semina. quamque 

Invitfe properes anni spem credere ten-se. 

Multi ante occasum Mais coepere ; sed illos 

Expectata seges vanis elusit aristis. 

Si vero yiciamque seres vilemque faselum, . ^- ^ 

Xec Pelusiacs cui'am aspemabere lentis^ 

Haud obscura cadens mittet tibi signa Bootes ; 

Incipe, et ad medias sementem extende pruinas. 

Idcii'co certis dimensum partibus orbem 
Per duodena regit mundi Sol aureus astra. 
Quinque tenent ccelum zonae : quarum una corasco 
Semper sole i-ubens et tomda semper ab igni ; 
Quam circum extremse dextra Igevaque trabuntm-, 
Cserulea glacie concretse atque imbribus atris : 
Has inter mediamque duas mortalibus segris 
Munere concessee divum ; via secta per ambas, 
Obliquus qua se signoi-um veiieret or do. 
Mundus, ut ad Scythiam Ebipasasque ai'duus ai'ces 
Consm-git, premitm' Libyse devexus in austros. 
Hie vertex nobis semper sublimis ; at ilium 
Sub pedibus Styx atra videt Manesque profundi. 
Maximus liic flexu sinuoso elabitm- anguis 
Circum perque duas in morem fluminis Arctos, 
Arctos oceani metuentes sequore tingi : 
Elic, ut perhibent, aut intempesta silet nox, 
Semper et obtenta densantm- nocte tenebrse : 
Aut redit a nobis Am-ora, diemque reducit : 
Nosque ubi piimus equis Oriens afflavit anbelis, 
Illic sera i-ubens accendit lumina Yesper. 
Hinc tempestates dubio prsediscere coelo 
Possumus, bine messisque diem tempusque serendi ; 
Et quando infidum remis impellere marmor 
Conveniat ; quando armatas deducere classes, 
Aut tempestivam silvis evertere pinum. 



38 



p. YIE&ILII MAEONIS 



Nec frustra signorum obitus speculamur et ortus, 
Temporibusque parem diversis quatuor annum. 
Frigidus agricolam si quando continet imber, 
Multa, forent quas mox coelo properanda sereno, 
Maturare datur ; durum procudit arator 
Yomeris obtusi dentem ; cavat arbore lintres ; 
Aut pecori signum, aut numeros impressit acervis. 
Exaeuunt alii vallos furcasque bicornes, 
Atque Amerina parant lentse retinacula viti. 
Nunc facilis rubea texatur fiscina virga ; 
Nunc torrete igni fruges, nunc frangite saxo. 
Quippe etiam festis qus&dam exercere diebus 
Eas et jura sinunt : rivos deducere nulla 
Keligio vetuit, segeti prs&tendere sepem, 
Insidias avibus moliri, incendere vepres, 
Balantumque gregem fluvio mersare salubri. 
Ssepe oleo tardi costas agitator aselli 
Vilibus aut onerat pomis ; lapidemque revertens 
Incusum aut atrse massam picis m^be reportat. 

Ipsa dies alios alio dedit ordine Luna 
Felices operum. Quintam fuge ; pallidus Orcus 
Eumenidesque satse ; turn partu Terra nefando 
Coeumque lapetumque creat, sa)vumque Typhcea, 
Et conjuratos coelum rescindere fratres. 
Ter sunt conati imponere Pelio Ossam 
Scilicet, atque Ossse frondosum involvere Olympum 
Ter Pater extructos disjecit fiilmine montes. 




GEOEGICON LIE. I. 39 

Septima post decimam felix, et ponere vitem, 
Et prensos domitare boves, et licia telee 
Addere. Nona fugse melior, contraria furtis. 

Multa adeo gelida melius se nocte dedere, 
Aut quum sole novo terras irrorat Eons. 
Nocte leves melius stipulse, nocte arida prata 
Tondentur ; noctes lentus non deficit humor. 
Et quidam seros hiberni ad luminis ignes 
Pervigilat, ferroque faces inspicat acuto ; 
Interea longum cantu solata laborem 
Arguto conjux percurrit pectine telas ; 
Aut dulcis musti Vulcano decoquit humorem 
Et foliis undam trepidi despumat aheni. 

At rubicunda Ceres medio succiditur sestu ; 
Et medio tostas sestu terit area fruges. 
Nudus ara, sere nudus ; biems ignava colono. 
Erigoribus parto agricolse plerumque fruuntur, 
Mutuaque inter se Iseti convivia cm^ant. 
Invitat genialis hiems curasque resolvit : 
Ceu presssD quum jam portum tetigere carina, 
Puppibus et Iseti nautse imposuere coronas. 
Sed tamen et quernas glandes tum stringere tempus, 
Et lauri baccas, oleamque, cruentaque myrta ; 
Tum gruibus pedicas et retia ponere cervis, 
Auritosque sequi lepores ; tum figere damas, 
Stuppea torquentem Balearis verbera fundae : 
Quum nix alta jacet, glaciem quum flumina trudunt. 

Quid tempestates auctumni et sidera dicam ? 
Atque, ubi jam breviorque dies et mollior sestas, 
Qua3 vigilanda viris ? vel quum ruit imbriferum ver, 
Spicea jam campis quum messis inhorruit, et quum 
Frumenta in viridi stipula lactenfcia tm'gent ? 
Sgepe ego, quum flavis messorem induceret arvis 
Agricola, et fragili jam stringeret hordea culmo, 
Omnia ventorum concurrere proslia vidi ; 
Quae gravidam late segetem ab radicibus imis 
Sublime expulsam eruerent : ita tui-bine nigro 
Ferret hiems culmumque levem stipulasque volantes. 
Scepe etiam immensum coelo venit agmen aquarum, 
Et foedam glomerant tempestatem imbribus atris 
CoUectas ex alto nubes ; ruit arduus aether, 
Et pluvia ingenti sata laeta boumque labores 
Diluit ; implentur fossae, et cava flumina crescunt 
Cum sonitu, fervetque fretis spirantibus sequor. 
Ipse Pater, media nimborum in nocte, corusca 
Fulmina mohtur dextra : quo maxima motu 



40 



p. YIEGILH MAEONIS 



Terra tremit ; fugere ferae, et mortalia corda 
Per gentes humilis stravit pavor : ille flagranti 
Ant Atho, aut Khodopen, aut alta Ceraunia telo 
Dejicit ; ingeminant austri et densissimus imber ; 
Nunc nemora ingenti vento, nunc litora plangunt. 
Hoc metuens, coeli menses et sidera serva ; 
Frigida Saturni sese quo stella receptet ; 
Quos ignis coeli CjUenius erret in orbes. 
In primis venerare deos, atque annua magnas 




Sacra refer Cereri Isetis operatus in berbis, 
Extremae sub casum biemis, jam vere sereno. 
Tum pingues agni, et tum molbssima vina ; 
Tum somni dulces, densaeque in montibus umbrse. 
Cuncta tibi Cererem pubes agrestis adoret ; 
Cui tu lacte favos et miti dibie Baccbo, 
Terque novas circum felix eat bostia fruges ; 
Omnis quam cborus et socii comitentur ovantes, 
Et Cererem clamore vocent in tecta. Neque ante 
Falcem maturis quisquam supponat aristis, 



GEOEGICON LIB. I. 41 

Quam Cereri, torta redimitus tempora quercu, 
Det motus incompositos et carmina dicat. 

Atqiie li£ec ut certis possimus discere signis, 
^stusque, plu\dasque, et agentes fngora ventos : 
Ipse Pater statuit, qnid menstrua Luna moneret ; 
Quo signo caderent austri ; quid ssepe videntes 
Agricolse propius stabulls annenta tenerent, 
Continuo, ventis surgentibus, aut freta ponti 
Incipiunt agitata tumescere, et aridus altis 
Montibus audiii fragor ; aut resonantia longe 
Litora miseeri, et nemorum increbrescere mui-mur. 
Jam sibi tum cm'\as male temperat unda carinis, 
Quum medio celeres re volant ex sequore mergi, 
Clamoremque ferant ad litora ; quumque marinae 
In sicco ludunt fulicce, notasque paludes 
Deserit, atque altam supra volat ardea nubem. 
Ssepe etiam stellas, vento impendente, videbis 
Praecipites coelo labi, noetisque per umbram 
Plammarum longos a tergo albescere tractus ; 
Saepe levem paleam et frondes volitai'e eaducas, 
Aut summa nantes in aqua eolludere plumas. 
At Borese de parte trucis quum fulminat, et quum 
Enrique Zephyrique tonat domus : omnia plenis 
Rm'a natant fossis, atque omnis navita ponto 
Humida vela legit. Nunquam imprudentibus imber 
Obfuit. Aut ilium sm'gentem vallibus imis 
Aerise fugere grues ; aut bucula coelum 
Suspiciens patulis captavit naribus am^as ; 
Aut arguta lacus circumvolitavit liii-undo ; 
Et veterem in limo range cecinere querelam. 
Ssepius et tectis penetraHbus extulit ova 
Angustum formica terens iter ; et bibit ingens 
Arcus ; et e pastu decedens agmine magno 
Corvorum increpuit densis exercitus alis. 
Jam varias pelagi volucres, et quse Asia circum 
Dulcibus in stagnis rimantm' prata Cajstri, 
Certatim lai'gos humeiis infundere rores, 
Nunc caput objectare fretis, nunc cmTere in imdas, 
Et studio incassum videas gestii'e lavandi. 
Tum comix plena pluviam vocat improba voce, 
Et sola in sicca secum spatiatur arena. 
Ne nocturna quidem carpentes pensa puellss 
Nescivere hiemem, testa quum ardente viderent 
Scintillare oleum et putres concrescere fimgos. 

Nee minus ex imbri soles et aperta serena 
Prospicere et certis poteris cognoscere signis : 



42 p. YIEGILII MAEOITIS 

Nam neque turn stellis acies obtusa videtur, 
Nee fratris radiis obnoxia surgere Luna, 
Tenuia nee lanse per coelum vellera ferri ; 
Non tepidum ad solem pennas in litore pandunt 
Dilectse Thetidi alcyones ; non ore solutes 
Immundi meminere sues jactare maniplos : 
At nebulae magis ima petunt campcque recunibunt ; 
Solis et occasum servans de culmine summo 
Nequidquam seros exercet noctua cantus. 
Apparet liquido sublimis in aere Nisus, 
Et pro purpui'eo poenas dat Sc^'lla capillo. 
Quacumque ilia levem fugiens secat rethera pennis, 
Ecce inimieus, atrox, magno stridore per aiu'as 
Insequitui' Nisus : qua se fert Nisus ad aui'as, 
Ilia levem fugiens raptim secat aethera pennis. 
Tum liquidas corvi presso ter gutture voces 
Aut quater ingeminant ; et ssepe cubilibus altis, 
Nescio qua prseter solitum dulcedine laeti, 
Inter se foliis strepitant ; juvat imbribus actis 
Progeniem parvam dulcesque revisere nidos : 
Hand equidem credo, quia sit divinitus illis 
Ingenium, aut rerum fato prudentia major : 
Verum, ubi tempestas et coeli mobilis humor 
Mutavere vias, et Jupiter uvidus austris 
Denset, erant quae rara modo, et, quae densa, relaxat ; 
Vertuntm- species animorum, et pectora motus 
Nmic alios, alios, dum nubila ventus agebat, 
Concipiunt. Hinc ille avium concentus in agris, 
Et laetae pecudes, et ovantes guttm^e corvi. 

Si vero solem ad rapidum lunasque sequentes 
Ordine respicies, nunquam te crastina fallet 
Hora, neque insidiis noctis capiere serense. 
Luna, revertentes quum primum colligit ignes, 
Si nigrum obscuro comprenderit aera cornu, 
Maximus agricolis pelagoque parabitur imber. 
At si virgineum sufiuderit ore ruborem, 
Ventus erit ; vento semper rubet aurea Phoebe. 
Sin ortu quarto, namque is certissimus auctor, 
Pura, neque obtusis per coelum cornibus ibit : 
Totus et ille dies, et qui nascentur ab illo 
Exactum ad mensem, pluvia ventisque carebunt ; 
Votaque servati solvent m litore nautae 
Glauco et Panopese et Inoo IMehcertae. 
Sol quoque et exoriens, et quum se condit in undas, 
Signa dabit ; solem certissima signa sequuntur, 
Et quae mane refert, et quae surgentibus astris. 



GEOEGICON LIB. I. 43 

Ille ubi nascentem maculis variaverit ortum 

Conditus in nubem, medioque refugerit orbe : 

Suspecti tibi sint imbres ; namque urget ab alto 

Arboribusque satisque notus pecorique sinister. 

Aut ubi sub lucem densa inter nubila sese 

Diversi rumpent radii, aut ubi pallida surget 

Tithoni croceum linquens Aurora cubile ; 

Heu, male turn mites defendet pampinus uvas : 

Tarn multa in tectis crepitans salit horrida grando. 

Hoc etiam, emenso qumn jam decedet Olympo, 

Profaerit meminisse magis : nam ssspe videmus 

Ipsius in vultu varios errare colores ; 

Caeruleus pluviam denuntiat, igneus em'os. 

Sin maculae incipient rutilo immiscerier igni, 

Omnia tunc pariter vento nimbisque videbis 

Fervere : non ilia quisquam me nocte per altum 

Ire, neque a terra moneat convellere funem. 

At si, quum referetque diem condetque relatum, 

Lucidus orbis erit ; frustra terrebere nimbis, 

Et claro silvas cernes aquilone moveri. 

Denique, quid vesper serus vehat, unde serenas 

Ventus agat nubes, quid cogitet bumidus auster, 

Sol tibi signa dabit. Solem quis dicere falsum 

Audeat ? ille etiam csecos instare tumultus 

Ssepe monet, fraudemque et operta tumescere bella. 

Ille etiam exstincto miseratus Csesare Romam : 

Quum caput obscm-a nitidum ferrugine texit, 

Impiaque seternam timuerunt ssecula noctem. 

Tempore quamquam illo tellus quoque, et aequora ponti, 

Obscenique canes, importunaeque volucres 

Signa dabant. Quoties Cyclopum eifervere in agros 

Vidimus undantem ruptis fornacibus ^Etnam, 

Flammarumque globos liquefactaque volvere saxa ! 

Armorum sonitum toto Grermania coelo 

Audiit ; insolitis tremuerunt motibus Alpes. 

Vox quoque per lucos vulgo exaudita silentes 

Ingens ; et simulacra modis paUentia miris 

Visa sub obscurum noctis ; pecudesque locutae ; 

Infandum ! sistunt amnes, terrseque dehiscunt, 

Et maestum illacrimat templis ebur, seraque sudant. 

Proluit insano contorquens vertice silvas 

Fluviorum rex Eridanus, camposque per omnes 

Cum stabulis armenta tulit. Nee tempore eodem 

Tristibus aut extis fibrae apparere minaces, 

Aut puteis manare cruor cessavit ; et altse 

Per noctem resonare lupis ululantibus urbes. 



u 



p. YIEGILII MAROlSriS 



Non alias coelo ceciderunt plura sereno 

Fulgura ; nee diri toties arsere eometse. . 

Ergo inter sese paribus concurrere telis 

Romanas acies iterum videre Philippi ; 

Nee fuit indignum siiperis, bis sanguine nostro 

Emathiam et latos Hsemi pinguescere campos. 

Scilicet et tempus veniet, quum finibus ilbs 

Agricola, incurvo terram molitus aratro, 

Exesa inveniet scabra robigine pila, 

Aut gravibus rastris galeas pulsabit inanes, 

Grrandiaque effossis mirabitur ossa sepulcris. 

Di patrii Indigetes, et Romule, Yestaque mater, 

Quse Tuscum Tiberim et Romana Palatia servas, 

Hunc saltern everso juvenem succurrere saeclo 

Ne prohibete. Satis jam pridem sanguine nostro 

Laomedonteae luimus perjuria Trojae. 

Jam pridem nobis coeli te regia, Caesar, 

Invidet, atque bominum queritur curare triumphos : 

Quippe ubi fas versum atque nefas : tot bella per orbem, 

Tam multae scelerum facies ; non uUus aratro 

Dignus honos ; squalent abductis arva colonis, 

Et curvse rigidum falces conflantur in ensem. 

Hinc movet Euphrates, illinc Grermania bellum ; 

Vicinge ruptis inter se legibus urbes 

Arma ferunt ; sEevit toto Mars impius orbe : 

Ut quum carceribus sese effudere quadiigaj, 

Addunt in spatia, et frustra retinacula tendens 

Eertur equis am'iga, neque audit cm'rus habenas. 



^ 


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J/^^^T^^T^^^ ^ "^ 



p. TIEGILII MAEONIS 

GEOEGICON 

LIBER SECUNDUS. 




HACTE]!rD'S arvorum cultus et sidera coeli ; 
Nunc te, Bacclie, canam, nee non silvestria tecum 
Yirgulta, et prolem tarde crescentis oliv«. 
Hue, pater o Lensee ; tuis hie omnia plena 
Muneribus ; tibi pampineo gravidus auetumno 
Floret ager, spumat plenis vindemia labris ; 
Hue, pater o Lensee, veni ; nudataque musto 
Tinge novo mecum dereptis crura cotburnis. 

Principio arboribus varia est natura creandis : 
Namque alise, nullis hominum congentibus, ipsse 
Sponte sua veniunt, camposque et flumina late 
Curva tenent : ut moUe siler, lentseque genest<T, 



48 p. VIEGILII MAEOIfIS 

Popnlus, et glauca canentia fronde salicta. 
Pars autem posito surgunt de semine ; ut altae 
Castaneae, nemorumque Jovi quse maxima frondet 
iEsculus, atqiie habitse Graiis oracula quercus. 
Pullulat ab radice aliis densissima silva : 
TJt cerasis ulmisque ; etiam Parnasia laiirus 
Parva sub ingenti matris se subjicit umbra. 
Hos natura raodos primum dedit ; his genus omne 
Silvarum fruticumque viret nemorumque sacrorum. 

Sunt alii, quos ipse via sibi reperit usus. 
Hie plantas tenero abscindens de corpore matrum 
Deposuit sulcis ; hie stirpes obruit arvo, 
Quadrifidasque sudes, et acu|/0 robore vallos ; 
Silvarumque ahse presses propaginis arcus 
Exspeetant et viva sua plantaria terra. 
Nil radicis egent alise ; summumque putator 
Haud dubitat terroe referens mandare cacumen, 
Quin et caudicibus sectis, mirabile dictu, 
Truditur e sicco radix oleagina ligno. 
Et S8epe alterius ramos impune videmus 
Vertere in alterius ; mutatamque insita mala 
Eerre pirum, et prunis lapidosa rubescere corna. 

Quare agite o, proprios generatim discite cultus, 
Agricolse, Iructusque feros moUite colendo ; 
Neu segnes jaceant terrse. Juvat Ismara Baccho 
Conserere, atque olea magnum vestire Taburnum. 
Tuque ades, inceptumque una decurre laborem, 
decus, o famse merito pars maxima nostrse, 
Maecenas, pelagoque volans da vela patenti. 
Non ego cuncta meis amplecti versibus opto ; 
Non, mihi si linguae centum sint, oraque centum, 
Ferrea vox : ades, et primi lege litoris oram. 
In manibus terrae : non hie te carmine ficto 
Atque per ambages et longa exorsa tenebo. 

Sponte sua quae se toUunt in luminis oras, 
Infecunda quidem, sed laefca et fortia surgunt ; 
Quippe solo natura subest. Tamen haec quoque si quis 
Inserat, aut scrobibus mandet mutata subactis, 
Exuerint silvestrem animum ; cultuque frequent! 
In quascumque voces artes haud tarda sequentur. 
Nee non et sterilis, quae stirpibus exit ab imis, 
Hoc faciet, vacuos si sit digesta per agros : 
Nunc altae frondes et rami matris opacant, 
Crescentique adimunt fetus, uruntque ferentem. 
Jam, quae seminibus jactis se sustulit arbos. 
Tarda venit, seris factura nepotibus umbram ; 



GEOEGICOIir LIB. II. 



49 



Pomaque degenerant sucos oblita priores ; 
Et turpes avibus praedam fert uva racemos. 

Scilicet omnibus est labor impendendus, et omnes 
Cogendse in sulcum, ac mult a mercede domandae. 
Sed truncis oleas melius, propagine vites 
Respondent, solido Paphise de robore myrtus ; 
Plantis et durse coruli nascuntur, et ingens 




Fraxinus, Herculeseque arbos umbrosa coronse, 
Chaoniique patris glandes ; etiam ardua palma 
Nascitur, et casus abies visura marinos. 
Inseritur vero et fetu nucis arbutus horrida ; 
Et steriles platani males gessere valentes ; 
Castaneae fagus, ornusque incanuit albo 
Flore piri, glandemque sues fregere sub ulmis. 

Nee modus inserere atque oculos imponere simplex. 
^N'am, qua se medio trudunt de cortice gem mas, 
Et tenues rumpunt tunicas, angustus in ipso 
Fit nodo sinus : hue aliena ex arbore germen 
Includunt, udoque docent inolescere libro. 
Aut rursum enodes trunci resecantur, et alte 
Finditm' in solidum cuneis via ; deinde feraces 
Plantae immittuntur : nee longum tempus, et ingens 
Exiit ad coelum ramis felicibus arbos, 
Miraturque novas frondes et non sua poma. 

Prseterea genus baud unum, nee fortibus ulmis, 
Nee salici lotoque, neque Idaeis cyparissis. 
Nee pingues unam in faciem nascuntm- olivse, 
Orcbades, et radii, et amara pausia bacca, 
Pomaque, et Alcinoi silvae ; nee surculus idem 
Crustumiis Syriisque piiis, gravibusque volemis. 
Non eadem arboribus pendet vindemia nostris, 
Quam Metbymnseo carpit de palmite Lesbos ; 
Sunt Thasise vites, sunt et Mareotides albae, 
Pinguibus bse terris babiles, levioribus illee ; 
Et passo Psitbia utilior, tenuisque Lageos, 

E 



50 p. TIEGILII maeo:n'is 

Tentatura pedes olim, vinctui'aque linguam ; 
Purpurese, preciseque ; et quo te carmine dicam, 
E-hsetica ? nee cellis ideo contende Falernis. 
Sunt et Amingeffi ^^tes, firmissima vina, 
Tmolus et assurgit quibus et rex ipse Phanseus ; 
Argitisque minor, cui non certaverit ulla. 
Aut tantum fluere, aut totidem dm'are per annos. 
Non ego te, dis et mensis accepta seeundis, 
Transierim, Pliodia, et tumidis, Bumaste, racemis. 
Sed neque, quam multae species, nee, nomina qu£e sint, 
Est numerus ; neque enim numero comprendere refert 
Quem qui scire velit, Libjci velit ^quoris idem 
Discere quam multse zephyro tm-bentm' arense ; 
Aut, ubi navigiis violentior incidit em'us, 
Nosse, quot lonii veniant ad litora fluctus. 

Nee vero terrae ferre omnes omnia possunt. 
Plmninibus salices, crassisque paludibus alui 
Nascmitm', steriles saxosis montibus orni ; 
Litora myrtetis Isetissima ; denique apertos 
Bacchus amat colles, aquilonem et frigora taxi. 
Aspice et extremis domitum cultoribus orbem, 
Eoasque domus Ai'abum, pictosque Gelonos. 
Divisse arboribus patriae : sola India nigrum 
Fei-t ebenmn ; solis est thurea vh-ga Sabseis. 
Quid tibi odorato referam sudantia ligno 
Balsamaque, et baccas semper frondentis acanthi ? 
Quid nemora iEthiopum, molli canentia lana ? 
Yelleraque ut foliis depectant tenuia Seres ? 
Aut quos Oceano propior gerit India lucos, 
Exti-emi siuus orbis ? ubi aera vincere summum 
Ai'boris baud ullae jactu potuere sagittse. 
Et gens ilia quidem sumtis non tarda pharetris. 
Media fert tristes sucos tardumque saporem 
Felicis mali ; quo non prsesentius ullum, 
Pocula si quando ssevas infecere novercae, 
[Miscueruntque lierbas et non innoxia verba,] 
Auxilium venit, ac membris agit atra venena. 
Ipsa ingens arbos, faciemque simillima lam'o ; 
Et, si non alium late jactaret odorem, 
Lam'us erat ; folia baud ullis labentia ventis ; 
Flos ad prima tenax ; animas et olentia Medi 
Ora fovent illo, et senibus medicantur anbelis. 

Sed neque Medorum, silvse ditissima, terra, 
Nee pulcher Ganges, at que am-o tm'bidus Hermus, 
Laudibus Italise certent ; non Bactra, neque Indi, 
Totaque tbm'iferis Pancha'ia pinguis ai'enis. 



GEOEGICOX LIB. II. 



51 



Haec loca non tam4 spirantes nai'ibus ignem 
Invertere, satis immanis dentibus liydii ; 
Kec galeis densisque viiiini seges horiTiit liastis ; 
Sed gi-avidge fruges et Bacclii Massicus humor 
Implevere ; tenent olese armentaque l«ta. 
Hjnc bellator equus campo sese ai'duus infert ; 
Hinc albi, Clituinne, greges, et maxima taums 
Tictima, saspe tuo perfasi flumine sacro, 



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! // 









Homanos ad templa deum duxere tiiumphos. 
Hie ver assidnum. atque alienis mensibus vestas ; 
Bis gi'avid^ pecudes, bis pomis utilis ai'bos. 
At rabidse tigres absunt et seeva leonnm 
Semina ; nee miseros fallmit aconita legentes ; 
Kec rapit rmmensos orbes per hmnum, neque tanto 
Squameus in spiram tractu se colligit angiois. 
Adde tot egregias m^bes. opeiTimqiie laborem, 
Tot eongesta manu prseiTiptis oppida saxis. 
Fluminaque antiquos subterlabentia muros. 
An mare, quod supra, memorem, quodque alluit infi-a ? 
Anne lacus tantos r te, Lari maxime, teque, 
Fluctibus et fremitu assui'gens. Benaee, marino ? 
An memorem poiinis, Luciinoque addita claustra, 
Atque indignatmn magnis stiidoribus sequor, 



52 p. YIEGILII MAEO^^IS 

Julia qua ponto longe sonat unda refuso, 
Tyrrhenusque fretis innnittitur asstus Averiiis r 
Haec eadem argenti rivos serisque metalla 
Ostendit Yenis, atque auro plui'ima fluxit. 
Hsec genus acre vii'um, Mai'sos pubemque Sabellam, 
Assuetumque malo Ligurem, Yolscosque verutos 
Extulit ; hsec Decios, Mai'ios, magnosque Camillos, 
Scipiadas duros bello, et te, maxime Csesai', 
Qui nunc extremis Asiag jam victor in oris 
Imbellem avertis Eomanis arcibus Indum. 
Salve, magna parens frugum, Satm-nia tellus, 
Magna virimi : tibi res antiquse laudis et artis 
Ingredior, sanctos ausus recludere fontes, 
Ascraeumque cano Romana per oppida carmen. 

Nimc locus arvorum ingeniis : quae robora cuique, 
Quis color, et quae sit rebus natura ferendis. 
Difficiles primum terr^e, collesque maligni. 
Tenuis ubi argilla, et dumosis calculus arvis, 
Palladia gaudent silva vivacis olivEe. 
Indicio est, tractu surgens oleaster eodem 
Plurimus, et strati baccis silvestribus agri. 
At quae pinguis humus, dulcique uligine Iseta, 
Quique frequens berbis et fertilis ubere campus, 
Qualem saepe cava montis convalle solemus 
Despicere : hue summis liqumitm' rupibus amnes, 
Felicemque trabunt limum : quique editus austro, 
Et filicem cm-vis invisam pascit aratris ; 
Hie tibi praevalidas olim multoque fluentes 
Sufficiet Bacclio vites ; hie fertihs uvae, 
Hie laticis, qualem pateris hbamus et auro, 
Inflavit quum pmguis ebur Tyrrhenus ad aras, 
Lancibus et pandis fumantia reddimus exta. 
Sin armenta magis studium vitidosque tueri, 
Aut fetus o^dum, aut m-entes culta capellas : 
Saltus, et satmi petito longinqua Tarenti, 
Et qualem infehx amisit Mantua campum, 
Pascentem niveos herboso flumine cycnos. 
Non liquidi gregibus fontes, non gramina deerunt ; 
Et, quantum longis carpent armenta diebus, 
Exigua tantum gelidus ros nocte reponet. 
Nigra fere et presso pinguis sub vomere terra, 
Et cui putre solum, namque hoc imitamur arando, 
Optima fi'umentis : non ullo ex aequore cernes 
Plm-a domum tardis decedere plaustra juvencis : 
Aut unde ii'atus silvam devexit arator, 
Et nemora evertit multos ignava per annos, 



GEOEGICON LIB. II. 



53 



Antiquasque domos avium cum stirpibus imis 

Eruit : illse altum nidis petiere relictis ; 

At rudis enituit impulse vomere campus. 

Nam jejuna quidem clivosi glarea rm'is 

Vix humiles apibus casias roremque ministrat ; 

Et tophus scaber, et nigris exesa chelydris 

Creta, negant alios seque serpentibus agros 

Dulcem ferre cibum, et curvas prasbere latebras. 

Quae tenuem exhalat nebulam fumosque volucres, 

Et bibit humorem, et, quum vult, ex se ipsa remittit, 

Quseque suo viridi semper se gramiiie vestit, 

Nee scabie et salsa Isedit robigine ferrum : 

Ilia tibi Isetis intexet vitibus ulmos ; 

Ilia ferax oleo est ; illam experiere colendo 

Et facilem pecori et patientem vomeris unci. 

Talem dives arat Capua, et vicina Vesevo 

Ora jugo, et vacuis Clanius non aquus Acerris. 

Nunc, quo quamque modo possis cognoscere, dicam. 
Eara sit an supra morem si densa requiras : 




Altera frumentis quoniam favet, altera Baccbo ; 
Densa magis Cereri, rarissima quseque Lyaeo : 
Ante locum capies oculis, alteque jubebis 
In solido puteum demitti, onmemque repones 
E-ursus bumum, et pedibus summas sequabis arenas. 
Si deerunt, rarum pecorique et vitibus almis 
Aptius uber erit ; sin in sua posse negabunt 
Ire loca, et scrobibus superabit terra repletis : 
Spissus ager ; glebas cunctantes crassaque terga 
Exspecta, et validis terram proscinde juvencis. 
Salsa autem tellus, et qu£e perbibetm* amara, 
Erugibus infelix, (ea nee mansuescit arando, 
Nee Baccbo genus, aut pomis sua nomina servat,) 
Tale dabit specimen : tu spisso vimine qualos 
Colaque prselorum fumosis deripe tectis ; 



54 p. YIEGILII MAEONIS 

Hue ager ille mains, dulcesque a fontibus undse 
Ad plenum calcentur : aqua eluctabitur omnis 
Scilicet, et grandes ibnnt per vimina gnttse ; 
At sapor indicium faciet manifestus, et ora 
Tristia tentantum sensu torquebit amaror. 
Pinguis item qusB sit tellus, hoc denique pacto 
Discimus : baud unquam manibus j aetata fatiseit, 
Sed pieis in morem ad digitos lentescit babendo. 
Humida majores berbas alit, ipsaque justo 
Lsetior. Ab nimium ne sit mibi fertibs ilia, 
Neu se praevalidam primis ostendat aristis ! 
Quse gravis est, ipso tacitam se pondere prodit, 
Quseque levis. Promtnm est oculis praediscere nigram, 
Et quis cui color. At sceleratum exqnirere frigus 
Difficile est : picese tantum, taxique nocentes 
Interdum, ant bederse pandunt vestigia nigi'se. 

His animadversis, terram multo ante memento 
Excoquere, et magnos scrobibus considere montes. 
Ante supinatas aquiloni ostendere glebas 
Quam Isetum mfodias vitis genus. Optima putri 
Arva solo : id venti cm'ant, gebdasque pruinse, 
Et labefacta movens robustus jugera fossor. 
At si quos baud ulla vnos vigilantia fugit, 
Ante locum similem exquirunt, ubi prima paretur 
Arboribus seges, et quo mox digest a feratur ; 
Mutatam ignorent subito ne semina matrem. 
Quin etiam coeli regionem in cortice signant : 
Ut, quo quasque modo steterit, qua parte calores 
Austrinos tulerit, quse terga obverterit axi, 
E-estituant : adeo in teneris consuescere multmn est. 
CoUibus an piano mebus sit ponere vitem, 
Quasre prius : si pinguis agi'os metabere campi, 
Densa sere ; in denso non segnior ubere Baccbus. 
Sin tumubs acclive solum collesque supinos, 
Indulge ordinibus ; nee secius omnis in unguem 
Arboribus positis seeto via limite quadret. 
Ut saepe ingenti bello quum longa cobortes 
Explicuit legio, et campo stetit agmen aperto. 
Direct asque acies, ac late fluctuat omnis 
jEre renidenti tellus, nee dum borrida miseent 
ProeHa, sed dubius mediis IMars errat m armis : 
Omnia suit paribus numeris dimensa viarum ; 
Non animum modo uti pascat prospectus manem, 
Sed quia non aliter vires dabit omnibus sequas 
Terra, neque in vacuum poterunt se extendere rami. 

Eorsitan et, scrobibus quse sint fastigia, quseras. 



GEOEGICOitf LIE. II. 55 

Ausim vel tenui vitem committere sulco ; 
Altior ac penitus terrae defigitur arbos : 
iEsculus in primis, quse, quantum vertice ad auras 
iEtherias, tantum radice in Tartara tendit. 
Ergo non hiemes illam, non flabra, neque imbres 
Convellunt ; immota manet, multosque nepotes 
Multa virum volvens dui^ando ssecula vincit. 
Turn fortis, late ramos et bracbia tendens 
Hue illue, media ipsa ingentem sustinet umbram. 

Neve tibi ad solem vergant vineta cadentem ; 
Neve inter vites corulum sere ; neve flagella 
Summa pete aut summa destringe ex arbore plantas ; 
Tantus amor teiTse ; neu ferro l^de retuso 
Semina; neve oleas silvestris insere truncos. 
Nam saepe incautis pastoribus excidit ignis. 
Qui, furtim pingui primum sub cortiee tectus, 
Eobora comprendit, frondesque elapsus in altas 
Ingentem coelo sonitum dedit ; inde secutus 
Per ramos victor perque alta cacumina regnat, 
Et totum involvit fiammis nemus, et ruit atrani 
Ad coelum picea crassus caligine nubem : 
Pr^esertim si tempestas a vertice silvis 
Incubuit, glomeratque ferens incendia ventus. 
Hoc ubi, non a stirpe valent, caesseque reverti 
Possunt, atque ima similes revii-escere terra : 
Infelix superat foliis oleaster amaris. 

Nee tibi tam prudens quisquam persuadeat auctor, 
Tellm'em borea rigidam spirante moveri. 
Kura gelu tum claudit biems ; nee semine jacto 
Concretam patitm- radicem affigere terrse. 
Optima vinetis satio, quum vere rubenfci 
Candida venit avis, longis invisa colubris ; 
Prima vel auctumni sub frigora, quum rapidus Sol 
Nondum hiemen contingit equis, jam prasterit aestas. 
Ver adeo frondi nemorum, ver utile silvis ; 
Vere tument terrse et genitalia semina poscunt. 
Tum pater omnipotens fecundis imbribus ^tber 
Conjugis in gremium Isetee descendit, et omnes 
Magnus alit, magno commixtus corpore, fetus. 
Avia tum resonant avibus vii-gulta canoris, 
Et Venerem certis repetunt armenta diebus : 
Parturit ahnus ager, zephyrique tepentibus am'is 
Laxant arva sinus ; superat tener omnibus humor : 
Inque novos soles audent se germina tuto 
Credere, nee metuit sm-gent^'S pampinus austros, 
Aut actum coelo magnis aquilonibus imbrem : 



50 



p. VIEGILII MAEONIS 



Sed trudit gemmas, et frondes explicat omnes. 
Non alios prima crescentis origine mundi 
Illuxisse dies, aliumve habuisse tenorem 
Crediderim : ver illud erat ; ver magnus agebat 
Orbis, et bibernis parcebant flatibus euri, 




Quum prim^ lucem pecndes bausere, virumque 
Ferrea progenies duris caput extulit arvis, 
Inimissseque ferae silvis et sidera coelo. 
Nee res hunc teneree possent perferre laborem, 
Si non tanta quies iret frigusque caloremque 
Inter, et exciperet coeli indulgentia terras. 

Quod superest, qusecumque premes vii^gulta per agros, 
Sparge fimo pingui, et multa memor occule terra ; 
Aut lapideui bibulum, aut squalentes infode concbas ; 
Inter enim labentui' aquse, tenuisque subibit 
Halitus, atque animos tollent sata. Jamque reperti, 
Qui saxo super atque ingentis pondere testae 
IJrgerent : boo efFusos munimen ad imbres ; 
Hoc, ubi biulca siti findit canis a?stifer arva. 

Seminibus positis, superest deducere terram 
Ssepius ad capita et duros jactare bidentes, 
Aut presso exercere solum sub vomere, et ipsa 
Flectere luctantes inter vineta juvencos : 
Turn leves ealamos, et rasse bastilia virgae 



GEOEGICO:jf LIB. II. 



57 



Fraxineasque aptare sudes forcasque bicornes, 
Yiribus eniti quai'um, et contemnere ventos 
Assuescant, summasque sequi tabulata per ulmos. 

Ac, dum prima novis adolescit frondibus setas, 
Parcendmn teneris ; et dum se laetus ad aiiras 
Palmes agit, laxis per pm-um immissus babenis, 
Ipsa acie nondum falcis tentanda, sed micis 
Carpendse manibus frondes, interque legendse. 
Inde ubi jam validis amplexse stii-pibus uhnos 
Exieiint, tum sti'inge comas, tmn brachia tonde : 
Ante reformidant ferrum ; tum denique dura 
Exerce imperia, et ramos compesce fluentes. 

Texendse sepes etiam, et pecus omne tenendum, 
Prsecipue dum frons tenera imprudensque labonma 
Cui, super indignas hiemes solemque potentem, 
Silvestres uri assidue capreseque sequaces 
lUudunt, pascuntm' oves avidseque juvencse. 
Frigora nee tantum cana concreta pruina, 
Aut gravis incumbens scopulis arentibus sestas, 
Quantum illi nocuere greges, durique venenum 
Dentis, et admorso signata in stii'pe cicatiix. 
Non aliam ob culpam Baccbo caper omnibus aris 
C^ditur, et veteres ineunt proscenia ludi. 




Prsemiaque ingeniis pagos et compita circum 
Thesidse posuere ; atque inter pocula lasti 
Mollibus in pratis unctos saluere per utres. 
Xec non Ausonii, Troja gens missa, coloni 
Yersibus incomtis ludunt risuque soluto, 



58 



p. TIKGILII MAEOXIS 




Oraque corticibus sumunt horrenda caTatis ; 
Et te, Bacche, vocant per cai-mina Ireta, tibique 
Oscilla ex alta suspendunt mollia pinu. 
Hinc omnis largo pubescit viiiea fetu ; 
Complentur vaUesque cavse saltusque profundi, 
Et quocumque deus cii'cuin caput egit bonestum. 
Ergo rite suum Baecbo dicemus hoiiorem 
Cai'miiiibus patriis, lancesque et bba feremus ; 
Et ductus cornu stabit sacer bii'cus ad arani; 
Pinguiaque in veribus torrebimus exta colurnis. 

Est etiam ille labor curandis ^dtibus alter, 
Cui nunquam exbausti satis est : namque omne quotannis 
Terqne quaterque solum scindendum, glebaque versis 
Sternum frangenda bidentibus ; omne levandum 
Fronde nemus ; redit agricolis labor actus in orbem, 
Atque in se sua per vestigia volvitui' annus. 
Ac jam olim, seras posuit quum vinea frondes, 
Frigidus et sil^'is aquilo decussit bonorem ; 
Jam tum acer cm-as venienteni extendit in annum 
E-usticus, et cm-vo Satuiiii dente relictam 
Persequitor vitem attondens, lingitque putando. 
Primus bumum fodito piimus devecta cremato 
Sarmenta, et vallos primus sub tecta referto ; 
Postremus metito. Bis vitibus ingruit umbra ; 
Bis segetem densis obducunt sentibus berbae ; 
Dui'us uterque labor. Laudato ingentia rm-a, 
Exignum colito. Nee non etiam aspera rusci 
Yimina per silvam, et ripis fluvialis arundo 
Cceditur, incidtique exercet cm'a sabcti. 
Jam \Tnct2e ^dtes, jam falcem arbusta reponunt, 
Jam canit extremos effetus monitor antes : 



GEOEGTCO^' LIE. II. 59 

Sollicitanda tamen telliis, piilvisque movendus ; 
Et jam matmis metuendiis Jupiter uvis. 

Contra non iilla est oleis cultiu-a, neque illae 
Procni-Tam exspectant falcem rastrosque tenaees, 
Quum semel haeserunt arris aurasque tulerunt. 
Ipsa satis tellus, quiun dente recluditur imco. 
Sufficit humorem, et gi-avidas, cimi vomere, fiiiges. 
Hoc pinguem et placitam Paci nutritor olivam. 

Ponia quoque, nt primum truncos sensere valentes 
Et vires habuere suas, ad sidera raptim 
Vi propria nituntur. opisque hand indiga nostrae. 
Nee minus interea fetu nemus oione gi-aveseit, 
Sanguineisque iaculta rubent aviaria baccis ; 
Tondentur c}iisi, tsedas siLva alta miaistrat. 
Pasennturque ignes noctumi et lumina fondunt : 
Et dubitant homines serere atque impendere cm-am ? 
Quid majora sequai' ? sahces humilesque genestee, 
Aut ills pecori frondem aut pastoribus umbras 
Sufficiunt, sepemque satis, et pabula melli. 
Et juvat undantem buxo spectai'e Cytorum, 
Narjciseque picis hicos : juvat ai-va videre 
Non rastris, hominum non ulh obnoxia cm"£e. 
IpsEe Caucasio steriles in vertice siLvEe, 
Quas animosi emi assidue frangimtque fermitque, 
Dant ahos ahse fetus : dant utile hgnum 
Xavigiis pinos, domibus cedi'umque cupressosque. 
Hinc radios trivere rotis. liinc tympana plaustris 
Agricols, et pandas ratibus posuere cai-inas : 
Yiminibus salices fecund^, fi'ondibus ulmi, 
At mp*tus vahdis hastihbus, et bona bello 
Cornus ; Itm-seos taxi torquentm* ui ai'cus. 
Nee tiliag leves aut torno rasile buxum 
Xon formam accipiunt ferroque cavantur acuto. 
Nee non et torrentem uudam levis innatat ahius, 
Missa Pado ; nee non et apes examina condimt 
Coi-ticibusque cavis vitiosseque ilicis alveo. 
Quid memorandum ^que Bacche'ia dona tiilerunt ? 
Bacchus et ad culpam causas dedit ; ille fm-entes 
Centauros leto domuit, Phoetumque Pholumque 
Et magno Hyl^um Lapitliis cratere minantem. 

fortunatos nimium. sua si bona noiint, 
Agricolas, quibus ipsa, procul discordibus annis, 
Eundit humo facilem victum justissima tellus ! 
Si non ingentem foribus domus alta superbis 
Mane salutantum totis vomit ^edibus undam ; 
Xec vaiios inhiant pulchra testudiiie postes, 



60 



p. VIEGILII MAEONIS 




Illusasque auro vestes, Epliyreiaque cera ; 
Alba neque Assyrio fucatur lana veneno, 
Nee casia liquidi corrumpitur usus olivi : 
At secui'a quies et nescia fallere vita 
Dives opum variarum ; at latis otia fundis 
Spelimese vivique lacus ; at frigida Tempe 
Mugitusque bourn mollesque sub arbore somni 
Non absunt ; illic saltus ac lustra ferarum ; 
Et patiens operum exiguoque assueta juventus ; 
Sacra deum, sanctique patres ; extrema per illos 
Justitia excedens terris vestigia fecit. 

Me vero primum dulces ante omnia IMusas, 
Quarum sacra fero ingenti percussus amore, 
Accipiant, coelique vias et sidera monstrent ; 
Defectus solis varios, lunceque labores ; 
Unde tremor terris ; qua vi maria alta tumescant, 
Objicibus ruptis, rursusque in se ipsa residant ; 
Quid tantum oceano properent se tingere soles 
Hiberni, vel quee tardis mora noctibus obstet. 
Sin, has ne possim naturse accedere partes, 
Frigidus obstiterit circum prascordia sanguis : 
E/ura mihi et rigui placeant in vallibus amnes ; 
Flumina amem silvasque inglorius. O, ubi campi 
Spercheosque, et virginibus baccliata Lacasnis 
Taygeta ! o, qui me gelidis in vallibus Hasmi 
Sistat, et ingenti ramorum protegat umbra ! 
Felix, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas, 
At que metus omnes et inexorabile fa turn 



GEOEGICOjS" lib. II. 



61 




Subjecit pedibus strepit unique Acberontis avari ! 
Eortunatus et ille, deos qui novit agrestes 
Panaque Silvanumque senem Nymphasque sorores ! 
Ilium non populi fasces, non purpura regum 
Flexit, et infidos agitans discordia fratres ; 
Aut conjurato descendens Dacus ab Histro ; 
Non res Eomanas perituraque regna ; neque ille 
Aut doluit miserans inopem aut invidit habenti. 
Quos rami fructus, quos ipsa volentia rura 
Sponte tulere sua, carpsit ; nee ferrea jura 
Insanumque forum aut populi tabularia vidit. 
Sollicitant alii remis freta ceeca, ruuntque 
In ferrum, penetrant aulas et limina regum ; 
Hie petit exeidiis urbem miserosque penates, 
Ut gemma bibat, et Sarrano dormiat ostro ; 
Condit opes alius, defossoque incubat am'o ; 
Hie stupet attonitus rostris ; bunc plausus hiantem 
Per cuneos geminatus enim plebisque patrumque 
Corripuit ; gaudent perfusi sanguine fratrum, 
Exsilioque domos et dulcia limina mutant, 
Atque alio patriam qussrunt sub sole jacentem. 
Agricola incurvo terram dimovit aratro : 
Hinc anni labor ; bine patriam parvosque nepotes 
Sustinet ; bine armenta boum meritosque juvencos. 
Nee requies, quin aut pomis exuberet annus, 
Aut fetu pecorum, aut Cerealis mergite culmi, 
Proventuque oneret sulcos, atque borrea vincat. 
Venit biems : teritur Sicyonia bacca trapetis ; 



62 :p. yiegilii maeonis. 

Grlande sues Iseti redemit ; dant arbuta silvse ; 
Et varies ponit fetus auctumnus, et alte 
Mitis in apricis coquitur vindemia saxis. 
Interea dulces pendent circum oscula nati ; 
Casta pudicitiam servat domus ; ubera vacc« 
Lactea demittunt : pinguesque in gramine Igeto 
Inter se adversis luctantur cornibus haedi. 
Ipse dies agitat festos ; fiisusque per herbam, 
Ignis ubi in medio, et soeii cratera coronant, 
Te libans, Lensee, vocat ; pecorisque magistris 
Velocis jaculi certamina ponit in ulmo, 
Corporaque agresti nudant prsedura palaestra. 
Hanc olim veteres vitam coluere Sabini ; 
Hanc Remus et frater ; sic fortis Etruria erevit ; 
Scilicet et rerum facta est pulclierrima Eoma, 
Septemque una sibi mm'o circumdedit arces. 
Ante etiam sceptrum Dictaei regis, et ante 
Impia quam caesis gens est epulata juvencis. 
Aureus hanc vitam in terris Saturnus agebat. 
Necdum etiam audierant inflari classica, necdum 
Impositos duris crepitare incudibus enses. 

Sed nos immensum spatiis confecimus aequor, 
Et jam tempus equum fumantia solvere colla. 




p. VIEGILII MAEOXIS 

GEOEGICON 

LIBER TERTIUS. 




Te quoqne, magna Pales, et te memorande canemus 
Pastor ab Amphryso ; vos, silvse amnesque Lycsei. 
Cetera, quae vacuas tennissent carmine mentes. 
Omnia jam vulgata. Quis aut Eurystliea dm'um, 
Aut illaudati nescit Busiridis aras ? 
Cui non dictus Hylas puer, et Latonia Delos, 
Hippodameque, humeroque Pelops insignis ebm*no, 
Acer equis ?^ Tentanda via est, qua me quoqne possim 
Tollere humo, victorque virum volitare per ora. 
Primus ego in patriam mecum, modo vita supersit, 
Aonio rediens deducam vertice Musas ; 
Primus Idumeeas referam tibi, Mantua, palmas ; 
Et viridi in campo templum de marmore ponam 
Propter aquam, tardis ingens ubi flexibus errat 
Mincius et tenera prsetexit arundine ripas. 
In medio mibi Csesar erit, templumque tenebit. 
Illi victor ego et Tyrio conspectus in ostro 
Centum quadrijugos agitabo ad flumina currus. 
Cuncta mihi, Alpbeum linquens lucosque Molorchi, 



66 



p. YIEGILII MAE0>T:S 



Cursibus et crudo decernet G-rsecia cestu : 

Ipse, caput tonsae foliis ornatus olivae, 

Dona feram. Jam nunc solemnes ducere pompas 

Ad delubra juvat, c£esosque videre juvencos ; 

Vel scena ut versis discedat frontibus, utque 

Purpurea intexti tollant aulsea Britanni. 

In foribus pugnam ex auro solidoque elepbanto 

Gangaridum faciam, victorisque arma Quii-ini ; 

Atque bic undantem bello magnumque fluentem 




J^ 






^ 




M 


_^^^y,^=r^— ^I^^^JH 


" /"-r-^- '-,-- ' : 


.-,-\ ' V- 



Nilum, ac navali surgentes aere columnas. 
Addam urbes Asiae domitas pulsumque Nipbaten, 
Fidentemque fuga Partbum versisque sagittis, 
Et duo rapta manu diverso ex boste tropaea, 
Bisque triumpbatas utroque ab litore geiites. 
Stabunt et Parii lapides, spii-antia signa, 
Assaraci proles, demissaeque ab Jove gentis 
Nomina, Trosque parens, et Trojae Cyntbius auctor. 
Invidia infeUx Furias amnemque severum 
Cocyti metuet, tortosque Ixionis angues, 



GEOEGICOIT LIB. III. 67 

Immanemque rotam, et non exsuperabile saxum. 
Interea Drjadum silvas saltusque sequamur 
Intactos, tua, Maecenas, baud mollia jussa : 
Te sine nil altum mens inchoat. En age, segnes 
Eumpe moras ; vocat ingenti clamore Cithsron, 
Taygetique canes, domitrixque Epidaurus equoruni ; 
Et vox assensu nemorum ingeminata remugit. 
Mox tamen ardentes accingar dicere pugnas 
Csesaris, et nomen fama tot ferre per annos, 
Tithoni prima quot abest ab origine Caesar. 

Sen quis, Olympiacse miratus praemia palmae, 
Pascit equos, sen quis fortes ad aratra juvencos ; 
Corpora prsecipne matrum legat. Optima torvse 
Forma bovis, cui turpe caput, cui plurima cervix, 
Et crurum tenus a mento palearia pendent ; 
Tum longo nullus lateri modus ; omnia magna ; 
Pes etiam, et camm-is liirtae sub cornibus aures. 
Nee mibi displiceat maculis insignis et albo, 
Aut juga detrectans, interdumque aspera comu, 
Et faciem tauro propior ; quseque ardua tota, 
Et gradiens ima verrit vestigia cauda. 
^tas Lucinam justosque pati bymenseos 
Desinit ante decem, post quatuor incipit annos ; 
Cetera nee feturae babilis, nee fortis aratris. 
Interea, superat gregibusjdum laeta juventas, 
Solve mares ; mitte in Venerem pecuaria primus, 
Atque aliam ex aba generando suffice prolem. 
Optima quaeque dies miseris mortalibus aevi 
Prima fagit ; subeunt morbi tristisque senectus ; 
Et labor et dm'ae rapit inclementia mortis. 
Semper erunt, quarum mutari corpora malis ; 
Semper enim refice, ac, ne post amissa requiras, 
Anteveni, et subolem armento sortii-e quotannis. 

Nee non et pecori est idem dilectus equino. 
Tu modo, quos in spem statues submittere gentis, 
Praecipuum jam inde a teneris impende laborem. 
Continuo pecoris generosi pullus in arvis 
Altius ingreditur, et mollia crm'a reponit. 
Primus et ire viam, et fluvios tentare minaces 
Audet, et ignoto sese committere ponti, 
Nee vanos borret strepitus. Illi ardua cervix, 
Argutumque caput, brevis alvus, obesaque terga ; 
Luxuriatque toris animosum pectus. Honesti 
Spadices, glaucique ; color deterrimus albis 
Et gilvo. Tum, si qua sonum procul arma dedere, 
Stare loco nescit, micat auribus, et tremit artus, 



68 



p. YIEGILII MAEONIS 



CoUectumque fremens volvit sub naribus ignem. 
Densa juba, et dextro jactata recumbit in armo : 
At duplex agitur per lumbos spina ; cavatque 
Tellurem et solido graviter sonat ungula cornu. 




Talis Amyclsei domitus PoUucis habenis 
Cyllarus, et quorum Graii meminere poetae, 
Martis equi bijuges, et magni currus Achilli : 
Talis et ipse jubam cervice effudit equina 
Conjugis adventu pernix Satui'nus, et altum 
Pelion hinnitu fugiens implevit acuto. ^ 

Hunc quoque, ubi aut morbo gravis aut jam segnior annis 
Deficit, abde domo, nee turpi ignosce senectae. 
Frigidus in Venerem senior, frustraque laborem 
Ingratum traliit ; et, si quando ad proelia ventum est, 
Ut quondam in stipulis magnus sine viribus ignis, 
Incassum fm-it. Ergo animos aevumque notabis 
Praecipue ; hinc alias artes, prolemque parentum, 
Et quis cuique dolor victo, quae gloria palmae. 
Nonne vides, quum praecipiti certamine campum 




GEOEGICO:?^^ LIB. III. 60 

Corripuere, ruuntque effusi carcere currus, 
Quum spes arrectae juvenum, exsultantiaque haurit 
Oorda pavor pulsans ; illi instant verbere torto, 
Et proni dant lora ; volat vi fervidus axis ; 
Jamque humiles, jamque elati sublime videntur 
Aera per vacuum ferri, atque assui'gere in am^as ; 
Nee mora, nee requies ; at fulvae nimbus arenae 
Tollitm* ; bmneseunt spumis flatuque sequentum : 
Tantus amor laudum, tantse est victoria curas. 
Primus Erichthonius currus et quatuor ausus 
Jungere equos, rapidusque rotis insistere victor. 
Frena Peletbronii Lapithae gyrosque dedere 
"impositi dorso, atque equitem docuere sub armis 
Insultare solo, et gressus glomerare superbos. 
^quus uterque labor ; seque juvenemque magistri 
Exquirunt calidumque animis et cursibus acrem ; 
Quamvis saepe fuga versos ille egerit hostes, 
Et patriam Epirum referat fortesque Mycenas, 
Neptunique ipsa deducat origine gentem. 

His animadversis instant sub tempus, et omnes 
Impendunt curas denso distendere pingui, 
Quem legere ducem, et pecori dixere maritum ; 
Pubentesque secant lierbas, fluviosque ministrant. 
Farraque, ne blando nequeat superesse labori, 
Invalidique patrum referant jejunia nati. 
Ipsa autem macie tenuant armenta volentes, 
Atque, ubi concubitus primos jam nota voluptas 
Sollicitat, frondesque negant et fontibus arcent. 
Saepe etiam cm-su quatiunt, et sole fatigant, 
Quum graviter tunsis gemit area frugibus, et quum 
Surgentem ad zephyrum paleae jactantur inanes. 
Hoc faciunt, nimio ne luxu obtusior usus 
Sit genitali arvo, et sulcos oblimet inertes ; 
Sed rapiat sitiens Venerem, interiusque recondat. 

Eursus cm-a patrum cadere, et succedere matrum 
Incipit. Exactis gravidas quum naensibus errant, 
Non illas gravibus quisquam juga ducere plaustris, 
Non saltu superare viam sit passus, et acri 
Carpere prata fuga, fluviosque innare rapaces : 
Saltibus in vacuis pascant, et plena secundum 
Flumina, muscus ubi et viridissima gramine ripa, 
Speluncaeque tegant, et saxea procubet umbra. 
Est lucos Silari circa ilicibusque virentem 
Plurimus Alburnum volitans, cui nomen asilo 
Romanum est, oestrum Graii vertere vocantes ; 
Asper, acerba sonans ; quo tota exterrita silvis 



70 p. TIEGILII MAE0:ffIS 

Diffiigiunt armenta, furit mugitibus aether 

Concussus, silvseque et sicci ripa Tanagri. 

Hoc quondam monstro horribiles exercuit iras 

Inachiae Juno pestem meditata juvencse. 

Hunc quoque, nam mediis fervoribus acrior instat, 

Arcebis gravido pecori, armentaque pasces, 

Sole recens orto, aut noctem ducentibus astris. 

Post partum cura in vitulos traducitur omnis : 
Continuoque notas et nomina gentis inurunt, 
Et quos aut pecori malint submittere habendo, 
Aut aris servare sacros, aut scindere terram, 
Et campum horrent em fractis invertere glebis : 
Cetera pascuntur virides armentaper herbas. 
Tu quos ad studium atque usum formabis agrestem, 
Jam vitulos hortare, viamque insiste domandi, 
Bum faciles animi juvenum, dum mobilis setas. 
Ac primum laxos tenui de vimine circles 
Cervici subnecte ; dehinc, ubi libera colla 
Servitio assuerint, ipsis e torquibus aptos 
Jimge pares, et coge gradum conferre juvencos ; 
Atque ilHs jam ssepe rotas ducantur inanes 
Per terram, et summo vestigia pulvere signent : 
Post valido nitens sub pondere faginus axis 
Instrepat, et junctos temo trahat sereus orbes. 
Interea pubi indomitae non gramina tantum, 
Nee vescas salicum frondes ulvamque palustrem, 
Sed frumenta manu carpes sata. Nee tibi fetse, 
More patrum, nivea implebunt mulctraria vaccee, 
Sed tota in dulces consument ubera natos. 

Sin ad bella magis studium turmasque feroces, 
Aut Alphea rotis praelabi flumina Pisse, 
Et Jovis in luco currus agitare volantes ; 
Primus equi labor est animos atque arma videre 
Bellantum, lituosque pati, tractuque gementem 
Eerre rotam, et stabulo frenos audire sonantes ; 
Tum magis atque magis blandis gaudere magistri 
Laudibus, et plausae sonitum cervicis amare. 
Atque haec jam primo depulsus ab ubere matris 
Audeat, inque vicem det moUibus ora capistris 
Invalidus, etiamque tremens, etiam inscius sevi. 
At tribus exactis, ubi quarta accesserit sestas, 
Carpere mox gyrum incipiat, gradibusque sonare 
Compositis, sinuetque alterna volumina crurum, 
Sitque laboranti similis ; tum cm-sibus auras, 
Tum vocet, ac per aperta volans, ceu liber habenis, 
wEquora, vix summa vestigia ponat arena : 



GEOEGICON LIB. III. 71 

Qualis hyperLoreis aquilo quum densus ab oris 
Incubuit, Scythiseque hiemes atque arida differt 
Nubila : tiini segetes altse campique natantes 
Lenibus horrescunt flabris, summseque sonorem 
Dant silvae, longique urgent ad litora fluctus ; 
Ille volat, simul arva fuga simul eequora verrens. 
Hie vel ad Elei metas et maxima eampi 
Sudabit spatia, et spumas aget ore cruentas ; 
Belgica vel molli melius feret esseda collo. 
Tum demum crassa magnum farragine corpus 
Crescere jam domitis sinito ; namque ante domandum 
Ingentes tollent animos, prensique negabunt 
Verbera lenta pati et duris parere lupatis. 

Sed non uUa magis vires industria firmat, 
Quam Venerem et caeci stimulos avertere amoris, 
Sive bourn sive est cui gratior usus equorum. 
Atque ideo tauros procul atque in sola relegant 
Pascua, post montem oppositum et trans flumina lata, 
Aut intus clausos satura ad prsesepia servant. 
Carpit enim vires paulatim uritque videndo 
Femina ; nee nemorum patitur meminisse, nee berbse, 
Dulcibus ilia quidem illecebris et ssepe superbos 
Cornibus inter se subigit decernere amantes. 
Pascitur in magna Sila formosa juvenca : 
Illi alternantes multa vi proelia miscent 
Vulneribus crebris ; lavit ater corpora sanguis, 
Versaque in obnixos urgentur cornua vasto 
Cum gemitu ; reboant silvseque et longus Olympus. 
Nee mos bellantes una stabulai'e ; sed alter 
Victus abit, longeque ignotis exsulat oris ; 
Multa gemens ignominiam plagasque superbi 
Victoris, tum, quos amisit inultus, amores, 
Et stabula aspectans regnis excessit avitis. 
Ergo omni cm'a vires exercet, et inter 
Dura jacet pemox instrato saxa cubili, 
Frondibus hirsutis et carice pastus acuta ; 
Et tentat sese, atque irasci in cornua discit, 
Arboris obnixus trunco, ventosque lacessit 
Ictibus, et sparsa ad pugnam proludit arena. 
Post, ubi collectum robm' viresque refectse, 
Signa movet, prsecepsque oblitum fertur in hostem : 
Fluctus uti medio coepit quum albescere ponto, 
Longius ex altoque sinum traliit ; utque, volutus 
Ad terras, immane sonat per saxa, neque ipso 
Monte minor procumbit ; at ima exaestuat unda 
Verticibus, nigramque alte subjectat arenam. 



72 



p. TTEGILII MAEONIS 



Omne adeo genus in terris hominumque ferarumque, 
Et genus aequoreum, pecudes, pictaeque volucres, 
In fiirias ignemque ruunt ; amor omnibus idem. 
Tempore non alio catuloiTim oblita leaena 
Ssevior erravit campis ; nee funera vulgo 
Tarn multa informes ursi stragemque dedere 
Per silvas : tum saevus aper, turn pessima tigris ; 
Heu ! male tum Libyse solis erratm^ in agris. 
Nonne vides, ut tota tremor portentet equorum 
Corpora, si tantum notas odor attulit auras ? 
Ac neque eos jam frena virum, neque verbera saeva, 
Non scopuli rupesque cavae, atque objecta retardant 
Flumina, correptos unda torquentia montes. 
Ipse ruit dentesque Sabellicus exacuit sus, 
Et pede prosubigit terram, frieat arbore costas, 
Atque bine atque illinc bumerosque ad vulnera durat. 
Quid juvenis, magnum cui versat in ossibus ignem 
Durus amor ? Nempe abruptis turbata procellis 




Noete natat caeca senis freta ; quem super ingens 
Porta tonat coeli, et scopulis illisa reclamant 
iEquora ; nee miseri possunt revocare parentes, 
Nee moritura super crudeb funere virgo. 
Quid lynces Bacchi variae, et genus acre luponim 
Atque canum ? quid, quae imbelles dant proelia cervi ? 

Scilicet ante omnes furor est insignis equarum ; 
Et mentem Venus ipsa dedit, quo tempore Grlauci 
Potniades malis membra absumsere quadrigae. 



GEOEGICON LIE. III. 73 

Illas ducit amor trans Gargara, transque sonant 3ni 
Ascanium ; superant montes, et flumina tranant. 
Continuoque, avidis ubi subdita flamma medullis, 
Vere magis, quia vere calor redit ossibus, illse 
Ore omnes versae in zepbyrum stant rupibus altis, 
Exceptantque leves auras ; et ssepe sine ullis 
Conjugiis vento gravidse, mirabile dictu, 
Saxa per et scopulos et depressas convalles 
Diffugiunt, non, Eure, tuos, neque Solis ad ortus, 
In Boream Caurumque, aut unde nigerrimus Auster 
Nascitur, et pluvio contristat frigore coelum. 
Hie demum, hippomanes vero quod nomine dicunt 
Pastores, lentum destillat ab inguine virus, 
Hippomanes, quod saepe malae legere novercse, 
Miscuerimtque berbas et non innoxia verba. 

Sed fugit interea, fugit irreparabile tempus, 
Singula dum capti circumvectamur am ore. 
Hoc satis armentis ; superat pars altera curse, 
Lanigeros agitare greges birtasque capellas. 
Hie labor ; bine laudem fortes sperate coloni. 
Nee sum animi dubius, verbis ea vincere magnum 
Quam sit, et angustis hunc addere rebus honorem. 
Sed me Parnasi deserta per ardua dulcis 
Raptat amor ; juvat ire jugis, qua nulla priorum 
Castaliam molli devertitur orbit a clivo. 

Nunc, veneranda Pales, magno nunc ore sonaudum. 
Incipiens stabulis edico in moUibus berbam 
Carpere oves, dum mox frondosa reducitur asstis ; 
Et multa duram stipula filicumque maniplis 
Sternere subter humum, glaciesne frigida Isedat 
MoUe pecus, scabiemque ferat tm-pesque podagras. 
Post bine digressus jubeo frondentia capris 
Arbuta sufficere, et fluvios praebere recentes : 
Et stabula a ventis biberno opponere soli 
Ad medium conversa diem, quum frigidus olim 
Jam cadit extremoque irrorat Aquarius anno. 
Hae quoque non cura nobis leviore tuendae ; 
Nee minor usus erit ; quamvis Milesia magno 
Yellera mutentur Tyrios incocta rubores. 
Densior bine suboles, bine largi copia lactis : 
Quam magis exbausto spumaverit ubere mulctra ; 
Laeta magis pressis manabunt flumina mammis. 
Nee minus interea barbas incanaque menta 
Cinyphii tondent hirci saetasque comantes 
Usum in castrorum, et miseris velamina nautis. 
Pascuntur vero silvas et summa Lycaei, 



74 p. VIBGILTI MAEONIS 

Horrentesque rubos, et amantes ardua dumos : 

Atque ipsae memores redeunt in tecta, suosque 

Ducunt, et gravido superant vix ubere limen. 

Ergo omni studio glaciem veutosque nivales, 

Quo minor est illis curae mortalis egestas, 

Avertes, victumque feres et virgea laetus 

Pabula ; nee tota claudes foenilia bruma. 

At vero, zepbyris quum laeta vocantibus sestas 

In saltus utrumque gregem atque in pascua mittet, 

Luciferi primo cum sidere frigida rura 

Carpamus, dum mane novum, dum gramina canent, 

Et ros in tenera pecoii gratissimus berba. 

Inde, ubi quarta sitim coeli collegerit bora, 

Et eantu querulas rumpent arbusta cicadas, 

Ad puteos aut alta greges ad stagna jubeto 

Currentem ilignis potare canalibus imdam : 

^stibus at mediis umbrosam exquirere vallem, 

Sicubi magna Jovis antiquo robore quercus 

Ingentes tendat ramos ; aut sicubi nigrum 

Ilicibis crebris sacra nemus accubet umbra. 

Turn tenues dare rursus aquas, et pascere rursus 

Solis ad occasum, quum frigidus aera vesper 

Temperat, et saltus reficit jam roscida luna, 

Litoraque alc^^onen resonant, acalantbida dumi. 

Quid tibi pastores Libyae, quid pascua versu 

Prosequar, et raris babitata mapalia tectis ? 

Saspe diem noctemque, et totum ex ordine mensem 

Pascitur itque pecus longa in deserta sine ullis 

Hospitiis: taatum campi jacet. Omnia secum 

Armentarius Afer agit, tectumque Laremque 

Armaque Amyclseumque canem Cressamque pbaretram : 

Non secus ac patriis acer Romanus in armis 

Injusto sub fasce viam quum carpit, et bosti 

Ante exspectatum positis stat in agmine castris. 

At non, qua Scytbiae gentes Maeotiaque unda, 

Turbidus et torquens flaventes Hister arenas, 

Quaque redit medium Rhodope poiTecta sub axem. 

Illic clausa tenent stabulis armenta ; neque ullae 

Aut herbae campo apparent aut arbore frondes ; 

Sed jacet aggeribus niveis informis et alto 

Terra gelu late, septemque assurgit in ulnas : 

Semper biems, semper spirantes frigora Cauri. 

Tum Sol pallentes baud unquam discutit umbras : 

Nee quum invectus equis altum petit aetbera ; nee quum 

Praecipitem oceani rubro lavit aequore currum. 

Concrescunt subitae cm-renti in flumiue crustae, 



GEOEGICOIf LIB. IIT. 



75 




Undaque jam tergo ferratos sTistinet orbes, 
Puppibus ilia prius, patulis nunc hospita plaustris. 
jEraque dissiiiunt vulgo, vestesque rigescunt 
Indutae, casduntqne secuiibus hnmida vina, 
Et totas solidam in glaciem vertere lacunae, 
Stiriaque impexis indnruit bonida barbis. 
Interea toto non secius aere ningit ; 
Intereunt pecudes, stant circnmfiisa pruinis 
Coi'pora magna bonm, confertoqne agmine cervi 
Torpent mole nova, et sumimis vix cornibns exstant. 
Hos non immissis canibus, non eassibns ullis, 
Pmiiceseve agitant pavidos formidine pinnae : 
Sed frustra oppositum tradentes pectore montem 
Cominus obtruncant ferro, graviterque rudentes 
Caedunt, et magno Iseti clamore reportant. 
Ipsi in defossis specubus secura sub alta 
Otia agunt terra, congestaque robora totasque 
Advolvere focis ulmos, ignique dedere. 
ffic noctem ludo ducimt, et pocula Iseti 
Fermento at que acidis imitantur vitea sorbis. 
Talis byperboreo septem subjecta trioni 
Gens efii'ena virum Rbipaeo tunditur euro, 
Et pecudum fulvis velatur corpora saetis. 

Si tibi lanitium cm-ae : primum aspera silva 
Lappaeque tribulique absint ; fuge pabula laeta ; 
Continuoque gi'eges villis lege mollibus albos. 
nium autem, quamvis aries sit candidus ipse, 
Nigra subest udo tantum cui lingua palato, 
Eejice, ne maculis infuscet vellera pullis 
Nascentum ; plenoque alium circumspice campo. 
Munere sic niveo lanae, si credere dignum est, 



76 



p. YIEGILII MAEOIsIS 



Pan deus Arcadiae captam te, Luna, fefellit, 

In nemora alta vocans ; nee tu aspernata vocantem. 

At ciii lactis amor, cj^tisum lotosque freqnentes 
Ipse mami salsasque ferat praesepibus herbas. 
Hinc et aniant fluvios magis, ac magis ubera tendunt, 
Et salis occultum referunt in lacte saporem. 
Multi jam excretos prohibent a matribus basdos, 
Primaque ferratis praetigunt ora capistris. 
Quod surgente die mulsere borisque diurnis, 
ISTocte premunt ; quod jam tenebris et sole cadente, 
Sub lucem exportans calatbis adit oppida pastor ; 
Aut pareo sale contingunt, hiemique reponunt. 

Nee tibi cura eanum fuerit postrema : sed una 
Veloces Spartae catulos acremque Molossum 



r^ 




CA V£ C A/V^M 



Pasce sero pingui. Nunquam custodibus illis 
Nocturnum stabulis furem incui'susque luporum, 
Aut impacatos a tergo borrebis Hiberos. 
Saepe etiam cursu timidos agitabis onagros, 
Et canibus leporem, canibus venabere damas : 
Saepe volutabris pulsos silvestribus apros 
Latratu turbabis agens, montesque per altos 
Ingentem clamore premes ad retia cervum. 

Disce et odoratam stabubs accendere cedrum, 
Galbaneoque agitare graves nidore cbelydi'os. 
Saepe sub immotis praesepibus aut mala tactu 
Vipera delituit, coelumque exterrita fugit ; 
Aut tecto assuetus coluber succedere et umbrae, 
Pestis acerba bourn, pecorique aspergere virus, 



GEOEGICON LIB. III. 77 

Fovit humum. Cape saxa manu, cape robora, pastor, 
Tollentemque minas et sibila colla tumentem 
Dejice ; jamque fuga timidum caput abdidit alte, 
Quum medii nexus extremseque agmina caudae 
Solvuntui', tardosque trabit sinus ultimus orbes. 
Est etiam ille malus Calabris in saltibus anguis, 
Squamea convolvens sublato pectore terga, 
Atque notis longam maculosus grandibus alvum, 
Qui, dum amnes ulli rumpuntur fontibus, et dum 
Vere madent udo terrae ac pluvialibus austris, 
Stagna colit ; ripisque habitans, hie piscibus atram 
Improbus ingluviem ranisque loquacibus explet : 
Postquam exusta palus, terrseque ardore debiscunt, 
Exsilit in siccum, et flammantia lumina torquens 
SaBvit agris, asperque siti atque exterritus aestu. 
Ne mibi turn -moUes sub divo carpere somnos, 
Neu dorso nemoris libeat jacuisse per herbas, 
Quum positis novas exuviis nitidusque juventa 
Volvitur, aut catulos tectis aut ova relinquens, 
Arduus ad solem, et Unguis micat ore trisulcis. 

Morborum quoque te causas et signa docebo. 
Tui'pis oves tentat scabies, ubi frigidus imber 
Altius ad vivum persedit et horrida cano 
Bruma gelu ; vel quum tonsis illotus adbaesit 
Sudor, et hirsuti secuerunt corpora vepres 
Dulcibus idcirco fluviis pecus omne magistri 
Perfundunt, udisque aries in gurgite villis 
Mersatur, missusque secundo defluit amni ; 
Aut tonsum tristi contingunt corpus amurca, 
Et spumas miscent argenti, vivaque sulfura, 
Idaeasque pices, et pingues unguine ceras, 
Scillamque, elleborosque graves, nigrumque bitumen. 
Non tamen uUa magis praesens fortuna laborum est, 
Quam si quis ferro potuit rescindere summum 
IJlceris os. Alitur vitium vivitque tegendo, 
Dum medicas adhibere manus ad vulnera pastor 
Abnegat, aut meliora deos sedet omina poscens. 
Quin etiam, ima dolor balantum lapsus ad ossa 
Quum furit, atque artus depascitur arida febris, 
Profuit incensos aestus avertere, et inter 
Ima ferire pedis salientem sanguine venam. ; 
Bisaltae quo more solent, acerque Grelonus, 
Quum fugit in Rhodopen, atque in deserta G-etarum, 
Et lac concretum cum sanguine potat equino. 

Quam procul aut molli succedere saepius umbrae 
Videris, aut summas carpentem ignavius herbas, 



78. p. VIEGILII MAEOIi^IS 

Extremamqne sequi, aut medio procnmbere campo 

Pascentem, et serse solam decedere nocti : 

Continuo culpam ferro compesce, prius qnam 

Dii'a per incautum serpant contao-ia vulgus. 

Non tarn creber agens hiemem ruit asquore turbo, 

Quam ninltae pecudum pestes : nee singula morbi 

Corpora corripiunt, sed tota aestiva repente, 

Spemque gregemque simul, cunctamque ab origine gentem. 

Turn sciat, aerias Alpes et I^orica si quis 

Castella in tumulis, et lapydis arva Timavi, 

Nunc quoque post tanto videat, desertaque regna 

Pastorum, et longe saltus lateque vacantes. 

Hie quondam morbo coeli miseranda eoorta est 
Tempestas, totoque auctumni incanduit aestu, 
Et genus omne neci pecudum dedit, omne ferarum ; 
Corrupitque laeus ; infecit pabula tabo. 
Nee via mortis erat simplex ; sed ubi ignea venid 
Omnibus acta sitis miseros adduxerat artus, 
E-ursus abundabat fluidus liquor, omniaque in se 
Ossa minutatim morbo coUapsa trahebat. 
Saepe in bonore deum medio stans hostia ad aram, 
Lanea dum nivea cii'cumdatur infula vitta, 
Inter cunctantes cecidit moribunda ministros. 
Aut si quam ferro mactaverat ante sacerdos, 
Inde neque impositis ardent altaria fibris, 
Nee resjDonsa potest consultus reddere vates ; 





Ac vix suppositi tinguntur sanguine cultri, 
Summaque jejuna sanie infuscatur arena. 
Hinc Isetis vituli vulgo moriuntur in herbis 
Et dulces animas plena ad praesepia reddunt. 
Hinc canibus blandis rabies venit, et quatit aegros 
Tussis anliela sues ac faucibus angit obesis. 
Labitur infelix studiorum atque immemor herbaB, 



GEOEGICON LIB. III. 

Victor equus, fontesque avertitur, et pecle terrain 

Crebra ferit ; demissse aures ; ineertus ibidem 

Sudor, et ille quidem moritiu'is frigidus ; ai'et 

Pellis, et ad tactum tractanti dura resistit. 

Haec ante exitium primis dant signa diebus. 

Sin in processu coepit crudescere morbus : 

Turn vero ardentes oeuli, atqne attractus ab alto 

Spiritus, interdum gemitu gravis ; imaque longo 

Ilia singultu tendunt ; it naribus ater 

Sanguis, et obsessas fauces premit aspera lingua : 

Profuit inserto latices infundere comu 

Lenseos ; ea visa salus morientibus una. 

Mox erat hoc ipsum exitio, furiisque refecti 

Ardebant, ipsique suos, jam morte sub asgra, 

(Di meliora piis, erroremque hostibus ilium !) 

Discissos nndis laniabant dentibus ai-tns. 

Ecce autem duro fumans sub vomere tam-us 

Concidit, et mixtum spumis vomit ore cruorem, 

Extremosque ciet gemitus. It tristis arator, 

Maerentem abjungens fraterna morte juvencum, 

Atque opere in medio defixa relinquit aratra. 

Non umbrae altorum nemorum, non mollia possunt 

Prata movere animum, non qui per saxa volutus 

Purior electro campum petit amnis : at ima 

Solvuntur latera, atque oculos stupor m-get inertes. 

Ad terramque fluit devexo pondere cervix. 

Quid labor aut benefacta juvant ? quid vomere terras 

Invertisse graves ? atqui non ]SIassica Bacclii 

Munera, non illis epulae nocuere repostae : 

Prondibus et victu pascuntur simpKcis herbae ; 

Pocula sunt fontes Kquidi atque exercita cm-su 

Plumina ; nee somnos abrumpit cm-a salubres. 

Tempore non alio dicunt regionibus illis 

Quaesitas ad sacra boves Junonis, et uris 

Imparibus ductos alta ad donaria cm'rus. 

Ergo aegre rastris terram rimantur, et ipsis 

Unguibus infodimit fruges, montesque per altos 

Contenta cervice traliunt stridentia plaustra. 

Non lupus insidias explorat ovilia circum, 

ISTec gregibus nocturnus obambulat ; acrior ilium 

Cura domat : timidi damae cervique fugaces 

Nunc interque canes et cii'cum tecta vagantur. 

Jam maris immensi prolem et genus omne natantum, 

Litore in extremo, ceu naufraga corpora, fluctus 

Proluit ; insolitae fugiunt in flumina pbocae. 

Interit et curvis frustra defensa latebris 



80 



p. VIEGILII MAEONIS. 



Vipera, et attoniti squamis astantibus hydri. 
Ipsis est aer avibus non aequus, et illse 
Prsecipites alt a vitam sub nube relinquunt. 
Prseterea jam nee mutari pabula refert, 
Quaesitaeque nocent artes ; cessere magistri, 
Phillyrides Chiron, Amytbaoniusque Melampus. 
Saevit, et in lucem Stygiis emissa tenebris 
PaUida Tisiphone morbos agit ante metumque, 
Inque dies avidum surgens caput altius effert. 
Balatu pecorum et crebris mugitibus amnes 
Arentesque sonant ripae collesque supini. 
Jamque cater vatim dat stragem, atque aggerat ipsis 
In stabulis turpi dilapsa cadavera tabo, 
Donee humo tegere ac foveis abscondere discunt. 
Nam neque erat coriis usus ; nee viscera quisquam 
Aut undis abolere potest aut vincere flamma : 
Nee tondere quidem morbo illuvieque peresa 
Vellera, nee telas possunt attingere putres. 
Verum etiam, invisos si quis tentarat amictus, 
Ardentes papulae atque immundus olentia sudor 
Membra sequebatur, nee longo deinde moranti 
Tempore contactos artus sacer ignis edebat. 




P, VIEGIIII MAEOmS 

GEORGICON 

LIBER QUARTUS. 




Peotenus aerii mellis coelestia dona 
Exsequar : hanc etiam, Maecenas, aspice partem. 
Admiranda tibi levium spectacula rerum, 
Magnanimosque duces, totiusque ordine g-entis 
Mores, et studia, et populos, et proelia dicam. 
In tenui labor ; at tenuis non gloria, si quern 
Numina Iseva sinunt, auditque vocatus Apollo. 

Principio sedes apibus statioque petenda, 
Quo neque sit ventis aditus, (nam pabula venti 
Ferre domum prohibent) neque oves haedique petulci 
Floribus insultent, aut errans bucula campo 
Decutiat rorem, et surgentes atterat herbas. 
Absint et picti squalentia terga lacerti 
Piiiguibus a stabulis, meropesque, aliaeque volucres, 
Et manibus Procne pectus signata cruentis. 
Omnia nam late vastant, ipsasque volantes 
Ore ferunt dulcem nidis immitibus escam. 
At liquidi fontes et stagna vii*entia musco 
Adsint, et tenuis fugiens per gramina rivus, 
Palmaque vestibulum aut ingens oleaster inumbret ; 
Ut quum prima novi ducent examina reges 
Vere suo, ludetque favis emissa juventus, 
Vicina invitet decedere ripa calori, 
Obviaque hospitiis teneat frondentibus arbos. 
In medium, seu stabit iners, seu profluet humor, 
Transversas salices et grandia conjice saxa, 
Pontibus ut crebris possint consistere, et alas 
Pandere ad aestivum solem ; si forte morantes 
Sparserit, aut praeceps Neptuno immerserit eurus. 
Haec circum casise virides, et olentia late 



84 



p. YIEGILII MAEOjS^IS 



Serpylla, et graviter spirantis copia thymbrse 
Floreat, irriguumque bibant violaria fontem. 
Ipsa autem, seu corticibus tibi siita cavatis, 
Seu lento fiierint alvearia vimine texta, 
Angustos habeant aditus : nam frigore mella 
Cogit hiems, eademque calor liqnefacta remittit. 
Utraque vis apibns pariter metuenda ; neque illse 
^Neqiiidquam in tectis certatim tenuia cera 
Spiramenta linunt, fucoque et floribus oras 
Explent, collectrunque lisec ipsa ad nmnera gluten 
Et visco et Phrjgiae servant pice lentius Idae. 
Ssepe etiam effossis, si vera est fama, latebris 
Sub terra fovere larem, penitusque repertse 
Pumicibusque cavis exesaeque ai'boris antro. 
Tu tamen e levi rimosa cubilia limo 
XJngue fovens circum, et raras super injice frondes. 
Neu propius tectis taxum sine ; neve rubentes 
TJre foco cancros ; altse neu crede paludi, 
Aut ubi odor cceni gravis, aut ubi concava pulsu 
Saxa sonant, vocisque offensa resultat imago. 

Quod superest, ubi pulsam hiemem Sol aureus egit 
Sub terras, coelumque aestiva luce reclusit, 
Illae continuo saltus silvasque peragrant, 
Pm'pureosque metunt flores, et flumina libant 
Summa leves. Hinc nescio qua dulcedine Isetae 
Progeniem nidosque fovent ; hinc arte recentes 
Excudunt ceras, et mella tenacia fingunt. 
Hinc ubi jam emissum caveis ad sidera cceli 
Nare per cestatem liquidam suspexeris agmen, 
Obscuramque tralii vento mii'abere nubem, 




GEOEGICON LIB. IT. 85 

Contemplator : aquas dulces et frondea semper 
Tecta petunt. Hue tu jussos asperge sapores, 
Trita melisphylla, et cerintlise ignobile gramen ; 
Tinnitusque cie, et matris quate cymbala circum. 
Ipsae consident medicatis sedibus ; ips8B 
Intima more suo sese in cunabula condent. 

Sin autem ad pugnam exierint, (nam saepe duobus 
Eegibus incessit magno descordia motu) 
Continuoque animos vulgi et trepidantia bello 
Corda licet longe prsesciscere ; namque morantes 
Martins ille seris rauci canor inerepat, et vox 
Auditur fractos sonitus imitata tubarum ; 
Tum trepidse inter se coennt, pennisque coruscant, 
Spiculaque exacnunt rostris, aptantqne lacertos, 
Et circa regem atque ipsa ad praetoria densae 
Miscentnr, magnisque vocant clamoribus hostem. 
Ergo ubi ver nactae sudum camposque patentes 
Erumpunt portis, concurritur ; aethere in alto 
Fit sonitus ; magnum mixtae glomerantm' in orbem, 
Praecipitesque cadunt : non densior aere grando, 
Nee de concussa tantum pluit ilice glandis : 
Ipsi per medias acies insignibus alis 
Ingentes animos angusto in pectore versant, 
Usque adeo obnixi non cedere, dum gi^avis aut hos, 
Aut hos versa fuga victor dare terga subegit. 
Hi motus animorum atque baec certamina tanta 
Pulveris exigui jactu compressa quiescunt. 
Yerum ubi ductores acie revocaveris ambo, 
Deterior qui visus, eum ne prodigus obsit, 
Dede neci ; melior vacua sine regnet in aula. 
Alter erit maculis auro squalentibus ardens ; 
Nam duo sunt genera ; hic melior, insignis et ore, 
Et rutilis clarus squamis ; ille horridus alter 
Desidia, latamque trabens inglorius alvum. 
TJt binse regum facies, ita corpora plebis : 
Namque aliae turpes borrent ; ceu pulvere ab alto 
Quum venit, et sicco terram spuit ore viator 
Aridus ; elucent aliae, et fulgore coruscant 
Ardentes auro et paribus lita corpora guttis. 
Haec potior suboles ; bine coeli tempore certo 
Dulcia mella premes ; nee tantum dulcia, quantum 
Et liquida, et durum Baccbi domitura saporem. 

At quum incerta volant, coeloque examina ludunt, 
Contemnuntque favos, et frigida tecta relinquunt, 
Instabiles animos ludo probibebis inani : 
Nee magnus probibere labor. Tu regibus alas 



86 p. YIEGILII MAEONIS 

Eripe : non illis quisquam cunctantibus altum 

Ire iter, aut castris audebit vellere signa. 

Invitent croceis balantes fioribus horti, 

Et custos furum atque avium cum falce saligna 

Hellespontiaci servet tutela Priapi. 

Ipse thymum pinosque ferens de montibus altis 

Tecta serat late circum, cui talia curse ; 

Ipse labore manum duro terat ; ipse feraces 

Eigat humo plantas, et amicos irriget imbres. 

Atque equidem, extreme ni jam sub fine laborum 
Vela traham, et terris festinem advertere proram, 
Eorsitan et, pingues bortos quae cura colendi 
Ornaret, canerem, biferique rosaria Psesti ; 
Quoque modo potis gauderent intuba rivis, 
Et vii'ides apio ripae, tortusque per herbam 
Cresceret in ventrem cucumis ; nee sera comantem 
Narcissum, aut flexi tacuissem vimen acanthi, 
Pallentesque hederas, et amantes litora myrtos 
Namque sub (Ebaliae memini me turribus arcis, 
Qua niger humect at flaventia cult a Gralsesus, 
Corycium vidisse senem, cui pauca relicti 
Jugera ruris erant ; nee fertilis ilia juvencis. 
Nee pecori opportuna seges nee commoda Baccho. 
Hie rarum tamen in dumis olus albaque circum 
Liha verbenasque premens vescumque papaver, 
Regum sequabat opes animis ; seraque revertens 
Nocte domum dapibus mensas onerabat inemtis. 
Primus vere rosam atque auctumno carpere poma, 
Et, quum tristis hiems etiam nunc frigore saxa 
Bumperet, et glacie cursus frenaret aquarum, 
Ille comam molHs jam tondebat hyacinthi, 
^Estatem increpitans seram zephyrosque morantes. 
Ergo apibus fetis idem atque examine multo 
Primus abundare, et spumantia cogere pressis 
Mella favis ; illi tilise atque uberrima pinus ; 
Quotque in flore novo pomis se fertilis arbos 
Induerat, totidem auctumno matura tenebat. 
Ille etiam seras in versum distulit ulmos, 
Eduramque pirum et spinos jam pruna ferentes, 
Jamque ministrantem platanum potantibus umbras. 
Verum hsec ipse equidem, spatiis exclusus iniquis 
Praetereo, atque aHis post me memoranda relinquo. 

Nunc age, naturas apibus quas Jupiter ipse 
Addidit, expediam, pro qua mercede, canoros 
Curetum sonitus crepitantiaque sera secutae, 
Dictseo coeli regem pavere sub antro. 



GEOEGICO]^ LIB. lY. 



87 



Solse communes natos, consortia tecta 
Urbis habent, magnisque agitant sub legibus sevum 
Et patriam solse et certos novere penates ; 
Yentui'seque hiemis memores sestate laborem 
Experiuntui', et in medium quaesita reponunt. 
Namque alise victu invigilant, et foedere pacto 
Exercentur agris ; pars intra septa domorum 
Narcissi lacrimam, et lentum de cortrice gluten, 
Prima favis ponunt fundamina, deinde tenaces 
Suspendunt ceras ; aliae, spem gentis, adultos 
Educunt fetus ; alise purissima mella 
Stipant, et liquido distendunt nectare cellas. 
Sunt, quibus ad portas cecidit custodia sorti ; 
Inque vicem speculantur aquas et nubila coeli ; 
Aut onera accipiunt venientum, aut agmine facto 
Ignavum, fucos, pecus a prsesepibus arcent. 
Eervet opus, redolentque thymo fragrantia mella. 




Ac veluti lentis Cyclopes fulmina massis 
Quum properant, alii tam-inis follibus auras 
Accipiunt redduntque, alii stridentia tingunt 
jEra lacu ; gemit impositis incudibus ^tna ; 
lUi inter sese magna vi bracbia tollunt 
In numerum, versantque tenaci forcipe ferrum : 
Non aliter, si parva licet componere magnis, 
Cecropias innatus apes amor urget habendi, 
Munere quamque suo. Grrandaevis oppida curse, 



88 p. YIEGILII MAEONIS 

Et munire favos, et dsedala fingere tecta : 
At fessae multa referunt se nocte minores, 
Crura thymo plenae ; pascuntur et arbuta passim, 
Et glaucas salices casiamque, crocumque rubentem 
Et pinguem tiliam et ferrugineos hyacinthos. 
Omnibus una quies operum, labor omnibus unus. 
Mane ruunt portis ; nusquam mora : rursus easdem 
Vesper ubi e pastu tandem decedere campis 
Admonuit, turn tecta petunt, tum corpora curant : 
Fit sonitus, mussantque oras et limina circum. 
Post, ubi jam thalamis se composuere, siletur 
In noctem, fessosque sopor suus occupat artus. 
Nee vero a stabulis pluvia impendente recedunt 
Longius, aut credunt ccelo adventantibus euris ; 
Sed circum tutae sub moenibus urbis aquantur, 
Excursusque breves tent ant, et saepe lapillos, 
Ut cymbse instabiles fluctu jactante saburram, 
Tollunt : his sese per inania nubila librant. 
Ilium adeo placuisse apibus mirabere morem. 
Quod nee concubitu indulgent, nee corpora segnes 
In Venerem solvunt aut fetus nixibus edunt ; 
Verum ipsse e foliis natos et suavibus herbis 
Ore legunt ; ipsas regem parvosque Quirites 
Sufficiunt, aulasque et cerea regna refingunt. 
Saepe etiam duris errando in cotibus alas 
Attrivere, ultroque animam sub fasce dedere ; 
Tantus amor florum et generandi gloria mellis. 
Ergo ipsas quamvis angusti terminus aevi 
Excipiat, (neque enim plus septima ducitur sestas) 
At genus immortale manet, multosque per annos 
Stat fortuna domus, et avi numerantur avorum. 
Praeterea regem non sic ^gyptos et ingens 
Lydia, nee populi Partliorum aut Medus Hydaspes 
Observant. Rege incolumi mens omnibus una est ; 
Amisso, rupere Mem constructaque mella 
Diripuere ipsse, et crates solvere favorum. 
lUe operum custos ; ilium admirantur, et omnes 
Circumstant fremitu denso, stipantque frequentes ; 
Et saepe attollunt humeris, et corpora bello 
Objectant, pulchramque petunt per vulnera mortem. 

His quidam signis atque hsec exempla secuti, 
Esse apibus partem divinae mentis et haustus 
^therios dixere : deum namque ire per omnes 
Terrasque tractusque maris coelumque profundum ; 
Hinc pecudes, armenta, viros, genus omne ferarum, 
Quemque sibi tenues nascentem arcessere vitas ; 



GEOEGICON LIB. IT. 89 

Scilicet hue reddi deinde ac resoluta referri 
Omnia ; nee morti esse locum, sed viva volare 
Sideris in numerum atque alto succedere coelo. 

Si quando sedem augustam servataque mella 
Thesauris relines, prius haustu sparsus aquarum 
Ora fove, fumosque manu prsetende sequaces. 
Bis gravidos cogunt fetus, duo tempora messis : 
Taygete simul os terris ostendit lionestum 
Plias, et oceani spretos pede repulit amnes ; 
Aut eadem sidus fugiens ubi Piscis aquosi 
Tristior hibernas ccelo descendit in undas. 
Illis ii'a modum supra est, Isesaeque venenum 
Morsibus inspirant, et spicula caeca relinquunt, 
Affixse venis, animasque in vulnere ponunt. 
Sin duram metues hiemem parcesque futuro 
Contusosque animos et res miserabere fractas ; 
At suffire thymo, cerasque recidere inanes 
Quis dubitet ? nam sagpe favos ignotus adedit 
Stellio, et lucifugis congesta cubilia blattis, 
Immunisque sedens aliena ad pabula fucus ; 
Aut asper crabro imparibus se immiscuit armis, 
Aut dirum tinese genus ; aut invisa Minervse 
Laxos in foribus suspendit aranea casses. 
Quo magis exhaustse fuerint, hoc acrius omnes 
Incumbent generis lapsi sarcire ruinas, 
Complebuntque foros, et floribus horrea texent. 

Si vero, quoniam casus apibus quo que nostros 
Yita tulit, tristi languebunt corpora morbo, 
Quod jam non dubiis poteris cognoscere signis : 
Continuo est segris alius color ; horrida vultum 
Deformat macies ; tum corpora luce carentum 
Exportant tectis, et tristia funera ducunt ; 
Aut illse pedibus connexse ad limina pendent, 
Aut intus clausis cunctantur in ^dibus, omnes 
Ignavasque fame et contract o frigore pigrag, 
Tum sonus auditur gravior, tractimque susurrant, 
Frigidus ut quondam silvis immurmurat auster ; 
Ut mare sollicitum stridit refluentibus undis ; 
-^stuat ut clausis rapidus fornacibus ignis. 
Hie jam galbaneos suadebo incendere odores, 
Mellaque arundineis inferre canalibus, ultro 
Hortantem et fessas ad pabula nota vocantem. 
Proderit et tunsum gallse admiscere saporem, 
Arentesque rosas, aut igni pinguia multo 
Defruta, vel psitbia passes de vite racemos, 
Cecropiumque tbymum, et grave olentia centaurea. 



90 



p. TIEGILII MAROI^IS 



Est etiam flos in pratis, cui nomen amello 
Fecere agricolse, facilis quserentibus herba ; 
Namque uno ingentem tollit de cespite silvam, 
Aureus ipse ; sed in foliis, quge plurima circum 
Funduntur, violse sublucet purpura nigrse, 
Ssepe deum nexis ornatse torquibus arae ; 
Asper in ore sapor ; tonsis in vallibus ilium 
Pastores et cui-va legunt prope flumina Mellae. 
Hujus odorato radices incoque Baccbo, 
Pabulaque in foribus plenis appone canistris. 
Sed si quern proles subito defecerit omnis, 
Nee, genus unde novse stirpis revoeetur, babebit ; 
Tempus et Arcadii memoranda inventa magistri 
Pandere, quoque modo csesis jam s^pe juvencis 
Insineerus apes tulerit cruor. Altius omnem 
Expediam prima repetens ab origine famam. 
Nam qua Pellaei gens fortunata Canopi 





#«& 




Aceolit effiiso stagnantem flumine Nilum, 
Et circum pictis vehitur sua rura fasebs ; 
Quaque pbaretratse vicinia Persidis urget, 
[Et viridem JEgyptum nigra fecmidat arena, 
Et diversa ruens septem discurrit in ora] 
Usque coloratis amnis devexus ab Indis : 



GEOEGICOiN' LIB. IT. 91 

Omnis in hac certam regio jacit arte salutem. 
Exiguus primiim atque ipsos contractus ad usus 
Eligitur locus : hunc angustique imbrice tecti 
Parietibusque premunt arctis, et quatuor addunt, 
Quatuor a ventis, obliqua luce fenestras. 
Turn vitulus, bima curvans jam cornua fronte, 
Quaeritur ; buic geminse nares et spiritus oris 
Multa reluctanti obsuitur, plagisque peremto 
Tunsa per integram solvuntur viscera pellem. 
Sic positum in clause linquunt, et ramea costis 
Subjiciunt fragmenta, thymum, casiasque recentes. 
Hoc geritur, zephyris primum impellentibus undas, 
Ante novis rubeant quam prata coloribus, ante 
Grarrula quam tignis nidum suspendat hirundo. 
Interea teneris tepefactus in ossibus bumor 
^stuat ; et visenda modis animalia miris, 
Trunca pedum primo, mox et stridentia pennis, 
Miscentur, tenuemque magis magis aera carpunt ; 
Donee, ut sestivis effusus nubibus imber, 
Erupere, aut ut nervo pulsante sagittse, 
Prima leves ineunt si quando proelia PartH. 

Quis deus banc, Musse, qui nobis extudit artem ? 
Unde nova ingressus bominum experientia cepit ? 
Pastor Aristseus fugiens Pene'ia Tempe, 
Amissis, ut fama, apibus morboque fameque, 
Tristis ad extremi sacrum caput adstitit amnis, 
Multa querens, atque bac affatus voce pai'entem : 
" Mater, Cyrene mater, quae gurgitis bujus 
Ima tenes, quid me prseclara stirpe deorum 
Si modo, quem perbibes, pater est Thymbrseus Apollo, 
Invisum fatis genuisti ? aut quo tibi nostri 
Pulsus amor ? quid me coelum sperare jubebas ? 
En etiam bunc ipsum vitae mortabs bonorem, 
Quem mibi vix frugum et pecudum custodia solers 
Omnia tentanti extuderat, te matre, reliaquo. 
Quin age, et ipsa manu felices erue silvas ; 
Per stabubs inimicum ignem, atque interfice messes ; 
TJre sata, et validam in vites molire bipennem : 
Tanta mese si te ceperunt tsedia laudis." 
At mater sonitum tbalamo sub fluminis alti 
Sensit. Eam cii'cum Milesia vellera ISTympbse 
Carpebant, byali saturo facata colore, 
Drymoque, Xantboque, Ligeaque, Pbyllodoceque, 
Cgesariem efiusse nitidam per Candida colla ; 
[NcbSee Spioque, Tbaliaque, Cymodoceque,] 
Cydippeque, et flava Lycorias : altera virgo, 



92 p. VTRGILII MAEOISIS 

Altera turn primos Lucinse experta labores ; 
Clioque et Beroe soror, Oceanitides ambse, 
Ambae auro, pictis ineinctse pellibus ambse ; 
Atque Epbyre, atque Opis, et Asia Deiopea, 
Et tandem positis velox Arethusa sagittis. 
Inter quas curam Clymene narrabat inanem 
Vuleani, Martisque dolos et dulcia furta ; 
Atque Chao densos divum numerabat amores. 
Carmine quo captse dum fusis moUia pensa 
Devolvunt, iterum maternas impulit aures 
Luctus Axistsei, vitreisque sedilibus omnes 
Obstupuere ; sed ante alias Arethusa sorores 
Prospiciens, summa flavum caput extulit unda ; 
Et procul : " gemitu non frustra exterrita tanto, 
Cyrene soror, ipse tibi, tua maxima em'a, 
Tristis Aristaeus Penei genitoris ad undam 
Stat lacrimans, et te crudelem nomine dicit. 
Huic percussa nova mentem formidine mater, 
" Due, age, due ad nos ; fas illi limina divum 
Tangere," ait; simul altajubet discedere late 
riumina, qua juvenis gressus inferret. At iUum 
Curvata in montis faciem circumstetit unda, 
Accepitque sinu vasto, misitque sub amnem. 
Jamque domum mirans genetricis, et limnida regna, 
Spelimcisque lacus clauses, lucosque sonantes, 
Ibat, et, ingenti motu stupefactus aquarum, 
Omnia sub magna labentia flumina terra 
Spectabat diversa locis, Phasimque, Lycumque, 
Et caput, unde altus primum se erumpit Enipeus, 
Unde pater Tiberinus, et unde Aniena fluenta. 




GEOEGICOX LIB. IV. 93 

Saxosumque sonans Hypards, Mysusque Caicus, 
Et gemina aiu'atus tamino cornua vultu 
Eridanus, quo non alius per pinguia culta 
In mai'e piu'pui'eum violentior effluit amnis. 
Postquam est in thalami pendentia pimiice tecta 
Perventum, et nati fletus cognovit inanes 
Cjrene, manibus liquidos dant ordine fontes 
Germanse, tonsisque ferunt mantelia villis ; 
Pars epulis onerant mensas, et plena reponunt 
Pocula ; Panchseis adolescunt ignibus arss ; 
Et mater, — " Cape Mseonii carchesia EaccM : 
Oceano libemus," — ait. Simul ipsa precatur 
Oceanumque patrem rerum, Nymphasque sorores, 
Centum quee silvas, centum quae flumina servant. 
Ter liquido ardentem perfudit nectare Vestam ; 
Ter flamma ad summum tecti subject a reluxit : 
Omine quo firmans animum, sic incipit ipsa : 

" Est in Carpathio Neptuni gurgite vates, 
Cseruleus Proteus, magnum qui piscibus sequor 
Et juncto bipedum cuitu metitur equorum. 
Hie nunc Ematliise portus patriamque revisit 
Pallenen : liunc et Xymphag veneramur, et ipse 
Grandeevus Nereus ; novit namque omnia vates, 
Quae sint, quag fuerint, quse mox ventm'a trahantur, 
Quippe ita Neptuno visum est ; immania cujus 
Armenta et tm'pes pascit sub gurgite phocas. 
Hie tibi, nate, prius vinclis capiendus, ut omnem 
Expediat morbi causam, eventusque secmidet : 
Nam sine vi non ulla dabit prsecepta, neque ilium 
Orando flectes ; vim dm-am et vincula capto 
Tende ; doli cii'cum hsec demum frangentm* inanes. 
Ipsa ego te, medios quum sol accenderit sestus, 
Quum sitiunt herb^e, et pecori jam gratior umbra est. 
In secreta senis ducam, quo fessus ab imdis 
Se recipit, facile ut somno aggrediare jacentem. 
Yerum ubi correptum manibus vinclisque tenebis, 
Turn varise eludent species atque ora ferarum. 
Fiet enim subito sus horridus, atraque tigris, 
Squamosusque draco, et fulva cervice lesena ; 
Aut acrem flammse sonitum dabit, atque ita vinclis 
Excidet, aut in aquas tenues dilapsus abibit. 
Sed, quanto ille magis formas se vertet in omnes, 
Tanto, nate, magis contende tenacia vincla ; 
Donee talis erit, mutato corpore, qualem 
Yideris, incepto tegeret quum lumina somno." 

Haec ait, et liquidum ambrosise diffundit odorem. 



94 p. YIEGILII MAEONIS 

Quo totum nati corpus perduxit ; at illi 

Dulcis compositis spiravit crinibus aura, 

Atque habilis membris venit vigor. Est specus ingens 

Exesi latere in montis, quo plurima vento 

Cogitur in que sinus scindit sese unda reductos, 

Deprensis olim statio tutissima nautis ; 

Intus se vasti Proteus tegit objice saxi. 

Hie juvenem in latebris aversum a lumine Nympha 

Collocat ; ipsa procul nebulis obscura resistit. 

Jam rapidus torrens sitientes Sirius Indos 

Ardebat ; coelo et medium Sol igneus orbem 

Hauserat ; arebant berbee, et cava flumina siccis 

Faucibus ad limum radii tepefaeta coquebant ; 

Quum Proteus consueta petens e fluctibus antra 

Ibat : eum vasti circum gens humida ponti 

Exsultans rorem late dispersit amarum. 

Sternunt se somno diversse in litore phocse : 

Ipse, velut stabuli custos in montibus olim, 

Vesper ubi e pastu vitulos ad tecta reducit, 

Auditisque lupos acuunt balatibus agni, 

Considit scopulo medius, numerumque recenset. 

Cujus Aristaeo quoniam est oblata facultas, 

Vix defessa senem passus componere membra, 

Cum clamore ruit magno, manicisque jacentem 

Oceupat. Ille suae contra non immemor artis, 

Omnia transformat sese in miracula rerum, 

Ignemque, bombilemque feram, fluviumque liquentem. 

Verum ubi nulla fugam reperit pellacia, victus 

In sese redit, atque bominis tandem ore locutus : 

" Nam quis te, juvenum confidentissime, nostras 

Jussit adire domus ? quidve bine petis ? " inquit. At ille 

" Scis, Proteu, scis ipse ; neque est te fallere quidquam ; 

Sed tu desine velle. Deum praecepta secuti, 

Yenimus bine lapsis qusesitum oracula rebus." 

Tantum effatus. Ad bsec vates vi denique multa 

Ardentes oculos intorsit lumine glauco, 

Et graviter frendens, sic fatis ora resolvit : 

" Non te nullius exercent numinis irae. 
Magna luis commissa : tibi bas miserabilis Orpheus 
Haudquaquam ob meritum poenas, ni Fata resistant, 
Suscitat, et rapta graviter pro conjuge saevit. 
Ilia quidem, dum te fugeret per flumina prseceps, 
Immanem ante pedes bydrum, moritura puella, 
Servantem ripas alta non vidit in berba. 
At cborus sequalis Dryadum clamore supremos 
Implerunt montes ; flerunt Ebodopeiae arces 



GEOEGICON LIB. IT. 



95 



Altaque Pangsea et Ehesi Mavortia tellus, 
Atque Getae atque Hebrus et Actias Orithyia. 




Ipse cava solans segrum testudine amorem, 
Te, dulcis conjux, te solo in litore secum, 
Te veniente die, te decedente canebat. 
Tsenarias etiam fauces, alta ostia Ditis, 
Et caligantem nigra formidine lucum 
Ingressus, manesque adiit regemque tremendum, 
Nesciaque humanis precibus mansuescere corda. 
At cantii commotae Erebi de sedibus imis 
Umbrae ibant tenues, simulacraque luce carentum : 
Quam multa in foliis avium se millia condunt, 
Vesper ubi aut hibernus agit de montibus imber : 
Matres atque viri, defunctaque corpora vita 
Magnanimum heroum, pueri, innuptaeque puellae, 
Impositique rogis juvenes ante ora parentum ; 
Quos circum limus niger et deformis arundo 
Cocyti tardaque palus inamabilis unda 
Alligat, et novies Styx interfusa coercet. 
Quin ipsae stupuere domus atque intima leti 
Tartara, caeruleosque implexae crinibus angues 
Eumenides, tenuitque inhians tria Cerberus ora, 
Atque Ixionii vento rota constitit orbis. 
Jamque pedem referens casus evaserat omnes, 
Eedditaque Eurydice superas veniebat ad auras, 
Pone sequens ; namque banc dederat Proserpina legem ; 
Quum subita incautum dementia cepit amantem, 
Ignoscenda quidem, scirent si ignoscere manes : 
Eestitit, Eurydicenque suam jam luce sub ipsa 
Immemor heu ! victusque animi respexit- Ibi omnis 
Effusus labor, atque immitis rupta tyranni 



96 



p. VIEGILII MAEOOT[S 



Foedera, terque fragor stagnis auditus Avernis. 

Ilia, ' Quis et me,' inquit, ' miseram, et te perdidit, Orpheu? 

Quis tantus furor ? en iterum crudelia retro 

Fata vocant, conditque natantia lumina somnus. 

Jamque vale : feror ingenti circumdata nocte, 

Invalidasqne tibi tendens, heu non tua, palmas ! 

Dixit, et ex oculis subito, ceu fumus in aui-as 

Commixtus tenues, fugit diversa ; neque iUum, 

Prensantem nequidquam umbras, et multa volentem 

Dicere, prasterea vidit ; nee portitor Orci 

Amplius objectam passus transii'e paludem. 

Quid faceret ? quo se, rapta bis eonjuge, ferret ? 

Quo fletu manes, qua numina voce moveret ? 

lUa quidem Stygia uabat jam frigida cymba. 

Septem ilium totos perhibent ex ordine menses 

Rupe sub aeria deserti ad Strymonis undam 

Flevisse, et gelidis hxc evolvisse sub antris, 

Mulcentem tigres, et agentem carmine quercus : 




Qualis populea mrrrens Philomela sub umbra 
Amissos queritur fetus, quos durus arator 



GEOEGICOl^' LIB. lY. 97 

Observans nido implumes detraxit : at ilia 
Flet noctem, ramoque sedens miserabile carmen 
Integrat, et maestis late loca questibus implet. 
Nulla Venus, non uUi animum fiexere hymenaei ; 
Solus hyperboreas glacies Tanaimque nivalem, 
Arvaque Rhipseis nunquam viduata pruinis 
Lustrabat, raptam Eurydicen atque irrita Ditis 
Dona querens : spretse Ciconum quo munere matres, 
Inter sacra deum nocturnique orgia Bacchi, 
Discerptum latos juvenem sparsere per agros. 
Turn quoque, marmorea caput a cervice revulsum 
Gurgite quum medio portans (Eagrius Hebrus 
Volveret, ' Eurydicen ' vox ipsa et frigida lingua, 
' Ab miseram Eurydicen!' anima fugiente vocabat ; 
'Eurydicen' toto referebant flumine ripse." 

Hsec Proteus : et se jactu dedit £equor in altum ; 
Quaque dedit, spumantem undam sub vertice torsit. 
At non Oyrene ; namque ultro affata timentem : 

" Nate, licet tristes animo deponere curas. 
Hsec omnis morbi causa ; bine miserabile Nymphse, 
Cum quibus ilia cboros lucis agitabat in altis, 
Exitium misere apibus. Tu munera supplex 
Tende, petens pacem, et faciles venerare Napseas : 
Namque dabunt veniam votis, irasque remittent. 
Sed, modus orandi qui sit, prius ordine dicam. 
Quatuor eximios prsestanti corpore tauros, 
Qui tibi nunc viridis depascunt summa Lycsei, 
Delige, et intacta tot idem cervice juvencas. 
Quatuor bis aras alta ad delubra dearum 
Constitue, et sacrum jugulis demitte cruorem ; 
Corporaque ipsa boum frondoso desere luco. 
Post, ubi nona sues aurora ostenderit ortus. 
Inferias Orpbei Letbsea papavera mittes ; 
Placatam Eurydicen vitula venerabere caesa, 
Et nigram mactabis ovem, lucumque revises." 

Haud mora : continuo matris prsecepta facessit. 
Ad delubra venit ; monstratas excitat aras ; 
Quatuor eximios prsestanti corpore tauros 
Ducit, et intacta totidem cervice juvencas. 
Post, ubi nona sues aurora induxerat ortus, 
Inferias Orpbei mittit, lucumque revisit. 
Hie vero subitum ac dictu mirabile monstrum 
Aspiciunt, liquefacta boum per viscera toto 
Stridere apes utero, et ruptis effervere costis ; 
Immensasque trabi nubes ; jamque arbore summa 
Confluere, et lentis uvam demittere ramis. 

H 



98 



p. VIEGILII MARONIS. 



Hsec super arvorum cultu pecorumque canebam, 
Et super arboribus, Csesar dum magnus ad altum 
Fulminat Eupbraten bello, victorque volentes 
Per populos dat jura, viamque affectat Olympo. 
lUo Virgilium me tempore dulcis alebat 
Partbenope, studiis florentem ignobilis oti : 
Carmina qui lusi pastorum, audaxque juventa, 
Tityre, te patulae cecini sub tegmine fagi. 




p. TIEGILII MAEONIS 

^ N E I D O S 

LIBER PRIMUS. 




llle ego, qui quondam gracili modulatus avena 
Carmen, et egressus silvis, vicina coegi 
TJt quamvis avido parerent arva colono : 
Gratum opus agricolis : at nunc horrentia Martis 

Aema virumque cano, Troj^ qui primus ab oris 
Italiam, fato profugus, Lavinia venit 
Litora ; multum ille et terris jactatus et alto 
Vi superum, ssevae memorem Junonis ob iram ; 
Multa quoque et bello passus, dum conderet urbem, 
Inferretque deos Latio ; genus unde Latinum, 
Albanique patres, atque altse moenia Romse. 

Musa, mihi causas memora, quo numine Iseso, 
Quidve dolens, regina deura tot volvere casus 
Insignem pietate virum, tot adire labores, 
Impulerit. Tantsene animis coelestibus irae ! 

Urbs antiqua fuit, Tyrii tenuere coloni, 
Carthago, Italiam contra Tiberinaque longe 
Ostia, dives opum, studiisque asperrima belli ; 
Quam Juno fertur terris magis omnibus unam 
Posthabita coluisse Samo. Hie illius arma, 
Hie currus fuit : boo regnum dea gentibus esse, 
Si qua fata sinant, jam tum tenditque fovetque. 
Progeniem sed enim Trojano a sanguine duci 
Audierat, Tyrias olim quae verteret arces ; 't- 
Hinc populum late regem belloque superbum 



102 



p. VIEGILII MAEONIS 



Venturmn excidio Libyae : sic volvere Parcas 
Id metuens, veterisque memor Saturnia belli, 
Prima quod ad Trojam pro caris gesserat Argis. 
Nee dum etiam causse ii^arum ssevique dolores 
Exciderant animo : manet alta mente repostum 
Judicium Paridis, spretseque injuria formse, 
Et genus invisum, et rapti G-anymedis honores : 
His accensa super, jactatos sequore toto 
Troas, reliquias Danaum atque immitis AcMUi, 
Arcebat longe Latio ; multosque per annos 
Errabant, acti fatis, maria omnia circum. 
Tantse molis erat Bomanam condere gentem. 

Yix e conspectu Siculee telluris in altum 
Vela dabant Iseti et spumas salis sere ruebant ; 
Quum Juno, seternum servans sub pectore vulnus, 
j5 vHsec secum : " Mene incept o desistere victam. 
Nee posse Italia Teucrorum avertere regem ! 
Quippe vetor fatis. Pallasne exm*ere classem 
Argivum, atque ipsos potuit submergere ponto, 
Unius ob noxam et furias Ajacis Oilei ? 
Ipsa, Jo vis rapidum jaculata e nubibus ignem, 
Disjecitque rates, evertitque aequora ventis : 
Ilium, exspirantem transfixo pectore flammas, 
Turbine corripuit, scopuloque infixit acuto. 




Ast ego, quae divum incedo regina, Jovisque 
Et soror et conjux, una cum gente tot annos 
Bella gero. Et quisquam numen Junonis adoret 
Prseterea, aut supplex aris imponat honorem ? " 



JEKEIDOS LIB. I. 103 

Talia flammato secum dea corde volutans, 
Nimborum in patriam, loca feta furentibus austris, 
^oliam venit. Hie vasto rex ^olus antro 
Luctantes ventos tempestatesque sonoras 
Imperio premit, ac viiiclis et car cere frenat. 
Illi indignantes magno cum murmure montis 
Circum claustra fremunt : celsa sedet ^olus arce 
Sceptra tenens, mollitque animos, et temperat iras. 
Ni faciat, maria ac terras coelumque profundum 
Quippe ferant rapidi secum verrantque per auras. 
Sed pater omnipotens speluncis abdidit atris, 
Hoc metuens ; molemque et montes insuper altos 
Imposuit, regemque dedit, qui foedere certo 
Et premere, et laxas sciret dare jussus habenas. 
Ad quern turn Juno supplex his vocibus usa est : 

" Mole, namque tibi (£vum pater atque bominum rex 
Et mulcere dedit fluctus et tollere vento, 
Gens inimica mibi Tyrrbenum navigat aequor, 
Ilium in Italiam portans victosque penates : 
Incute vim ventis, submersasque obrue puppes ; 
Aut age diversos et disjice corpora ponto. 
Sunt mibi bis septem prsestanti corpore nympbse ; 
Quarum, quse forma pulcberrima, Deiopeam 
Connubio jungam stabiK propriamque dicabo, 
Omnes ut tecum meritis pro talibus annos 
Exigat, et pulchra faciat te prole parentem." 

^olus hsec contra : " Tuus, o regina, quid optes, 
Explorare labor ; mibi jussa capessere fas est. 
Tu mibi, quodcunque hoc regni, tu sceptra Jovemque 
Concilias ; tu das epulis accumbere divum, 
Nimborumque facis tempestatumque potentem." 

Hsec ubi dicta, cavum conversa cuspide montem. 
Impulit in latus ; ac venti velut agmine facto. 
Qua data porta, ruunt, et terras turbine perflant. 
Incubuere mari, totumque a sedibus imis 
Una Eurusque JSTotusque ruunt creberque proceUis 
Africus, et vastos volvunt ad litora fluctus : 
Insequitur clamorque virum stridorque rudentum. 
Eripiunt subito nubes coelumque diemque 
Teucrorum ex oculis ; ponto nox incubat atra. 
Intonuere poli, et crebris micat ignibus setber ; 
Prsesentemque viris intent ant onmia mortem. 
Extemplo jEnese solvuntur frigore membra ; 
Ingemit, et duplices tendens ad sidera palmas, 
Talia voce refert : " O terque quaterque beati, 
Quels ante ora patrum Trojse sub moenibus altis 



104 p. TIEGILII MAEOKIS 

Contigit oppetere ! o Danaum fortissime gentis 
Tydide, meiie Iliacis occumbere campis 
Non potuisse, tuaque animam lianc effundere dextra! 
Saevus ubi ^Eacidse telo jacet Hector, ubi ingens 
Sarpedon ; ubi tot Simois correpta sub undis 
Scuta virum galeasque et fortia corpora volvit.'* 

Talia jactanti stridens aquilone procella 
Velum adversa ferit, fluctusque ad sidera toUit. 
Franguntur remi ; turn prora avertit, et uudis 
Dat latus ; insequitur cumulo praeruptus aquae mons. 
Hi summo in fluctu pendent ; his unda dehiscens 
Tefram inter fluctus aperit : furit sestus arenis. 
Tres notus abreptas in saxa latentia torquet : 
Saxa vocant Itali, mediis quae in fluctibus, Aras ; 
Dorsum immane mari summo. Tres Eurus ab alto 
In brevia et syrtea urget, miserabile visu, 
Illiditque vadis at que aggere cingit arenae. 
Unam, quae Lycios fidumque vehebat Oronten, 
Ipsius ante oculos ingens a vertice pontus 
In puppim ferit ; excutitur pronusque magister 
Yolvitur in caput ; ast illam ter fluctus ibidem 
Torquet agens circum, et rapidus vorat sequore vertex. 
Apparent rari nantes in gurgite vasto, 
Ai'ma virum tabulseque et Troia gaza per undas. 
Jam validam Ilionei navem, jam fortis Aebatae, 
Et qua vectus Abas, et qua grandgevus Aletes, 
Vicit hiems : laxis laterum compagibus omnes 
Accipiunt inimicum imbrem, rimisque fatiscunt. 

Interea magno misceri murmm-e pontum, 
Emissamque hiemem sensit Neptunus, et imis 
Stagna refusa vadis, graviter commotus ; et alto 
Prospiciens, summa placidum caput extulit mida. 
Disjectam ^Enese toto videt aequore classem, 
Fluctibus oppressos Troas coelique ruina ; 
Nee latuere doli fratrem Junonis et irae. 
Eurum ad se Zepbyrumque vocat ; dehinc talia fatur : 
" Tantane vos generis tenuit fiducia vestri ? 
Jam coelum terramque meo sine numine, Venti, 
Miscere et tantas audetis tollere moles ? 
Quos ego — Sed motos praestat componere fluctus. 
Post mihi non simili poena commissa luetis. 
Maturate fugam, regique baec dicite vestro : 
Non illi imperium pelagi ssevumque tridentem, 
Sed mihi sorte datum. Tenet ille immania saxa, 
Vestras, Eure, domos ; ilia se jactet in aula 
iEolus, et clauso ventorum carcere regnet." 



^NEIDOS LIB. I. 105 




Sic ait, et dicto citius tumida asquora placat, 
Collectasque fugat nubes, solemque reducit. 
Cymothoe simul et Triton adnixus acuto 
Detrndunt naves scopnlo ; levat ipse tridenti, 
Et vastas aperit syrtes, et temperat sequor ; 
Atque rotis sununas levibns perlabitur undas. 
Ac veluti magno in populo quum ssepe coorta est 
Seditio, ssevitque animis ignobile valgus ; 
Jamque faces et saxa volant ; furor arma ministrat : 
Turn, pietate gravem ac meritis si forte virum quern 
Conspexere, silent, arrectisque auribus adstant ; 
Iste regit dictis animos, et pectora mulcet : 
Sic cunctus pelagi cecidit fragor, sequora postquam 
Prospiciens genitor, cosloque invectus aperto, 
Flectit equos, curruque volans dat lora secundo. 

Defessi ^neadse, quae proxima, litora cursu 
Contendunt petere, et Libyse vertuntur ad oras. 
Est in secessu longo locus ; insula portum 
Efficit objectu laterum, quibus omnis ab alto 
Frangitur inque sinus scindit sese unda reductos. 
Hinc atque hinc vastse rupes geminique minantur 
In ccelum scopuli, quorum sub vertice late 
^quora tuta silent ; turn silvis scena coruscis 
Desuper borrentique atrum nemus imminet umbra. 
Eronte sub adversa scopulis pendentibus antrum ; 
Intus aquae dulces, vivoque sedilia saxo ; 
Nympbarum domus. Hie fessas non vincula naves 
Ulla tenent ; unco non alligat ancora morsu. 
Hue septem ^Eneas coUectis navibus onini 
Ex numero subit ; ac, magno telluris amore 
Egressi, optata potiuntur Troes arena, 



106 p. YIEGILII MAEOKIS 

Et sale tabentes artus in latore ponunt. 
Ac primum silici scintillam excudit Achates, 
Suscepitque ignem foliis, at que arida circum 
Nutrimenta dedit, rapuitque in fomite flammam. 
Turn Cererem corruptam undis Cerealiaque arma 
Expediunt, fessi rerum ; frugesque receptas 
Et torrere parant flammis et frangere saxo. 

iEneas scopulum interea conscendit, et omnem 
Prospectum late pelago petit, Anthea si quern 
Jactatum vento videat, Phrygiasque biremes, 
Aut Capyn, aut celsis in puppibus arma Caici. 
Navem in conspectu nullam, tres litore cervos 
Prospicit errantes ; hos tota armenta sequuntur 
A tergo, et longum per valles pascitui' agmen. 
Constitit hie, arcumque manu celeresque sagittas 
Corripuit, fidus quae tela gerebat Achates ; 
Ductoresque ipsos primum, capita alta ferentes 
Cornibus arboreis, sternit, turn vulgus ; et omnem 
Miscet agens telis nemora mter frondea turbam. 
Nee prius absistit, quam septem ingentia victor 
Corpora fimdat humi, et numerum cum navibus aequet. 
Hinc portum petit, et socios pai-titur in omnes. 
Vina bonus quae deinde cadis onerarat Acestes 
Litore Trinacrio, dederatque abeuntibus heros, 
Dividit, et dictis mserentia pectora mulcet : 

" socii, neque enim ignaii sumus ante malorum, 
O passi graviora, dabit deus his quoque finem. 
Vos et Scyllaeam rabiem penitusque sonantes 
Accestis scopulos ; vos et Cyclopia saxa 
Experti. Revocate animos, maestumque timorem 
Mittite. Forsan et haec olim meminisse juvabit. 
Per varios casus, per tot discrimina rerum 
Tendimus in Latium, sedes ubi fata quietas 
Ostendunt : iUic fas regna resurgere Trojae. 
Durate, et vosmet rebus servate secundis." 

Talia voce refert ; curisque ingentibus seger 
Spem vultu simulat, premit altum corde dolorem. 
Illi se praedse accmgunt dapibusque futuris : 
Tergora deripiunt costis, et viscera nudant ; 
Pars in frusta secant, veribusque trementia figunt ; 
Litore ahena locant alii, flammasque ministrant. 
Tum victu revocant vires, fusique per herbam 
Implentur veteris Bacchi pinguisque ferinae. 
Postquam exemta fames epuHs, mensaeque remotse, 
Amissos longo socios sermone requii'unt, 
Spemque metumque inter dubii, sen vivere credant, 



^IfEIDOS LIB. I. 107 

Sive extrema pati, nee jam exaudii'e vocatos. 
Praecipue pius iEneas, nunc acris Oronti, 
Nunc Amyci casum gemit et crudelia secum 
Fata Ljci, foi-temque G-yan, fortemque Cloanthum. 

Et jam finis erat : quum Jupiter sethere sum mo 
Despiciens mare velivolum teiTasque jacentes, 
Litoraque et latos populos, sic vertice coeli 
Constitit, et Libyas defixit lumina regnis. 
Atque ilium tales jactantem pectore cm-as, 
Tristior et lacrimis oculos suffasa nitentes 
Alloquitoi' Yenus : " qui res hominumque deumque 
-Sltemis regis imperiis, et fulmine terres, 
Quid meus ^neas in te committere tantum. 
Quid Troes potuere, quibus, tot funera passis, 
Cunctus ob Italiam terrai'um clauditur orbis ? 
Certe bine Eomanos olim, volventibus arniis, 
Hinc fore ductores, revocato a sanguine Teucri, 
Qui mare, qui terras omni ditione tenerent, 
PoUicitus : quse te, genitor, sententia vertit ? 
Hoc equidem occasum Trojse tristesque ruinas 
Solabar, fatis contraiia fata rependens. 
Nunc eadem fortuna viros tot casibus actos 
Insequitur. Quem das finem, rex magne, laborum ? 
Antenor potuit, mediis elapsus Achivis, 
lUyricos penetrare sinus atque intima tutus 
Eegna Libm-norum, et fontem superare Timavi, 
Unde per ora novem vasto cum murmm'e montis 
It mare proraptum, et pelago premit arva sonanti. 
Hie tamen ille m'bem Patavi sedesque locavit 
Teucrorum, et genti nomen dedit, armaque fixit 
Troia ; nunc placida compostus pace quiescit : 
Nos, tua progenies, coeli quibus annuis arcem, 
Navibus, infandum ! amissis, unius ob iram 
Prodimur, atque Italis longe disjungimm' oris. 
Hie pietatis bonos ? sic nos in sceptra reponis ? 

OUi subridens bominum sator atque deorum 
Vultu quo coelum tempestatesque serenat, 
Oscula libavit natae ; debinc talia fatur : 
" Parce metu, Cytberea ; manent innnota tuorum 
Fata tibi ; cernes m-bem et promissa Lavini 
Moenia, sublimemque feres ad sidera cceli 
Magnanimum ^nean ; neque me sententia vertit. 
Hie — tibi fabor enim, quando baec te cura remordet, 
Longius et volvens fatorum arcana movebo — 
Bellum ingens geret Itaba, populosque feroees 
Contundet ; moresque viris et moenia ponet, 



108 



p. YIEaiLII MAEOTfIS 



Tertia dum Latio regnantem viderit £estas, 
Ternaqne transierint Eutulis liiberna subactis. 
At puer Ascanius, cui nunc cognomen lulo 
[Additiir, Ilus erat, dum res stetit Ilia regno J 
Triginta magnos volvendis mensibus orbes 
Imperio explebit, regnumque ab sede Lavini 
Transferet, et longam multa vi muniet Albam. 
Hie jam ter centum totos regnabitur annos 
Gente sub Hectorea, donee regina sacerdos 
Marte gravis geminam partu dabit Ilia prolem. 
Inde lupse fulvo nutricis tegmine Isetus 
Romulus excipiet gentem, et Mavortia condet 
Moenia, E-omanosque suo de nomine dicet. 
His ego nee metas rerum nee tempera pono ; 
Imperium sine fine dedi. Quin aspera Juno, 
Quae mare nunc terrasque metu coelumque fatigat, 
Consilia in melius referet, mecumque fovebit 
Romanos, rerum dominos, gentemque togatam. 





Sic placitum. Veniet lustris labentibus getas, 
Quum domus Assaraci Phtbiam clarasque Mycenas 
Servitio premet, ac victis dominabitur Argis. 
Nascetur pulchra Trojanus origin e Csesar, 
Imperium oceano, famam qui terminet astris, 
Julius, a magno demissum nomen lulo. 



^NEIDOS LIB. I. 109 

Hunc tu olim ccbIo, spoliis Orientis onustum, 
Accipies secura; vocabitur liic quoque votis. 
Aspera turn positis mitescent s^cula bellis ; 
Cana Fides et Yesta, Eemo cum fratre Quiriniis 
Jura clabunt ; dirae ferro et compagibus arctis 
Claudentui' belli portse ; Fui'or impius intus, 
Saeva sedens super arma, et centum vinctus abenis 
Post tergum nodis, fremet horridus ore cruento." 

H«c ait : et Maia genitum demittit ab alto, 
Ut terrge, utque novae pateant Cartbaginis arces 
Hospitio Teucris, ne fati nescia Dido 
Finibus arceret. Volat ille per aera magnum 
Eemigio alarum, ac Libyse citus adstitit oris. 
Et jam jussa facit ; ponuntque ferocia Poeiii 
Corda, volente deo ; in primis regina quietum 
Accipit in Teucros animum mentemque benignam. 

At pius JEneas per noctem plurima volvens, 
Ut primum lux alma data est, exii-e locosque 
Explorare novos, quas vento accesserit oras, 
Qui teneant, nam inculta videt, bominesne fer£ene, 
Quserere constituit, sociisque exacta referre. 
Classem in convexo nemorum sub rupe cavata 
Arboribus clausam cii'cum atque borrentibus umbris 
Occulit : ipse uno graditur comitatus Acbate, 
Bina manu lato crispans hastilia ferro. 
Cui mater media sese tulit obvia silva, 
Virginis os babitumque gerens et vii'ginis arma 
Spartanse, vel quabs equos Tbreissa fatigat 
Harpalyce, volucremque fuga prgevertitur em-um. 
Namque humeris de more babilem suspenderat ai'cum 
Yenatrix, dederatque comam diffundere ventis, 
Nuda genu, nodoque sinus collect a fluentes. 
Ac prior, "Heus," inquit, "juvenes, monstrate mearum 
Yidistis si quam bic errantem forte sororum, 
Succinctam pliaretra et maculosae tegmine lyncis, 
Aut spumantis apri cm-sum clamore prementem." 

Sic Yenus ; et Yeneris contra sic filius orsus : 
" Nulla tuarum audita mibi neque visa sororum, 
— quam te memorem — virgo ? namque baud tibi vultus 
MortaHs, nee vox bominem sonat. dea certe : 
An Pboebi soror ? an nympbarum sanguinis una ? 
Sis felix, nostrumque leves, quaecumque, laborem, 
Et quo sub coelo tandem, quibus orbis in oris 
Jactemm', doceas. Ignai'i bominumque locoiiimque 
Erramus, vento buc et vastis fluctibus acti. 
Multa tibi ante aras nostra cadet bostia dextra." 



110 p. VIEGILII MAEONIS 

Turn Venus : " Hand eqnidem tali me dignor honore ; 
Virginibns Tyriis mos est gestare pharetram, 
Purpnreoqne alte snras vincire cothnrno. 
Pnnica regna vides, Tyrios et Agenoris nrbem ; 
Sed fines Libyci, genus intractabile bello. 
Imperium Dido Tyria regit urbe profecta, 
Grermanum fugiens. Longa est injuria, longse 
Ambages ; sed summa sequar fastigia rerum. 
Huic conjux Sychaeus erat, ditissimus agri 
Phoenicum, et magno miserse dilectus amore, 
Cui pater intaetam dederat, primisque jugarat 
Ominibus. Sed regna Tyri germanus habebat 
Pygmalion, scelere ante alios immanior omnes. 
Quos inter medius venit furor. Hie Sychseum 
Impius ante aras atque auri cascus amore 
Clam ferro incautum superat, securus amorum 
Germanse ; factumque diu celavit, et segram, 
Multa mains simulans, vana spe lusit amantem. 
Ipsa sed in somnis inhumati venit imago 
Conjugis ; ora modis attollens pallida miris, 
Crudeles aras trajectaque pectora ferro 
Nudavit, cascumque domus seelus omne retexit. 
Tum celerare fugam patriaque excedere suadet, 
Auxiliumque vise veteres tellm^e recludit 
Thesauros, ignotum argenti pondus et auri. 
His commota fugam Dido sociosque parabat. 
Conveniunt, quibus aut odium crudele tyranni 
Aut metus acer erat ; naves, quae forte paratse, 
Corripiunt, onerantque auro. Portantur avari 
Pygmalionis opes pelago ; dux femina facti. 
Devenere locos, ubi nunc ingentia cernes 
Moenia surgentemque novae Carthaginis arcem, 
Mercatique solum, facti de nomine Byrsam, 
Taurino quantum possent circumdare tergo. 
Sed vos qui tandem, quibus aut venistis ab oris, 
Quove tenetis iter ?" Quserenti talibus ille 
Suspirans, imoque trahens a pectore vocem : 

" dea, si prima repetens ab origine pergam, 
Et vacet annales nostrorum audire laborum. 
Ante diem clauso componet vesper Olympo, 
Nos Troja antiqua, si vestras forte per aures 
Trojae nomen iit, diversa per sequora vectos 
Forte sua Libycis tempestas appulit oris. 
Sum pius ^neas, raptos qui ex hoste penates 
Classe veho mecum, fama super sethera notus. 
Italiam qusero patriam, genus ab Jove summo. 



JEKEIDOS LIB. I. 



Ill 



Bis denis Phrygium conscendi navibus sequor, 
Matre dea monstrante viam, data fata secutus. 
Yix septem convulsse undis euroque supersunt. 
Ipse ignotus, egens, Libyse desei'ta peragro, 
Europa atque Asia pulsus." Nee plura querentem 
Passa Venus medio sic interfata dolore est : 

" Quisquis es, baud, credo, invisus ccelestibus auras 
Vitales cai'pis, Tyriam qui adveneris urbem. 
Perge modo, atque bine te reginse ad limina perfer. 
Namque tibi reduces socios classemque relatam 
Nuncio, et in tutum versis aquilonibus actam, 
Ni fi'ustra augmium vani docuere parentes. 
Aspice bis senos Isetantes agmine cycnos, 
^tberia quos lapsa plaga Jovis ales aperto 
Turbabat coelo ; nunc terras ordine longo 
Aut capere, aut captas jam despectare videntur : 
Ut reduces illi ludunt stridentibus alis, 
Et ccetu cinxere polum, cantusque dedere, 
Haud aliter puppesque tuae pubesque tuorum 
Aut portum tenet, aut pleno subit ostia velo. 
Perge modo, et qua te ducit via, diiige gressum.'* 




112 p. VIEGILII MAEONIS 

Dixit ; et avertens rosea cervice refulsit, 
Ambrosiseque comse divinum vertice odorem 
Spiravere : pedes vestis defluxit ad imos ; 
Et vera incessu patuit dea. Ille ubi matrem 
Agnovit, tali fugientem est voce secutus : 
" Quid natum toties crudelis tu quoque falsis 
Ludis imaginibus ? cur dextrse juiigere dextram 
Non datur, ac veras audire et reddere voces ?" 
Talibus incusat, gressumque ad moenia tendit. 
At Venus obscuro gradientes aere sepsit, 
Et multo nebula circum dea fudit amictu, 
Cernere ne quis eos, neu quis contingere posset, 
Molirive moram, aut ven-iendi poscere causas. 
Ipsa Paphum sublimis abit, sedesque revisit 
Lseta suas, ubi templum illi, centumque Sabseo 
Thure calent arse, sertisque recentibus halant. 

Corripuere viam interea, qua semita monstrat. 
Jamque ascendebant collem, qui pluiimus urbi 
Imminet adversasque aspectat desuper arces. 
Mii'atur molem ^neas, magalia quondam ; 
Mii'atur portas, strepitumque et strata viarum. 
Instant ardentes Tyrii : pars ducere muros, 
Molii'ique arcem, et manibus subvolvere saxa ; 
Pars optare locum tecto, et concludere sulco ; 
Jura magistratusque legunt, sanctumque senatum ; 
Hie portus alii effodiunt ; hie alta theatris 
Eundamenta locant alii, immanesque columnas 
Rupibus excidunt, scenis decora alta futuris : 
Qualis apes restate nova per florea rura 
Exercet sub sole labor, quum gentis adultos 
Educmit fetus, aut quum liquentia mella 
Stipant, et dulci distendunt nectare cellas ; 
Aut onera accipiunt venientum, aut agmine facto 
Ignavum fucos pecus a prsesepibus arcent : 
Eervet opus, redolentque thymo fragrantia' mella. 
" fortunati, quorum jam moenia surgunt !" 
JEneas ait, et fastigia suspicit urbis. 
Infert se septus nebula, mirabile dictu, 
Per medios, miscetque viris ; neque cernitur ulli. 

Lucus in urbe fait media, Igetissimus umbrae, 
Quo primum jactati undis et tm-bine Poeni 
Effodere loco signum, quod regia Juno 
Monstrarat, caput acris equi ; sic nam fore bello 
Egregiam et facilem victu per ssecula gentem. 
Hie templum Junoni ingens Sidonia Dido 
Condebat, donis opulentum et numine divse ; 



^NEIDOS LIE. I. 



113 



iErea cui gradibus sui'gebant limina, nexasque 
^re trabes : foribus cardo stridebat ahenis. 
Hoc primum in luco nova res oblata timorem 
Leniit ; bic primnni ^neas sperare salutem 
Ausus, et afflictis melius confidere rebus. 
Namque sub ingenti lustrat dum singula templo 
Eeginam opperiens, dum, qu.se fortuna sit urbi, 
Artificumque manus inter se operumque laborem 
IVIiratur, videt Iliacas ex ordine pugnas, 
BeUaque jam fama totum vulgata per orbem, 
Atridas, Priamumque, et ssevum ambobus AcHUem. 
Constitit, et lacrimans, " Quis jam locus," inquit, " Acliate 
Quae regio in terris nostri non plena laboris ? 
En Priamus ! Sunt hie etiam sua prsemia laudi ; 
Sunt lacrimse rerum, et mentem mortalia tangunt. 
Solve metus ; feret base aliquam tibi fama salutem," 
Sic ait, atque animum pictura pascit inani, 
Multa gemens, largoque humectat flimiine vultum. 
Nam que videbat, uti bellantes Pergania circum 
Hac fugerent Grraii, premeret Trojana juventus ; 




114 



p. TIEGILII MAEOKIS 



Hac Phryges ; instaret curru cristatus Acliilles. 

Nee proeul hine Rhesi niveis tentoria velis 

Agnoscit laerimans, primo quse prodita somno 

Tydides mult a vastabat csede eruentus, 

Ardentesque avertit equos in castra, prius quam 

Pabula gust assent Trojse Xanthumque bibissent. 

Parte alia fiigiens amissis Troilus armis, 

Infelix puer, atque impar congressus Acliilli, 

Fertur equis, curruque bseret resupinus inani, 

Lora tenens tamen : huic cervixque comaBque trabuntur 

Per terram, et versa pulvis inscribitur basta. 

Interea ad templum non sequse Palladis ibant 

Crinibus Ibades passis, peplumque ferebant 

Suppbciter tristes et tunsse pectora palmis ; 

Diva solo fixos oculos aversa tenebat. 




Ter cii-cum IHacos raptaverat Hectora muros, 
Exanimumque aui'o corpus vendebat Achilles. 
Turn vero ingentem gemitum dat pectore ab imo, 
XJt spolia, ut currus, utque ipsum corjDus amici, 
Tendentemque manus Priamum conspexit inermes. 
Se quoque principibus permixtum agnovit Achivis, 
Eoasque acies et nigri Memnonis arma. 
Ducit Amazonidum lunatis agmina peltis 
Penthesilea furens, mediisque in milbbus ardet, 
Aui'ea subnectens exsertse cingula mammse 
Bellatrix, audetque vii'is concurrere vii'go. 

Hsec dum Dardanio jJEnese mii-anda videnti 
Dum stupet, obtutuque bseret defixus in uno $' 
Pegina ad templum, forma pulcberrima Dido^ 
Incessit, magna juvenum stipante caterva. 
Quabs in Em-otse ripis, aut per juga Cynthi 
Exercet Diana cboros, quam mille secutse 



^NEIDOS LIB. I. 115 

Hinc atque hinc glomerantur Oreades : ilia pharetram 
¥evt humero, gradiensque deas supereminet omnes ; 
Latonse taciturn pertentant gaudia pectus : 
Talis erat Dido, talem se Iseta ferebat 
Per medios, instans operi regnisque faturis. 
Turn foribus divae, media testudine templi, 
Septa armis solioque alte subnixa resedit. 
Jura dabat legesque viris, operumque laborem 
Partibus sequabat justis, aut sorte trahebat ; 
Quum subito ^neas concursu accedere magno 
Antbea Sergestumque videt fortemque Cloanthum. 
Teucrorumque alios, ater quos aequore turbo 
Dispulerat, penitusque alias avexerat oras. 
Obstupuit simul ipse, simul percussus Achates 
Lffititiaque metuque : avidi conjungere dextras 
Ardebant ; sed res animos incognita turbat. 
Dissimulant ; et nube cava speculantur amicti, 
Quse fortuna viris ; classem quo Ktore linquant ; 
Quid veniant : cunctis nam lecti navibus ibant, 
Orantes veniam, et templum clamore petebant. 

Postquam introgressi, et coram data copia fandi, 
Maximus IKoneus placido sic pectore coepit : 
" Eegina, novam cui condere Jupiter urbem 
Justitiaque dedit gentes frenare superbas, 
Troes te miseri, ventis maria omnia vecti, 
Oramus : prohibe infandos a navibus ignes ; 
Parce pio generi, et propius res aspice nostras. 
Non nos aut ferro Libycos populare penates 
Venimus, aut raptas ad litora vertere prsedas : 
Non ea vis animo, nee tanta superbia victis. 
Est locus, Hesperiam Grraii cognomine dicunt. 
Terra antiqua, potens armis atque ubere glebsB : 
(Enotri coluere viri ; nunc fama, minores 
Italiam dixisse ducis de nomine gent em. 
Hue cursus fuit ; 

Quum subito assurgens fluctu nimbosus Orion 
In vada caeca tulit, penitusque procacibus austris 
Perque undas, superante salo, perque invia saxa 
Dispulit. Hue pauci vestris adnavimus oris. 
Quod genus hoc bominum ? qu^ve bunc tam barbara morem 
Permittit patria ? hospitio probibemur arense ! 
Bella cient, primaque vetant consistere terra. 
Si genus bumanum et mortalia temnitis arma. 
At sperate deos memores fandi atque nefandi. 
Eex erat ^neas nobis, quo justior alter 
Nee pietate fuit nee bello major et armis : 



11 G p. YIEGILII MAEONIS 

Quern si fata virum servant, si vescitiu' aura 
JEtheria, neque adhuc crudelibus occubat umbris, 
Non metus, officio ne te certasse priorem 
Poeniteat. Sunt et Siculis regionibus urbes, 
Arvaque, Trojanoque a sanguine clarus Acestes. 
Quassatam ventis liceat subducere classem, 
Et silvis aptare trabes et stringere remos ; 
Si datur Italiam, sociis et rege recepto, 
Tendere, ut Italiam leeti Latiumque petamus ; 
Sin absumta salus, et te, pater optime Teucrum, 
Pontus habet Liby«, nee spes jam restat luli, 
At freta Sicanise saltem sedesque paratas, 
Unde hue advecti, regemque petamus Acesten," 
Talibus Ilioneus ; eimcti simul ore fremebant 
Dardanidse. 

Turn brevlter Dido, vultum demissa, profatur : 
" Solvite eorde metum, Teucri, seeludite curas. 
Pes dura et regni novitas me talia cogunt 
Moliri, et late fines custode tueri. 
Quis genus ^neadum, quis Trojse nesciat urbem, 
Virtutesque virosque, aut tanti incendia belli ? 
Non obtusa adeo gestamus pectora Poeni ; 
Nee tarn aversus equos Tyria Sol jungit ab urbe. 
Seu vos Hesperiam magnam Satm^niaque arva, 
Sive Erycis fines regemque optatis Acesten, 
Auxilio tutos diraittam, opibusque juvabo. 
Yultis et bis mecum pariter considere regnis ; 
Urbem quam statuo, vestra est : subducite naves ; 
Tros Tyriusque mihi nullo discrimine agetur. 
Atque utinam rex ipse, noto compulsus eodem, 
Afforet ^neas ! Equidem per litora certos 
Dimittam, et Lib^'se lustrare extrema jubebo, 
Si quibus ejectus silvis aut m-bibus errat." 

His animum arrecti dictis, et fortis Achates 
Et pater iEneas jamdudum erumpere nubem 
Ardebant. Prior -^Enean compellat Achates : 
" Nate dea, qu£e nunc animo sententia surgit ? 
Omnia tuta vides, classem sociosque receptos. 
Unus abest, medio in fluctu quem vidimus ipsi 
Submersum ; dictis respondent cetera matris." 
Vix ea fiitus erat, quum circumfusa repente 
Scindit se nubes, et in sethera purgat apertum. 
Pestitit ^neas, claraque in luce refulsit, 
3s humerosque deo similis : namque ipsa decoram 
Ca?sariem nato genetrix, lumenque juvent£e 
Piu'pureum, et Isetos ocuhs afilarat honores : 



iENEIDOS Lie. I. 117 

Quale manus addunt ebori decus, aut ubi flavo 

Argentum Pariusve lapis circumdatur auro. 

Turn sic reginam alloquitur, cunctisque repente 

Improvisus ait : " Coram, quern quseritis, adsuni 

Troius ^neas, Lybjcis ereptus ab undis. 

sola infandos Trojse miserata labores, 

Quae nos, reliquias Danaum, terreeque marisque 

Omnibus exhaustos jam casibus, ominium egenos, 

Urbe, domo, socias ! grates persolvere dignas 

Non opis est nostrse, Dido, nee quidquid ubique est 

Gentis Dardanise, magnum quae sparsa per orbem. 

Di tibi, si qua pios respectant numina, si quid 

Usquam justitia est et mens sibi conscia recti, 

Praemia digna ferant. Quge te tam leeta tulerunt 

Saecula ? qui tanti talem genuere parentes ? 

In freta dum fluvii current, dum montibus umbrae 

Lustrabunt convexa, polus dum sidera pascet : 

Semper honos nomenque tuum, laudesque manebunt, 

Quae me cumque vocant terrse." Sic fatus, amicum 

Ilionea petit dextra, Isevaque Serestum ; 

Post alios, fortemque Gi-yan, fortemque Cloanthum. 

Obstupuit primo aspectu Sidonia Dido, 
Casu deinde viri tanto ; et sic ore locuta est : 
" Quis te, nate dea, per tanta pericula casus 
Insequitur ? quae vis immanibus applicat oris ? 
Tune ille ^neas, quem Dardanio Anchisas 
Alma Venus Phrygii genuit Simoentis ad undam ? 
Atque equidem Teucrum memini Sidona venire, 
JFinibus expulsum patriis, nova regna petentem 
Auxilio Beli : genitor tum Belus opimam 
Vastabat Cyprum, et victor ditione tenebat : 
Tempore jam ex illo casus mibi cognitus urbis 
Trojanae, nomenque tuum, regesque Pelasgi. 
Ipse hostis Teucros insigni laude ferebat, 
Seque ortum antiqua Teucrorum ab stirpe volebat. 
Quare agite, o tectis, juvenes, succedite nostris. 
Me quoque per multos similis fortuna labores 
Jactatam bac demum voluit consistere terra. 
Non ignara mali miseris succurrere disco." 
Sic memorat : simul iEnean in regia ducit 
Tecta ; simul divum templis indicit honorem. 
Nee minus interea sociis ad litora mittit 
Viginti tam'os, magnorum borrentia centum 
Terga suum, pingues centum cum matribus agnos, 
Munera laetitiamque dii. 
At domus interior regali splendida luxu 



118 



p. VIEGILII MAEO^flS 



Instruitur, mediisque parant convivia tectis : 
Arte laboratse vestes ostroque superbo, 
Ingens argentnm mensis, caelataque in auro 
Fortia facta patrum, series longissima rerum, 
Per tot duct a viros antiqua ab origine gentis. 

^neas — neque enim patrins consistere mentem 
Passus amor — rapidum ad naves prsemittit Acbaten, 
Ascanio ferat bsec, ipsumque ad moenia ducat. 
Omnis in Ascanio cari stat cura parentis. 
Munera prseterea, Iliacis erepta ruinis, 
Ferre jubet, pallam signis aui'oque rigentem, 
Et circumtextum croceo velamen acantho, 
Ornatus Argivse Helense ; quos ilia Mycenis, 
Pergama quum peteret inconcessosque hymenaeos, 
Extulerat, matris Ledse mii'abile donum : 
Prseterea sceptrum, Ilione quod gesserat olim, 
Maxima natarum Priami, colloque monile 
Baccatum, et duplicem gemmis auroque coronam. 
Hsec celerans, iter ad naves tendebat Achates. 

At Cytberea novas artes, nova pectore versat 
Consilia, ut faciem mutatus et ora Cupido 
Pro dulci Ascanio veniat, donisque furentem 
Incendat regiaam, atque ossibus implicet ignem ; 
Quippe domum timet ambiguam Tyriosque bilingues. 
TJrit atrox Juno, et sub noctem cura recursat. 
Ergo his aHgerum dictis affatur Amorem : 
" Nate, mese vires, mea magna potentia solus, 




Nate, patris summi qui tela Typhoia temnis, 
Ad te confugio, et supplex tua numina posco. 
Frater ut ^neas pelago tuus omnia circum 



^ITEIDOS LIB. I. 119 

Litora jactetur odiis Junonis iniquse, 
Not a tibi ; et nostro doluisti ssepe dolore. 
Hunc Phcenissa tenet Dido, blandisque moratur 
Yocibus ; et vereor, quo se Junonia vertant 
Hospitia ; liaud tanto cessabit cardine reriim. 
Quocirca capere ante dolis et cingere flamma 
Keginam meditor, ne quo se numine mutet ; 
Sed magno iEnese mecum teneatur amore. 
Qua facere id possis, nostram nunc accipe mentem : 
Eegius accitu cari genitoris ad ui'bem 
Sidoniam puer ire parat, mea maxima cura, 
Dona ferens, pelago et flammis restantia Trojse : 
Hunc ego, sopitum somno, super alta Cytliera 
Aut super Idalium sacrata sede recondam, 
Ne qua scire dolos, mediusve occurrere possit. 
Tu faciem illius noctem non amplius unam 
Falle dolo, et notos pueri puer indue vultus : 
TJt quum te gremio accipiet laetissima Dido 
Regales inter mensas laticemque Lyseum, 
Quum dabit amplexus atque oscula d\ilcia figet, 
Occultum inspii^es ignem, fallasque veneno." 
Paret Amor dictis carse genetricis, et alas 
Exuit, et gressu gaudens incedit luli. 
At Yenus Ascanio placidam per membra quietem 
Irrigat, et fotum gremio dea tollit in altos 
Idalise lucos, ubi mollis amaracus ilium 
Floribus et dulci aspirans complectitur umbra. 
Jamque ibat dicto parens, et dona Cupido 
Eegia portabat Tyriis, duce laetus Achate. 

Quum venit, aulseis jam se regina superbis 
Aurea composuit sponda, mediamque locavit : 
Jam pater JEneas, et jam Trojana juventus 
Conveniunt, stratoque super dlscumbitur ostro. 
Dant famuli manibus lymphas, Cereremque canistns 
Expediunt, tonsisque ferunt mantelia villis. 
Quinquaginta intus famulse, quibus ordine longo 
Cura penum struere, et flammis adolere penates ; 
Centum alise, todidemque pares aetate ministri, 
Qui dapibus mensas onerant, et pocula ponmit. 
Nee non et Tyrii per Kmina Iseta frequentes 
Convenere, toris jussi discumbere pictis. 
Mirantm' dona Mnesd ; mirantm- lulum, 
riagrantesque dei vnltus, simulataque verba, 
Pallamque, et pictum croceo velamen acantho. 
Prsecipue infelrs, pesti devota futm'se, 
Expleri mentem nequit, ardescitque tuendo 



120 p. YiEGiLii ]y:AEo:tris. 

Phoenissa, et pariter puero donisque movetur. 
Ille ubi complexu Mness colloque pepenclit, 
Et magnum falsi implevit genitoris amorem, 
Reginam petit. Hsec oculis, hsec pectore toto 
Hgeret ; et interdum gremio fovet ; inscia Dido 
Insidat quantus miserse deus ! At memor ille 
Matris Acidalias paulatim abolere Sychseum 
Incipit, et vivo tentat prsevertere amore 
Jam pridem resides animos desuetaque corda. 

Postquam prima quies epulis, mensseque remotse, 
Crateras magnos statuunt, et vina coronant. 
Fit strepitus tectis, vocemque per ampla volutant 
Atria ; dependent lychni laquearibus aureis 
Incensi, et noctem flammis funalia vincunt. 
Hie regina gravem gemmis auroque poposcit 
Implevitque mero pateram, quam Belus, et omnes 
A Belo soliti ; turn facta silentia tectis : 
" Jupiter, hospitibus nam te dare jura loquuntur, 
Hunc Isetum Tyriisque diem Trojaque profectis 
Esse velis, nostrosque liujus meminisse minores. 
Adsit laetitise Bacchus dator, et bona Juno. 
Et vos, o, coetum, Tyrii, celebrate faventes." 
Dixit, et ill mensam laticum libavit lionorem, 
Primaque, libato, summo tenus attigit ore ; 
Tum Bitise dedit increpitans : ille impiger hausit 
Spumantem pateram, et pleno se proluit am*o ; 
Post alii proeeres. Cithara crinitus lopas 
Personat aurata, docuit quae maximus Atlas. 
Hie canit errantem lunam solisque labores ; 
Unde hominum genus, et pecudes ; unde imber, et ignes ; 
Arcturum, pluviasque Hyadas, geminosque Triones ; 
Quid tantum oceano properent se tingere soles 
Hiberni, vel quae tardis mora noctibus obstet. 
Ingeminant plausu Tyrii, Troesque sequuntur. 
Nee non et vario noctem sermone trahebat 
Infelix Dido, longumque bibebat aniorem, 
Multa super Priamo rogitans, super Hectore multa ; 
Nunc, quibus Auroras venisset filius armis ; 
Nunc, quales Diomedis equi ; nunc, quantus Achilles. 
" Immo age, et a prima, die, hospes, origine nobis 
Insidias," inquit, " Danaum, casusque tuorum, 
Erroresque tuos ; nam te jam septima portat 
Omnibus errantem terris et fluctibus sestas." 



p. VIEGILII MARONIS 

JE N E I D S 

LIBER SECUNDUS. 




CoifTicirEEE omnes, intentique ora tenebant. 
Inde toro pater ^neas sic orsus ab alto : 

" Infandum, Eegina, jubes renovare dolorem, 
Trojanas ut opes et lamentabile regnum 
Eruerint Danai ; quseque ipse miserrima vidi, 
[ Et quorum pars magna fui. Quis talia fando 
Myrmidonum, Dolopumve, aut dmi miles Ulixi, 
Temperet a lacrimis ! et jam nox humida coelo 
Prgecipitat, suadentque cadentia sidera somnos. 
Sed si tantus amor casus cognoscere nostros, 
Et breviter Trojae supremum audire laborem, 
Quanquam animus meminisse borret luctuque refugit, 
Incipiam. Fracti bello fatisque repulsi 
Ductores Danaum, tot jam labentibus annis, 
Instar montis equum divina Palladis arte 
^dificant, sectaque intexunt abiete costas, 
Yotum pro reditu simulant ; ea fama vagatm\ 
Hue delecta viriun sortiti corpora furtim 
Includunt cseco lateri, penitusque cavemas 
Ingentes uterumque armato milite complent. 



124 p. YIRGILII MAEONIS 

" Est in conspectu Tenedos, notissima fama 
Insula, dives opum, Priami dum regna manebant, 
JSTunc tantum sinus et static male fida carinis : 
Hue se provecti deserto in litore condunt. 
Nos abiisse rati, et vento petiisse Mycenas. 
Ergo omnis longo solvit se Teucria luctu. 
Panduntur portse ; juvafc ire, et Dorica castra 
Desertosque videre locos litusque relictum. 
Hie Dolopum manus, hie ssevus tendebat Acbilles ; 
Classibus hie locus, hie acie certare solebant. 
Pars stupet innuptse donum exitiale Minervse, 
Et molem mirantur equi ; primusque Thymoetes 
Duci intra muros hortatur et arce locari, 
Sive dolo, seu jam Troj^ sic fata ferebant. 
At Capys, et quorum melior sententia menti, 
Aut pelago Danaum insidias suspectaque dona 
Prsecipitare jubent, subjectisque urere flammis : 
Aut terebrare cavas uteri et tent are latebras. 
Scinditm' incertum studia in contraria vulscus. 

" Primus ibi ante omnes, magna comitante caterva, 
Laocoon ardens summa decurrit ab arce ; 
Efc procul : ' miseri, quae tanta insania, cives ? 
Creditis avectos hostes ? aut ulla putatis 
Dona carere dobs Danaum ? sic notus Uhxes ? 
Aut hoc inclusi ligno oecultantm' Achivi, 
Aut hasc m nostros fabricata est machina muros, 
Inspectura domes, venturaque desuper urbi ; 
Aut ahquis latet error : equo ne credite, Teucri. 
Qiiidquid id est, timed Danaos et dona ferentes.' 
Sic fatus, vahdis ingentem viribus hastam 
In latus inque feri cm^vam compagibus alvum 
Contorsit. Stetit ilia tremens, uteroque recusso 
Insonuere cav38 gemitumque dedere cavernae. 
Et, si fata deum, si mens non la^va fuisset, 
Impiderat ferro Argolicas foedare latebras ; 
Trojaque nunc stares, Priamique arx alta maneres. 

" Ecce, manus juvenem interea post terga revinctum 
Pastores magno ad regem clamore trahebant 
Dardanidas, qui se ignotum venientibus ultro. 
Hoc ipsum ut strueret, Trojamque aperiret Achivis, 
Obtulerat, fidens animi, atque in utrumque paratus, 
Seu versare doles, seu certse occumbere morti. 
Undique visendi studio Trojana juventus 
Circumfusa ruit, certantque iliudere capto. 
Accipe nmic Danaum insidias, et crimine ab uno 
Disee omnes. 



^IS'EIDOS LIE. II. 125 

Namque, ut conspectu in medio turbatus, inermis 

Constitit, atque oculis Piuygia agmina circumspexit : 

' Heu, quse nunc tellus,' inquit, ' quae me sequora possunt 

Accipere ? aut quid jam misero mihi denique restat ? 

Cui neque apud Danaos usquam locus, et super ipsi 

Dardanidss infensi poenas cum sanguine poscunt.' 

Quo gemitu conversi animi, compressus et omnis 

Impetus. Hortamm- fari, quo sanguine cretus, 

Quidve ferat ; memoret, quae sit fiducia capto. 

Ille h^c, deposita tandem formidine, fatur : 

" ' Cuncta equidem tibi, Rex, fuerit quodcumque, fatebor 

Vera,' inquit : ' neque me Argolica de gente negabo : 

Hoc primum ; nee, si miserum fortuna Sinonem 

Finxit, vanum etiam mendacemque improba finget. 

Fando aliquod si forte tuas pervenit ad aures 

Belidse nomen Palamedis et inclyta fama 

Gloria : quem falsa sub proditione Pelasgi 

Insontem, infando indicio, quia bella vetabat, 

Demisere neci ; nunc cassum lumine lugent ; 

Illi me comitem et consanguinitate propinquum 

Pauper in arma pater primis hue misit ab annis : 

Dum stabat regno incolumis, regumque vigebat 

Consiliis, et nos aliquod nomenque decusque 

G-essimus. Invidia postquam pellacis Ulixi 

(Haud ignota loquor) superis concessit ab oris : 

Afflictus vitam in tenebris luctuque trabebam, 

Et casum insontis mecum indignabar amici. 

Nee tacui demens ; et me, fors si qua tulisset. 

Si patrios unquam remeassem victor ad Argos, 

Promisi ultorem ; et verbis odia aspera movi, 

Hinc mihi prima mali labes ; bine semper UKxes 

Criminibus terrere novis ; bine spargere voces 

In vulgum ambiguas, et quserere conscius arma. 

Nee requievit enim, donee Calchante ministro — 

Sed quid ego liaec autem nequidquam ingrata revolvo ? 

Quidve moror, si omnes uno ordine liabetis Achivos, 

Idque audire sat est ? jamdudum sumite poenas : 

Hoc Itbacus velit, et mamo mercentur Atridse.' 

. ? 
Turn vero ardemus scitari et quserere causas, 

Ignari scelerum tantorum artisque Pelasgse. 

Prosequitm' pavitans, et ficto pectore fatur. 

" ' Ssepe fugam Danai Troja cupiere relicta 

Moliri, et longo fessi discedere bello. 

Pecissentque utinam ! ssepe illos aspera ponti 

Interclusit biems, et terruit auster euntes. 

Prsecipue, quum jam hie trabibus contextus acernis 



126 P. VIEGILH MAEONIS 

Staret equus, toto sonuerimt sethere nimbi. 
Suspensi Eurypylum scitatum oracula Phoebi 
Mittimus ; isque adytis hsec tristia dicta reportat 




Sanguine placastis ventos et virgine csesa, 
Quum primum Iliacas Danai venistis ad oras : 
Sanguine quaerendi reditus, animaque litandum 
Argolica. Vulgi quae vox ut venit ad aures, 
Obstupuere animis, gelidusque per ima cucurrit 
Ossa tremor, cui fata parent, quem poscat Apollo. 
Hie Ithacus vatem magno Calchanta tumultu 
Protrahit in medios ; quae sint ea numina divum, 
Flagitat. Et milii jam multi crudele canebant 
Ai'tificis scelus, et taciti ventm'a videbant 
Bis quinos silet ille dies, tectusque recusat 
Prodere voce sua quemquam, aut opponere morti. 
Vix tandem magnis Itbaci clamoribus actus, 
Composito rumpit vocem, et me destinat arae. 
Assensere onmes ; et, quae sibi quisque timebat, 
Unius in miseri exitium conversa tulere. 
Jamque dies infanda aderat : mihi sacra parari, 



-IlKEIDOS LIE. TI. 12' 

Et salsse fruges, et cii'cum tempora vittse. 
Eripui, fateor, leto me, et vincula rupi ; 
Limosoque lacu per noctem obscurus in ulva 
Delitui dum vela darent, si forte dedissent. 
Nee inihi jam patriam antiquam spes ulla videndi, 
Nee diilces natos exoptatumque parentem ; 
Quos illi fors ad poenas ob nostra reposeent 
Effiigia, et culpam banc miserormn morte piabmit. 
Quod te per superos et conscia numina veri, 
Per, si qua est, quse restet adhuc mortalibus usquam 
Intemerata fides, oro, miserere laborum 
Tantorum ; miserere animi non digna ferentis.' 

"His lacrimis vitam damns, et miserescimus ultro. 
Ipse vii'O primus manicas atque arcta levari 
Yincla jubet Priamus, dictisque ita fatm' amicis : 
' Quisquis es, amissos bine jam obbviscere Grraios : 
Noster ens ; mihique bgec edissere vera roganti. 
Quo molem banc immanis equi statuere ? quis auctor ? 
Quidve petunt ? quae rebgio ? aut quae macbina beUi ? ' 
Dixerat. Ille dobs instructus et arte Pelasga, 
Sustubt exutas vincbs ad sidera palmas : 
* Vos getemi ignes, et non violabile vestrum 
Testor numen,' ait ; ' vos arse ensesque nefandi, 
Quos fiigi, vittseque deum, quas bostia gessi : 
Pas mibi Graioinmi sacrata resolvere jm^a. 
Fas odisse vn-os, atque omnia feri'e sub am'as, 
Si qua tegunt : teneor patriae nee legibus uUis. 
Tu modo promissis maneas, sei'vataque serves 
Troja fidem, si vera feram, si magna rependam. 

" ' Omnis spes Danaum et ccepti fiducia belli 
Palladis auxiliis semper stetit. Impius ex quo 
Tydides sed enim, scelerumque inventor Ulixes, 
Fatale aggressi sacrato avellere templo 
Palladiiun, eaesis sum mas custodibus arcis, 
Corripuere sacram effigiem, manibusque cruentis 
Yu'gineas ausi divee contingere vittas ; 
Ex illo fluere ac reti-o sublapsa referri 
Spes Danaum, fractse vii'es, aversa deae mens. 
Nee dubiis ea signa dedit Tritonia monstiis. 
Vix positum castris simulacrum : arsere coruscae 
Luminibus flammse arrectis, salsusque per ai'tus 
Sudor iit ; terque ipsa solo, mirabile dictu, 
Emicuit, parmamque ferens bastamque trementem. 
Extemplo tentanda faga canit ^quora Calcbas ; 
Nee posse Argobcis exscindi Pergama tebs, 
Omina ni repetant Argis, numenque reducant, 



128 p. YIRGILII MAEOIfIS 

Quod pelago et curvis secum avexere carinis. 
Et nunc, quod patrias vento petiere Mycenas, 
Arma deosque parant comites, pelagoque remenso 
Improvisi aderunt. Ita digerit omina Calchas. 
Hanc pro Palladio, moniti, pro numine Iseso, 
Effigiem statuere, nefas quse triste piaret. 
Hanc tamen immensam Calchas attollere molem 
Koboribus textis, cEcloque educere jussit, 
Ne recipi portis, aut duci in mosnia possit ; 
Neu populum antiqua sub religione tueri. 
Nam, si vestra manus violasset dona Minervse, 
Turn magnum exitium (quod di prius omen in ipsum 
Convertant !) Priami imperio Phiygibusque futurum. 
Sin manibus vestris vestram ascendisset in m'bem, 
Ultro Asiam magno Pelopea ad moenia bello 
Venturam, et nostros ea fata manere nepotes.' 
Talibus insidiis perjurique arte Sinonis 
Credita res, captique dolis lacrimisque coactis, 
Quos neque Tydides, nee Larissseus Achilles, 
Non anni domuere decem, non mille carinse. 

" Hie ahud majus miseris multoque tremendum 
Objicitur magis, atque improvida pectora turbat. 
Laocoon, ductus Neptuno sorte sacerdos, 
Solemnes taurum ingentem mactabat ad aras. 
Ecce autem gemini a Tenedo tranquilla per alta 
(Horresco referens) immensis orbibus angues 
Incumbunt pelago, pariterque ad litora tenduiit ; 
Pectora quorum inter fluctus arrecta jubaeque 
Sanguinese exsuperant undas ; pars cetera pontum 
Pone legit, sinuantque immensa volumine terga ; 
Fit sonitus, spumante salo. Jamque arva tenebant, 
Ardentesque oculos suffecti sanguine et igni, 
Sibila lambebant linguis vibrantibus ora. 
Diffiigimus visu exsangues : ilH agmine certo 
Laocoonta petunt. Et primum parva duorum 
Corpora natorum serpens amplexus uterque 
Implicat, et miseros morsu depascitur artus ; 
Post ipsum, auxiho subeuntem ac tela ferentem, 
Corripiunt, spirisque ligant ingentibus ; et jam 
Bis medium amplexi, bis coUo squamea circum 
Terga dati, superant capite et cervicibus altis. 
Hie simul manibus tendit divellere nodos, 
Perfusus sanie vittas atroque veneiio ; 
Clamores simul horrendos ad sidera tollit : 
Qualis mugitus, fugit quum saucius aram 
Taurus, et incertam excussit cervice securim. 



^NELDOS LIB. II. 



129 




At gemini lapsu delubra ad summa di'acones 
Effagiunt, ssevseqne petiint Tritonidis arcem, 
Sub pedibusque deae, clipeique sub orbe teguntur. 
Turn, vero tremefacta novus per pectora cunctis 
Insinuat pavor ; et scelus expendisse merentem 
Laocoonta ferunt, saci-um qui cuspide robur 
Laeserit, et tergo sceleratam intorserit hastam. 
Ducendum ad sedes simulacrum, orandaque divse 
Xumina conclamant. 

Dividimus muros. et moenia pandimus urbis ; 
Accingunt omiies operi, pedibusque rotarum 
Subjiciunt lapsus, et stuppea vincula coUo 
Intendunt. Scandit fatalis macbina muros, 
Feta aiTnis : pueii circum imiuptsque pueUae 
Sacra canunt, funemque manu contingere gaudent. 
lUa subit, medi^que minans ULabitur urbi. 
patria, o divum domus Ilium, et inclyta beUo 



130 p. YIEGILII MAEONIS 

Moenia Dardanidum ! quater ipso in limine portse 
Substitit, atque utero sonitum quater arma dedere. 
Instamns tamen inunemores caecique furore, 
Et monstrum infelix sacrata sistimus arce. 
Tunc etiam fatis aperit Cassandra futuris 
Ora, dei jussu non unquam credita Teucris. 
Nos delubra deum miseri, quibus ultimus esset 
Ille dies, festa velamus fronde per urbem. 
Vertitur interea coelum, et ruit oceano nox, 
Involvens umbra magna terramque polumque, 
Myrmidonumque dolos ; fusi per moenia Teucri 
Conticuere ; sopor fessos complectitur artus. 

" Et jam Argiva phalanx instructis navibus ibat 
A Tenedo, tacitse per amica silentia lunae 
Litora nota petens ; flammas quum regia puppis 
Extulerat, fatisque deum defensus iniquis, 
Inclusos utero Danaos et pinea fm-tim 
Laxat claustra Sinon. Illos patefaetus ad auras 
Reddit equus ; laetique cavo se robore promunt 
Thessandrus Sthenelusque duces, et dirus Ulixes, 
Demissum lapsi per funem, Acamasque, Thoasque^ 
Pelidesque Neoptolemus, primusque Machaon, 
Et Menelaus, et ipse doli fabricator Epeos. 
Invadunt urbem somno vinoque sepultam ; 
Caeduntur vigiles, portisque patentibus omnes 
Accipiunt socios, atque agmina conscia jungunt. 

" Tempus erat, quo prima quies mortalibus segris 
Incipit, et dono divum gratissima serpit. 
In somnis, ecce, ante oculos m^estissimus Hector 
Visus adesse mihi, largosque effundere fletus, 
Raptatus bigis ut quondam, aterque cruento 
Pulvere, perque pedes trajectus lora tumentes. 
Hei mihi, qualis erat ! quantum mutatus ab illo 
Hectore, qui redit exuvias indutus Achilli, 
^el Danaum Phrj^gios jaculatus puppibus ignes ! 
Squalentem barbam, et concretos sanguine crines, 
Vulneraque ilia gerens, quse circum plurima muros 
Accepit patrios. Ultro flens ipse videbar 
Compellare virum, et msestas expromere voces : 
* lux Dardanise, spes o fidissima Teucrum, 
Quse tantse tenuere morse ? quibus Hector ab oris 
Exspectate venis ? ut te post multa tuorum 
Funera, post varios hominumque urbisque labores 
Defessi aspicimus ! qu£e causa indigna serenos 
Fcedavit vultus ? aut cur hasc vulnera cerno ?' 
Ille nihil ; nee me quserentem vana moratur : 



^NUEDOS LIB. II. 131 

Sed graviter gemitus imo de pectore ducens, 
* Heu ! fuge, nate dea, teque his,' ait, ' eripe flammis. 
Hostis habet miu'os ; ruit alto a culmine Troja. 
Sat patriae Priamoque datum. Si Pergama dextra 
Defendi possent, etiam liac defensa fuissent. 
Sacra suosque tibi commendat Troja penates ; 
Hos cape fatorum comites ; his moerda quaere, 
Magna pererrato statues qu^ denique ponto.' 




Sic ait ; et manibus vittas Yestamqne potentem 
iEternumque adytis effert penetrahbus ignem. 

" Diverso interea miscentui' mcenia luctu ; 
Et magis atque magis, quanquam secreta parentis 
Anchisae domus arboribusque obtecta recessit, 
Clarescunt sonitus, armorumque ingruit horror. 
Excutior somno, et summi fastigia tecti 
Ascensu supero, atque arrectis auribus adsto ; 
In segetem veluti quum flamma furentibus anstris 
Incidit, aut rapidus montano flumine torrens 
Sternit agros, sternit sata Iseta boumque labores, 
Prgecipitesque trahit silvas ; stupet inscius alto 
Accipiens sonitum saxi de vertice pastor. 
Turn vero manifest a fides, Danaumque patescunt 
Insidiae. Jam Deiphobi dedit ampla ruinam, 
Vulcano superante, domus ; jam proximus ardet 
Ucalegon ; Sigea igni freta lata relucent : 
Exoritur clamorque virum clangorque tubarum. 
Ai'ma amens capio ; nee sat rationis in armis : 
Sed glomerare manum bello, et concurrere in arcem 
Cum sociis ardent animi. Furor iraque mentem 
Pr£ecipitant ; pulchrumque mori succui'rit in armis. 

" Ecce autem tehs Panthus elapsus Achivum, 
Panthus Othryades, arcis Phoebique sacerdos. 
Sacra manu victosque deos, parvumque nepotem 
Ipse trahit, cursuque amens ad limina tendit. 
' Quo res summa loco, Panthu ? quam prendimus arcem ?' 
Vix ea fatns eram, gemitu quum talia reddit : 
* Yenit summa dies et ineluctabile tempus 



132 



p. YIEGILII MAEOIfIS 



Dardanise. Fuimus Troes ; fuit Ilium, et ingens 
Grloria Teucrorum. Ferus omnia Jupiter Argos 
Transtulit : incensa Danai dominantur in urbe. 
Arduus armatos mediis in mcenibus adstans 
Fundit equus, victorque Sinon incendia miscet, 
Insultans. Portis alii bipatentibus adsunt, 




Millia quot magnis unquam venere Mycenis ; 

Obsedere alii telis angusta viarum 

Oppositi ; stat ferri acies mucrone corusco 

Stricta, parata neci ; vix primi proelia tentant 

Portarum vigiles, et caeco Marte resistunt.' 

Talibus Othryadse dictis et numine divum 

In flammas et in arma feror, quo tristis Erinys, 

Quo fremitus vocat et sublatus ad getbera clamor. 

Addunt se socios Rbipeus et maximus armis 

Epytus, oblati per lunam, Hypanisque Dymasque, 

Et lateri agglomerant nostro, juvenisque Coroebus 

Mygdonides. Illis ad Trojam forte diebus 

Venerat, insano Cassandi'se incensus amore ; 

Et gener auxilium Priamo Phrygibusque ferebat, 

Infelix, qui non sponsse prsecepta furentis 

Audierit. 

Quos ubi confertos audere in proelia vidi, 

Incipio super bis : ' Juvenes, fortissima frustra 

Pectora, si vobis audentem extrema cupido 



^NEIDOS LIE. II, 133 

Certa sequi : quae sit rebus fortuna, videtis : 
Excessere omnes, adytis arisque relictis, 
Di, quibus imperium hoc steterat ; succumtis urbi 
Incensse : moriamur et in media arma ruamus. 
Una salus victis nullam sperare salutem.' 
Sic animis juvenum furor additus. Inde, lupi ceu 
Eaptores atra in nebula, quos improba ventris 
Exegit csecos rabies, catuHque relicti 
Faucibus exspectant siccis ; per tela, per bostes 
Vadimus baud dubiam. in mortem, mediae que tenemus 
Urbis iter : nox atra cava cii'cumvolat umbra. 
Quis cladem illius noctis, quis fanera fando 
Explicet, aut possit lacrimis sequare labores ? 
Urbs antiqua ruit, multos dominata per annos : 
Plurima perque vias sternuntur inertia passim 
Corpora, perque domos, et religiosa deorum 
Limina. Nee soli poenas dant sanguine Teucri ; 
Quondam etiam victis redit in prsecordia virtus, 
Yictoresque cadunt Danai. Crudelis ubique 
Luctus, ubique pavor, et plmima mortis imago. 

" Primus se, Danaum magna comitante caterva, 
Androgens offert nobis, socia agmina credens 
Inscius, at que ultro verbis compellat amicis : 
' Festinate, viri : non quae tam sera moratur 
Segnities ? alii rapiunt incensa feruntque 
Pergama : vos celsis nunc primum a navibus itis ?' 
Dixit ; et extemplo — neque enim responsa dabantur 
Fida satis — sensit medios delapsus in bostes. 
Obstupuit, retroque pedem cum voce repressit. 
Improvisum aspris veluti qui sentibus anguem 
Pressit humi nitens, trepidusque repente refagit 
Attollentem iras, et casrula colla tumentem : 
Hand secus Androgens visu tremefactus abibat. 
Irruimus, densis et cii'cumfundimur armis ; 
Ignarosque loci passim et formidine captos 
Sternimus. Aspirat primo fortuna labori. 
Atque hie successu exsultans animisque Coroebus, 
' socii, qua prima,' inquit, ' fortuna salutis 
Monstrat iter, quaque ostendit se dextra, sequamur : 
Mutemus clipeos, Danaumque insignia nobis 
Aptemus. Dolus, an virtus, quis in boste requirat ? 
Arma dabunt ipsi.' Sic fatus, deinde comantem 
Androgei galeam clipeique insigne decorum 
Induitur, laterique Argivum accommodat ensem. 
Hoc Ebipeus, hoc ipse Dymas, omnisque juventus 
Lseta facit ; spoliis se quis que recentibus armat. 



134j p. tiegilii maronis 

Vadimus immixti Danais hand niunine nostro, 
Multaque per caecam congressi proelia noctem 
Conserimus ; multos Danaum demittimus Oreo. 
Diffagiunt alii ad naves, et litora cursu 
Fida petunt ; pars iiigentem formidine turpi 
Scandimt rursus equum, et nota conduntur in alvo. 

" Heu nihil invitis fas quern quam fidere divis ! 
Ecce trahebatur passis Priameia virgo 




Crinibus a templo Cassandra adytisque Minervse, 
Ad coelum tendens ardentia lumina frustra, 
Lumina, — nam teneras arcebant vincula palmas. 
Non tulit banc speciem fui'iata mente Coroebus, 
Et sese medium injecit peritm'us in agmen. 
Consequimur cuncti, et densis incurrimus armis. 
Hie primum ex alto delubri culmine telis 
Nostrorum obruimur, oriturque miserrima esedes 
Armorum facie et Graiarum errore jubarum. 
Turn Danai gemitu atque ereptse virginis ira 
XJndique eollecti invadunt, acerrimus Ajax, 
Et gemini Atridee, Dolopumque exercitus omnis : 



-SKEIDOS LIB. II. 135 

Adversi rupto ceu quondam turbine venti 
Confligimt, Zepliyrusque, Notusque, et Isetus Eois 
Eurus equis : stridunt silvse, saevitque tridenti 
Spumeus atque imo Nereus ciet sequora fundo. 
lUe etiam, si quos obscura nocte per umbram 
Fudimus insidiis, totaque agitavimus urbe, 
Apparent ; primi clipeos mentitaque tela 
Agnoscunt, atque ora sono discordia signant. 
IKcet obruimur numero : primusque Coroebus 
Penelei dextra divse armipotentis ad aram 
Procumbit ; cadit et Ehipeus, justissimus unus 
Qui fait in Teucris, et servantissimus sequi : 
Dis aliter visum. Pereunt Hypanisque Dymasque, 
Confixi a sociis ; nee te tua plurima, Panthu, 
Labentem pietas, nee Apollinis infula texit. 
Iliaci cineres, et flamma extrema meorum, 
Testor, in occasu vestro nee tela nee ullas 
Vitavisse vices Danaimi ; et si fata fuissent, 
Ut caderem, meruisse manu. Divellimur inde : 
Iphitus et Pelias mecum ; quorum Iphitus sevo 
Jam gravior, Pelias et vulnere tardus TJlixi ; 
Protinus ad sedes Priami clamore vocati. 
Hie vero ingentem pugnam, ceu cetera nusquam 
Bella forent, nulli tota morerentur in urbe, 
Sic Martem indomitmn, Danaosque ad tecta ruentes 
Cernimus, obsessumque acta testudine limen. 
Haerent parietibus scal«, postesque sub ipsos 
Nituntm' gradibus, clipeosque ad tela sinistris 
Protecti objiciunt, prensant fastigia dextris. 
Dardanidae contra turres ac tecta domorum 
Culmina convellunt : his se, quando ultima cernunt, 
Extrema jam in morte parant defendere telis, 
Auratasque trabes, veterum decora alta parentum, 
Devolvunt : alii strictis mucronibus imas 
Obsedere fores ; has servant agmine denso. 
Instaurati animi, regis succurrere tectis, 
AuxiHoque levare viros, vimque addere victis. 

" Limen erat, cseeasque fores, et pervius usus 
Tectorum inter se Priami, postesque relicti 
A tergo ; infelix qua se, dum regna manebant, 
Saepius Andromache ferre incomitata solebat 
Ad soceros, et avo puerum Astyanacta trahebat. 
Evado ad summi fastigia culminis, unde 
Tela manu miseri jactabant irrita Teucri. 
Turrim, in pr^cipiti stantem summisque sub astra 
Eductam tectis, unde omnis Troja videri, 



136 p. VIKaiLII MAEOIN^IS 

Et Danaum solitae naves, et Achaia castra, 
Aggressi ferro circum, quo summa labantes 
Juncturas tabulata dabant, convellimus altis 
Sedibus, impulimusque : ea lapsa repente ruinam 
Cum sonitu trabit, et Danaum super agmina late 
Incidit. Ast alii subeunt ; nee saxa, nee ullum 
Telorum interea cessat genus. 

" Vestibulum ante ipsum primoque in limine Pyrrhus 
Exsultat, telis et luce coruscus ahena : 
Qualis ubi in lucem coluber, mala gramina pastus, 
Erigida sub terra tumidum quern bruma tegebat, 
Nunc positis novus exuviis nitidusque juventa, 
Lubrica convolvit sublato pectore terga 
Arduus ad solem, et Unguis micat ore trisulcis. 
Una ingens Peripbas et equorum agitator Acbillis 
Armiger Automedon, una omnis Scyria pubes 
Succedunt tecto, et flammas ad culmina jactant. 
Ipse inter primos correpta dura bipenni 
Limina perrumpit, postesque a cardine vellit 
iEratos ; jamque excisa trabe firma cavavit 
Robora, et ingentem lato dedit ore fenestram. 
Apparet domus intus, et atria longa patescunt ; 
Apparent Priami et veterum penetralia regum ; 
Armatosque vident stantes in limine primo. • 

" At domus interior gemitu miseroque tumultu 
Miscetur ; penitusque cavse plangoribus sedes 
Femineis ululant ; ferit aurea sidera clamor. 
Tum pavidae tectis matres ingentibus errant, 
Amplexaeque tenent postes, atque oscula figunt, 
Instat vi patria Pyrrbus ; nee claustra, neque ipsi 
Custodes sufferre valent. Labat ariete crebro 
Janua, et emoti procumbunt cardine postes. 
Eit via vi : rumpunt aditus, primosque trucidant 
Immissi Danai, et late loca milite complent. 
Non sic, aggeribus ruptis quum spumeus amnis 
Exiit, oppositasque evicit gm'gite moles, 
Eertur in arva fui-ens cumulo, camposque per omnes 
Cum stabulis armenta trabit. Vidi ipse furentem 
C,3ede Neoptolemum, geminosque in limine Atridas : 
Vidi Hecubam centumque nurus, Priamumque per aras 
Sanguine foedantem, quos ipse sacraverat, ignes. 
Quinquaginta illi tbalami, spes tanta nepotmn, 
Barbarico postes auro spoliisque superbi, 
Procubuere : tenent Danai, qua deficit ignis. 

" Eorsitan et Priami fuerint qu^ fata, requiras. 
Urbis uti captse casum convulsaque vidit 



^KEIDOS LIB. II. 137 

Limina tectormn, et medium in penetralibus hostem, 
Arma diu senior desueta trementibus ^vo 
Circmndat nequidqiiam humeris, et inutile ferrum 
Cingitur, ac densos fertur moriturus in hostes. 
-^dibus in mediis, nudoque sub setberis axe, 
Ingens ara fuit, juxtaque veterrima laurus, 
Incumbens ar£e atque umbra complexa penates. 
Hie Hecuba et natse nequidquam altaria circum, 
Prascipites atra ceu tempestate columbse, 
Condensse et divum amplexse simulacra sedebant. 
Ipsum autem sumtis Priamum juvenalibus armis 
Ut vidit, — ' Quse mens tam dira, miserrime conjux, 
Impulit his cingi telis ? aut quo ruis ?' inquit. 
' Non tali auxilio, nee defensoribus istis 
Tempus eget ; non, si ipse mens nunc afforet Hector. 
Hue tandem concede ; bsec ara tuebitur omnes, 
Aut moriere simul.' Sic ore effata recepit 
Ad sese, et sacra longsevum in sede locavit. 

" Ecce autem elapsus Pyrrbi de csede PoHtes, 
Unus natorum Priami, per tela, per hostes 
Porticibus longis fugit, et vacua atria lustrat 
Saucius. Ilium ardens infest o vulnere Pyrrhus 
Insequitur, jam jamque manu tenet, et premit hasta. 
Ut tandem ante oculos evasit et ora parentum, 
Concidit, ac multo vitam cum sanguine fudit. 
Hie Priamus, quanquam in media jam morte tenetur, 
Non tamen abstinuit, nee voci irseque pepercit. 
' At tibi pro scelere,' exclamat, ' pro talibus ausis, 
Di, si qua est coelo pietas, quae talia cm-et, 
Persolvant grates dignas, et prsemia reddant 
Debita, qui nati coram me cernere letum 
Fecisti, et patrios foedasti funere vultus. 
At non ille, satum quo te mentiris, Achilles 
Tahs in hoste fuit Priamo ; sed jm'a fidemque 
Supphcis erubuit, corpusque exsangue sepulcro 
Eeddidit Hectoreum, meque in mea regna remisit.' 
Sic fatus senior, telumque imbelle sine ictu 
Conjecit ; rauco quod protinus sere repulsum, 
Et sum mo chpei nequidquam umbone pependit. 
Cui Pyrrhus : ' Eeferes ergo hsec, et nuncius ibis 
Pehdse genitori : illi mea tristia facta 
Degeneremque Neoptolemum narrare memento. 
Nunc morere.' Hoc dicens, altaria ad ipsa trementem 
Traxit et in multo lapsantem sanguine nati, 
Tmphcuitque comam Iseva, dextraque coruscum 
Extulit ac lateri capulo tenus abdidit ensem. 



138 



p. YTEGILn MAEONIS 




Hse c finis Priami fatormn ; Mc exitus ilium 
Sorte tulit, Trojam incensam et prolapsa yidentem 
Pergama, tot quondam popuKs terrisque superbum 
Regnatorem Asiae. Jacet ingens litore truncus, 
ATulsumque humeris caput, et sine nomine coi'pus. 

" At me tum primum ssevus circumstetit horror : 
Obstupui ; subiit cari genitoris imago, 
Ut regem aequaevum crudeli vulnere vidi 
Vitam exlialantem ; subiit deserta Creiisa, 
Et dii'epta domus, et pai-vi casus luli. 
Kespicio, et qu£e sit me cii'cum copia lustro. 
Deseruere omnes defessi ; et coi'pora saltu 
Ad terram misere aut ignibus asgra dedere. 

" [Jamque adeo super mius eram ; quum limina YestsB 
Servantem et tacitam secreta in sede latentem 
Tyndarida aspicio ; dant clai'a incendia lucem 
Erranti, passimque oculos per cuncta ferenti. 
Ilia sibi infestos eversa ob Pergama Teucros, 
Et poenas Danaum et deserti conjugis iras 
Prsemetuens, Trojse et patriae communis Erinys, 
Abdiderat sese, atque ai-is invisa sedebat. 
Exarsere ignes animo ; subit ira cadentem 
Ulcisci patriam, et sceleratas sumere poenas : 
Scilicet hsec Spartam incolumis patriasque Mycenas 
Aspiciet, pai'toque ibit regina triumplio ? 
Conjugiumque, domumque, patres, uatosque videbit, 
niadum tm-ba et Phi^ygiis comitata ministris ? 
Occiderit fen'o Priamus ? Troja arseiit igni ? 



^NEIDOS LIB. II. 139 

Dardanium toties sudarit sanguine litus ? 
'Non ita. JSTamque, etsi nullum memorabile nomen 
Feminea in pcena est nee habet victoria laudem, 
Exstinxisse nefas tamen et sumsisse merentes 
Laudabor pcenas ; animumque explesse juvabit 
Ultricis flammas, et cineres satiasse meorum. 
Talia jactabam, et furiata mente ferebar ;] 
Quum mibi se, non ante oculis tarn clara, videndam 
Obtulit, et pura per noctem in luce refulsit 
Alma parens, confessa deam, qualisque videri 
Coelicolis et quanta solet ; dextraque prebensum 
Continuit, roseoque haec insuper addidit ore : 
' Nate, quis indomitas tantus dolor excitat iras ? 
Quid furis ? aut quonam nostri tibi cura recessit ? 
Non prius aspicies, ubi fessum aetate parentem 
Liqueris Ancbisen ? superet eonjuxne Creiisa, 
Ascaniusque puer ? quos omnes undique Graias 
Circum errant acies, et, ni mea cura resistat, 
Jam flammse tulerint, inimicus et bauserit ensis. 
Non tibi Tyndaridis facies invisa Lacaenae, 
Culpatusve Paris ; divum inclementia, divum, 
Has evertit opes, stemitque a culmine Trojam. 
Aspice : namque omnem, quae nunc obducta tuenti 
Mortales bebetat visus tibi, et bumida circum 
Caligat, nubem eripiam : tu ne qua parentis 
Jussa time, neu prseceptis parere recusa. 
Hie, ubi disjectas moles avulsaque saxis 
Saxa vides, mixtoque undantem pulvere fumum, 
Neptunus muros magnoque emota tridenti 
Fundamenta quatit, totamque ab sedibus m'bem 
Emit. Hie Juno Scseas s^vissima portas 
Prima tenet, sociumque furens a navibus agmen 
Ferro accincta vocat. 

Jam summos arces Tritonia, respice, Pallas 
Insedit, nimbo effulgens et Grorgone saeva, 
Ipse Pater Danais animos viresque secundas 
Sufficit ; ipse deos in Dardana suscitat arma. 
Eripe, nate, fugam, finemque impone labori. 
Nusquam abero, et tutum patrio te limine sistam.' 
Dixerat ; et spissis noctis se condidit umbris. 
Apparent dirse facies, inimicaque Trojae 
Numina magna deum. 

" Tum vero omne mibi visum considere in ignes 
Ilium, et ex imo verti Neptunia Troja ; 
Ac veluti sammis antiquam in montibus ornum 
Quum ferro accisam crebrisque bipennibus instant 



140 



p. VIEGILII MAEONIS 




Eruere agricolae certatim ; ilia usque minatur, 
Et tremefacta comam concusso vertice nutat, 
Vulneribus donee paulatim evicta supremum 
Congemuit, traxitque jugis avulsa ruinam. 
Descendo, ae ducente deo flammam inter et liostes 
Expedior ; dant tela locum, flammseque recedunt. 

" Atque ubi jam patriae perventum ad limina sedis 
Antiquasque domos, genitor, quem tollere in altos 
Optabam primum montes, primumque petebam, 
Abnegat excisa vitam producere Troja, 
Exsiliumque pati. ' Vos o, quibus integer £evi 
Sanguis,' ait, ' solidseque suo stant robore vires, 
Yos agitate fugam. 

Me si coelicolae voluissent ducere vitam : 
Has milii servassent sedes. Satis una superque 
Vidimus excidia, et captse superavimus urbi. 
Sic 0, sic posit um affati discedite corpus. 
Ipse manu mortem inveniam : miserebitur bostis, 
Exuviasque petet. Facilis jactura sepulcri. 
Jam pridem invisus divis, et inutilis, annos 
Demoror, ex quo me divum pater atque bominum rex 
Eulminis afSavit ventis, et contigit igni.' 
Talia perstabat memorans, fixusque manebat. 



^NEIDOS LIB. II. 141 

Nos contra effusi lacrimis, conjuxque Creiisa, 
Ascauiusque, onuiisque domus, ne vertere secum 
Cuncta pater, fatoque urgenti incumbere vellet. 
Abnegat, inceptoque et sedibus bseret in isdem. 
Rursus in arma feror, mortemque miserrimus opto. 
Nam quod consilium aut qu» jam fortuna dabatur ? 
' Mene efferre pedem, genitor, te posse relicto 
Sperasti ? tantumque nefas patrio excidit ore ? 
Si nihil ex tanta superis placet urbe relinqui, 
Et sedet hoc animo, perituraeque addere Trojae 
Teque tuosque juvat, patet isti janua leto ; 
Jam que aderit multo Priami de sanguine Pyrrhus, 
Natum ante ora patris, patrem qui obtruncat ad aras. 
Hoc erat, alma pai'ens, quod me per tela, per ignes 
Eripis, ut mediis hostem in penetralibus, utque 
Ascanium, patrem que meum, juxtaque Creiisam, 
Alterum in alterius mactatos sanguine cernam ? 
Ai'ma, viri, ferte ai'ma : vocat lux ultima victos. 
Eeddite me Danais ; sinite instaurata revisam 
Proelia. Nunquam omnes hodie moriemur inulti,^ 

" Hinc ferro accingor rm^sus, elipeoque sinistram 
Insertabam aptans, meque extra tecta ferebam. 
Ecce autem complexa pedes in limine conjux 
Hffirebat, parvumque patri tendebat lulum : 
* Si periturus abis, et nos rape in omnia tecum ; 
Sin ahquam expertus sumtis spem ponis in armis, 
Hanc piimum tutai'e domum. Cui parvus lulus, 
Cui pater, et conjux quondam tua dicta reliaquor ?' 

" Taha vociferans gemitu tectum omne replebat ; 
Quum subitum dictuque oritm* mirabile monstrum. 
Namque manus inter msestorumque ora parentum 
Ecce levis summo de vertice visus luli 
Eundere lumen apex, tactuque innoxia molles 
Lambere flamma comas, et circrnn tempora pasci. 
Nos pavidi trepidare metu, crinemque flagrant em 
Excutere, et sanctos restinguere fontibus ignes. 
At pater Anchises oculos ad sidera laetus 
Extulit, et coelo palmas cum voce tetendit : 
' Jupiter omnipotens, precibus si flecteris uUis, 
Aspice nos ; hoc tantum ; et, si pietate meremm*, 
Da deinde auxihum, pater, atque hjec omina firma.' 

" Vix ea fatus erat senior ; subitoque fragore 
Intonuit Isevum, et de coelo lapsa per umbras 
Stella facem ducens multa cum luce cucurrit. 
Illam, summa super labentem culmina tecti, 
Cemimus Idsea claram se condere siLva, 



142 p. YIEGILn MAEONIS 

Signantemque vias ; turn longo limite sulcus 
Dat lucem, et late circum loca sulfure fumant. 
Hie vero victus genitor se tollit ad auras, 
Affatui'que deos, et sanctum sidus adorat. 

* Jam jam nulla mora est ; sequor, et qua ducitis, adsum. 
Di patrii, servate domum, servate nepotem ! 

Vesti'um hoc augurium, vestroque in numine Troja estj^ 
Cedo equidem, nee, nate, tibi comes ire recuse' 
Dixerat ille ; et jam per moenia clai'ior ignis 
Auditur, propiusque aestus incendia volvunt. 

* Ergo age, care pater, cervici imponere nostrsB ; 




Ipse subibo humeris, nee me labor iste gravabit ; 

Quo res cumque cadent, unum et commune periclum, 

Una salus ambobus erit. Mibi parvus lulus 

Sit comes, et longe servet vestigia conjux. 

Vos, famuli, quse dieam, animis advertite vestris. 

Est m'be egressis tumulus templumque vetustum 

Desertae Cereris, juxtaque antiqua eupressus, 

Religione patrum multos servata per annos : 

Hanc ex diverso sedem veniemus in unam. 

Tu, genitor, cape sacra manu patriosque penates : 

Me, beUo e tanto digressum et eaede reeenti, 

Attrectai'e nefas, donee me flumine yiyo 

Abluero.' 

Hsec fatus, latos bumeros subjectaque colla 

Veste super fulvique instemor pelle leonis ; 

Succedoque oneri. Dextrse se parvus lulus 

Implicuit, sequitm-que patrem non passibus sequis : 

Pone subit conjux : ferimm' per opaca locorum. 

Et me, quem dudum non ulla inject a movebant 

Tela, neque adverso glomerati ex agmine Graii, 

Nunc omnes ten-ent am'se, sonus excitat omnis, 



^NEIDOS LIB. II. 143 

Suspensum et pariter comitique onerique timentem. 

Jamque propinquabam portis, omnemque videbar 

Evasisse vicem ; subito quum creber ad aures 

Visus adesse pedum sonitus, genitorqne per mnbram 

Prospiciens, ' Nate,' exclamat, ' fuge, nate ; propinquant ; 

Ai'dentes clipeos at que sera micantia cerno.' 

Hie mihi nescio quod trepido male numen amicum 

Confusam eripuit mentem. Namque avia cm^su 

Dum sequor, et nota excedo regione viarum, 

Heu ! misero conjux fatone erepta Creiisa 

Substitit, en'avitne via, seu lassa resedit, 

Incertum ; nee post oculis est reddita nostris. 

Nee prius amissam respexi, animumve reflexi, 

Quam tumulum antiquse Cereris sedemque sacratam 

Yenimus : hie demum coUectis omnibus una 

Defuit ; et comites, natumque, virumque fefellit. 

Quern non incusavi amens hominumque deorumque ? 

Aut quid in eversa vidi crudelius urbe ? 

Ascanium, Anchisenque patrem, Teucrosque penates 

Commendo sociis, et curva valle recondo ; 

Ipse urbem repeto, et cingor fulgentibus armis. 

Stat casus renovare omnes, omnemque reverti 

Per Trojam, et rursus caput objectare periclis. 

Principio muros obscuraque limina poi-tse, 

Qua gressum extuleram, repeto ; et vestigia retro 

Observata sequor per noctem et lumine lustro. 

Horror ubique animos, simul ipsa silentia terrent. 

Inde domum, si forte pedem, si forte tulisset, 

Me refero. Irruerant Danai, et tectum onme tenebant. 

Ilicet ignis edax summa ad fastigia vento 

Volvitur ; exsuperant flammsB ; furit sestus ad auras. 

Procedo, et Priami sedes arcemque reviso. 

Et jam porticibus vacuis Junonis asylo 

Custodes lecti Phoenix et dirus THixes 

Pr^dam asservabant. Hue undique Troia gaza 

Incensis erepta adytis, mensseque deorum, 

Crateresque am'o sohdi, captivaque vestis 

Congeritur. Pueri et pavidse longo ordine matres 

Stant circum. 

Ausus quin etiam voces jactare per umbram, 

Implevi clamore vias, m^stusque Creiisam 

Nequidquam ingeminans iterumque iterumque vocavi. 

Qu^renti, et tectis urbis sine fine furenti, 

Infehx simulacrum atque ipsius umbra Creiisse 

Visa mihi ante oculos, et nota major imago. 

Obstupui, steteruntque comas, et vox faucibus hsesit. 



144 



p. YIEaiLn MAEOJOS. 



Turn sic affari, et curas his demere dictis : 

' Quid tantum insano juvat indulgere dolori, 

dulcis conjux ? non haec sine nmnuie divum 

Eveniunt : nee te [hinc] comitem asportare Creiisam 

Fas, aut ille sinit superi regnator Olympi. 

Longa tibi exsilia, et vastum maris sequor arandum. 

Et terram Hesperiam venies, nbi Lydius arva 

Inter opima virum leni fluit agmine Thybris. 

Illic res Isetse, regnumque, et regia conjux 

Parta tibi ; lacrimas dilectse pelle Crelisas. 

Non ego Myi'midonum sedes Dolopnmve superbas 

Aspiciam, aut G-raiis servitum matribus ibo, 

Dardanis, et div86 Veneris nui'us : 

Sed me magna deum genetrix bis detinet oris. 

Jamque vale, et nati serva communis amorem.' 

Haec ubi dicta dedit, lacrimantem, et multa volentem 

Dicere, deseruit, tenuesque recessit in am'as. 

Ter conatus ibi collo dare bracbia cii'cum ; 

Ter frustra comprensa manus effugit imago, 

Par levibus ventis, volucrique simiUima somno. 

Sic demum socios consumta nocte reviso. 

" Atque bic ingentem comitum affluxisse novorum 
Invenio admii'ans numerum, matresque, vjrosque, 
Collect am exsibo pubem, miserabile vulgus. 
Undique convenere, animis opibusque parati, 
In quascumque velim pelago deducere terras. 
Jamque jugis summse surgebat Lucifer Idae, 
Ducebatque diem ; Danaique obsessa tenebant 
Limina portai'um ; nee spes opis ulla dabatm*. 
Cessi, et sublato montem genitore petivi." 




p. YIEGILII MAEOSIS 

^ N E I D O S 

LIBEE TERTIUS. 




" PosTQUAM res Asiae Priamique evertere gentem 
Immeritam visum superis, ceciditque superbum 
niiim, et omnis humo fumat Xeptunia Troja ; 
Diversa exsilia et desertas quserere terras 
Auguriis agimiu' di^Tim, classemque sub ipsa 
Antandro et Phiygise molimur montibus Idse, 
Incerti quo fata ferant, ubi sistere detur ; 
ContrabiDiusque vii^os. Yix prima inceperat £estas ; 
Et pater Ancbises dare fatis vela jubebat ; 
Litora quum patriae lacrimans portusque relinquo 
Et campos, ubi Troja fuit. Feror exsul in altum 
Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis. 

" Ten^a procul vastis eoKtur Mavortia campis, 
Thraces arant, acri quondam, regnata Lycurgo ; 
Hospitium antiquum Trojse, sociique penates, 
Dum fortuna fuit. Feror hue, et litore ciu'vo 
Moenia pi-ima loco, fatis ingressus iniquis ; 
jEneadasque meo nomen de nomine fingo. 

" Sacra Dionsese matri divisque ferebam 
Auspicibus cceptorum openim ; superoque nitentem 



148 p. TIEGILII MAEONIS 

Coelicolum regi mactabam in litore tanrum. 
Forte fuit juxta tumulus, quo cornea summo 
Yirgulta, et densis hastilibus horrida myrtus. 
Accessi ; viridemque ab humo convellere silvam 
Conatus, ramis tegerem ut frondentibus aras, 
Horrendum et dictu video mirabile monstrum. 
Nam quae prima solo ruptis radicibus arbos 
Vellitur, huic atro liquuntur sanguine guttse, 
Et terram tabo maculant. Milii frigidus horror 
Membra quatit, gelidusque coit formidine sanguis. 
Rursus et alterius lentum convellere vimen 
Insequor, et causas penitus tentare latentes ; 
Ater et alterius sequitur de cortice sanguis, 
Multa movens animo, N3^mplias venerabar agrestes, 
Gradivumque patrem Greticis qui prgesidet arvis, 
E,ite secundarent visus, omenque levarent. 
Tertia sed postquam majore hastilia nisu 
Aggredior, genibusque adversas obluctor arenas : 
Eloquar, an sileam ? gemitus lacrimabilis imo 
Auditm' tumulo, et vox reddita fertur ad am'es : 
' Quid miserum, ^nea, laceras ? jam parce sepulto ; 
Parce pias seelerare manus. Non me tibi Troja 
Externum tulit ; aut cruor hie de stipite manat. 
Heu ! fuge crudeles terras, fuge litus avarum. 
Nam Polydorus ego. Hie connxum ferrea texit 
Telorum seges, et jaculis increvit acutis.' 
Tum vero ancipiti mentem formidine pressus 
Obstupui, steteruntque comse, et vox faucibus hsesit. 

" Hunc Polydorum auri quondam cum pondere magno 
Infelix Priamus furtim mandarat alendum 
Threicio regi, quum jam ditfideret armis 
Dardaniae, ciugique urbem obsidione videret. 
Hie, ut opes fracta3 Teucrura, et fortuna recessit, 
Pes Agamemnonias victriciaque arm a secutus. 
Fas omne abrumpit, Polydorum obtruncat, et auro 
Vi potitur. Quid non mortalia pectora cogis, 
Auri sacra fames ! Postquam pavor ossa reliquit, 
Delectos populi ad proceres, primumque parentem, 
Monstra deum refero, et quae sit seutentia, posco. 
Omnibus idem animus scelerata excedere terra, 
Linqui poUutum bospitium, et dare classibus austroa. 
Ergo instauramus Polydoro funus, et ingens 
Aggeritur tumulo tellus ; stant manibus arse, 
Cseruleis msestse vittis atraque cupresso, 
Et circum Iliades crinem de more solutse : 
Inferimus tepido spumantia cymbia lacte, 



^NEIDOS LIB. III. 



149 



Sanguinis et sacri pateras : animamqne sepulcro 
Condimus, et magna supremum voce ciemus. 

" Inde ubi prima fides pelago, placataque venti 
Dant maria, et lenis crepitans vocat auster in altum, 
Deducunt socii naves, et litora complent. 
Proveliimur portu, terraeque urbesque recedunt. 
Sacra mari colitur medio gratissima tellus 
Nereidum matri et Neptuno ^gseo ; 
Quam pius Arcitenens, oras et litora circum 
Errantem, G-yaro celsa Myconoque revinxit, 
Immotamque coli dedit, et contemnere ventos. 
Hue feror ; hsec fessos tuto placidissima portu 
Accipit. Egressi veneramur ApoUinis urbem. 
Rex Anius, rex idem hominum Pha3bique sacerdos, 
Yittis et sacra redimitus tempora lauro 
Occm-rit ; veterem Anchisen agnoscit amicum. 
Jungimus bospitio dextras, et tecta subimus. 
Templa dei saxo venerabar structa vetusto : 
' Da propriam, Thymbrsee, domum ! da moenia fessis, 
Et genus, et mansuram urbem ! Serva altera Trojas 
Pergama, reliquias Danaum atque immitis Acbilli ! 
Quern sequimur ? quove ire jubes ? ubi ponere sedes ? 
Da, pater, augm^um, atque animis illabere nostris.' 

" Vix ea fatus eram ; tremere omnia visa repente, 
Liminaque, laurusque dei ; totusque moveri 
Mons circum, et mugire adytis cortina reclusis. 




Submissi petimus terram, et vox fertm^ ad aures : 
' Dardanidse duri, quae vos a stirpe parentum 
Prima tulit tellus, eadem vos ubere laeto 
Accipiet reduces. Antiquam exquirite matrem. 
Hie domus ^Eneae cunctis dominabitur oris, 
Et nati natorum, et qui nascentur ab illis.' 
Hsec Pbcebus : mixtoque ingens exorta tumultu 



150 



p. TIEGILII MAEONIS 



Lsetitia, et euncti, quae sint ea moenia, quserunt ; 
Quo Phoebus vocet errant esjubeat que reverti. 
Turn genitor, veterum volvens monumenta virorum, 
' Audite, o proceres,' ait, ' et spes discite vestras. 
Creta Jovis magni medio jacet insula ponto, 




CI^SARGiNT^' ■^'^:^ ^^^- --. 



Mons Idaeus ubi et gentis cunabula nostrse : 
Centum m-bes habitant mannas, uberrima reorna. 
Maximus unde pater, si rite audita recordor, 
Teucrus E,hoeteas primum est advectus ad eras, 
Optavitque locum regno. Nondum Ilium et arces 
Pergamese steterant ; habitabant vallibus imis. 
Hinc mater cultrix Cybelse, Corybantiaque sera, 
Idaeumque nemus ; liinc fida silentia sacris, 
Et juncti currum dominae subiere leones. 
Ergo agite, et divum ducunt qua jussa, sequamur : 
Placemus ventos, et Gnosia regna petamus. 
Nee longo distant cursu ; modo Jupiter adsit, 
Tertia lux classem Cretseis sistet in oris.' 
Sic fatus, meritos aris mactavit honores, 
Taurum Neptuno. taurum tibi, pulcher Apollo, 
Nigram Hiemi pecudem, Zephyris felicibus albam. 



^NEIDOS LIB. III. 



151 



" Fama volat, pulsum regnis cessisse paternis 
Idomenea ducem, desertaque litora Gretas ; 
Hoste vacare domos, sedesque adstare relictas. 
Linquimus Ortygise portus, pelagoque volamus, 




Baccliatamque jugis Naxon, viridemque Donusam, 
Olearon, niveamque Paron, sparsasque per aequor 
Cycladas, et crebris legimus freta concita terris. 
Nauticus exoritur vario certamine clamor ; 
Hortantur socii, Cretam proavosque petamus. 
Prosequitur surgens a puppi ventus euntes, 
Et tandem antiquis Curetum allabimur oris. 
Ergo avidus muros optatse molior urbis, 
Pergameamque voco, et Isetam cognomine gentem 
Hortor amare focos, arcemque attoUere tectis. 
Jamque fere sicco subductae litore puppes ; 
Connubiis arvisque novis operata juventus ; 
Jura domosque dabam ; subito quum tabida membris, 
Corrupto coeli tractu, miserandaque venit 
Arboribusque satisque lues, et letifer annus. 
Linquebant dulces animas, aut segra trabebant 
Corpora ; turn steriles exurere Sirius agros ; 
Arebant berbse, et victum seges asgra negabat. 
Rursus ad oraclum Ortygiae Phoebumque remenso 
Hortatur pater ire mari, veniamque precari : 
Quam fessis jBnem rebus ferat, mide laborum 
Tentare auxilium jubeat, quo vertere cursus. 

" Nox erat, et terris animalia somnus habebat : 
Effigies sacrse divum Pbrygiique penates, 
Quos mecum a Troja mecGiisque ex ignibus urbis 
Extuleram, visi ante oculos adstare jacentis 
In somnis, multo manifesti lumine, qua se 
Plena per insertas fundebat luna fenestras ; 
Tum sic affari, et curas his demere dictis : 
' Quod tibi delato Ortygiam dicturus Apollo est, 



152 p. YIEGILII MAEONIS 

Hie canit, et tua nos en ultro ad Kmina mittit. 
ISTos te, Dardania incensa, tuaque arma secnti, 
ISTos tumidum sub te permensi classibus £equor, 
Idem ventures tollemus in astra nepotes, 
Imperiumque urbi dabimus. Tu moenia magnis 
Magna para, longumque fugse ne linqiie laborem. 
Mutandse sedes. Non baec tibi litora suasit 
Delius, aut Cretae jussit considere, Apollo. 
Est locus, Hesperian! Graii cognomiiie dicunt : 
Terra antiqua, potens armis, atque ubere glebse ; 
(Enotri coluere viri ; nunc fama, minores 
Italiam dixisse ducis de nomine gentem. 
Hse nobis proprise sedes ; bine Dardanus ortus, 
lasiusque pater, genus a quo principe nostrum. 
Surge age, et hsec Isetus longaevo dicta parenti 
Hand dubitanda refer : Corytbum terrasque requirat 
Ausonias. Dictsea negat tibi Jupiter arva.' 
Talibus attonitus visis ac voce deorum, — 
Nee sopor illud erat ; sed coram agnoscere vultus, 
Yelatasque comas, proesentiaque ora videbar ; 
Tum gelidus toto manabat corpore sudor : — 
Corripio e stratis corpus, tendoque supinas 
Ad coelum cum voce manus, et munera libo 
Intemerata focis. Perfecto Isetus bonore 
Ancbisen facio certum, remque ordine pando. 
Agnovit prolem ambiguam geminosque parentes, 
Seque novo veterum deceptum errore locorum. 
Tum memorat : ' Nate, Ibacis exercite fatis, 
Sola mibi tales casus Cassandra canebat. 
Nunc repeto, b^c generi portendere debita nostro, 
Et S3epe Hesperiam, ssepe Itala regna vocare. 
Sed quis ad Hesperiae ventures litora Teucros 
Crederet ? aut quem tum vates Cassandra moveret ? 
Cedamus Pbosbo, et moniti meliora sequamur.' 
Sic ait : et cuncti dicto paremus ovantes. 
Hanc quoque deserimus sedem, paucisque relictis 
Tela damns, vastumque cava trabe eurrimus jBquor. 

" Postquam altum tenuere rates, nee jam amplius ullce 
Apparent terras, coelum undique et undique pontus ; 
Tum mibi cseruleus supra caput adstitit imber, 
Noctem biememque ferens, et inhorruit unda tenebris. 
Continue venti volvunt mare, magnaque surgunt 
iEquera ; dispersi jactamur gm-gite vasto. 
Involvere diem nimbi, et nox humida coelum 
Abstulit ; ingeminant abruptis nubibus ignes. 
Excutimiu' cm'su, et csecis erramus in undis. 



iEKEIDOS LIB. III. 



153 



Ipse diem noctemque negat discernere coelo, 
Nee meminisse vise media Palinurus in unda. 
Tres adeo incertos ceeca caligine soles 
Erramus pelago, totidem sine sidere noctes. 
Quarto terra die primum se attollere tandem 
Yisa, aperire procul montes, ae volvere fumum. 
Yela cadmit ; remis insurgimus ; hand mora, nautae 
Adnixi torquent spumas, et cserula verrunt. 
Servatum ex iindis Stropliadum me litora primum 
Accipiunt, Strophades Graio stant nomine dictge 
Insulse lonio in magno, quas dira Celseno 
Harpyiseque colunt aliae, Phine'ia postquam 
Clausa domns, mensasqiie metu liquere priores. 
Tristius hand illis monstrum, nee ssevior nlla 
Pestis et ira deum Stygiis sese extulit undis. 




Virginei voluerum vultus, foedissima ventris 
Proluvies, uncseque manus, et pallida semper 
Ora fame. 

" Hue ubi delati portus intravimus, ecce 
Laeta bomn passim campis armenta videmus 
Caprigenumque peeus, nnllo custode, per lierbas. 
Irruimus ferro, et divos ipsumque vocamus 
In partem prsedamque Jovem. Tum litore cm'vo 
Exstruimnsque toros, dapibusque epulamur opimis. 
At subitse horrifico lapsu de montibiis adsunt 
Harpyise, et magnis quatiunt clangoribus alas, 
Diripimatque dapes, contactuque omnia foedant 
Immundo ; tum vox tetrum dira inter oclorem. 
Eursum in secessu longo sub rupe cavata, 
Arboribus clausi circum atque horrentibus umbris, 



154 p. YiEGiLii maeo:n'is 

Instniimus mensas, arisque reponimus ignem : 

Kursum ex diverso cosli csecisque latebris 

Turba sonans prsedam pedibus circumvolat uncis, 

Polluit ore dapes. Sociis tunc, arma capessant, 

Edico, et dira bellum cum gente gerendum : 

Haud secus ac jussi faciunt, tectosque per herbam 

Disponunt enses, et scuta latentia condmit. 

Ergo, ubi delapsse sonitum per cui'va dedere 

Litora, dat signum specula Misenus ab alta 

^re cavo. Invadunt socii, et nova proelia tentant, 

Obscenas pelagi ferro foedare volucres. 

Sed neque vim plumis ullam, nee vulnera tergo 

Accipiunt ; celerique fuga sub sidera lapsse 

Semesam prsedam et vestigia foeda relinquunt. 

Una in praecelsa concedit rupe Celseno, 

Infelix vates, rumpitque banc pectore vocem : 

' Bellum etiam pro csede bourn stratisque juvencis, 

Laomedontiadse, bellumne inferre paratis, 

Et patrio Harp}' ias insontes pellere regno ? 

Accipite ergo animis atque bsec mea figite dicta : 

Quae Pliosbo pater omnipotens, mibi Pboebus ApoUo 

Prsedixit vobis Fmiarum ego maxima pando. 

Italiam cursu petitis ; ventisque vocatis 

Ibitis Italiam, portusque intrare licebit. 

Sed non ante datam cingetis moenibus urbem, 

Quam vos dira fames nostraeque injm'ia csedis 

Ambesas subigat malis absumere mensas.' 

" Dixit ; et in silvam pennis ablata refugit. 
At sociis subita gelidus formidine sanguis 
Deriguit ; cecidere animi : nee jam amplius armis, 
Sed votis precibusque jubent exposcere pacem, 
Sive deae, seu sint dii-ae obscenaeque volucres. 
Et pater Anchises passis de litore palmis 
Numina magna vocat, meritosque indicit bonores : 
' Di, probibete minas ! di, talem avertite casum, 
Et placidi servate pios !' Tum litore funem 
Deripere, excussosque jubet laxare rudentes. 
Tendunt vela noti : ferimm' spumantibus undis. 
Qua cursum ventusque gubernatorque vocabant. 
Jam medio apparet fluctu nemorosa Zacyntbos, 
Dulicbiumque, Sameque, et Neritos ardua saxis. 
Effugimus scopulos Ithacae, Laertia regna, 
Et terram altricem siBvi exsecramur Ulixi. 
Mox et Leucatse nimbosa cacumina montis, 
Et formidatus nautis aperitur Apollo. 
Hunc petimus fessi, et pai'vae succedimus m-bi : 



^NEEDOS LIB. III. 



155 



Ancora de prora jacitur ; stant lit ore puppes. 

" Ergo insperata tandem tellure potiti, 
Lustramurque Jovi, votisque incendimus aras ; 
Actiaque Iliacis celebramus litora ludis. 
Exercent patrias oleo labente palsestras 
Nudati socii. Juvat evasisse tot urbes 




Argolicas, mediosque fugam tenuisse per hostes. 
Inter ea magnum sol circiimvolvitm' annum, 
Et glacialis hiems aquilonibus asperat undas. 
^re cavo clipeum, magni gestamen Abantis, 
Postibus adversis figo, et rem carmine signo : 




^IsEAS H^C DE DaJJ-AIS YICTOEIBTJS AEMA. 

Linquere tum portus jubeo, et considere transtris. 
Certatim socii feriunt mare, et sequora verrunt. 
Protenus aerias Phseacum abscondimus arces, 
Litoraque Epiri legimus, portuque subimus 
Chaonio, et celsam Butliroti accedimus m^bem 



156 



p. YIEGILII MAEO^^IS 



" Hie incredibilis rerum fama occupat aui'es, 
Priamiden Helenum Grraias regnare per urbes, 
Conjugio iEacidas Pyrrhi sceptrisque potitum ; 
Et patrio Andromachen iterum cessisse marito. 
Obstupui ; mii'oque incensum pectus amore 
Compellare viruni, et casus cognoscere tantos. 
Progredior portu, classes et litora linquens ; 
Solemnes quum forte dapes et tristia dona, 
Ante urbem in luco, falsi Simoentis ad undam, 
Libabat cineri Andromache, manesque vocabat 




Hectoreum ad tumulum, viridi quern cespite inanem, 
Et geminas, causam lacrimis, sacraverat aras. 
Ut me conspexit venientem, et Troia circum 
Arma amens vidit, magnis exterrita monstris 
Deriguit visu in medio ; calor ossa reliquit ; 
Labitur, et longo vix tandem tempore fatur : 
' Yerane te facies, verus mihi nuncius affers, 
Nate dea ? vivisne ? aut si lux alma recessit, 
Hector ubi est ?' dixit, lacrimasque effudit, et omnem 
Implevit clamore locum. Yix pauca farenti 
/ Subjicio, et raris turbatus vocibus hisco : 

' Vivo equidem, vitamque extrema per omnia duco. 
ISTe dubita : nam vera vides. 
Heu! quis te casus dejectam conjuge tanto 
Excipit ? aut quae digna satis fortuna revisit ? 
Hectoris Andromache Pjrrhin' connubia servas ?' 
Dejecit vultum, et demissa voce locuta est : 
' felix una ante ahas Priameia virgo, 
Hostilem ad tumulum Trojse sub moenibus altis 
Jussa mori, qu£e sortitus non pertulit uUos, 
Nee victoris heri tetigit captiva cubile ! 



J3NEID0S LIB. III. 157 

Nos, patria incensa, diversa per ajquora vectse, 
Stirpis Achillese fastus juvenemque superbum, 
Servitio enixse, tulimus ; qui deinde, secutus 
Ledseam Hermionem. Lacedsemoniosque hymenssos, 
Me famulo famulamque Heleno transmisit habendam. 
Ast ilium, ereptse magno inflammatus amore 
Conjugis, et scelerum Furiis agitatus, Orestes 
Excipit incautum, patriasque obtruncat ad aras. 
Morte ISTeoptolemi regnorum reddita cessit 
Pars Heleno, qui Chaonios cognomine campos, 
Chaoniamque omnem Trojano a Chaone dixit, 
Pergamaque Iliacamque jugis banc addidit arcem.^ 
Sed tibi qui cursum venti, quse fata dedere ? 
Aut quisnam ignarum nostris deus appulit oris ? 
Quid puer Ascanius ? Superatne, et vescitur aura ? 
Quem tibi jam Troja — 

Ecqua tamen puero est amissse cura parentis ? 
Ecquid in antiquam virtutem aniraosque viriles 
Et pater JEneas et avunculus excitat Hector ?' 

" Talia fundebat lacrimans, longosque ciebat 
Incassum fletus ; quum sese a moenibus beros 
Priamides multis Helenus comitantibus affert, 
Agnoscitque suos, Isetusque ad limina ducit, 
Et multum lacrimas verba inter singula fundit. 
Procedo, et parvam Trojam, simulataque magnis 
Pergama, et arentem Xantbi cognomine rivum 
Agnosco, Scssseque amplector limina portse. 
Nee non et Teucri socia simul urbe fruuntur : 
lUos porticibus rex accipiebat in amplis. 
Aulai in medio libabant pocula Bacchi, 
Impositis am'o dapibus, paterasque tenebant. 

" Jamque dies, alterque dies processit ; et aurse 
Vela vocant, tumidoque inflatur carbasus austro. 
His vatem aggredior dictis, ac talia quseso : 
' Trojugena, interpres divum, qui numina Pliabi, 
Qui tripodas, Clarii laurus, qui sidera sentis, 
Et volucrum linguas, et prsepetis omina pennse. 
Fare age — namque omnem cursum mibi prospera dixit 
Eeligio, et cuncti suaserunt numine divi 
Italiam petere, et terras tentare repostas ; 
Sola novum dictuque nefas Harpyia Celseno 
Prodigium canit, et tristes denuntiat iras, 
Obscenamque famem — quae prima pericula vito ? 
Quidque sequens tantos possim superare labores ?' 
Hie Helenus, csesis primum de more juvencis, 
Exorat pacem divum, vittasque resolvit 



4 

158 p. VIEGILII MAnoyis 







Sacrati capitis, meque ad tua limina, Phoebe, 
Ipse manu multo suspensum. nuniiiie ducit ; 
Atque lisec deinde canit divino ex ore sacerdos : 
' Nate dea, — nam te majoribus ire per altum 
Auspiciis manifesta fides ; sic fata deum rex 
Sortitur, volvitque vices ; is vertitm- ordo — 
Pauca tibi e midtis, quo tutior hospita lustres 
JEquora, et Ausonio possis considere portu, 
Expediam dictis ; prohibent nam cetera Parcae 
Scire Helenum fai'ique vetat Saturnia Juno. 
Principio Italiam, quam tu jam rere propinquam, 
Vicinosque, ignare, paras invadere portus, 
Longa procul longis via dividit invia terris. 
Ante et Trinacria lentandus remus in unda, 
Et salis Ausonii lustrandum navibus 3equor, 
Infemique lacus, JEseseque insula Circse, 
Quam tuta possis urbem componere terra. 
Signa tibi dicam ; tu condita mente teneto : 
Quum tibi sollicito secreti ad fluminis undam 
Litoreis ingens inventa sub ilicibus sus, 
Triginta capitum fetus enixa, jacebit, 
Alba, solo recubans, albi circum ubera nati : 
Is locus m'bis erit, requies ea certa laborum. 
Nee tu mensarum morsus borresce futures ; 
Fata viam invenient, aderitque vocatus Apollo. 
Has autem terras Italique banc litoris oram, 
Proxima quse uostri perfunditur sequoris sestu, 
Effiige : cuncta mabs babitantur mcenia Graiis. 
Hie et Naiycii posuerunt moenia Locri, 
Et Sallentiiios obsedit milite campos 
Lyctius Idomeneus ; bic ilia ducis Meliboei 
Parva Pbiloctetse subnixa Petelia muro. 



^XEIDOS LIB. III. 159 

Quin, ubi transmissae steterint trans eequora classes, 
Et positis aris jam vota in litore solves ; 
Purpureo velare comas adopertus amictu, 
Ne qua inter sanctos ignes in honore deoram 
Hostilis facies occurrat, et omina turbet. 
Hmic socii morem sacrorum, hunc ipse teneto ; 
Hac casti maneant in religione nepotes. 
Ast, ubi digressum Siculse te admoverit ors8 
Yentus, et angusti rarescent claustra Pelori, 
Laeva tibi tellus, et longo Iseva petantur 
JGquora circuitu ; dextrum fuge litus et undas, 
Haec loca, vi quondam et vasta convulsa ruina, 
Tantum sevi longinqua valet mutare vetustas ! 
Dissiluisse ferunt, quum protenus utraque tellus 
Una foret ; venit medio vi pontus, et undis 
Hesperium Siculo latus abscidit, arvaque et urbes 
Litore diductas angusto interluit sestu. 
Dextrum Scylla latus, leevum implacata Charybdis 
Obsidet, atque inio barathri ter gurgite vastos 
Sorbet in abruptum fluctus, rursusque sub am'as 
Erigit alternos, et sidera verberat unda. 
At Scyllam csecis cobibet spelunca latebris, 
Ora exsertantem, et naves in saxa trabentem. 
Prima hominis facies, et pulcbro pectore vii-go 
Pube tenus ; postrema immani corpore pistrix, 
Delpbinum caudas utero commissa luporum. 
Prasstat Trinacrii met as lustrare Pacliyni 
Cessantem, longos et circumflectere cursus, 
Quam semel informem vasto vidisse sub antro 
Scyllam, et caeruleis canibus resonantia saxa. 
Prseterea, si qua est Heleno pi-udentia, vati 
Si qua fides, animum si veris implet Apollo, 
Unum illud tibi, nate dea, proque omnibus unum 
Prsedicam, et repetens iterumque iterumque monebo : 
Junonis magnse primum prece numen adora ; 
Junoni cane vota libens, dominamque potentem 
Supplicibus supera donis : sic denique victor 
Trinacria fines Italos mittere relicta. 
Hue ubi delatus Cumseam accesseris urbem, 
Divinosque lacus et Averna sonantia silvis, 
Insanam vatem aspicies ; quae rupe sub ima 
Fata canit, foliisque notas et nomina mandat. 
Qusecumque in foliis descripsit carmina virgo, 
Digerit in numerum, atque antro seclusa relinquit. 
Ilia manent immota locis, neque ab ordine cedunt. 
Yerum eadem, verso tenuis quum cardine ventus 



IGO 



p. VIEGILII MAEONIS 



Impulit, et teneras turbavit janua frondes, 
Nimquam deinde cavo volitantia prendere saxo, 
Nee revocare situs, aut jungere carmina curat. 
Inconsulti abeunt, sedemque odere Sibyllas. 
Hie tibi ne qua morse fuerint dispendia tanti, — 
Quamvis inerepitent socii, et vi cursus in altum 
Vela vocet, possisque sinus implere seeundos, — 
Quin adeas vatem, precibusque oraeula poscas. 
Ipsa canat, vocemque volens at que ora resolvat. 
Ilia tibi Italiae populos, venturaque bella, 
Et, quo quemque modo fugiasque ferasque laborem, 
Expediet, cursusque dabit venerata seeundos. 
Haec sunt, quae nostra liceat te voce moneri. 
Vade age, et ingentem factis fer ad aethera Trojam.' 

" Quae postquam vates sic ore efFatus amico est, 
Dona debinc auro gravia seetoque elepbanto 
Imperat ad naves ferri, stipatque carinis 
Ingens argentum, Dodonseosque lebetas, 
Loricam consertam baniis auroque trilicem, 
Et eonum insignis galeae cristasque eomantes, 
Arma Neoptolemi. Sunt et sua dona parenti. 
Addit equos, additque duces ; 
Kemigium supplet, socios simul instruit armis. 

" Interea classem velis aptare jubebat 
Ancbises, fieret vento mora ne qua ferenti. 
Quern Pbcebi interpres multo compellat honore : 
' Conjugio, Anebisa, Veneris dignate superbo. 




JilKEIDOS LIB. III. 161 

Cura deum, bis Pergameis erepte ruinis, 

Ecce tibi Ausonise tellus : banc arripe velis. 

Et tamen banc pelago prseterlabare necesse est : 

Ausonise pars ilia procul, quam pandit Apollo. 

Yade,' ait, ' o febx nati pietate ! quid ultra 

Provebor, et fando surgentes demoror austros ?' 

Nee minus Andromacbe, digressu maesta supremo, 

Fert picturatas auri subtemine vestes 

Et Phrygiam Ascanio cblamydem ; nee cedit bonori ; 

Textibbusque onerat donis, ac talia fatur : 

' Accipe et bsec, manuum tibi quas monumenta mearum 

Sint, puer, et longum Andromacbse testentur amorem, 

Conjugis Hectoreae. Cape dona extrema tuorum, 

mibi sola mei super Astyanactis imago. 

Sic oculos, sic ille manus, sic ora ferebat ; 

Et nunc sequab tecum pubesceret sevo.' 

Hos ego digrediens lacrimis aifabar obortis : 

' Vivite felices, quibus est fortuna peracta 

Jam sua : nos alia ex aliis in fata vocamur. 

Vobis parta quies ; nullum maris aequor arandum ; 

Arva neque Ausonise, semper cedentia retro, 

QusBrenda. Effigiem Xantbi Trojamque videtis, 

Quam vestrse fecere manus, melioribus, opto, 

Auspiciis, et quae fuerit minus obvia Grraiis. 

Si quando Thybrim vicinaque Thybridis arva 

Intraro, gentique meae data moenia cernam, 

Cognatas urbes obm populosque propinquos 

Epiro, Hesperia, — quibus idem Dardanus auctor 

Atque idem casus, — unam faciemus utramque 

Trojam animis. Maneat nostros ea cura nepotes.' 

" Provebimur pelago vicina Ceraunia juxta, 
Unde iter Italiam cursusque brevissimus undis. 
Sol ruit interea, et montes umbrantur opaci : 
Sternimur optat^ gremio telluris ad undam, 
Sortiti remos, passimque in litore sicco 
Corpora curamus ; fessos sopor irrigat artus. 
Necdum orbem medium Nox boris acta subibat : 
Haud segnis strato surgit Pabnurus, et omnes 
Explorat ventos, atque auribus aera captat ; 
Sidera cuncta notat tacito labentia coelo, 
Arcturum, pluviasque Hyadas, geminosque Triones, 
Armatumque auro circumspicit Oriona. 
Postquam cuncta videt coelo constare sereno, 
Dat clarum e puppi signum : nos castra movemus, 
Tentamusque viam, et velorum pandimus alas. 
Jamque rubescebat stellis Aurora fugatis ; 

M 



162 p. YIKGILTI MAEONIS 

Quum procul obscuros colles humilemqiie videmus 

Italiam. Italiam primus conclamat Achates ; 

Italiam Iseto socii clamore salutanfc. 

Turn pater Anchises magnum cratera corona 

Induit, implevitque mero, divosque vocavit 

Stans celsa in puppi : 

' Di, maris et terrae tempestatumque potentes, 

Ferte viam vento facilem, et spirate secundi.' 

Crebrescunt optatse aurse, portusque patescit 

Jam propior, templumque apparet in arce Minervse : 

Vela legunt socii, et proras ad litora torquent. 

Portus ab euroo fluctu cm'vatus in arcum ; 

Objectse salsa spumant aspargine cautes : 

Ipse latet ; gemino demittunt brachia muro 

Turriti scopuli, refugitque ab litore templum. 

Quatuor hie, primum omen, equos in gramine vidi 

Tondentes campum late, candore nivali. 

Et pater Anchises : ' Bellum, o terra hospita, portas ; 

Bello armantm* equi ; bellum haec armenta minantur. 

Sed tamen idem olim curru succedere sueti 

Quadrupedes, et frena jugo coneordia ferre ; 

Spes et pacis,' ait. Tum numina sancta precamur 

Palladis armisonae, quae prima accepit ovantes ; 

Et capita ante aras Phr3'^gio velamm- amictu ; 

PraBceptisque Heleni, dederat quas maxima, rite 

Junoni Argivse jussos adolemus honores. 

" Haud mora : continuo perfectis ordine votis. 
Cornua velatarum obvertimus antennarum, 
Grajugenumque domos suspectaque linquimus arva. 
Hinc sinus Herculei, si vera est fama, Tarenti 
Cernitur. Attollit se diva Lacinia contra, 
Caulonisque arces, et navifragum Scylaceum, 
Tum procul e fluctu Trinacria cernitur ^tna ; 
Et gemitum ingentem pelagi pulsataque saxa 
Audimus longe, fractasque ad litora voces ; 
Exsultantque vada, atque sestu miscentur arenae. 
Et pater Anchises : ' Nimirum hsec ilia Chary bdis ; 
Hos Helenus scopulos, haec saxa horrenda canebat. 
Eripite o socii ; pariterque insurgite remis.' 
Haud minus ac jussi faciunt ; primusque rudentem 
Contorsit laevas proram Palinurus ad undas ; 
Laevam cuncta cohors remis ventisque petivit. 
Tollimur in coelum curvato gurgite, et idem 
Subducta ad manes imos desidimus unda. 
Ter scopuH clamorem inter cava saxa dedere : 
Ter spumam ehsam et rorantia vidimus astra. 



^XEIDOS LIB. III. 



163 



Interea fessos ventus ciim sole reliquit ; 
Igiiarique viae Cjclopum allabinmr oris. 

" Portus ab accessu ventorum immotus, et ingens 
Ipse ; sed horrificis juxta tonat ^tna ruinis, 
Interdumque atram prorumpit ad sethera nubem, 
Tm-biue fiimantem piceo et candente favilla ; 
Attollitque globos flammarum, et sidera lambit : 
Interdum scopulos avulsaque viscera montis 
Erigit eructans, liquefactaque saxa sub auras 
Cum gemitu glomerat, fundoque exsestuat imo. 
Fama est, Enceladi semiustum fulmine corpus 




Urgeri mole bac, ingentemque insuper ^Etnam 
Impositam ruptis flammam exspii'are caminis ; 
Et fessum quoties mutet latus, intremere omnem 
Murmm-e Trinacriam, et coelum subtexere fumo. 
Noctem illam tecti silvis imimania moustra 
Perferimus, nee, quae sonitum det causa, videmus. 
Nam neque erant astrorum. ignes, nee lucidus sethi'a 
Siderea polus, obscm'o sed nubila coelo ; 
Et lunam in nimbo nox intempesta tenebat. 

" Postera jamque dies primo surgebat Eoo, 
Humentemque Aurora polo dimoverat umbram ; 
Quum subito e silvis, macie confecta suprema, 
Ignoti nova forma viri miserandaque cultu 
Procedit, supplexque manus ad litora tendit. 



164^ p. TIEGILII MAEONIS 

Eespicimns. Dira illuvies, immissaque barba, 
Consertum tegumen spinis : at cetera Grains, 
Et quondam patriis ad Trojam missus in armis. 
Isque ubi Dardanios habitus et Troia vidit 
Arma procul, paulum aspectu conterritus heesit, 
Continuitque gradum ; mox sese ad litora prseceps 
Cum fletu precibusque tulit : ' Per sidera testor, 
Per superos, atque hoc cceli spirabile kimen : 
Tolhte me, Teucri ; quascumque abducite terras ; 
Hoc sat erit. Scio me Danais e classibus mium, 
Et bello IHacos fateor petiisse penates. 
Pro quo, si sceleris tanta est injuria nostri, 
Spargite me in fluctus, vastoque immergite ponto. 
Si pereo, hominum manibus periisse juvabit.' 
Dixerat ; et genua amplexus, genibusque volutans 
Hserebat. Qui sit, fari, quo sanguine cretus, 
Hortamur ; quae deinde agitet fortuna, fateri. 
Ipse pater dextram Anchises, baud multa moratus, 
Dat juveni, atque animum praesenti pignore firmat. 
Ille hsec, deposita tandem formidine, fatm' : 

" ' Sum patria ex Ithaca, comes infehcis Ulixi, 
Nomen Achemenides, Trojam genitore Adamasto 
Paupere (mansissetque utinam fortuna !) profectus. 
Hie me, dum trepidi crudeha hmina hnquunt, 
Immemores socii vasto Cyclopis in antro 
Deseruere. Domus sanie dapibusque cruentis, 
Intus opaca, ingens. Ipse arduus, altaque pulsat 
Sidera, (Di, talem terris avertite pestem !) 
Nee visu facihs, nee dictu affabihs ulH. 
Visceribus miserorum et sanguine vescitur atro. 
Vidi egomet, duo de numero quum corpora nostro 
Prensa maim magna medio resupinus in antro 
Frangeret ad saxum, sanieque exspersa natarent 
Limina ; vidi atro quum membra fluentia tabo 
Manderet, et tepidi tremerent sub dentibus artus. 
Haud impune quidem ; nee taha passus Uhxes, 
Obhtusve sui est Ithacus discrimme tanto. 
Nam simul, expletus dapibus vinoque sepultus, 
Cervicem inflexam posuit, jacuitque per antrum 
Immensus, saniem eructans ac frusta cruento 
Per somnum commixta mero ; nos, magna precati 
Numina, sortitique vices, una undique circum 
Fundimur, et telo lumen terebramus acuto 
Ingens, quod torva solum sub fronte latebat, 
Argolici chpei aut Phoebese lampadis instar, 
Et tandem Iseti sociorum ulciscimm- umbras. 



JUNEIDOS LIB. III. 



165 



Sed fiigite, o miseri, fugite, atque ab litore funem 
Rumpite. 

Nam, qualis quantusque cavo Polyphemus in antro 
Lanigeras claudit pecudes, atque ubera pressat, 
Centum alii curva lisec habitant ad litora vulgo 
Infandi Cyclopes, et altis montibus errant. 
Tertia jam Lunse se cornua lumuie complent, 
Quum vitam in silvis, inter deserta ferarum 
Lustra domosque traho, vastosque ab rupe Cyclopas 
Prospicio, sonitumque pedum vocemque tremisco. 
Victum infelicem, baccas lapidosaque corna, 
Dant rami, et vulsis pascunt radicibus herbae. 
Omnia collustrans, hanc primum ad litora classem 
Conspexi venientem. Huic me, qusecumque fuisset, 
Addixi : satis est gentem effugisse nefandam. 
Vos animam hanc potius quocumque absumite leto.' 
" Yix ea fatus erat ; summo quum monte videmus 
Ipsum inter pecudes vasta se mole moventem 




Pastorem Polyphemum, et litora not a petentem, — 

Monstrum horrendum, informe, ingens, cui lumen ademtum. 

Trunca manu pinus regit et vestigia firmat. 

Lanigerae comitantur oves ; ea sola voluptas, 

Solamenque mah. 

Postquam altos tetigit fluctus, et ad sequora venit, 

Luminis effossi fluidum lavit inde cruorem, 

Dentibus infrendens gemitu ; graditurque per sequor 

Jam medium, necdum fluctus latera ardua tinxit. 

Nos procul inde fugam trepidi celerare, recepto 

Supplice sic merito, tacitique incidere funem ; 



166 p. TIEaiLII MAEONIS 

Yerrimus et proni certantibus sequora remis. 

Sensit, et ad sonitum vocis vestigia torsit. 

Verum ubi nulla datur dextra affectare potestas, 

Nee potis lonios fluctus sequare sequendo, 

Clamorem immensum tollit ; quo pontus et omnes 

Intremuere undse, penitusque exterrita tellus 

Italiae, curvisque immugiit Mtna. cavernis. 

At genus e silvis Cyclopum et montibus altis 

Excitum ruit ad portus, et litora complent. 

Cernimus adstantes nequidquam lumine torvo 

vEtnseos fratres, coelo capita alta ferentes, 

Concilium hon-endum : quales quum vertice celso 

Aerise quercus, aut coniferse cyparissi 

Constiterunt, silva alta Jovis, lucusve Dianae. 

Prseeipites metus acer agit quocumque rudentes 

Excutere, et ventis intendere vela secundis. 

[Contra jussa monent Heleni, Scyllam at que Charybdim 

Inter utramque viam, leti discrimine parvo, 

Ni teneant cursus ; certum est dare lintea retro.] 

Eece autem Boreas angusta ab sede Pelori 

Missus adest. Vivo prsetervehor ostia saxo 

Pantagiae, Megarosque sinus, Thapsumque jacentem. 

Talia monstrabat relegens errata retrorsum 

Litora Achemenides, comes infelicis Ulixi. 

" Sicanio prsetenta sinu jacet insula contra 
Plemyrium undosum ; nomen dixere priores 
Ortygiam. Alpbeum fama est hue Elidis amnem 
Occultas egisse vias subter mare, qui nunc 
Ore, Ai'ethusa, tuo Siculis confunditur undis. 
Jussi numina magna loci veneramur ; et inde 
Exsupero prsepingue solum stagnantis Helori. 
Hinc altas cautes projectaque saxa Pachyni 
Radimus ; et fatis nmiquam concessa moveri 
Apparet Camarina procul, campique Geloi, 
Immanisque Gela fluvii cognomine dicta. 
Arduus inde Acragas ostentat maxima longe 
Moenia, magnanimum quondam generator equorum. 
Teque datis linquo ventis, palmosa Selinus, 
Et vada dura lego saxis Lilybeia csecis, 
Hinc Drepani me portus et illaetabilis ora 
Accipit. Hie, Pelagi tot tempestatibus actus, 
Heu ! genitorem, omnis curse casusque levamen, 
Amitto Anchisen : hie me, pater optime, fessum 
Deseris, heu ! tantis nequidquam erepte perichs. 
Nee vates Helenus, quum mult a horrenda moneret, 
Hos mihi prsedixit luctus, non dira Celseno. 



^NEIDOS LIB. III. 

Hie labor extremus, longarum hsec meta viarum. 
Hmc me digressum vestris deus appulit oris." 

Sic pater ^neas, intentis omnibus, unus 
Fata renarrabat divum, eursusque docebat. 
Conticuit tandem, factoque hie fine quievit. 



167 




p. VIEGILII MARONIS 

^ N E I D O S 

LIBER QUARTUS. 




^gS^^a-^'^.^^^ 



At regina gravi jamdudum saucia cura 
Vulnus alit venis, et cseco carpitur igni. 
Multa viri virtus animo, multusque recursat 
Gentis honos ; hserent infixi pectore vultus 
Verbaque ; nee placidam membris dat cura quietem. 
Postera Pbcebea lustrabat lampade terras, 
Humentemque Aurora polo dimoverat umbram ; 
Quum sic unanimam alloquitur male sana sororem. 
" Anna soror, quae me suspensum insomnia terrent ! 
Quis novus hie nostris successit sedibus hospes ! 
Quern sese ore ferens ! quam forti pectore et armis ! 
Credo equidem, nee vana fides, genus esse deorum : 
Degeneres animos timor arguit. Heu, quibus ille 
Jactatus fatis ! quse bella exhausta canebat ! 
Si mihi non animo fixum immotumque sederet, 
Ne cui me vinclo vellem sociare jugali, 
Postquam primus amor deceptam morte fefellit ; 
Si non pertaesum tbalami taedseque fuisset, 
Huic una forsan potui sucumbere culpse. 
Anna, fatebor enim, miseri post fata Sycbaji 



172 p. YIEGILII MAEO:^^IS 

Conjugis, et sparsos fraterna caede penates, 
Solus hie inflexit sensus, animumque labantem 
Impulit : agnosco veteris vestigia flammae. 
Sed mihi vel tellus optem prius ima dehiseat, 
Vel pater omnipotens adigat me fulmine ad umbras, 
Pallentes umbras Erebi noctemque profundam, 
Ante, Pudor, quam te violo, aut tua jura resolvo. 
Ille meos, primus qui me sibi junxit, amores 
Abstulit ; ille babeat secum servetque sepulcro." 
Sic effata sinum lacrimis implevit obortis. 

Anna refert : " luce magis dilecta sorori, 
Solane perpetua mserens carpere juventa ? 
Nee dulces natos, Veneris nee prsemia noris ? 
Id cinerem aut manes credis curare sepultos ? 
Esto : segram nulli quondam flexere mariti, 
Non Libyae, non ante Tyro ; despectus larbas, 
Ductoresque alii, quos Africa terra triumpbis 
Dives aUt : placitone etiam pugnabis amori ? 
Nee venit in mentem, quorum consederis arvis ? 
Hinc Graetulse m^bes, genus insuperabile bello, 
Et Numidae infreni cingunt, et inbospita Syrtis ; 
Hinc deserta siti regie, lateque fm^entes 
Barcaei. Quid bella Tyro surgentia dicam 
Germanique minas ? 

Dis equidem auspicibus reor et Junone secunda 
Hunc cm'sum Ibacas vento tenuisse carinas. 
Quam tu m'bem, soror, banc cernes, quae surgere regna 
Conjugio tab ! Teucrum comitantibus armis, 
Pmiica se quantis attollet gloria rebus ! 
Tu modo posce deos veniam, sacrisque litatis 
Indulge bospitio, causasque innecte morandi ; 
Dum pelago desaevit biems et aquosus Orion, 
Quassataeque rates, dum non tractabile coelum." 
His dictis incensum animum inflammavit amore, 
Spemque dedit dubiag menti, solvitque pudorem. 

Principio delubra adeunt, pacemque per aras 
Exquii-unt : mactant lectas de more bidentes 
Legiferae Cereri, Phoeboque, patrique L^^aeo ; 
Junoni ante omnes, cui vincla jugaba curae. 
Ipsa, tenens dextra pateram, pulcberrima Dido 
Candentis vaccas media inter cornua fundit ; 
Aut ante ora deum pingues spatiatur ad aras, 
Instauratque diem donis, pecudumque reclusis 
Pectoribus inbians spirantia consulit exta. 
Heu vatum ignarae mentes ! quid vota furentem, 
Quid delubra juvant ? Est moUis flamma medullas 



^IS^EIDOS LIB. IV. 173 

Interea, et taciturn vivit sub pectore vulnus. 
Uritui' infelix Dido, totaque vagatur 
TJrbe fui-ens : qualis conjecta cerva sagitta, 
Quam procul incautam nemora inter Cresia fixit 
Pastor agens telis, liquitque volatile ferrum 
Neseius : ilia fuga silvas saltusque peragrat 
Dictaeos ; liseret lateri letalis arundo. 
Nunc media ^Enean secum per moenia ducit, 
Sidoniasque ostentat opes, urbemque paratam ; 
Incipit effari, mediaque in voce resistit : 
Nunc eadem, labente die, convivia quserit, 
Iliacosque iterum demens audire labores 
Exposcit, pendetque iterum narrantis ab ore. 
Post, ubi digressi, lumenque obscura vicissim 
Luna premit, suadentque cadentia sidera somnos, 
Sola domo maeret vacua, stratisque relictis 
Incubat : ilium absens absentem auditque videtque. 
Aut gremio Ascanium, genitoris imagine capta, 
Detinet, infandum si fallere possit amorem. 
Non coeptse assurgunt tmTes ; non arma juventus 
Exercet, portusve aut propugnacula bello 
Tuta parant : pendent opera interrupta, minaeque 
Murorum ingentes, sequataque machina coelo. 

Quam simul ac tali persensit peste teneri 
Cara Jovis conjux, nee famam obstare furori ; 
Talibus aggreditur Yenerem Saturnia dictis : 
" Egregiam vero laudem et spolia ampla refertis 
Tuque puerque tuus ; magnum et memorabile numen, 
Una dolo divum si femina victa duorum est. 
Nee me adeo fallit, veritam te moenia nostra. 
Suspect as habuisse domos Cartbaginis altee. 
Sed quis erit modus ? aut quo nunc certamina tanta ? 
Quin potius pacem seternam pactosque bymenaeos 
Exercemus ? babes, tota quod mente petisti : 
Ardet amans Dido, traxitque per ossa foi'orem. 
Communem bunc ergo populum paribusque regamus 
Auspiciis ; liceat Plnygio servire marito, 
Dotalisque tuse Tyrios permittere dextrse." 

Olli — sensit enim simulata mente locutam. 
Quo regnum ItaliaB Libvcas averteret oras — 
Sic contra est ingressa Venus : " Quis talia demens 
Abnuat, aut tecum malit contendere bello ? 
Si modo, quod memoras, factum fortuna sequatur. 
Sed fatis incerta feror, si Jupiter unam 
Esse velit Tyriis urbem Trojaque profectis, 
Miscerive probet populos, aut foedera jungi. 



174 



p. TIRGHLII MAEONIS 



Tu conjux ; tibi fas animum tent are preeando. 

Perge ; sequar." Turn sic excepit regia Juno : 

" Mecum erit iste labor. Nunc qua ratione, quod instat, 

Confieri possit, paucis, adverte, docebo. 

Venatum jEneas unaque miserrima Dido 

In nemus ire parant, ubi primes crastinus ortus 

Extulerit Titan, radiisque retexerit orbem. 

His ego nigrantem commixta grandine nimbum, 

Dum trepidant alae, saltusque indagine cingunt, 

Desuper infundam, et tonitru coelum omne ciebo. 

Diffugient comites, et nocte tegentui' opaca : 

Speluncam Dido dux et Trojanus eandem 

Devenient. Adero, et, tua si mihi certa voluntas, 

Connubio jungam stabili propriamque dicabo. 




Hie HymenEeus erit." Non adversata petenti 
Annuit, atque dolis risit C3^therea repertis. 

Oceanum interea surgens Aui-ora relinquit. 
It portis, jubare exorto, delecta juventus : 
Retia rara, plagge, lato venabula ferro, 
Massy lique ruunt equites, et odora can una vis. 
Keginam. thalamo cunctantem ad limina primi 
Poenorum exspectant ; ostroque insignis et auro 
Stat sonipes, ac frena ferox spumantia mandit. 
Tandem progreditm', magna stipante caterva, 
Sidoniam picto cblamydem cii'cumdata limbo : 
Cui pbaretra ex am'o, crines nodantur in aurum. 



Jl^'EIDOS LIE. IT. 175 

Aurea purpuream subnectit fibula vestem : 
Nee non et Phiygii comites et Isetus lulus 
Incedunt. Ipse ante alios pulcherrimus omnes 
Infert se socium ^neas, atque agmina jungit : 
Qualis ubi hibernam Lyciam Xanthique fluenta 
Deserit, ac Delum maternam invisit Apollo, 
Instaui-atque choros, mixtique altaria circum 
Cretesque Diyopesque fremunt pictique Agathyrsi : 
Ipse jugis Cyntbi graditui% mollique fluent em 
Fronde premit crinem fingens, atque iniplicat auro ; 
Tela sonant bumeris. Haud illo segnior ibat 
^neas ; tantum egregio decus enitet ore. 
Postquam altos ventum in montes atque invia lustra, 
Ecce ferae, saxi dejectse vertice, caprse 
Decurrere jugis ; aba de parte patentes 
Transmittimt cui'su campos atque agmina cervi 
Pulverulenta fuga glomerant, montesque relinquunt. 
At puer Ascanius mediis in vallibus acri 
Gaudet equo ; jamque bos cm'su, jam prseterit illos, 
Spumantemque dari pecora inter inertia votis 
Optat aprum, aut fulvum descendere monte leonem. 

Interea magno misceri murmui^e coelum 
Incipit : insequitur commixta grandine nimbus. 
Et Tyrii comites passim, et Trojana juventus, 
Dardaniusque nepos Veneris, diversa per agros 
Tecta metu petiere : ruunt de montibus amnes, 
Speluncam Dido dux et Trojanus eandem 
Deveniunt. Prima et Tellus et pronuba Juno 
Dant signum : fulsere ignes, et conscius setber 
Connubiis ; summoque ulularimt vertice Nympbae. 
IILe dies primus leti primusque malorum 
Causa fuit. Neque enim specie famave movetur, 
Nee jam fartivum Dido meditatur amorem : 
Conjugium vocat ; boc prsetexit nomine culpam. 

Extemplo Libyse magnas it Fama per m'bes, — 
Fama, malum, quo non abud velocius ullum : 
Mobibtate viget, viresque acquirit eundo ; 
Parva metu primo ; mox sese attolbt in auras, 
Ingrediturque solo, et caput mter nubila condit. 
lUam Terra parens, ira u-ritata deorum, 
Extremam, ut perbibent, Coeo Enceladoque sororem 
Progenuit, pedibus celerem et pernicibus alis ; 
Monstrum borrendum, ingens, cui quot sunt corpore plumag, 
Tot vigiles oculi subter, mirabile dictu, 
Tot Hnguae, totidem ora sonant, tot subrigit aures. 
Nocte volat coeb medio terraeque per umbram 



176 p. VIEGILII MAEOS^IS 

Stridens, nee dulei deelinat lumina somno. 
Luce sedet custos aut summi culmine tecti, 
Turribus aut altis, et magnas territat urbes. 
Tarn ficti pravique tenax, quam nuncia veri. 
Haec turn multiplici populos sermone replebat 
G-audens, et pariter facta atque infecta canebat : 
Venisse iEnean, Trojano a sanguine cretum, 
Cui se pulcbra viro dignetur jungere Dido ; 
Nunc hiemem inter se luxu, quam longa, fovere, 
Regnorum immemores turpique cupidine captos. 
Haec passim dea foeda virum difiPandit in ora. 
Protinus ad regem cursus detorquet larban, 
Incenditque animum dictis, atque aggerat iras. 

Hie Hammone satus, rapta Graramantide Nympha, 
Templa Jovi centum latis immania regnis, 
Centum aras posuit ; vigilemque sacraverat ignem 
Excubias divum aeternas, pecudumque cruore 
Pingue solum, et varus florentia limina sertis. 
Isque amens animi, et rumore accensus amaro, 
Dicitur ante aras, media inter numina divum, 
Multa Jovem manibus supplex orasse supinis : 
" Jupiter omnipotens, cui nunc Maurusia pictis 
Gens epulata toris Lenaeum libat honorem, 
Aspicis baec ? an te, genitor, quum fulmina torques, 
Nequidquam borremus ? caecique in nubibus ignes 
Terrificant animos, et inania murmura miscent ? 
Femina, quae nostris errans in finibus urbem 
Exiguam pretio posuit, cui litus arandum, 
Cuique loci leges dedimus, connubia nostra 
Repulit, ac dominum iEnean in regna recepit. 
Et nunc ille Paris, cum semiviro comitatu, 
Maeonia mentum mitra crinemque madentem 
Subnixus, rapto potitur : nos munera templis 
Quippe tuis ferimus, famamque fovemus inanem." 

Talibus orantem dictis, arasque tenentem, 
Audiit omnipotens, oculosque ad moenia torsit 
Regia, et oblitos famae melioris amantes. 
Tum sic ISIercurium alloquitur, ac talia mandat : 
" Vade age, nate, voca Zephyros, et labere pennis ; 
Dardaniumque ducem, Tyria Carthagine qui nunc 
Exspectat, fatisque datas non respicit urbes, 
Alloquere, et celeres defer mea dicta per auras. 
Non ilium nobis genetrix pulcberrima talem 
Promisit, Graiumque ideo bis vindicat armis ; 
Sed fore, qui gravidam imperils belloque fi'ementem 
Italiam regeret, genus alto a sanguine Teucri 



^Is'EIDOS LIE. IT. 



177 




Proderet, ac totum sub leges mitteret orbem. 

Si nulla accendit tantarum gloria rerum, 

Nee super ipse sua molitur laude laborem : 

AscaDione pater E,omanas invidet arces ? 

Quid struit ? aut qua spe, inimiea in gente, moratur ? 

Nee prolem Ausoniam et Lavinia respicit arva r 

Naviget : haec sumnia est ; bic nostri nuncius esto." 

Dixerat. lUe patris magni parere parabat 
Imperio : et primum pedibus talaria nectit 
Aiu'ea, quse sublimem alis, sive sequora supra, 
Seu terram, rapido pariter cum flaniine portant. 
Turn vii'gam eapit ; hac animas ille evocat Oreo 
PaUentes, alias sub Tartara tristia mittit ; 
Dat somnos adimitque, et lumina morte resignat : 
Ilia fretus agit ventos, et turbida tranat 
Nubila. Jamque volans apicem et latera ardua cernit 
Atlantis duri, coelum qui vertice fulcit, — 
Atlaatis, cinctum assidue cui nubibus atris 
Piniferum caput et vento pulsatur et imbri ; 
Nix humeros infusa tegit : turn flumina mento 
PrsBcipitant senis, et giacie riget borrida barba. 



178 p. VIEGILII MAEO^'IS 

Hie primum paribus nitens Cyllenius alis 
Constitit ; hinc toto praeceps se corpore ad unclas 
Misit, avi simiiis, quse circum litora, circum 
Piscosos scopulos, humilis volat sequora juxta. 
[Hand aliter terras inter coelumque volabat, 
Litus arenosum Lib3^se ventosque secabat 
Materno veniens ab avo Cyllenia proles.] 
Ut primum alatis tetigit magalia plantis, 
j3Enean fundantem arees ac tecta novantem 
Conspicit : atque illi stellatus iaspide fulva 
Ensis erat, Tyrioque ardebat murice laena, 
Demissa ex liumeris ; dives quae munera Dido 
Fecerat, et tenui telas discreverat auro. 
Continuo invadit : " Tu nunc Carthaginis altae 
Fundamenta loeas, pulchramque uxorius m-beni 
Exstruis ? heu regni rerumque oblite tuarum ! 
Ipse deum tibi me claro demittit Olympo 
Begnator, coelum et terras qui numine torquet ; 
Ipse base ferre jubet celeres mandata per auras : 
Quid struis ? aut qua spe Lib3"cis teris otia terris ? 
Si te nulla movet tantarum gloria rerum, 
Nee super ipse tua moliris laude laborem, 
Ascanium surgentem, et spes heredis lull 
Kespice ; cui regnum It alias Eomanaque tellus 
Debentur." Tali Cyllenius ore loeutus 
IMortales visus medio sermone reliquit, 
Et procul in tenuem ex oculis evanuit auram. 

At vero ^neas aspectu obmutuit aniens, 
Arrectaeque liorrore comae, et vox faucibus lisesit. 
Ardet abire fuga, dulcesque relinquere terras, 
Attonitus tanto monitu imperioque deorum. 
Heu, quid agat ? quo nimc reginam ambire farentem 
Audeat affatu ? quae prima exordia sum at ? 
[Atque animum nunc hue celerem, nmic dividit illuc. 
In partesque rapit varias, perque omnia versat.] 
Haec alternanti potior sententia visa est : 
Mnesthea Sergestumque vocat, fortemque Serestum : 
Classem aptent taciti, soeiosque ad litora cogant ; 
Arma parent, et, quae sit rebus causa novandis, 
Dissimulent : sese interea, quando optima Dido 
Nesciat, et tantos rumpi non speret amores, 
Tentaturum aditus, et quae mollissima fandi 
Tempora, quis rebus dexter modus. Ocius omnes 
Imperio laeti parent, ac jussa facessunt. 

At regina doles (quis fallere possit amantem ?) 
Praesensit, motusque excepit prima fubiros, 



^NEIDOS LIB. lY. 



179 



Omnia tuta timens. Eadem impia Fama furenti 
Detulit armari classem, cursumque parari. 
Saevit inops animi, totamque incensa per urbem 




Bacchatur : qualis commotis excita sacris 
Thjias, ubi audito stimulant trieterica Baceho 
Orgia, nocturnnsque vocat clamore Cithaeron. 
Tandem his ^nean compellat voeibus ultro : 

" Dissimulare etiam sperasti, perfide, tantum 
Posse nefas, tacitusque mea decedere terra ? 
Nee te noster amor, nee te data dextera quondam, 
Nee moritura tenet crudeli funere Dido ? 
Quin etiam liiberno moliris sidere classem, 
Et mediis properas aquilonibus ire per altum, 
Crudelis ? Quid ? si non arva aliena domosque 
Ignotas peteres, et Troja antiqua maneret, 
Troja per undosum peteretm^ classibus sequor ? 
Mene fugis ? Per ego has lacrimas dextramque tuam te, — 
Quando ahud mihi jam miseras nihil ipsa reliqui, — 
Per connubia nostra, per incept os hymenaeos. 
Si bene quid de te merui, fuit aut tibi quidquam 
Dulce meum : miserere domus labentis, et istam, 
Oro, si quis adhuc precibus locus, exue mentem. 
Te propter Libyc^ gentes Nomadumque tyranni 
Odere ; infensi Tyrii ; te propter eundem 



180 p. TIEGILTI MAEONIS 

Exstinctus pudor, et, qua sola sidera adibam, 
Fama prior : cui me moribundam deseris, liospes ? 
Hoc solum nomen quoniam de conjuge restat. 
Quid moror ? an mea Pygmalion dum moenia frater 
Destruat, aut captam ducat Gsetulus larbas ? 
Saltern si qua mihi de te suscepta fuisset 
Ante fugam suboles ; si quis mihi parvulus aula 
Luderet ^neas, qui te tamen ore referret, 
Non equidem omnino capta ac deserta viderer." 

Dixerat. Ille Jovis monitis immota tenebat 
Lumina, et obnixus cm-am sub corde premebat. 
Tandem pauca refert : " Ego te, quae plurima fando 
Enumerare vales, nmiquam, Hegina, negabo 
Promeritam ; nee me meminisse pigebit Elissae, 
Dum memor ipse mei, dum spiritus hos regit artus. 
Pro re pauca loquar. Neque ego banc abscondere furto 
Speravi, ne finge, fugam ; nee conjugis unquam 
Praetendi tsedas, aut hsec in foedera veni. 
Me si fata meis paterentur ducere vitam 
Auspiciis, et sponte mea componere curas, 
Urbem Trojanam primimi dulcesque meorum 
Keliquias colerem ; Priami tecta alta manerent, 
Et recidiva manu posuissem Pergama victis. 
Sed nunc Italiam magnam Gryneus Apollo, 
Italian! L^^ciae jussere capessere sortes. 
Hie amor, haec patria est. Si te Cartliaginis arces, 
Phoenissam, Libycseque aspectus detinet urbis, 
Quae tandem, Ausonia Teucros considere terra, 
Invidia est ? Et nos fas extera quaerere regna. 
Me patris Anchisae, quoties humentibus umbris 
Nox operit terras, quoties astra ignea surgunt, 
Admonet in somnis et turbida terret imago ; 
Me puer Ascanius, capitisque injuria cari, 
Quem regno Hesperiae fraudo et fatalibus arvis. 
Nunc etiam interpres divum, Jove missus ab ipso, 
(Testor utrumque caput) celeres mandata per auras 
i>etulit. Ipse deum manifesto in lumine vidi 
Intrantem muros, vocemque his auribus hausi. 
Desine meque tuis incendere teque querelis ; 
Italiam non sponte sequor." 

Talia dicentem jamdudum aversa tuetur. 
Hue illuc volvens oculos, totumque pererrat 
Luminibus tacitis, et sic accensa profatur : 
" Nee tibi diva parens, generis nee Dardanus auctor, 
Perfide ; sed duris genuit te cautibus horrens 
Caucasus, Hyrcaneeque admorunt ubera tigres. 



^NEIDOS LIB. IV. 



181 



Nam quid dissimulo ? aut quae me ad majora reserve ? 
Num fletu ingemuit nostro ? num lumina flexit ? 
Num lacrimas victus dedit, aut miseratus amantem est ? 
Quas quibus anteferam ? Jam jam nee maxima Juno, 
Nee Saturnius hasc oculis pater aspicit sequis. 
Nusquam tuta fides. Ejectum litore, egentem 
Excepi, et regni demens in parte locavi ; 
Amissam classem, socios a morte reduxi. 
Heu furiis incensa feror ! Nunc augur Apollo, 
Nunc Lvciae sortes, nunc et Jove missus ab ipso 
Interpres divum fert horrida jussa per auras. 
Scilicet is superis labor est ; ea cura quietos 
SoUicitat, Neque te teneo, neque dicta refello. 
I, sequere Italiam ventis ; pete regna per undas. 
Spero equidem mediis, si quid pia numina possunt, 
Supplicia liausurum scopulis, et nomine Dido 
Saepe vocaturum. Sequar atris ignibus absens ; 
Et, quum frigida mors anima seduxerit artus, 
Omnibus umbra locis adero. Dabis, improbe, poenas ; 
Audiam, et heec manes veniet milii fama sub imos." 
His medium dictis sermonem abrumpit, et auras 
^gra fugit, seque ex oculis avertit et aufert, 
Linquens multa metu cmictantem et multa parantem 
Dicere. Suscipiunt famulas, collapsaque membra 
Marmoreo referunt thalamo, stratisque reponunt. 

At pius MnesiS, quamquam lenire dolentem 
Solando cupit, et dictis avertere curas, 
Multa gemens, magnoque animum labefactus amore, 
Jussa tamen divum exsequitur, classemque revisit. 
Tum vero Teucri incumbunt, et litore celsas 




182 p. TIEGILII MAEOIS-IS 

Deducunt toto naves. Natat uncta carina ; 
Frondentesque ferunt remos et robora silvis 
Infabricata fugse studio. 
Migrantes cernas, totaque ex urbe ruentes ; 
Ac velut ingentem formicee farris acervum 
Quum populant, liiemis mem ores, tectoque reponunt : 
It nigrum campis agmen, preedamqne per berbas 
Convectant calle angusto ; pars grandia trudunt 
Obnixae frumenta bumeris ; pars agmina cogunt, 
Castigantque moras ; opere omnis semita fervet. 
Quis tibi tunc, Dido, cernenti talia sensus ! 
Quosve da^bas gemitns, quum litora fervere late 
Prospiceres arce ex summa, totmnque videres 
Misceri ante oculos tantis clamoribus asquor ! 
Improbe amor, quid non mortalia pectora cogis ! 
Ire iterum in lacrimas, iterum tentare precando 
Cogitur, et supplex animos submittere amori, • 

Ne quid inexpertum frustra moritura relinquat. 

" Anna, vides toto properari litore : cii'cum 
Undique convenere ; vocat jam carbasus auras, 
Puppibus et Iseti nautae imposuere coronas. 
Hunc ego si potui tantum sperare dolorem, 
Et perferre. soror, potero. Miserae boc tamen unum 
Exsequere, Anna, mihi ; solam nam perfidus ille 
Te colere, arcanos etiam tibi credere sensus ; 
Sola viri molles aditus et tempora noras. 
I, soror, atque liostem supplex affare superbum : 
Non ego cum Danais Trojanam exscindere gentem 
Aulide juravi, classemve ad Pergama misi ; 
Nee patris Ancbisse cinerem manesve revelli. 
Cur mea dicta negat duras demittere in aures ? 
Quo ruit ? extremum boc miserae det munus araanti : 
Exspectet facilemque fugam ventosque ferentes. 
Non jam conjugium antiquum, quod prodidit, oro, • 
Nee pulcbro ut Latio careat, regnumque relinquat : 
Tempus inane peto, requiem spatiumque furori, 
Dum mea me victam doceat fortuna dolere. 
Extremam banc oro veniam, — miserere sororis ; 
Quam mibi quum dederis, cumulatam morte remittam. 

TaHbus orabat ; talesque miserrima fletus 
Fertque refertque soror. Sed nullis ille movetur 
Fletibus, aut voces ullas tractabilis audit ; 
Fata obstant, placidasque viri deus obstruit aures. 
Ac velut annoso validam quum robore quercum 
Alpini borese nunc hinc nunc flatibus ilHnc 
Eruere inter se certant ; it stridor, et alte 



iENEIDOS LIB. lY. 183 

Consternunt terrain concusso stipite frondes : 
Ipsa hseret scopulis, et, quantum vertice ad auras 
iEtherias, tantum radice in Tartara tendit : 
Hand secus assiduis hinc atque hinc vocibus heros 
Tunditur, et magno persentit pectore curas : 
Mens immota manet ; lacrimse volvuntur inanes. 

Turn vero infelix fatis exterrita Dido 
Mortem orat ; tsedet coeli convexa tueri. 
Quo magis inceptum peragat, lucemque relinquat, 
Yidit, thuricremis quum dona imponeret aris, 
Horrendum dictu, latices nigrescere sacros, 
Fusaque in obscenum se vertere vina cruorem. 
Hoc visum nuUi, non ipsi efFata sorori. 
Praeterea fuit in tectis de marmore templum 
Conjugis antiqui, miro quod honore colebat, 
Velleribus niveis et festa fronde revinetum : 
Hinc exaudiri voces et verba vocantis 
Visa viri, nox quum terras obscura teneret : 
Solaque culminibus ferali carmine bubo 
Ssepe queri, et longas in fletum ducere voces. 
Multaque praeterea vatum praedicta piorum 
Terribili monitu liorrificant. Agit ipse furentem 
In somnis ferus iEneas ; semperque relinqui 
Sola sibi, semper longam incomitata videtur 
Ire viam, et Tjrios deserta quaerere terra. 
Eumenidum veluti demens videt agmina Pentheus, 
Et solem geminum, et duplices se ostendere Thebas ; 
Aut Agamemnonius scenis agitatus Orestes, 
Armatam facibus matrem et serpentibus atris 
Quum fugit, ultricesque sedent in limine Dirae. 

Ergo ubi concepit Furias, evicta dolore, 
Decrevitque mori, tempus secum ipsa modumque 
Exigit, et maestam dictis aggressa sororem 
Consilium vultu tegit, ac spem fronte serenat : 
" Inveni, germana, viam — gratare sorori — 
Quas mihi reddat eum, vel eo me solvat amantem. 
Oceani finem juxta solemque cadentem 
Ultimus -^thiopum locus est, ubi maximus Atlas 
Axem humero torquet stellis ardentibus aptum : 
Hinc mihi Massy lae gentis mon strata sacerdos, 
Hesperidum templi custos, epulasque draconi 
Quae dabat, et sacros servabat in arbore ramos, 
Spargens bumida mella soporiferumque papaver. 
Haec se carminibus promittit solvere mentes, 
Quas velit : ast aliis duras immittere curas ; 
Sistere aquam fluviis, et vertere sidera retro ; 



184 



p. VIEQILII MAEONIS 



Nocturnosque ciet manes ; mugire videbis 

Sub pedibus terram, et descendere montibus ornos. 

Testor, cara, deos, et te, germana, tuumque 

Dulce caput, magicas invitam accingier artes. 

Tu secreta pyram teeto interiore sub auras 

Erige ; et arma viri, tlialamo quae fixa reliquit 

Impius, exuviasque omnes, lectumque jugalem. 

Quo peril, superimponas. Abolere nefandi 

Cuncta viri monumenta jubet monstratque sacerdos.' 

Hsec effata silet ; pallor simul oecupat ora. 

Non tamen Anna no vis praetexere funera sacris 

Germanam credit, nee tantos mente furores 

Concipit, aut graviora timet, quam morte Sychaei. 

Ergo jussa parat. 

At regina, pyra penetrali in sede sub auras 
Erecta ingenti taedis atque ilice secta, 
Intenditque locum sertis, et fronde coronat 
Funerea ; super exuvias ensemque relictum 
Effigiemque toro locat, baud ignara futuri. 
Stant arse circum, et crines effusa sacerdos 
Ter centum tonat ore deos, Erebumque, Cliaosque, 




Tergeminamque Hecaten, tria virginis ora Dianse. 
Sparserat et latices simulates fontis Averni ; 
Ealcibus et messse ad lunam quaeruntur alienis 
Pubentes herbae, nigri cum lacte veneni ; 
Quaeritur et nascentis equi de fronte revulsus 
Et matri praereptus amor. 
Ipsa mola manibusque piis altaria juxta, 



JEKEIDOS LIB. lY. 185 

Unum exuta pedem viiiclis, in veste recincta, 
Testatur moritura deos, et couscia fati 
Sidera ; turn, si quod non sequo foedere amantes 
Curae numen habet justumque memorque, precatur. 

Nox erat, et placidum carpebant fessa soporem 
Corpora per terras, silvseque et sseva quierant 
-^quora ; quum medio volvuntur sidera lapsu, 
Quum tacet omnis agar, pecudes, pictaeqne volucres, 
Quaeque lacus late liquidos, quasque aspera dumis 
E-ura tenent, somno positae sub nocte silenti : 
[Lenibant curas, et corda oblita laborura.] 
At non infelix animi Phoenissa, neque unquam 
Solvitur in sonmos, oculisve aut pectore noctem 
Accipit. Ingeminant cui-as ; rui^susque resui^gens 
Saevit amor, magnoque ii'arum fluctiiat agstu. 
Sic adeo insistit, secumque ita corde volutat : 
" En, quid ago ? rursusne procos irrisa priores 
Experiar ? Nomadumque petam connubia supplex, 
Quos ego sim toties jam dedignata maritos ? 
Iliacas igitur classes atque ultima Teucrum 
Jussa sequar ? quiane auxilio juvat ante levatos, 
Aut bene apud memores veteris stat gratia facti ? 
Quis me autem, fac velle, sinet ? ratibusve superbis 
Invisam accipiet ? nescis, lieu perdita ! necdum 
Laomedonteae sentis perjuria gentis ? 
Quid tum ? sola fuga nautas comitabor ovantes ? 
An Tyriis omnique manu stipata meorum 
Inferar ? et, quos Sidonia vix urbe revelli, 
Hm^sus agam pelago, et ventis dare vela jubebo ? 
Quin morere, ut merita es, ferroque averte dolorem. 
Tu lacrimis evicta meis, tu prima furentem 
His, germana, malis oneras, atque objicis hosti. 
Non licuit thalami expertem sine crimine vitam 
Degere, more ferae, tales nee tangere curas ! 
Non servata fides, cineri promissa Sycbaeo !" 
Tantos ilia suo rumpebat pectore questus. 

iEneas celsa in puppi, jam certus eundi, 
Carpebat somnos, rebus jam rite paratis. 
Huic se forma dei vultu redeuntis eodem 
Obtulit in somnis, rursusque ita visa monere est, 
Omnia Mercurio similis, vocemque coloremque 
Et crines flavos, et membra decora juventse : 
" Nate dea, potes hoc sub casu ducere somnos ? 
Nee, quae te circum stent deinde pericula, cernis ? 
Demens ! nee zepliyros audis spirare secundos ? 
lUa dolos dirumque nefas in pectore versat, 



186 



p. VIEGILII MAEOiriS 



Certa mori, varioque irarum fluctuat sestu. 
Non fugis hinc preeceps, dum prsecipitare potestas r 
Jam mare tm'bari trabibus, seevasque videbis 
Collucere faces, jam fervere litora flammis, 
Si te bis attigerit terris Am'ora morantem. 
Eia age, rumpe moras. Yarium et mutabile semper 
Femina." Sic fatus nocti se immiscuit atree. 
Tum vero ^neas subitis exterritus nmbris 
Conipit e somno coi-pus, sociosque fatigat : 
" Prsecipites vigilate, viri, et considite transtris : 
Solvite vela citi. Deus setbere missus ab alto, 
Festinare fagam, tortosque iiicidere funes, 
Ecce iterum stimnlat. Sequimm^ te, sancte deormii, 
Quisquis es, imperioque iterum paremus ovantes. 
Adsis 0, placidusque juves, et sidera coelo 
Dextra feras." Dixit ; vaginaque eripit ensem 
Fulmineum, strictoque ferit retinacula ferro. 
Idem omnis simul ardor babet ; rapiuntque ruuntque 
Litora deseruere ; latet sub classibus eequor ; 
Annixi torquent spumas, et c^rula verrunt. 




Et jam prima novo spargebat lumine terras 
Titboni croceum linquens Aurora cubile. 
Regina e speculis ut primimi albescere lucem 
Vidit, et sequatis classem procedere velis, 
Litoraque et vacuos sensit sine remige portus, 
Terque quaterque manu pectus percussa decorum, 
Flaventesque abscissa comas, " Pro Jupiter ! ibit 
Hie," ait, " et nostris illuserit advena regnis ? 
Non arma expedient, totaque ex m'be sequentui*, 
Deripientque rates alii navalibus ? Ite, 



^XEIDOS LIB. IT. 



18^ 



Ferte citi flammas, date vela, impellite remos. 

Quid loquor r aut ubi sum ? Quae mentem insania niutat ? 

InfeKx Dido ! nunc te facta impia tangunt ? 

Turn decuit, quum sceptra dabas. En dextra tidesque, 

Quern secum patrios aiunt portare penates ! 

Quern subiisse liumeris confectum setate parentem ! 

Xon potui abreptum .divellere corpus, et undis 

Spai'gere ? non socios, non ipsum absumere ferro 

Ascanium, patriisque epulandum ponere niensis ? 

Yerum anceps pugnse fuerat foi-tuna. — Fuisset ; 

Quern metui moritura ? Faces in castra tulissem, 

Implessenique foros flamniis, natumc[ue patremque 

Cum genere exstiuxem, memet super ipsa dedissem. 

Sol, qui terrarum flammis opera omnia lustras, 

Tuque bai'um intei-pres curarum et conscia Juno, 

Xoctm-nisque Hecate triviis ululata per urbes, 

Et Dii'se ultrices, et di moiientis Elissas, 

Accipite base, meritumque malis advertite numen, 

Et nosti'as audit e preces. Si tangere portus 

Infandum caput ac terris adnare necesse est, 

Et sic fata Jovis poscunt, bic terminus bseret : 

At bello audacis populi vexatus et armis, 

Finibus extorris, complexu avulsus luli, 

Auxilium imploret, videatque indigna suorum 

Funera ; nee, quum se sub leges pacis iniquae 

Tradiderit, regno aut optata luce fruatm-, 

Sed cadat ante diem mediaque inbumatus arena. 

Haec precor ; banc vocem extremam cum sanguine fmido. 

Turn Yos, Tjrii, stii-pem et genus omne futm-um 



dt^^^'' 




188 p. viEGiLii maeo:n^is 

Exercete odiis ; cinerique hsec mittite nostro 
Munera. Nullus amor populis, nee foedera sunto, 
Exoriare aliquis nostris ex ossibus ultor, 
Qui face Dardanios ferroque sequare colonos, 
Nunc, olim, quocumque dabunt se tempore vires. 
Litora litoribus contraria, fiuctibus undas 
Imprecor, arma armis ; pugnent ipsique nepotesque." 

Hsec ait, et partes animum versabat in omnes, 
Invisam quserens quam primum abrumpere lucem. 
Turn breviter Barcen nutricem affata Sychsei ; 
Namque suam patria antiqua cinis ater habebat : 
" Annam cara mihi nutrix hue siste sororem ; 
Die, corpus properet fluviali spargere lympha, 
Et pecudes secum et monstrata piacula ducat : 
Sic veniat ; tuque ipsa pia tege tempora vitta. 
Sacra Jovi Stygio, quae rite ineepta paravi, 
Perficere est animus, finemque imponere curis ; 
Dardaniique rogum capitis permittere flammae." 
Sic ait. Ilia gradum studio celerabat anili. 
At trepida et eoeptis immanibus effera Dido, 
Sanguineam volvens aciem, maculisque trementes 
Interfusa genas, et pallida morte futura, 
Interiora domus irrumpit limina, et altos 
Conscendit foribunda rogos, ensemque recludit 
Dardanium, non bos quaesitum munus in usus. 
Hie postquam Iliacas vestes notmnque eubile 
Conspexit, paulum laerimis et mente morata, 
Incubuitque toro, dixitque novissima verba : 
" Dulces exuviae, dum fata deusque sinebant, 
Accipite banc animam, meque bis exsolvite curis. 
Vixi, et, quern dederat cm'sum fortuna, peregi ; 
Et nunc magna mei sub terras ibit imago. 
Urbem prseclaram statui ; mea moenia vidi ; 
Ulta vii'um, poenas inimico a fratre recepi : 
'Felix, beu nimium felix, si litora tantum 
Nunquam Dardaniae tetigissent nostra carinae !" 
Dixit : et os impressa toro, " Moriemur inultae ! 
Sed moriamur !" ait. " Sic, sic juvat ire sub umbras. 
Hamiat bunc oculis ignem crudelis ab alto 
Dardanus, et nostras secum ferat omina mortis." 

Dixerat : atque illam media inter talia ferro 
CoUapsam aspiciunt comites, ensemque cruore 
Spumantem, sparsasque manus. It clamor ad alta 
Atria ; concussam baccbatm- fama per urbem. 
Lamentis, gemituque, et femineo ululatu 
Tecta fremunt ; resoiiat magnis plangoribus aetber : 



jai^EIDOS LIB. lY. 189 

Non aliter quam si immissis mat hostibus omnis 
Carthago, aut antiqua Tyros ; flammseque fiirentes 
Culmina perque hominum volvantur perque deorum. 




Audiit exanimis, trepidoque exterrita cursu, 
Unguibiis ora soror foedans et pectora pugnis, 
Per medios ruit, ac morientem nomine clamat : 
" Hoe illud, germana, fait ? me fraude petebas ? 
Hoc rogus iste mihi, hoc ignes arseque parabant ? 
Quid primmnt deserta querar ? comitemne sororem 
Sprevisti moriens ? Eadem me ad fata vocasses : 
Idem ambas ferro dolor, atque eadem hora tulisset. 
His etiam struxi manibus, patriosque vocavi 
Yoce deos, sic te ut posita crudelis abessem ? 
Exstinxti me teque, soror, populmnque, patresque 
Sidonios, nrbemque tuam. Date, vulnera lymphis 
Abhiam, et, extremus si quis super hahtus errat, 
Ore legam." Sic fata gradus evaserat altos, 
Semianimemque sinu germanam amplexa fovebat 
Cum gemitu, atque atros siccabat veste cruores. 
lUa, graves oculos conata attollere, rursus 
Deficit ; infixum stridit sub pectore vulnus. 
Ter sese attoUens cubitoque annixa levavit : 
Ter revoluta toro est, oculisque errantibus alto 
Qusesivit coelo lucem, ingemuitque reperta. 

Turn Juno omnipotens, longum miserata dolorem 
Difficilesque obitus, Irim demisit Olympo, 
Quse luctantem animam nexosque resolveret artus. 
Nam, quia nee fato merita nee morte peribat, 
Sed misera ante diem, subitoque accensa furore, 
Nondum illi flavum Proserpina vertice crinem 
Abstulerat, Stygioque caput damnaverat Oreo. 
Ergo Iris croceis per coelum roscida pennis, 



190 



p. YIRGILII MAEOjS'IS. 



Mille trahens varios adverse sole colores, 
Devolat, et supra caput adstitit : " Hunc ego Diti 
Sacrum jussa fero, teque isto corpore solvo." 
Sic ait, et dextra crinem secat. Omnis et una 
Dilapsus calor, atque in ventos vita recessit. 




p. VIEGILII MAEONIS 

^ N E I D S 

LIBEE QUINTUS. 



'\/&m 










Inteeea medium ^neas jam classe tenebat 
Certus iter, fluetusque atros aquilone seeabat, 
Moenia respiciens, quae jam infelicis Elissae 
Collucent flammis. Quae tantum accenderit ignem, 
Causa latet ; dmi magno sed amore dolores 
Polluto, notumque, furens quid femiua possit, 
Ti'iste per augmium Teucrormii pectora ducunt. 
TJt pelagus tenuere rates, nee jam ampKus ulla 
Occm'rit tellus, maria undique et undique coelum : 
Olli caeruleus supra caput adstitit imber, 
Noctem liiememque ferens ; et inborruit unda tenebris. 
Ipse gubernator puppi Palinm-us ab alta : 
" Heu ! quianam tanti cinxerunt setbera nimbi ? 
Quidve, pater ISTeptune, paras ?" Sic deinde locutus 
Colligere arma jubet, validisque incumbere remis, 
Obliquatque sums in ventum, ac talia fatur : 
" Magnanime ^nea, non, si mibi Jupiter auctor 
Spondeat, hoc sperem Italiam contingere coelo. 
Mutati transversa fremunt et vespere ab atro 
Consm-gunt venti, atque in nubem cogitur aer. 

o 



194 p. YIEGILII MAEONIS 

Nec nos obniti contra, nee tendere tantum 
Sufficimus. Superat quoniam fortuna, sequamur, 
Quoque vocat, vertamus iter. Nee litora longe 
Fida reor fraterna Eryeis portusque Sicanos, 
Si modo rite memor servata remetior astra," 
Turn pius ^Eneas : " Equidem sic poscere ventos 
Jamdudum, et frustra cerno te tendere contra. 
Electe viam velis. An sit mihi gratior uUa, 
Quove magis fessas optem demittere naves, 
Quam quae Dardaninm tellus mihi servat Acesten, 
Et patris Anchisse gremio complectitur ossa?" 
Hsec ubi dicta, petunt port us, et vela secundi 
Intendunt zephyri ; fertur cita gui'gite classis, 
Et tandem Iseti notse advertuntur arense. 

At procul excelso miratus vertice montis 
Adventum sociasque rates occiu'rit Acestes, 
Horridus in jaculis et pelle Libystidis ursse ; 
Troja Crimiso conceptum flumine mater 
Quem genuit. Veterum non immemor ille parent um 
Gratatur reduces, et gaza lastus agresti 
Excipit, ac fessos opibus solatm* amicis. 
Postera quum primo stellas oriente fugarat 
Clara dies, socios in coetum litore ab omni 
Advocat ^neas, tumulique ex aggere fatur : 

" Dardanidse magni, genus alto a sanguine divum, 
Annuus exactis completm' mensibus orbis, 
Ex quo reliquias divinique ossa parentis 
Condidimus terra, msestasque sacravimus aras. 
Jamque dies, ni fallor, adest, quem semper acerbum, 
Semper honoratum (sic di voluistis), habebo. 
Hunc ego, Gsetulis agerem si Syrtibus exsul, 
Argolicove mari deprensus, et urbe Mycense, 
Annua vota tamen solemnesque ordine pompas 
Exsequerer, strueremque suis altaria donis. 
Nunc ultro ad cineres ipsius et ossa parentis, 
Hand equidem sine mente reor, sine numine divum, 
Adsumus, et portus delati intramus amicos. 
Ergo agite, et laetum cuncti celebremus bonorem ; 
Poscamus ventos ; atque baec me sacra quotannis 
Urbe velit posita templis sibi ferre dicatis. 
Bin a boum vobis Troja generatus Acestes 
Dat numero capita in naves ; adbibete penates 
Et patrios epulis, et quos colit bospes Acestes. 
Prseterea, si non a diem mortalibus almum 
Aurora extulerit radiisque retexerit orbem. 
Prima citse Teucris ponam certamina classis ; 



^NEIDOS LIB. V. 195 

Quique pedum cursu valet, et qui viribus audax 
Aut jaculo incedit melior levibusque sagittis, 
Seu crudo fidit pugnam committere cestu ; 
Cuncti adsint, meritasque exspectent prsemia palmse. 
Ore favete omnes, et tempora cingite ramis." 

Sic fatus, velat materna tempora m-ji-to. 
Hoc Heljmus facit, hoc Eevi maturus Acestes, 
Hoc puer Ascanius, sequitur quos cetera pubes. 
nie e concilio multis cum millibus ibat 
Ad tumulum, magna medius comitante caterva. 
Hie duo rite mero libans carchesia Baccho 
Fundit humi, duo lacte novo, duo sanguine sacro ; 
Purpm-eosque jacit flores, ac talia fatur : 
" Salve, sancte parens, iterum ; salvete recepti 
Nequidquam cineres, animseque umbrseque paternae. 
Non licuit fines Italos fataliaque arva, 
Nee tecum Ausonium, quicumque est, quaerere Thy brim." 



Dixerat hsec ; adytis quum lubricus anguis ab imis 
Septem ingens gyros, septena volumina traxit, 
Amplexus placide tumulum, lapsusque per aras ; 
Cseruleae cui terga notse, maculosus et am'o 
Squamam incendebat fulgor : ceu nubibus arcus 
Mille jacit varies adverso sole colores. 
Obstupuit visu JEneas : ille agmine longo 
Tandem inter pateras et levia pocula serpens 
Libavitque dapes, rursusque innoxius imo 
Successit tumulo, et depasta altaria liquit. 
Hoc magis inceptos genitori instaurat honores, 
Incertus, Greniumne loci famulumne parentis 



196 p. yiEaiLii maeonis 

Esse putet : caedit binas de more bidentes, 
Totque sues, totidem nigrantes terga juvencos ; 
Yinaque fundebat pateris, animamque vocabat 
Ancbisae magni manesque Acberonte remissos. 
Nee non et socii, qu« cuique est copia, Iseti 
Dona ferimt, onerant aras, mactantque juvencos : 
Ordine abena locant abi, fusique per berbam 
Subjiciunt veribus prunas, et viscera torrent. 

Exspectata dies aderat, nonamque serena 
Auroram Pbaetbontis equi jam luce vebebant ; 
Famaque finitimos et clari nomen Acestas 
Excierat : Iseto complerant btora coetu, 
Visuri ^neadas, pars et certare parati. 
Munera principio ante oculos circoque locantur 
In medio, sacri tripodes, viridesque coronse, 
Et palmse, pretium victoribus, armaque, et ostro 
Perfus£e vestes, argenti aurique talentum : 
Et tuba commissos medio canit aggere ludos. 
Prima pares ineunt gravibus certamina remis 
Quatuor ex omni delectas classe carinas : 
Velocem Mnestheus agit acri remige Pristin ; 
Mox Italus Mnestbeus, genus a quo nomine Memmi ; 
Ingentemque Gyas ingenti mole Cbimseram, 
Urbis opus, tripHci pubes quam Dardana versu 
Impellunt, terno consurgunt ordine remi ; 
Sergestusque, domus tenet a quo Sergia nomen, 
Centam'o invebitm' magna ; Scyllaque Cloantbus 
Cserulea, genus unde tibi, Romane Cluenti. 

Est procul in pelago saxum spumantia contra 
Litora, quod tumidis submersum tunditur obm 
Fluctibus, biberni condunt ubi sidera Cori ; 
Tranquillo silet, immotaque attollitiu* unda 
Campus, et apricis statio gratissima mergis. 
Hie vii'idem iEneas frondenti ex ibce metam 
Constituit signum nautis pater, unde reverti 
Scii'ent, et longos ubi circumflectere cursus. 
Tum loca sorte legunt, ipsique in puppibus am'o 
Ductores longe effulgent ostroque decori ; 
Cetera populea velatur fronde juventus, 
Nudatosque bumeros oleo perfusa nitescit. 
Considunt transtris, intentaque bracbia remis : 
Intenti exspectant signum, exsultantiaque baurit 
Corda pavor pulsans, laudumque arrecta cupido. 
Inde ubi clara dedit sonitum tuba, finibus omnes, 
Hand mora, prosiluere suis : ferit aetbera clamor 
Nauticus ; adductis spumant fret a versa lacertis. 



iEKEIDOS LIB. T. 



197 



Infindunt paiiter sulcos, totumque dehiscit 

Convulsum remis rostrisque tridentibus sequor. 

Non tain prsecipites bijugo cert amine campum 

Corripuere ruuntqne effusi carcere currus ; 

Nee sic immissis aurigse nndantia lora 

Concussere jugis, pronique in verbera pendent. 

Turn plausu fremituque virum studiisque faventum 

Consonat omne nemus, vocemque inclusa volutant 

Litora ; pulsati colles clamore resultant. 

Effiigit ante alios, primisque elabitur undis 

Turbam inter fremitumque Gyas ; quern deinde Cloantbus 

Consequitur, melior remis ; sed pondere pinus 

Tarda tenet. Post hos aequo discrimine Pristis 

Centaurusque locum tendunt superare priorem ; 

Et nunc Pristis babet, nunc victam prseterit ingens 

Centaurus ; nunc una ambse junctisque feruntur 

Frontibus, et longa sulcant vada salsa carina. 

Jamque propinquabant scopulo, metamque tenebant : 





Cum princeps medioque Gyas in gurgite yictor 

Rectorem navis compellat yoce Menceten : 

" Quo tantum mibi dexter abis ? hue dirige gressum ; 

Litus ama, et laeyas stringat sine palmula cautes ; 

Altimi alii teneant." Dixit, Sed cseca Menoetes 

Saxa timens proram peiagi detorquet ad undas. 

" Quo diyersus abis ?" iterum : " pete saxa, Menoete," 

Cum clamore Gyas reyocabat ; et ecce Cloantbum 

Bespicit instant em tergo et propiora tenentem. 

nie inter navemque Gyse scopulosque sonantes 

Radit iter leeyum interior, subitoque priorem 

Prseterit, et metis tenet sequora tuta reKctis. 

Turn yero exai'sit juyeni dolor ossibus ingens ; 

Nee lacrimis caruere gense ; segnemque Menceten, 

Oblitus decorisqae sui sociumque salutis, 



198 p. YIEGILII MAEONIS 

In mare prsecipitem puppi deturbat ab alta : 

Ipse gubernaclo rector subit, ipse magister, 

Hortaturque viros, clavumque ad Jitora torquet. 

At gravis, ut fundo vix tandem redditus imo est 

Jam senior, madidaque fluens in veste, Mencetes, 

Summa petit scopuli, siccaque in rupe resedit. 

Illimi et labentem Teucri et risere natantem ; 

[Et salsos rident revomentem pectore fluctus.] 

Hie Iseta extremis spes est accensa duobus, 

Sergesto Mnestheique, G-yan superare morantem. 

Sergestus capit ante locum, scopuloque propinquat ; 

Nee tota tamen ille prior prseeunte carina ; 

Parte prior ; partem rostro premit semula Pristis. 

At media socios incedens nave per ipsos 

Hortatur Mnestbeus : " Nunc, nunc insurgite remis, 

Hectorei socii, Trojse quos sorte suprema 

Delegi comites ; nunc illas promite vires, 

Nim.c animos, quibus in Gsetulis Syrtibus usi, 

lonioque mari, Maleseque sequacibus undis. 

Non jam prima peto Mnestbeus, neque vincere certo ; 

Quamquam o ! sed superent, quibus hoc, Neptune, dedisti ; 

Extremes pudeat rediisse : hoc vincite, cives, 

Et probibete nefas." Olli certamine summo 

Procumbunt : vastis tremit ictibus serea puppis, 

Subtrabiturque solum ; turn creber anbelitus artus 

Aridaque ora qua tit ; sudor fluit undique rivis. 

Attubt ipse vu-is optatum casus bonorem. 

Namque furens animi, dum proram ad saxa suburget 

Interior, spatioque subit Sergestus iniquo ; 

Infelix saxis in procmTentibus boBsit. 

Concuss3e cautes, et acuto in murice remi 

Obnixi crepuere, ilbsaque prora pependit. 

Consurgunt nautse, et magno clamore morantur : 

Ferratasque trudes et acuta cuspide contos 

Expediunt, fractosque legunt in gurgite remos. 

At lastus Mnestbeus, successuque acrior ipso, 

Agmine remorum celeri, ventisque vocatis, 

Prona petit maria, et pelago decurrit aperto. 

QuaHs spelunca subito commota columba, 

Cui domus et dulces latebroso in pumice nidi, 

Eertur in arva volans, plausumque exterrita pennis 

Dat tecto ingentem ; mox aere lapsa quieto 

Eadit iter liquidum, celeres neque commovet alas : 

Sic Mnestbeus, sic ipsa fuga secat ultima Pristis 

iEquora, sic illam fert impetus ipse volantem. 

Et primum in scopulo luctantem deserit alto 



JSNEIDOS LIB. Y. 199 

Sergestum brevibusque vadis, frustraque vocautem 
Auxilia, et fractis discentem currere remis. 
Inde G-yan ipsamque ingenti mole Chim^ram 
Consequitur ; cedit, quoniam spoliata magistro est. 
Solus jam que ipso superest in fine Cloanthus, 
Quem petit, et summis adnixus viribus urget. 
Turn vero iugeminat clamor, cunctique sequentem 
Instigant studiis, resonatque fragoribus aether. 
Hi proprium decus et partum indignantur honorem 
Ni teneant, vitamque volunt pro laude paeisci ; 
Hos successus alit : possunt, quia posse videntur. 
Et fors sequatis cepissent prsemia rostris, 
Ni palmas ponto tendens utrasque Cloanthus 
Fudissetque preees, divosque in vota vocasset : 
" Di, quibus imperium est pelagi, quorum sequora cmTO, 
Vobis lastus ego hoc candentem in litore tam-um 
Constituam ante aras, voti reus, extaque salsos 
Porriciam in fluctus, et vina liquentia fundam." 
Dixit, eumque imis sub fluctibus audiit omnis 
Nereidum Phorcique chorus, Panopeaque vu-go ; 




Et pater ipse manu magna Portunus euntem 
Impulit. Ilia noto citius volucrique sagitta 
Ad terram fugit, et portu se condidit alto. 
Tum satus Anchisa, cunctis ex more Tocatis, 
Victorem magna pragconis voce Cloanthum 
Declarat, viridique advelat tempora lam-o ; 
Muneraque in naves ternos optare juvencos 
Vinaque, et argenti magnum dat ferre talentum. 
Ipsis prsecipuos ductoribus addit honores : 
Yictori chlamjdem am-atam, quam plurima circum 
Purpura Mseandro dupKci Meliboea cucm-rit ; 
Intextusque puer frondosa regius Ida 
Yeloces jaculo cervos cursuque fatigat 
Acer, anhelanti similis, quem preepes ab Ida 
Sublimem pedibus rapuit Jo vis armiger uncis. 
Longaevi palmas nequidquam ad sidera tendunt 
Custodes ; saevitque canum latratus in am-as. 
At qui deinde locum tenuit vii'tute secundum, 



200 p. YIEGILII MAEONIS 

Levibus liuic hamis consertam auroque trilicem 
Loricam, quam Demoleo detraxerat ipse 
Victor apucl rapidum Simoenta sub Ilio alto, 
Donat habere viro, decus et tutamen in armis. 
Vix illam famuli Phegeus Sagarisque ferebant 
Multiplicem, connixi humeris ; indutus at olim 
Demoleos cursu palantes Troas agebat. 
Tertia dona facit geminos ex sere lebetas, 
Cymbiaque argento perfecta atque aspera signis. 
Jamque adeo donati omnes, opibusque super bi, 
Puniceis ibant evincti tempora tseniis : 
Quum ssevo e seopulo mult a vix arte revulsus, 
Amissis remis, atque ordine debilis uno, 
Irrisam sine honore ratem Sergestus agebat. 
Qualis ssepe vise deprensus in aggere serpens, 
Mrea, quem obliquum rota transiit, aut gravis ietu 
Seminecem liquit saxo lacerumque viator ; 
Nequidquam longos fugiens dat corpore tortus, 
Parte ferox, ardensque oculis, et sibila colla 
Arduus attollens ; pars vulnere clauda retentat 
Nexantem nodis, seque in sua membra plicantem. 
Tali remigio navis se tarda movebat ; 
Vela facit tamen, et velis subit ostia plenis. 
Sergestum JGneas promisso munere donat, 
Servatam ob navem Isetus sociosque reductos. 
Olli serva datur, operum baud ignara Minervse, 
Cressa genus, Plioloe, geminique sub ubere nati. 

Hoc pius ^Eneas misso certamine tendit 
Gramineum in campum, quem collibus undique eurvis 
Cingebant silvse ; mediaque in valle theatri 
Circus erat, quo se multis cum millibus heros 
Consessu medium tulit exstructoque resedit. 
Hie, qui forte velint rapido contendere cursu. 




Invitat pretiis animos, et prsemia ponit. 
Undique conveniunt Teucri mixtique Sicani 
Nisus et Euryalus primi : 
Euryalus forma insignis viridique juventa, 



^NEIDOS LIB. Y. 



201 




Nisus amore pio pueri ; quos deinde secutus 

Eegius egregia Priami de stirpe Diores ; 

Hunc Salius simul et Patron : quorum alter Acarnan, 

Alter ab Arcadio Tegesese sanguine gentis ; 

Turn duo Trinacrii juvenes, Helymus Panopesque, 

Assueti silvis, comites senioris Acestse ; 

Multi prseterea, quos fama obscui-a recondit. 

iEneas quibus in mediis sic deinde locutus : 

" Accipite h^c animis, lastasque advertite mentes. 

JSTemo ex hoc numero mihi non donatus abibit. 

Gnosia bina dabo levato lucida ferro 

Spicula, cselatamque argento ferre bipennem : 

Omnibus bic erit unus honos. Tres praemia primi 

Accipient, flavaque caput nectentur oliva : 

Primus equum phaleris insignem victor babeto ; 

Alter Amazoniam pharetram plenamque sagittis 

Threiciis, lato quam circumplectitur am'o 

Balteus, et tereti subnectit fibula gemma ; 

Tertius Ai'golica bac galea contentus abito." 

Usee ubi dicta, locum capiunt, signoque repente 

Corripiunt spatia audito, limenque relinquunt, 

Effiisi nimbo similes ; simul ultima signant. 

Primus abit, longeque ante omnia corpora Nisus 

Emicat, et ventis et fulminis ocior alis. 

Proximus buic, longo sed proximus intervallo, 

Insequitur Salius ; spatio post deinde relicto 

Tertius Emyalus : 

Euryalumque Helymus sequitur ; quo deinde sub ipso 

Ecce volat, calcemque terit jam calce Diores, 

Incumbens humero ; spatia et si plura supersint, 



202 



p. YIEGILII MAEO?H-IS 



Transeat elapsus prior, ambiguumve relinquat. 
Jamque fere spatio extrenio, fessique, sub ipsam 
Finem adventabant : levi cum sanguine Nisus 
Labitur infelix, csesis ut forte juvencis 
Fusus humum viridesque super madefecerat berbas. 
Hie juvenis jam victor ovans vestigia presso 
Haud tenuit titubata solo ; sed pronus in ipso 
Concidit immuiidoque fimo sacroque cruore. 
Kon tamen Euryali, non ille oblitus amorum : 
Nam sese opposuit Salio per lubrica sui'gens ; 
Ille autem spissa jacuit revolutus arena. 
Emicat Emyalus, et munere victor amici 
Prima tenet, plausuque volat fremituque secundo. 
Post Helynius subit, et nunc tertia palma Diores. 
Hie totum cavese consessum ingentis, et ora 
Prima patrum, magnis Salius clamoribus implet, 
Ereptumque dolo reddi sibi poscit bonorem. 
Tutatm' favor Emyalum, lacrimseque decorce, 
Gratior et pulcbro veniens in corpore virtus. 
Adjuvat, et magna proclamat voce Diores, 
Qui subiit palmce, frustraque ad preemia venit 
Ultima, si primi Salio redduntm* lionores. 




Tum pater ^neas, " Vestra," inquit, "munera vobis 

Certa manent, pueri ; et palmam movet ordine nemo 

Me liceat casus miserari insontis amici." 

Sic fatus, tergum Gsetuli immane leonis 

Dat Salio, viUis onerosum atque unguibus aureis. 

Hie Nisus, " Si tanta," inquit, " sunt prsemia victis, 

Et te lapsorum miseret : quae munera Xiso 



^KEIDOS LIB. T. 203 

Digna dabis ? primam merui qui laude coronam, 
Ni me, quse Salium, fortuna inimica tulisset :" 
Et simul his dictis faciem ostentabat, et udo 
Turpia membra iimo. Eisit pater optimus olli, 
Et clipemn efferri jussit, Didjmaonis artes, 
Nepturd sacro Danais de poste refixum. 
Hoc juvenem egregium praestanti munere donat. 

Post, ubi eonfecti cursus, et dona peregit : 
" Nunc, si cui virtus animusque in pectore prsesens 
Adsit, et evinctis attoUat brachia palmis." 
Sic ait, et geminum pugnse proponit honorem : 
Victori velatum auro vittisque juvencum ; 
Ensem at que insignem galeam, solatia victo. 
Nee mora ; continuo vastis cum \di'ibus effert 
Ora Dares, magnoque vii'um se nuu-mm-e tollit ; 
Solus qui Paridem solitus contendere contra, 
Idemque ad tumulum, quo maximus occubat Hector, 
Yictorem Buten immani corpore, qui se 
Bebrycia veniens Amyci de gente ferebat, 
Perculit, et fulva moribundum extendit arena. 
Talis prima Dares caput altum in proelia tollit, 
Ostenditque bumeros latos, alternaque jactat 
BracMa protendens, et verberat ictibus auras. 
Quseritur huic alius : nee quisquam ex agmine tanto 
Audet adire virum, manibusque inducere cestus. 
Ergo alacris, cunctosque putans excedere palma, 
-^nese stetit ante pedes ; nee plm-a moratus, 
Tum Iseva tam-um cornu tenet, atque ita fatur : 
" Nate dea, si nemo audet se credere pugn^, 
Quae finis standi ? quo me decet usque teneri ? 
Ducere dona jube." Cuncti simul ore fremebant 
Dardanidse, reddique vii'o promissa jubebant. 
Hie gravis Entellum dictis castigat Acestes, 
Proximus ut viiidante toro consederat herbse : 
" Entelle, heroum quondam fortissime frustra, 
Tantane tam patiens nullo certamine tolli 
Dona sines ? ubi nunc nobis deus ille, magister 
Nequidquam memoratus, Eyj:s. ? ubi fama per omnem 
Trinacriam, et spolia ilia tuis pendentia tectis r" 
nie sub bsec : " Non laudis amor, nee gloria cessit 
Pulsa metu ; sed enim gelidus tai'dante senecta 
Sanguis hebet, frigentque effetse in corpore vires. 
Si raibi, quae quondam fuerat, quaque improbus iste 
Exsultat fidens, si nunc foret Ula juventas ; 
Hand equidem pretio inductus pulcliroque juvenco 
Veni^sem : nee dona moror." Sic deinde locutus 



204 



p. VTEGILII MAEONIS 



In medium geminos immani pondere cestus 
Projecit, quibus acer Eryx in proelia suetus 
Ferre manum, duroque intendere brachia tergo. 
Obstupuere animi : tantorum ingentia septem 
Terga bourn plumbo insuto ferroque rigebant. 
Ante omnes stupet ipse Dares, longeque recusat ; 
Magnanimusque Ancbisiades et pondus et ipsa 
Hue illuc vinclorum immensa volumina versat. 
Turn senior tales referebat pectore voces : 




" Quid, si quis cestus ipsius et Herculis arma 
Vidisset, tristemque hoc ipso in Ktore pugnam ? 
Haec germanus Eryx quondam tuus arma gerebat : 
Sanguine cernis adhuc fractoque infect a cerebro. 
His magnum Alciden contra stetit ; his ego suetus, 
Dum mehor vires sanguis dabat, semula necdum 
Temporibus geminis canebat sparsa senectus. 
Sed, si nostra Dares haec Troius arma recusat, 
Idque pio sedet iEnese, probat auctor Acestes, 
^quemus pugnas. Erycis tibi terga remitto ; 
Solve metus ; et tu Trojanos exue cestus." 
Hsec fatus duplicem ex humeris rejecifc amictum, 
Et magnos membrorum artus, magna ossa lacertosque 
Exuit, atque ingens media consistit arena. 
Tum satus Anchisa cestus pater extulit sequos, 
Et paribus palmas amborum innexuit armis. 
Constitit in digitos extemplo arrectus uterque, 
Brachiaque ad super as interritus extulit auras. 
Abduxere retro longe capita ardua ab ictu, 
Immiscentque raanus manibus, pugnamque lacessunt ; 
Hie pedum melior motu fretusque juventa, 
Hie membris et mole valens : sed tarda trementi 
Grenua labant ; vastos quatit seger anhelitus artus. 
Multa viri nequidquam inter se vulnera jactant. 



JENEIDOS LIB. Y. 



205 



Multa cavo lateri ingeminant, et pectore vastos 
Dant sonitus : erratque aures et tempora circum 
Crebra manus ; duro crepitant sub vuLiere malse. 
Stat gravis Entellus, nisuque immotus eodem 
Corpore tela modo atque oculis vigilantibus exit. 
Ille, velut celsam oppugnat qiii molibus urbem 
Aut montana sedet circum castella sub armis, 
Nunc hos, nunc illos aditus, omnemque pererrat 
Arte locum, et variis assultibus irritus m-get. 
Ostendit dextram insurgens Entellus, et aLte 
Extulit : ille ictum venientem a vertice velox 
Prsevidit, celerique elapsus corpore cessit. 
Entellus vires in ventum effudit, et ultro 
Ipse gravis graviterque ad terram pondere vasto 
Concidit : ut quondam cava concidit aut Erymantho, 
Aut Ida in magna radicibus eruta pinus. 
Consurgunt studiis Teucri et Trinacria pubes ; 
It clamor coelo ; primusque accurrit Acestes, 
^qusevumque ab humo miserans attollit amicum. 
At non tardatus casu neque territus heros 
Acrior ad pugnam redit, ac vim suscitat ira ; 
Turn pudor incendit vires et conscia virtus ; 
Prsecipitemque Daren ardens agit sequore toto, 
Nunc dextra ingeminans ictus, nunc ille sinistra. 




20G p. TIEGHLII MAEONIS 

Nec mora, nee requies. Quam multa grandine nimbi 

Culminibus crepitant : sic densis ictibus heros 

Creber utraque manu pulsat versatque Dareta. 

Turn pater ^neas procedere longius iras, 

Et ssevire animis Entellum baud passus acerbis ; 

Sed finem imposuit pugnse, fessumque Dareta 

Eripuit, mulcens dictis, ac talia fatur ; 

" Infelix, quae tanta animum dementia cepit ? 

Non vires alias conversaque numina sentis ? 

Cede deo." Dixitque et, proelia voce diremit. 

Ast ilium fidi sequales, genua segra trahentem, 

Jactantemque utroque caput, crassumque cruorem 

Ore ejectantem, mixtosque in sanguine dentes, 

Ducunt ad naves ; galeamque ensemque vocati 

Accipiunt : palmam Entello taurumque relinquunt. 

Hie victor, superans animis, tauroque superbus : 

"Nate dea, vosque hsee," inquit, "cognoscite Teueri, 

Et mihi quse fuerint juvenali in eorpore vires, 

Et qua servetis revocatum a morte Dareta." 

Dixit, et adversi contra stetit ora juvenei, 

Qui donum adstabat pugnse ; durosque reducta 

Libravit dextra media inter cornua cestus 

Arduus, effractoque illisit in ossa cerebro. 

Sternitu]', exanimisque tremens procumbit humi bos. 

Hie super tales etFundit pectore voces : 

" Hanc tibi, Eryx, meliorem animam pro morte Daretis 

Persolvo : hie victor cestus artemque repono." 




Protenus vEneas celeri certare sagitta 
Invitat, qui forte velint, et prasmia ponit ; 
Ingentique manu malum de nave Seresti 
Erigit ; et volucrem trajecto in fune columbam, 
Quo tendant ferrum, malo, suspendit ab alto. 
Convenere viri, dejectamque serea sortem 
Accepit galea ; et primus clamore seeundo 
Hyrtacidce ante omnes exit locus Hippocoontis ; 



JENEIDOS LIB. V. 207 

Quem modo navali Mnestheus certamine victor 
Consequitur, viridi Mnestheus evinctus oliva : 
Tertius Eurytion, tuus, o clarissime, frater, 
Pandare, qui quondam, jussus confundere foedus, 
In medios telum torsisti primus Achivos. 
Extremus galeaque ima subsedit Acestes, 
Ausus et ipse manu juvenum tentare laborem. 
Tum validis flexos incurvant viribus arcus 
Pro se quisque viri, et depromunt tela pharetris. 
Primaque per coelum nervo stridente sagitta 
Hyrtacid^ juvenis volucres diverberat auras ; 
Et venit, adversique infigitur arbore mali. 
Intremuit mains, timuitque exterrita pennis 
Ales, et ingenti sonuerunt omnia plausu. 
Post aeer Mnestheus aducto eonstitit arcu, 
Alta petens, pariterque oculos telumque tetendit : 
Ast ipsam miserandus avem contingere ferro 
Non valuit ; nodos et vincula linea rupit, 
Quels innexa pedem malo pendebat ab alto : 
Ilia notos atque atra volans in nubila fugit. 
Tum rapidus jumdudum arcu contenta parato 
Tela tenens, fratrem Eurytion in vota vocavit, 
Jam vacuo laetam coelo speculatus ; et alls 
Plaudentem nigra figit sub nube columbam. 
Decidit exanimis, vitamque reliquit in astris 
^theriis, fixamque refert delapsa sagittam. 
Amissa solus palma superabat Acestes : 
Qui tamen aerias telum contendit in auras, 
Ostentans artemque pater arcumque sonantem. 
Hie oculis subitum objicitur magnoque futurum 
Augurio monstrum : docuit post exitus ingens, 
Seraque terrifici cecinerunt omina vates. 
Namque volans liquidis in nubibus arsit arundo, 
Signavitque viam flammis, tenuesque recessit 
Consumta in ventos : ccelo ceu ssepe refixa 
Transcurrunt crineraque volantia sidera ducunt. 
Attonitis hsesere animis, superosque precati 
Trinacrii Teucrique viri : nee maximus omen 
Abnuit iEneas ; sed leetum amplexus Acesten 
Muneribus cumidat magnis, ac talia fatur : 
" Sume, pater ; nam te voluit rex magnus Olj^mpi 
Talibus auspiciis exsortem ducere honores. 
Ipsius Ancliisse longaevi hoc munus habebis, 
Cratera impressum signis, quem Thrasius olim 
Anchisse genitori in magno munere Cisseus 
Eerre sui dederat monumentum et pignus amoris." 



208 p. VIEGILII MAEONIS 

Sic fatus ciiigit viridanti tempora lauro, 
Et primum ante omnes victorem appellat Acesten. 
Nee bonus Eurytion prselato invidit honori ; 
Quamvis solus avem coelo dejecit ab alto. 
Proximus ingreditur donis, qui vincula rupit ; 
Extremus, volucri qui fixit arundine malum. 
At pater iEneas, nondum certamine misso, 
Custodem ad sese comitemque impubis luli 
Epytiden vocat, et fidam sic fatur ad aurem ; 
" Vade age, et Ascanio, si jam puerile paratum 
Agmen habet secum, cursusque instruxit equorum, 
Ducat avo turmas, et sese ostendat in armis, 
Die," ait. Ipse omnem longo decedere circo 
Infusum populum, et campos jubet esse patentes. 
Incedunt pueri, pariterque ante ora parentum 
Frenatis lucent in equis : quos omnis euntes 
Trinacrise mirata fremit Trojssque juventus. 
Omnibus in morem tonsa coma pressa corona : 
Cornea bina ferunt praefixo hastilia ferro. 
Pars leves humero pharetras ; it pectore summo 
Flexilis obtorti per collum circulus auri. 
Tres equitum numero turmae, ternique vagantur 
Ductores ; pueri bis seni quemque secuti 
Agmine partito fulgent, paribusque magistris. 
Una acies juvenum, ducit quam parvus ovantem 
Nomen avi referens Priamus, tua clara, Polite, 
Progenies, auctura Italos ; quern Thracius albis 
Portat equus bicolor maculis, vestigia primi 
Alba pedis frontemque ostentans arduus albam. 
Alter Atys, genus unde Atii duxere Latini, 
Parvus Atys, pueroque puer dilectus lulo. 
Extremus, formaque ante omnes pulcber, lulus 
Sidonio est invectiis equo, quem Candida Dido 
Esse sui dederat monumentum et pignus amoris : 
Cetera Trinacriis pubes senioris Acestae 
Fertur equis. 

Excipiunt plausu pavidos, gaudentque tuentes 
Dardanidas ; veterumque agnoscunt ora parentum. 
Postquam omnem laeti consessum oculosque suorum 
Lustravere in equis ; signum clamore paratis 
Epytides longe dedit, insonuitque flagello. 
Olli discurrere pares, at que agmina terni 
Diductis solvere cboris, rursusque vocati 
Convertere vias, infestaque tela tulere. 
Inde alios ineunt cursus aliosque recursus 
Adversis spatiis, alternisque orbibus orbes 



^KEIDOS LIB. V. 



209 



Impediunt, pugnaeqiie cient simulacra sub armis : 
Et nunc terga fuga nudant ; nunc spicula vertunt 
Infensi ; facta pariter nunc pace feruntar, 
Ut quondam Creta fertur Labja'inthus in alta 
Parietibus textum c^cis iter, ancipitemque 
Mille viis babuisse dolum, qua signa sequendi 
Falleret indeprensus et irremeabilis error. 
Hand alio Teucrum nati vestigia cursu 
Impediunt, texuntque fugas et proelia ludo ; 
Delpbinum similes, qui per maria bumida nando 




Carpatbium Libycumque secant [luduntque per undas.] 
Hunc morem, bos cursus, atque bsec certamina primus 
Ascanius, Longam muris quum cingeret Albam, 
Retubt, et priscos docuit celebrare Latinos, 
Quo puer ipse modo, secum quo Troia pubes. 
Albani docuere suos ; bine maxima poiTO 
Accepit Roma, et patrium servavit bonorem ; 
Trojaque nunc, pueri Trojanum dicitur agmen. 
Hac celebrata tenus sancto certamina patri. 

Hie primum fortuna fidem mutata novavit. 
Dum variis tumulo referunt solemnia ludis ; 
Irim de coelo misit Satm^nia Juno 
Iliacam ad classem, ventosque aspu'at eunti, 
Multa movens, necdum antiquum saturata dolorem. 
Ilia viam celerans per mille coloribus arcum, 
Nulb visa, cito decurrit tramite vu'go : 
Conspicit ingentem concm'sum, et litora lustrat, 
Desertosque videt portus classemque relictam. 
At procul in sola secretse Troades acta 
Amissum Anchisen flebant, cunctseque profundum 



210 p. VIEaiLII MAEOI^IS 

Pontum aspectabant flentes : " Heu, tot vada fessis, 
Et tantum superesse maris !" vox omnibus una. 
Urbem orant ; tsedet pelagi perferre laborem. 
Ergo inter medias sese baud ignara nocendi 
Conjicit, et faciemque dese vestemque reponit : 
Fit Beroe, Tmarii conjux longaeva Dorycli, 
Cui genus et quondam nomen natique fuissent ; 
Ac sic Dardanidum mediam se matribus infert : 
" miserse, quas non manus," inquit, " Acbaica bello 
Traxerit ad letum patriae sub moenibus ! o gens 
Infelix ! cui te exitio fortima reservat ? 
Septima post Trojse excidium jam vertitur sestas, 
Quum freta, quum terras omnes, tot inbospita saxa 
Sideraque emensse ferimur ; dum per mare magnum 
Itabam sequimur fugientem, et volvimur undis. 
Hie Erycis fines fraterni, atque bospes Acestes : 
Quid probibet muros jacere, et dare civibus m-bem ? 
patria, et rapti nequidquam ex boste penates, 
Nullane jam Trojse dicentur moenia ? nusquam 
Hectoreos anmes, Xantbum et Simoenta, videbo ? 
Quin agite, et mecum infaustas exurite puppes. 
Nam mibi Cassandrae per somnum vatis imago 
Ardentes dare visa faces. Hie quserite Trojam ; 
Hie domus est, inquit, vobis. Jam tempus agi res ; 
Nee tantis mora prodigiis. En quatuor arse 
Neptuno. Deus ipse faces animumque ministrat." 
Hsec memorans, prima infensum vi corripit ignem, 
Sublataque prociil dextra connixa coruscat, 
Et jacit. Arrect^e mentes, stupefactaque corda 
Hiadum. Hie una e multis, quae maxima natu, 
Pyrgo, tot Priami natorum regia nutrix : 
" Non Beroe vobis, non bsec Eboeteia, matres, 
Est Dorycb conjux. Divini signa decoris, 
Ardentesque notate oculos ; qui spiritus illi, 
Qui vultus, vocisve sonus, vel gressus eunti. 
Ipsa egomet dudum Beroen digressa rebqui 
^gram, indignantem, tab quod sola careret 
Munere, nee meritos Ancbisse inferret bonores." 
Haec efiata. 

At matres primo ancipites ocubsque mabgnis 
Ambiguse spectare rates, miserum inter amorem 
Prsesentis terrse, fatisque vocantia regna : 
Quum dea se paribus per coelum sustubt abs, 
Ingentemque fuga secuit sub nubibus arcum. 
Turn vero attonitse monstris actseque furore 
Conclamant, rapiuntque focis penetrabbus ignem • 



^KEIDOS LIB, Y. 



211 



Pars spoliant aras, frondem ac virgulta facesque 
ConjiciiTiit. Fuiit immissis Vulcanus liabeiiis 
Transtra per et remos et pictas abiete puppes. 
JSTuncius Anchisae ad tumulum cuneosque theatri 
Incensas perfert naves Eumelus ; et ipsi 
Eespiciunt atram in nimbo volitare favillam. 
Primus et Ascanius, cursus ut Isstus equestres 
Ducebat, sic acer eqno turbata petivit 
Castra ; nee exanimes possunt retinere magistri. 
" Quis furor iste novus ? quo nunc, quo tenditis," inquit, 
" Heu miserae cives ? non bostem, inimicaque castra 
Argivum ; vestras spes uritis. En, ego vester 
Ascanius :" galeam ante pedes projecit inanem. 
Qua ludo indutus belli simulacra ciebat. 
Accelerat simul ^neas, simul agmina Teucrum. 
Ast illag diversa metu per litora passim 
Diffiigiunt ; silvasque, et sicubi concava ftu'tim 
Saxa petunt. Piget incepti lucisque, suosque 
Mutatse agnoscunt, excussaque pectore Juno est. 
Sed non idcirco flammas atque incendia vii'es 
Indomitas posuere : udo sub robore yivit 
Stuppa vomens tardum fumum, lentusque carinas 
Est vapor, et toto descendit corpore pestis ; 
Nee vii'es heroum infusaque flmiiina prosunt. 
Turn pius jEneas bumeris abscindere vestem, 
Auxilioque vocare deos, et tendere palmas : 
" Jupiter omnipotens, si nondum exosus ad unum 
Trojanos, si quid pietas antiqua labores 
Eespicit liumanos, da flammam evadere classi 
Nunc, Pater, et tenues Teucrum res eripe leto. 




212 p. YIEGILII MAEOIS^IS 

Yel tu, quod superest, infesto fulmine morti, 
Si mereor, demitte, tuaque hie obrue dextra." 
Vix lisec ediderat, qnum effusis imbribus atra 
Tempestas sine more furit, tonitruque tremiscunt 
Ai'dua terrarum et campi ; ruit sethere toto 
Turbidus imber aqua densisque nigerrimus austris ; 
Implenturque super puppes ; semiusta madescunt 
Robora ; restinetus donee vapor onuiis, et omnes, 
Quatuor amissis, servatse a peste carinse. 

At pater Mneas, casu concussus acerbo, 
Nunc hue ingentes nunc illuc pectore cui'as 
Mutabat versans : Siculisne resideret arvis, 
Oblitus fatorum, Italasne capesseret oras. 
Turn senior Nautes, unum Tritonia Pallas 
Quern docuit, multaque irisignem reddidit arte, 
Hsec responsa dabat, vel quae portenderet ii'a 
Magna deum, vel quse fatorum posceret ordo. 
Isque his ^neam solatus vocibus infit : 
" Nate dea, quo fata trahunt retrahuntque, sequamur : 
Quidquid erit, superanda omnis fortuna ferendo est. 
Est tibi Dardanius divinse stirpis Acestes : 
Hunc cape consiliis socium et conjunge volentem ; 
Huic trade, amissis superant qui navibus, et quos 
Pertaesum magni incepti rerumque tuarum est ; 
Longsevosque senes, ac fessas sequore matres, 
Et quidquid tecum invalidum metuensque pericli est, 
Delige ; et his habeant teriis sine mcenia fessi : 
Urbem appellabunt permisso nomine Acestam." 

Talibus incensus dictis senioris amici : 
Turn vero in curas animum diducitm' omnes ; 
Et Nox atra polum bigis subvecta tenebat. 
Yisa dehinc coelo facies delapsa parentis 
Anchisae subito tales eflPandere voces : 
'' Nate, mihi vita quondam, dum vita manebat, 
Care magis ; nate, Iliacis exercite fatis ; 
Imperio Jovis hue venio, qui classibus ignem 
Depulit, et coelo tandem miseratus ab alto est. 
Consiliis pare, quae nunc pulcherrima Nautes 
Dat senior : lectos juvenes, fortissima corda. 
Defer in Italiam. Gens dura atque aspera cultu 
Debellanda tibi Latio est. Ditis tamen ante 
Infernas accede domos, et Averna per alta 
Congressus pete, nate, meos. Non me impia namque 
Tartara habent, tristes umbrae ; sed amoena piorum 
Conciha Elysiumque colo. Hue casta Sibylla 
Nigrarum multo pecudum te sanguine ducet. 



^KEIDOS LIE. T. 



213 



Tmn genus omne tuum, et, qiise dentur moenia, disces. 
Janique vale : torquet medios Nox liumida cursus, 
Et me ssevus equis Oriens afflavit anlielis." 
Dixerat : et tenues fugit, ceu fumus, in auras. 
^Eneas, " Quo deinde ruis ? quo proripis ?" in quit, 
" Queni fugis ? aut quis te nostris complexibus arcet ?" 
Hsec memorans cinerem et sopitos suscitat ignes ; 
Perganieumque Larem, et can^ penetralia Vestse, 
Farre pio et plena supplex veneratur acerra. 

Extemplo socios primumque arcessit Acesten, 
Et Jovis imperium et cari prsecepta parentis 
Edoeet, et qu^ nunc animo sententia constefc. 
Haud mora consiliis, nee jussa recusat Acestes. 
Transcribunt ui'bi matres, populumque volentem 
Deponunt, animos nil magnse laudis egentes. 
Ipsi transtra novant, flammisque ambesa reponunt 
Eobora navigiis ; aptant remosque rudentesque : 
Exigui numero, sed bello vivida virtus. 




Interea JEneas m-bem designat aratro, 
Soi-titurque domos ; hoe IHum, et ba3C loca Trojam 
Esse jubet. Gaudet regno Trojanus Acestes, 
Indicitque forum, et patribus dat jura vocatis. 
Turn vicina astris Erycino in vertice sedes 
Fundatar Yeneri Idalia, tuniuloque sacerdos 
Ac lucus late sacer additm* Anchiseo. 
Jamque dies epulata novem gens omnis, et aris 
Factus honos ; placidi straverunt gequora venti, 
Creber et aspirans rm'sus vocat Auster in altum. 
Exoritm' procm-va ingens per litora fletus ; 
Complexi inter se noctemque diemque morantur. 
Ipsse jam matres, ipsi, quibus aspera quondam 
Visa maris facies, et non tolerabile nomen. 
Ire volunt, omnemque fugse perferre laborem. 
Quos bonus ^neas dictis solatm- amicis, 
Et consanguineo lacrimans commendat Acestse. 
Tres Eryci vitulos, et Tempestatibus agnam, 
Caedere deinde jubet, solvique ex ordine funem. 



214 



p. VIEGILII MAEOI^IS 



Ipse, caput tons£e foliis evinctus olivse, 
Stans procul in prora pateram tenet, extaque salsos 
Porricit in fluctus^ ac vina liquentia fundit. 
Prosequitur surgens a puppi ventus euntes. 
Certatim soeii feriunt mare, et sequora verrunt. 

At Venus interea Neptunum exercita curis 
Alloquitur, talesque effundit pectore questus : 




" Junonis gravis ira, nee exsaturabile pectus 

Cogunt me, Neptune, preces descendere in omnes ; 

Quam nee longa dies, pietas nee mitigat ulla, 

Nee Jovis imperio fatisve infracta quiescit. 

Non media de gente Phrygum exedisse nefandis 

Urbem odiis satis est, nee poenam traxe per omnem 

Beliquias ; Trojse cineres atque ossa peremtse 

Insequitur. Causas tanti sciat ilia furoris. 

Ipse mihi nuper Libycis tu testis in undis, 

Quam molem subito excierit. Maria omnia coelo 

Miscuit, ^Eoliis nequidquam freta procellis, 

In regnis hoc ausa tuis. 

Per scelus ecce etiam Trojanis matribus actis 

Exussit foede puppes ; et classe subegit 

Amissa socios ignotse linquere terree. 

Quod superest, oro, liceat dare tuta per undas 

Vela tibi ! liceat Laurentem attingere Thybrim ! 

Si concessa peto, si dant ea moenia Parcse." 

Turn Saturnius bsec domitor maris edidit alti : 
" Fas omne est, Cytherea, meis te fidere regnis. 



^NEIDOS LIB, Y. 215 

Unde genus ducis. Merui quoque ; saepe furores 

Compressi et rabiem tantam eoelique marisque. 

Nee minor in terris (Xanthum Simoentaque test or) 

iEnese mihi cura tui. Quum Troia Achilles 

Exanimata sequens impingeret agmina muris, 

Millia multa daret leto, gemerentque repleti 

Amnes, nee reperire viam atque evolvere posset 

In mare se Xanthns : Pelidse tunc ego forti 

Congressum Mnean, nee dis nee viribus ssquis, 

Nube cava rapui : cuperem quum vertere ab imo 

Struct a meis manibus perjm-ae moenia Trojse. 

Nunc quoque mens eadem perstat mihi : pelle timorem. 

Tutus, quos optas, portus accedet Averni. 

Unus erit tantum, amissum quem gurgite quseret ; 

Unum pro multis dabitur caput." 

His ubi Iseta deae permulsit pectora dictis, 

Jungit equos auro genitor, spumantiaque addit 

Frena feris, manibusque omnes effondit habenas : 

Ceeruleo per summa levis volat sequora curru. 

Subsidunt undse, tumidumque sub axe tonanti 

Sternitur sequor aquis ; fugiunt vasto sethere nimbi. 

Turn varise comitum facies, — immania cete, 

Et senior Griauci chorus, Inousque Palsemon, 

Tritonesque citi, Phorcique exercitus omnis : 

Lseva tenent Thetis, et Melite, Panopeaque virgo, 

Nessee, Spioque, Thahaque Cymodoceque. 

His patris JEnese suspensam blanda vicissim 
Gaudia pertentant mentem ; jubet ocius omnes 
Attolli malos, intendi brachia vehs. 
Una omnes fecere pedem ; pariterque sinistros, 
Nunc dextros solvere sinus ; una ardua torquent 
Cornua detorquentque : ferunt sua flamina classem. 
Princeps ante omnes densum Palinurus agebat 
Agmen : ad hunc alii cursum contendere jussi. 
Jamque fere mediam coeli nox humida metam 
Contigerat : placida laxarant membra quiete 
Sub remis fusi per dura sedilia nautse ; 
Quum levis setheriis delapsus Somnus ab astris 
Aera dimovit tenebrosum, et dispulit umbras, 
Te, Palinure, petens, tibi somnia tristia portans 
Insonti : puppique deus consedit in alta, 
Phorbanti similis, fanditque has ore loquelas : 
" laside Palinure, ferunt ipsa sequora classem ; 
JEquatse spirant aur£e ; datur hora quieti : 
Pone caput, fessosque oculos furare labori. 
Ipse ego paulisper pro te tua munera inibo/' 



216 p. YIEGILII MAEONIS. 

Cui vix attoUens Palinurus lumina fatur : 
" Mene salis placidi vultum fluctusque quietos 
Ignorare jubes ? mene huic confidere monstro ? 
iEnean credam quid enim fallacibus austris, 
Et coeli toties deceptus fraude sereni?" 
Talia dicta dabat, clavumque affixus et hgerens 
Nusquam amittebat, oculosque sub astra tenebat. 
Ecce deus ramum Letbseo rore madentem, 
Vique soporatum Stygia, super utraque quassat 
Tempora ; cunctantique natantia lumina solvit. 
Vix primes inopina quies laxaverat artus : 
Et super incumbens, cum puppis parte revulsa, 
Cumque gubernaclo, liquidas projecit in midas 
Prsecipitem, ac socios nequidquam ssepe vocantem. 
Ipse volans tenues se sustulit ales ad auras. 
Currit iter tutum non secius sequore classis, 
Promissisque patris Neptuni interrita fertur. 
Jamque adeo scopulos Sirenum advecta subibat, 
Difficiles quondam, multorumque ossibus albos ; 
Tum rauca assiduo longe sale saxa sonabant : 
Quum pater amisso fluitantem errare magistro 
Sensit, et ipse ratem nocturnis rexit in undis, 
Multa gemens, casuque animum concussus amici. 
" O nimium ccelo et pel ago confise sereno, 
Nudus in ignota, Palinure, jacebis arena !" 




p. YIEGILII MAEONIS 

JE N E I D O S 



LIBER SEXTUS. 




Sic fatur lacrimans, classique immittit habenas, 

Et tandem Eubo'icis Cumarum allabitui' oris. 

Obvertunt pelago proras ; turn dente tenaci 

Ancora fondabat naves, et litora cui'vse 

Praetexunt puppes ; juvenum manns emicat ardens 

Litus in Hesperium ; qu^rit pars semina flamm£e 

Abstrusa in venis silicis ; pars densa ferarum 

Tecta rapit, silvas, inventaqne flumina monstrat. 

At pius ^neas arces, qnibus altus Apollo 

Praesidet, liorrendseque procul secreta Sibyllse, 

Antnim immane, petit ; magnam cui mentem animumque 

Delius inspirat vates, aperitque futnra. 

Jam subeunt Trivise lucos atque am'ea tecta. 

Dsedalus, ut fama est, fugiens Minoia regna, 
Prsepetibus pennis ansus se credere coelo, 
Insuetmn per iter gelidas enavit ad Arctos, 
Cbalcidicaque levis tandem super adstitit arce. 
Eedditus his primum terris tibi, Plioebe, sacravit 
Eemigium alarum, posuitque immania templa. 
In foribus letum Androgei : turn pendere pcenas 



220 



p. VIEGILII MAEOJfIS 



Cecropidse jussi, miserum ! septena quotannis 
Corpora natorum ; stat ductis sortibns urna. 
Contra elata mari respondet Grnosia tellus : 
Hie crudelis amor tauri suppostaque furto 
Pasiphae, mixtumque genus, prolesque biformis 
Minotaurus inest, Veneris monumenta nefandae ; 
Hie labor iile domus, et inextricabilis error : 
Magnum reginse sed enim miseratus amorem 
Dsedalus, ipse dolos teeti ambagesque resolvit, 
Cseca regens filo vestigia. Tu quoque magnam 
Partem opere in tanto, sineret dolor, leare, haberes. 
Bis eonatus erat casus effingere in auro ; 
Bis patriae cecidere manus. Quin protenus omnia 
Perlegerent oculis, ni jam prsemissus Achates 
Aiforet, atque una Plioebi Triviaeque sacerdos, 
Deipbobe Grlauci, fatur quag talia regi : 
" Non hoc ista sibi tempus spectacula poscit. 
Nunc grege de intacto sept em mactare juvencos 
Prsestiterit, totidem lectas de more bidentes." 
Talibus affata ^nean — nee sacra morantur 
Jussa vu'i — Teucros vocat alta in templa sacerdos. 
Excisum Euboicae latus ingens rupis in antrum, 
Quo lati ducunt aditus centum, ostia centum ; 




Unde ruunt totidem voces, responsa Sibyllas. 
Ventum erat ad limen, quum virgo, " Poscere fata 
Tempus," ait : " deus, ecce deus !" Cui taha fanti 
Ante fores subito non vultus, non color rnius, 



iEKEIDOS LIB. YI. 



221 



Non comtsB mansere comse ; seel pectus anhelum, 
Et ra'oie fera eorda tmnent ; majorque videri, 
Nee mortale sonans ; afflata est numine quando 
Jam propiore dei. " Cessas in vota precesque, 
Tros,'' ait, "^nea ? cessas ? neque enim ante dehiscent 
Attonitse magna ora domus." Et talia fata 
Conticuit. Grelidus Teucris per diora cucurrit 
Ossa tremor, funditque preces rex pectore ab imo : 




" Phosbe, graves Trojse semper miserate labores, 
Bardana qui Paridis direxti tela manusque 
Corpus in ^acidse ; magnas obeuntia terras 
Tot maria intravi, duce te, penitusque repostas 
Massylum gentes, preetentaque Syrtibus arva ; 
Jam tandem Italise fugientis prendimus oras. 
Hac Trojana tenus fuerit fortuna secuta. 
Vos quoque Pergamese jam fas est parcere genti, 
Dique deseque omnes, quibus obstitit Ilium et ingens 
Grloria Dardanias. Tuque, o sanctissima vates,. 
Prsescia venturi, da, non indebita posco 
Eegna meis fatis, Latio considere Teucros, 
Errantesque deos agitataque numina Trojse. 
Tum Phcebo et Trivise solido de marmore templum 
Instituam festosque dies de nomine Phoebi. 
Te quoque magna manent regnis penetralia nostris ; 
Hie ego namque tuas sortes arcanaque fata, 
Dicta mese genti, ponam, lectosque sacrabo, 
Alma, viros. Foliis tantum ne carmina manda ; 
Ne tm-bata volent rapidis ludibria ventis : 



222 p. YIEGILII MAE02n'IS 

Ipsa canas, oro." Finem dedit ore loquendi. 

At Phoebi nondum patiens, immanis in antro 
Baccliatui' vates, magnum si pectore possit 
Excussisse deum : tanto magis ille fatigat 
Os rabidmn, fera corda domans, fingitque premendo. 
Ostia jamque domus patuere ingentia centum 
Sponte sua, vatisque ferunt responsa per auras : 
" tandem magnis pelagi defuncte periclis ! 
Sed terra graviora manent. In regna Lavini 
Dardanidge venient ; mitte banc de pectore curam ; 
Sed non et venisse volent. Bella, liorrida bella, 
Et Tbybrim multo spumantem sanguine cerno. 
Non Simo'is tibi nee Xantbus, nee Dorica castra 
Defuerint : alius Latio jam partus Acbilles, 
Natus et ipse dea : nee Teucris addita Juno 
Usquam aberit. Quum tu supplex in rebus egenis 
Quas gentes It alum aut quas non oraveris m'bes ! 
Causa mali tanti conjux iterum bospita Teucris, 
Externique iterum tbalami. 
Tu ne cede maHs ; sed contra audentior ito, 
Qua tua te fortuna sinet. Via prima salutis, 
Quod minime reris, Graia pandetm' ab urbe." 

Talibus ex adyto dictis Cum£ea Sibylla 
Horrendas canit ambages, antroque remugit 
Obscuris vera involvens : ea frena farenti 
Concutit, et stimulos sub pectore vertit Apollo. 
Ut primum cessit furor, et rabida ora quierunt, 
Incipit ^neas heros : " Non ulla laborum, 
O vii'go, nova mi facies inopinave sm'git : 
Omnia praecepi, atque animo mecum ante peregi. 
Unum oro — quando bic inferni janua regis 
Dicitm', et tenebrosa palus Acberonte refuso — 
Ire ad conspectum cari genitoris et ora 
Oontingat : doceas iter, et sacra ostia pandas. 
Ilium ego per flammas et mille sequentia tela 
Eripui bis bumeris, medioque ex hoste recepi ; 
Ille, meum comitatus iter, maria omnia mecum 
Atque omnes pelagique minas coelique ferebat 
Invalidus, vires ultra sortemque senectae. 
Quin, ut te supplex peterem et tua limina adii-em, 
Idem orans mandata dabat. Natique patrisque, 
Ahna, precor, miserere ; potes namque omnia : nee te 
Nequidquam lucis Hecate prsefecit Avernis ; 
Si potuit manes arcessere conjugis Orpbeus, 
Tbreicia fretus cithara fidibusque canons ; 
Si fratrem Pollux alterna morte redemit, 



^IfEIDOS LIB. TI. 223 




Itque reditque viam toties. Quid Thesea, magnum 
Quid memorem Alciden ? Et mi genus ab Jove summo.' 

Talibus orabat dictis, arasque tenebat ; 
Quum sic orsa loqui vates : " Sate sanguine divum, 
Tros AncMsiada, facilis descensus Averno ; 
Noctes atque dies patet atri janua Ditis ; 
Sed revocare gradum superasque evadere ad auras, 
Hoc opus, hie labor est. Pauci, quos sequus amavit 
Jupiter, aut ardens evexit ad setbera vii'tus, 
Dis geniti potuere. Tenent media omnia silvse, 
Cocytusque sinu labens circumvenit atro. 
Quod si tantus amor menti, si tanta cupido est 
Bis Stygios innare lacus, bis nigra videre 
Tartara, et insano juvat indulgere labori ; 
Accipe, quae peragenda prius. Latet ai'bore opaca 
Aureus et fobis et lento vimine ramus, 
Junoni infernse dictus sacer : liunc tegit omnis 
Lucus, et obscuris claudunt convallibus umbrae. 
Sed non ante datur telluris operta subire, 
Auricomos quam qui decerpserit arbore fetus. 
Hoc sibi pulcbra suum ferri Proserpina munus 
Instituit. Primo avulso non deficit alter 
Aureus ; et simili frondescit virga metallo. 
Ergo alte vestiga oculis, et rite repertum 
Carpe manu : namque ipse volens facilisque sequetur, 
Si te fata vocant : aliter, non viribus ullis 
Vincere, nee duro poteris convellere ferro. 
Prseterea jacet exanimum tibi corpus amici, 
Heu nescis ! totamque incestat funere classem ; 
Hum consulta petis, nostroque in limine pendes. 
Sedibus hunc refer ante suis, et conde sepulcro. 
Due nigras pecudes ; ea prima piacula sunto. 
Sic demum lucos Stygios, regna invia vivis, 
Aspicies." Dixit, pressoque obmutuit ore. 

^neas msesto defixus lumina vultu 
Ingreditur, linquens antrum ; csecosque volutat 
Eventus an imp secum. Cui fidus Achates 



224 



p. yiEGlLII MAEOT^IS 



It comes, et paribus curis vestigia figit. 

Multa inter sese vario sermone serebant ; 

Quern socium exanimem vates, quod corpus bumandum 

Diceret. Atque illi Misenum in litore sicco, 

XJt venere, vident indigna morte peremtum, — 

Misenum ^oliden : quo non prasstantior alter 




^s-"^^^-^ 



Mre ciere viros, Martemque accendere cantu. 
Hectoris bic magni fuerat comes ; Hectora circum 
Et Htuo pugnas insignis obibat et basta. 
Postquam ilium vita victor spoliavit Acbilles, 
Dardanio Miiese sese fortissimus beros 
Addiderat socium, non inferiora secutus. 
Sed turn, forte cava dum personat asquora concba 
Demens, et cantu vocat in certamina divos, 
^mulus exceptum Triton, si credere dignum est, 
Inter saxa virum spumosa immerserat unda. 
Ergo omnes magno circum clamore fremebant ; 
Prgecipue pius iEneas. Tum jussa SibyUse, 
Hand mora, festinant flentes, aramque sepulcri 
Congerere arboribus, cosloque educere certant. 
Itur in antiquam silvam, stabula alta ferarum : 
Procumbunt picese ; sonat icta securibus ilex ; 
Fraxineagque trabes cuneis et fissile robur 
Scinditur ; advolvunt ingentes montibus ornos. 
Nee non ^neas opera inter talia primus 
Hortatur socios, paribusque accingitur armis : 
Atque bsec ipse suo tristi cum corde volutat, 



iENEIDOS LIB. TI. 225 

Aspectans silvam immensam, et sic voce precatur : 
" Si nunc se nobis ille aureus arbore ramus 
Ostendat nemore in tanto ! quando omnia vere 
Heu nimium de te vates, Misene, locuta est." 
Vix ea fatus erat, geminse quum forte columbaB 
Ipsa sub ora viri coelo venere volantes, 
Et viridi sedere solo. Tum maximus beros 
Maternas agnoseit aves, Isetusque precatur : 
" Este duces, o, si qua via est, cursumque per auras 
Dirigite in lucos, ubi pinguem dives opacat 
Kamus humum. Tuque o, dubiis ne defice rebus, 
Diva parens." Sic effatus vestigia pressit, 
Observans quse signa ferant, quo tendere pergant, 
Pascentes iUee tantum prodire volando, 
Quantum acie possent oculi servare sequentum. 
Inde ubi venere ad fauces graveolentis Averni, 
Tollunt se celeres ; liquidumque per aera lapsse 
Sedibus optatis geminae super arbore sidunt, 
Discolor unde auri per ramos aura refulsit. 
Quale solet silvis brumali frigore viscum 
Eronde virere nova, quod non sua seminat arbos, 
Et croceo fetu teretes circumdare truncos : 
Talis erat species auri frondentis opaca 
Ilice ; sic leni crepitabat bractea vento. 
Corripit jEneas extemplo, avidusque refringit 
Cunctantem, et vatis portat sub tecta Sibyllas. 
Nee minus interea Misenum in litore Teucri 
Elebant, et cineri ingrato suprema ferebant, 
Principio pinguem teedis et robore secto 
Ingentem struxere pyram : cui frondibus atris 
Intexunt latera, et ferales ante cupressos 
Constituunt, decorantque super fulgentibus armis. 
Pars calidos latiees et ahena undantia flammis 
Expediunt, corpusque lavant frigentis et unguunt : 
Fit gemitus. Tum membra toro defleta reponunt, 
Purpureasque super vestes, velamina nota, 
Conjiciunt : pars ingenti subiere feretro, 
Triste ministerium ; et subjectam more parent um 
Aversi tenuere facem. Congesta cremantur 
Thurea dona, dapes, fuso crateres olivo. 
Postquam collapsi cineres, et flamma quievit, 
Reliquias vino et bibulam lavere favillam ; 
Ossaque lecta cado texit Corynseus abeno. 
Idem ter socios pura circumtulit unda, 
Spargens rore levi et ramo felicis olivse, 
Lustravitque viros, dixitque novissima verba. 

Q 



226 



p. VIEGILU MAEONIS 




At plus jiEneas ingenti mole sepulcrum 
Imponit, suaque arma vii'o, remumque tubamque, 
Monte sub aerio ; qui nunc Misenus ab illo 
Dicitui', aDternumque tenet per ssecula nomen. 

His actis propere exsequitur prsecepta Sibyllas. 
Spelunca alta fuit, vastoque immanis hiatu, 
Scrupea, tuta lacu nigro nemorumque tenebris : 
Quam super baud ullae poterant impune volantes 
Tendere iter pennis : talis sese babtus atris 
Faucibus effundens supera ad convexa ferebat : 
[Unde locum Grraii dixerunt nomine Aornon.] 
Quatuor bic primum nigrantes terga juvencos 
Constituit, frontique invergit vina sacerdos ; 
Et summas carpens media inter comua ssetas, 
Ignibus imponit sacris, Hbamma prima, 
Voce vocans Hecaten, Coeloque Ereboque potentem 




Supponunt alii cultros, tepidumque cruorem 
Suscipiunt pateris. Ipse atri velleris agnam 
JEneas matri Eumenidum magnseque sorori 
Ense ferit, sterilemque tibi, Proserpina, vaccam : 
Tum Stjgio regi nocturnas incboat aras, 
Et soHda imponit taurorum viscera flammis, 
Pingue super oleum infundens ardentibus extis. 
Ecce autem, primi sub lumina sobs et oi*tus, 
Sub pedibus mugire solum, et juga coepta moveri 



^NEIDOS LIB. YI. 



227 




Silvarum, visseque canes ululare per umbram, 
Adveatante dea. " Procul o, procul este, profani," 
Conclamat vates, " totoque absistite luco ; 
Tuque invade viam, vaginaque eripe ferrum : 
Nunc animis opus, ^nea, nunc pectore firmo." 
Tantum effata, furens antro se immisit aperto : 
Ille ducem baud timidis vadentem passibus aequat. 

Di, quibus imperium est animarum, Umbrasque silentes, 
Et Chaos, et Phlegetbon, loca nocte tacentia late, 
Sit mihi fas audita loqui ; sit numine vestro 
Pandere res alt a terra et caligine mersas. 
Ibant obscuri sola sub nocte per umbram, 
Perque domos Ditis vacuas, et inania regna. 
Quale per incertam lunam sub luce maligna 
Est iter in silvis : ubi coelum condidit umbra 
Jupiter, et rebus nox abstulit atra colorem. 
Vestibulum ante ipsum primisque in faucibus Orci 
Luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia Curae ; 
PaUentesque habitant Morbi, tristisque Senectus, 
Et Metus, et malesuada Fames, ac turpis Egestas, — 
Terribiles visu formse, — Letumque, Labosque ; 
Turn consanguineus Leti Sopor, et mala mentis 
Gaudia, mortiferumque adverso in limine Bellum, 
Eerreique Eumenidum thalami, et Discordia demens, 
Vipereum crinem vittis innexa cruentis. 

In medio ramos annosaque brachia pandit 
Ulmus opaca, ingens ; quam sedem Somnia vulgo 
Vana tenere ferunt, foliisque sub omnibus haerent. 
Multaque praeterea variarum monstra ferarum, 
Centauri in foribus stabulant, Scyllgeque biformes, 
Et centumgeminus Briareus, ac bellua Lern£e 
Horrendum stridens, flammisque armata Chim^sera, 
Grorgones, Harpyiseque, et forma tricorporis umbrae. 
Corripit hie subita trepidus formidine ferrum 
iEneas, strictamque aciem venientibus offert ; 
Et, ni docta comes tenues sine corpore vitas 



228 



p. YiEG-iLii :maeo^t:s 



Admoneat volitare cava sub imagine formae, 
Irruat, et frustra ferro diverberet umbras. 

Hinc via, Tartarei quae fert Acberontis ad undas 
Tm'bidus hie coeno vastaque voragine gm*ges 
2Estuat, atque omnem Coevto eiTictat arenam. 
Poi-titor lias horrendus aquas et flumina servat 





TA^ 




^^^M 


b=:f^--^-ii^ 


^7\A 


1 ^^. 


^J'A^P 



Terribili squalors Charon : cui pluiima mento 
Canities inculta jacet ; stant lumina flamma ; 
Sordidus ex humeris node dependet amictus. 
Ipse ratem conto subigit vehsque ministrat, 
Et ferruginea subveetat corpora cvmba 
Jam senior ; sed cruda deo vh'idisque senectus. 
Hue omnis tm'ba ad ripas effasa ruebat, 
Matres atque viri, defunctaque corpora vita 
Magnanimum heroum, pueri innuptasque puellse, 
Impositique rogis juvenes ante ora pai'entum : 
Quam multa in silvis auctumni frigore primo 
Lapsa cadunt foHa ; aut ad terram gm'gite ab alto 
Quam multcT9 glomerantur aves, ubi frigidus annus 
Trans pontum fugat, et terris immittit apricis. 
Stabant orantes primi transmittere cm'sum, 
Tendebantque manus ripas ulterioris amore ; 
!N'avita sed tristis nunc hos, nunc accipit illos : 
Ast ahos longe submotos arcet arena, 
^^neas, miratus enim motusque tumultu, 
" Die," ait, " o \di'go, quid vult concm-sus ad amnem ? 
Quidve petunt animae ? vel quo discrimine ripas 
Hae linquunt, illae remis vada Hvida verrunt ?" 
OUi sic breviter fata est longseva sacerdos : 
" Anchisa generate, deum cei^tissima proles, 
Cocyti stagna alta vides, Stjgiamque paludem, 



^NEIDOS LIB. YI. 229 

Di cujus jui'are timent et fallere numen. 
Haec omnis, quam cemis, inops inhumataque turba est ; 
Portitor ille, Charon ; hi, quos vehit unda, sepulti. 
Nee ripas datur horrendas et rauca fluenta 
Transportare prius, quam sedibus ossa quierunt. 
Centum errant annos, volitantque hsec Htora circum : 
Tum demum admissi stagna exoptata revisunt." 
Constitit Anchisa satus, et vestigia pressit, 
Multa putans, sortemque animo miseratus iniquam. 
Cernit ibi maestos et mortis honore carentes 
Leucaspim et Lyciae ductorem classis Orontem : 
Quos simul a Troja ventosa per sequora vectos 
Obruit auster, aqua involvens navemque virosque. 

Ecce gubernator sese Pahnurus agebat : 
Qui Libyco nuper cursu, dum sidera servat, 
Exciderat puppi mediis effiisus in undis. 
Hunc ubi vix multa msestum cognovit in umbra, 
Sic prior alloquitur : " Quis te, Pahnm'e, deorum 
Eripuit nobis, medioque sub sequore mersit ? 
Die age. Namque mihi, fallax haud ante repertus, 
Hoc uno responso animum delusit Apollo, 
Qui fore te ponto incolumem, finesque canebat 
Yenturum Ausonios. En haec promissa fides est P" 
Ille autem : " Neque te Phoebi cortina fefellit, 
Dux Anchisiada, nee me deus asquore mersit. 
Namque gubernaclum multa vi forte revulsum, 
Cui datus hserebam custos, cui'susque regebam, 
Prsecipitans traxi mecum. Maria aspera juro, 
Non uUum pro me tantum cepisse timorem, 
Quam tua ne, spoliata armis, excussa magistro, 
Deficeret tantis navis sm-gentibus undis. 
Tres notus hibernas immensa per eequora noctes 
Vexit me violentus aqua ; vix lumine quarto 
Prospexi Italiam summa sublimis ab unda. 
Paulatim adnabam terrse : jam tuta tenebam ; 
Ni gens crudehs madida cum veste gravatum, 
Prensantemque uncis manibus capita aspera montis, 
Ferro invasisset, prasdamque ignara putasset. 
Nunc me fluctus habet, versantque in Ktore venti. 
Quod te per cceh jucundum lumen et auras. 
Per genitorem oro, per spes surgentis Tuli : 
Eripe me his, invicte, mahs ; aut tu mihi terram 
Injice, namque potes, portusque require Velinos ; 
Aut tu, si qua via est, si quam tibi diva creatrix 
Ostendit, — neque enim, credo, sine numine divum 
Flumina tanta paras Stygiamque innai'e paludem — 



230 p. TIEGILII MAEONIS 

Da dextram misero, et tecum me toUe per undas ; 

Sedibus ut saltem placidis in morte quiescam." 

Talia fatus erat, coepit quum talia vates : 

" Unde haec, o Palinure, tibi tarn dira cupido ? 

Tu Stygias inhumatus aquas amnemque severum 

Eumenidum aspicies, ripamve iiijussus adibis ? 

Desine fata deum flecti sperare precando. 

Sed cape dicta memor, duri solatia casus. 

Nam tua finitimi, longe lateque per urbes 

Prodigiis acti coelestibus, ossa piabunt, 

Et statuent tumulum, et tumiilo solemnia mitten t ; 

-^ternumque locus Palinuri nomen habebit." 

His dictis curae emotse, pulsusque parumper 

Corde dolor tristi ; gaudet cognomine terra. 

Ergo iter inceptum peragunt, fluvioque propinquant : 
Navita quos jam inde ut Stygia prospexit ab unda 
Per tacitum nemus ire, pedemque advertere ripee, 
Sic prior aggreditur dictis, atque increpat ultro : 
" Quisquis es, armatus qui nostra ad flumina tendis, 
Fare age, quid venias ; jam istinc, et comprime gressum. 
Umbrarum bic locus est, Somni Noctisque sopors ; 
Corpora viva nefas Stygia vectare carina. 
Nee vero Alciden me sum laetatus euntem 
Accepisse lacu, nee Thesea Pii-ithoumque ; 
Dis quanquam geniti, atque invicti viribus essent. 
Tartareum ille manu custodem in vincla petivit, 
Ipsius a solio regis traxitque trementem : 
Hi dominam Ditis thalamo deducere adorti." 
Quae contra breviter fata est Amphrysia vates : 
" Nullae hie insidiae tales ; absiste moveri ; 
Nee vim tela fermit : licet ingens janitor antro 
^Etemum latrans exsangues terreat umbras ; 
Casta licet patrui servet Proserpina limen. 
Troius ^neas, pietate insignis et armis. 
Ad genitorem imas Erebi descendit ad umbras. 
Si te nulla movet tantse pietatis imago, 
At ramum hunc (aperit ramum, qui veste latebat) 
Agnoscas." Tumida ex ira tum corda residunt. 
Nee plura his. Ille admirans venerabile donmn. 
Eatalis virgse, longo post tempore visum, 
Caeruleam advertit puppim, ripseque propinquat. 
Inde alias animas, quas per juga longa sedebant, 
Deturbat, laxatque foros : simul accipit alveo 
Ingentem ^nean. Gremuit sub pondere cymba 
Sutilis, et multam accepit rimosa paludem. 
Tandem trans fluvium incolumis vatemque virumque 



^NEIDOS LIB. TI. 

Informi limo glaucaque exponit in ulva. 



231 




Cerberus hasc ingens latratu regna trifauci 
Personat, adverse recubans immanis in antro. 
Cui vates, borrere videns jam colla colubris, 
Melle soporatam et medicatis frugibus offam 
Objicit. Ille fame rabida tria guttura pandens 
Corripit object am, at que immania terga resolvit 
Fusus humi, totoque ingens extenditur antro. 
Occupat iEneas aditum custode sepulto, 
Evaditque celer ripam irremeabilis undae. 
Continuo auditse voces, vagitus et ingens 
Infantumque animag flentes, in limine primo : 
Quos dulcis vitsB exsortes, et ab ubere raptos, 
Abstulit atra dies, et funere mersit acerbo. 
Hos juxta falso damnati crimine mortis. 
Nee vero hse sine sorte datss, sine judice, sedes. 
Quaesitor Minos urnam movet ; ille silentum 
Conciliumque vocat, vitasque et crimina discit. 

Proxima deinde tenent msesti loca, qui sibi letum 
Insontes peperere manu, lucemque perosi 
Projecere animas. Quam vellent se there in alto 
Nunc et pauperiem et duros perferre labores ! 
Fas obstat, tristique palus inamabilis unda 
AlKgat, et novies Styx interfusa coercet. 
Nee procul bine partem fusi monstrantur in omnem 
Lugentes campi ; sic illos nomine dicunt. 
Hie, quos durus amor crudeli tabe peredit, 
Secreti celant calles, et myrtea circum 
Silva tegit ; curse non ipsa in morte relinquunt. 
His Phsedram Procinque locis, msestamque Eriphylen 



232 p. TiEGiLii maeoot:s 

Crudelis nati monstrantem vuliiera cemit, 
Evadnenqiie, et Pasiphaen ; his Laodamia 
It comes, et juvenis quondam, nmic femina, Caenis, 
Eursus et in veterem fato revoluta figm-am. 

Inter quas Phoenissa recens a vnlnere Dido 
Errabat silva in magna ; quam Troius heros, 
Ut primum juxta stetit agnovitque per umbram 
Obscuram, qualem primo qui sm'gere mense 
Aut videt aut vidisse putat per nubila lunam, 
Demisit lacrimas, dulcique affatus amore est : 
" Infelix Dido, verus mibi nuncius ergo 
Venerat, exstinetam feiToque extrema secutam : 
Funeris heu tibi causa fui ? Per sidera juro, 
Per superos, et si qua fides tellm-e sub ima est, 
Invitus, regina, tuo de lit ore cessi. 
Sed me jussa deum, quae nunc has ire per umbras, 
Per loca senta situ cogunt noctemque profandam, 
Imperiis egere suis ; nee credere quivi 
Hunc tantum tibi me discessu ferre dolorem. 
Siste gradum, teque aspectu ne subtrabe nostro. 
Quern fugis ? extremum fato, quod te alloquor, hoc est." 
Talibus ^neas ardentem et torva tuentem 
Lenibat dictis animum, lacrimasque ciebat. 
Ilia solo fixos oculos aversa tenebat ; 
Nee magis incepto \"ultum sermone movetur, 
Quam si dura silex aut stet Marpesia cautes. 
Tandem compuit sese, atque inimica refugit 
In nemus umbriferum ; conjux ubi pristinus illi 
Bespondet cm'is, sequatque Sychseus amorem. 
Nee minus iEneas, casu percussus iniquo, 
Prosequitm- laciimans longe, et miseratur euntem. 

Inde datum mohtur iter. Jamque arva tenebant 
Ultima, quae bello clai'i secreta frequentant. 
Hie iUi occurrit Tydeus, hie inclytus armis 
Parthenopseus, et Adrasti pallentis imago. 
Hie multum fleti ad superos belloque caduci 
Dardanidge : quos ille omnes longo ordine cemens 
Ingemuit, Glaucumque, Medontaque, Thersilochumque, 
Tres Antenoridas, Cererique sacrum Polyphoeten, 
Idaeumque, etiam cmTus, etiam arma tenentem. 
Circumstant animse dextra Isevaque frequentes. 
Nee vidisse semel satis est ; juvat usque morari, 
Et conferre gradum, et veniendi discere causas. 
At Danaum proceres Agamemnoniaeque phalanges, 
Ut videre vii'um fulgentiaque arma per umbras, 
Ingenti trepidare metu : pars vertere terga, 



2ENEID0S LIB. VI. 233 

Ceu quondam petiere rates ; pars tollere vocem 
Exiguam : inceptus clamor frustratm' hiantes. 
Atque hie Priamiden laniatum corpore toto 
Deiphobmn vidit, lacerum crudeliter ora, 
Ora manusque ambas, populataque tempora raptis 
Amibus, et trmicas inbonesto vubiere nares. 
Vix adeo agnovit pavitantem, et dira tegentem 
Supplicia ; et notis compellat vocibus ultro : 
" Deipbobe armipotens, gemis alto a sanguine Teucri, 
Quis tarn crudeles optavit sumere poenas ? 
Cui tantum de te licuit ? Mibi fama suprema 
Nocte tulit fessum vasta te c£ede Pelasgum 
Procubuisse super confuse stragis acervum. 
Tunc egomet tumulum Eboeteo in litore inanem 
Constitui, et magna manes ter voce vocavi. 
Nomen et arma locum servant : te, amice, nequivi 
Conspicere, et patria decedens ponere terra." 
Ad quse Priamides : " Nibil o tibi amice rebctum ; 
Omnia Deipbobo solvisti et funeris umbris. 
Sed me fata mea et scelus exitiale Lacsense 
His mersere malis : ilia base monument a reliquit. 
Namque, ut supremam falsa inter gaudia noctem 
Egerimus, nosti ; et nimium meminisse necesse est. 
Quum fatalis equus saltu super ardua venit 
Pergama, et armatum peditem gravis attulit alvo : 
Ilia, chorum simulans, evantes orgia circum 
Ducebat Pbrygias ; flam mam media ipsa tenebat 
Ingentem, et summa Danaos ex arce vocabat. 
Turn me, confectum curis somnoque gravatum, 
Infelix babuit thalamus, pressitque jacentem 
Dulcis et alta quies placidaeque similb'ma morti. 
Egregia interea conjux arma omnia tectis 
Emovet, et fidum capiti subduxerat ensem ; 
Intra tecta vocat Menelaum, et limiua pandit : 
Scilicet id magnum sperans fore mimus amanti, 
Et famam exstingui veterum sic posse malorum. 
Quid moror ? iiTumpunt tbalamo ; comes additus una 
Hortator scelerum bolides. Di, talia G-raiis 
Instaurate ; pio si poenas ore reposco. 
Sed te qui vivum casus, age fare vicissim, 
Attulerint. Pelagine venis erroribus actus. 
An monitu divum ? an quae te fortuna fatigat, 
Ut tristes sine sole domos, loca turbida, adires ?" 
Hac vice sermonum roseis Aurora quadrigis 
Jam medium setberio cursu trajecerat axem ; 
Et fors omne datum traberent per talia tempus : 



234 



p. YIEGILII MAEONIS 



Sed comes admonuit, breviterque affata Sibylla est : 
" Nox ruit, ^nea ; nos flendo ducimus horas. 
Hjc locus est, partes ubi se via findit in ambas : 
Dextera, qu.se, Ditis magni sub moenia tendit, 
Hac iter Elysium nobis : at laeva malorum 
Exercet poenas, et ad impia Tartara mittit." 
Deipbobus contra : " Ne saevi, magna sacerdos ; 
Discedam, explebo numerum, reddarque tenebris. 
I decus, i, nostrum ; melioribus utere fatis." 
Tantum effatus, et in verbo vestigia torsit. 

Respicit ^Eneas subito, et sub rupe sinistra 
Moenia lata videt, triplici circumdata muro : 
Quae rapidus flammis ambit torrentibus amnis 
Tartareus Phlegethon, torquetque sonantia saxa. 
Porta adversa, ingens, solidoque adamante columnse 
Yis ut nulla virum, non ipsi exscindere ferro 
Coelicolse valeant. Stat ferrea turris ad auras ; 




Tisipboneque sedens, palla succincta cruenta, 
Vestibulum exsomnis servat noctesque diesque. 
Hinc exaudiri gemitus, et sseva sonare 
Verbera ; tum stridor ferri, tractseque catenae. 
Constitit iEneas, strepitumque exterritus hausit. 
"Quae scelerum facies ? o virgo, efFare : quibusve 
Urgentur poenis ? qui tantus plangor ad auras ?" 
Tum vates sic orsa loqui : " Dux inclyte Teucrum, 
Nulli fas casto sceleratum insistere limen ; 
Sed me quum lucis Hecate pr^efecit Avernis, 



2SNEID0S LIB. YT. 235 

Ipsa deum poenas docuit, perque omnia duxit. 
Grnosius li£ec Khadamanthus habet durissima regna, 
Castigatque auditque dolos ; subigitque fateri, 
Quse quis apud superos, furto laetatus inani, 
Distnlit in seram commissa piacula mortem. 
Continuo sontes ultrix accincta flagello 
Tisiphone quatit insultans, torvosque sinistra 
Intentans angues, vocat agmina saeva sororum. 
Turn demum horrisono stridentes cardine sacrs6 
Panduntm' portse. Cernis, custodia qualis 
Vestibulo sedeat ? fades quse limina servet ? 
Quinquaginta atris immanis hiatibus Hydra 
Ssevior intus habet sedem. Tum Tartarus ipse 
Bis patet in praeceps tantum tenditque sub umbras, 
Quant us ad getberium coeli suspectus Olympum. 
Hie genus antiquum Terrse, Titania pubes, 
Eulmine dejecti, fundo volvuntm' in imo : 
Hie et Alo'idas geminos, immania vidi 
Corpora : qui manibus magnum rescindere coelum 
Aggressi, superisque Jovem detrudere regnis. 
Yidi et crudeles dantem Salmonea poenas. 




Dum flammas Jo vis et sonitus imitatm* Olympi. 
Quatuor hie invectus equis et lampada quassans, 
Per &raium populos mediasque per Elidis urbem 
Ibat ovans, divumque sibi poscebat honorem, 
Demens ! qui nimbos et non imitabile fulmen 
Mre et cornipedum pulsu simularat equorum. 



236 p. VTEGILII MAEON^IS 

At pater omnipotens densa inter nubila telum 
Contorsit ; non ille faces, nee fumea tsedis 
Lumina ; prsecipitemque immani turbine adegit. 
Nee non et Tityon, Terrse omniparentis alumnum, 
Cernere erat, per tota novem cui jugera corpus 
Porrigitur ; rostroque immanis vultur obunco 
Immortale jecur tondens, fecundaque pcenis 
Viscera, rimaturque epulis, habitatque sub alto 
Pectore ; nee fibris requies datur uUa renatis. 
Quid memorem Lapithas, Ixiona Piritboumque ? 
Quos super atra silex jam jam lapsura cadentique 
Imminet assimilis. Lucent genialibus altis 
Aurea fulcra toris, epulseque ante ora paratse 
Regifico luxu ; Furiaram maxima juxta 
Accubat, et manibus prohibet contingere mensas, 
Exsm'gitque facem attolens, atque intonat ore. 
Hie, quibus in\isi fratres, dum vita manebat, 
Pulsatusve parens, et fraus innexa clienti ; 
Aut qui divitiis soli incubuere repertis. 
Nee partem posuere suis, quse maxima tm'ba est ; 
Quique ob adult erium caesi ; qui que arma secuti 
Impia, nee veriti dominorum fallere dextras, — 
Inclusi poenam exspectant. Ne qusere doceri, 
Quam poenam ; aut quse forma vii'os fortunave mersit. 
Saxum ingens volvunt alii, radiisve rot arum 
Districti pendent ; sedet, aeternumque sedebit, 
Infelix Theseus ; Phlegyasque miserrimus omnes 
Admonet, et magna testatm' voce per umbras : 
' Discite justitiam moniti, et non temnere divos.' 
Vendidit hie auro patriam, dominumque potentem 
Imposuit ; fixit leges pretio atque refixit : 
Hie thalammn invasit natse vetitosque hymenaeos : 
Ausi omnes immane nefas, ausoque potiti. 
Non, mihi si linguae centum sint, oraque centum, 
Ferrea vox, omnes scelerum comprendere formas. 
Omnia pcenarum percm-ere nomina possim." 

Haec ubi dicta dedit Phoebi longseva sacerdos : 
" Sed jam age, carpe ^dam, et susceptum perfice munus ; 
Acceleremus," ait : " Cyclopum educta caminis 
Moenia conspicio, atque adverso fornice portas, 
Haec ubi nos prsecepta jubent "deponere dona." 
Dixerat, et pariter gressi per opaca viarum 
Corripiunt spatium medium, foribusque propinquant. 
Occupat ^neas aditum, corpusque recenti 
Spargit aqua, ramumque adverso in hmine figit. 

His demum exactis, perfecto munere divse, 



^KEIDOS LIB. VI. 



237 



Devenere locos laetos, et amcena vireta 
Fortunatorum nemorum, sedesque beatas. 
Largior hie campos sether et lumine vestit 
Purpureo, solemque suum, sua sidera norunt. 
Pars in gramineis exereent membra palaestris, 
Contendxmt ludo, et fulva luctantur arena ; 





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Pars pedibns plaudunt choreas, et carmina dicmit : 
Nee non Threicius longa cum veste sacerdos 
Obloquitur numeris septem discrimina vocum ; 
Jamque eadem digitis, jam pectine pulsat eburno. 
Hie genus antiquum Teucri, pulcherrima proles, 
Magnanimi heroes, nati melioribus annis, 
Ilusque, Assaracusque, et Trojae Dardanus auctor. 
Arma procul currusque virum miratur inanes. 
Stant terra defixse hastse, passimque soluti 
Per campos pascuntur equi. Quae gratia curruum 
Armorumque fuit vivis, quae cura nitentes 
Pascere equos, eadem sequitur tellure repostos. 
Conspicit ecce alios dextra Isevaque per herbam 
Vescentes, Isetumque choro Pseana canentes, 
Inter odoratum lauri nemus : unde superne 
Plurimus Eridani per silvam volvitur amnis. 
Hie manus, ob patriam pugnando vulnera passi, 
Quique sacerdotes casti, dum vita manebat, 
Quique pii vates, et Phoebo digna locuti, 
Inventas aut qui vitam excoluere per artes, 
Quique sui memores alios fecere merendo : 
Omnibus his nivea cinguntur tempora vitta. 
Quos circumfusos sic est affata Sibylla, — 
Musseum ante omnes ; medium nam plurima turba 



238 p. YIEGILII MAEOS^IS 

Hunc habet, at que humeris exstantem suspicit altis :- 
" Dicite, feliees aniniEe, tuque, optime vates ; 
Quae regio AncMsen, quis habet locus ? illius ergo 
Venimus, et maguos Erebi tranavimus amnes." 
Atque huic responsum paucis ita reddidit heros : 
" Nulli certa domus : lucis habitamus opacis, 
Kiparumque toros et prata recentia rivis 
Incolimus. Sed vos, si fert ita corde voluntas, 
Hoc superate jugum : et facili jam tramite sistam." 
Dixit, et ante tulit gressum, camposque nitentes 
Desuper ostentat ; dehinc summa cacumina linquunt. 

At pater Anchises penitus convalle virenti 
Inclusas animas, superumque ad lumen ituras, 
Lustrabat studio recolens, omnemque suorum 
Forte recensebat numerum, carosque nepotes, 
Fataque, foi'tunasque virum, moresque, manusque. 
Isque ubi tendentem adversum per gramina vidit 
^nean, alacris palmas utrasque tetendit ; 
Effus£eque genis lacrimae ; et vox excidit ore : 
" Venisti tandem, tuaque spectata parenti 
Yicit iter durum pietas ? datm- ora tueri, 
Nate, tua, et iiotas audire et reddere voces ? 
Sic equidem ducebam animo, rebarque futurum, 
Tempora dinumerans ; nee me mea cm'a fefellit. 
Quas ego te terras et quanta per sequora vectum 
Accipio ! quantis jactatum, nate, periclis ! 
Quam metui, ne quid Libyae tibi regna nocerent !" 
Ille autem : " Tua me, genitor, tua tristis imago, 
Saepius occm'rens, bsec limina tendere adegit. 
Stant sale Tyrrlieno classes. Da jungere dextram, 
Da, genitor ; teque amplexu ne subtrabe nostro." 
Sic memorans largo fletu simul ora rigabat. 
Ter conatus ibi collo dare bracbia circum : 
Ter frustra comprensa manus effugit imago, 
Par levibus ventis, volucrique simillima somno. 

Interea videt ^neas in valle reducta 
Seclusum nemus, et vii'gulta sonantia silvis, 
Letbseumque, domos placidas qui praenatat, amnem. 
Hunc circum immunerse gentes populique volabant : 
Ac velut in pratis ubi apes sestate serena 
Floribus insidunt variis, et Candida circum 
Lilia fundmitur ; strepit omnis mm-mure campus. 
Horrescit visu subito, causasque requirit 
Inscius ^neas, quae sint ea flumina porro, 
Quive viii tanto complerint agmine ripas. 
Turn pater Ancbises : " Animae, quibus altera fato 



iENEIDOS LIB. YI. 239 

Corpora debentur, Lethsei ad fluminis undam 

Securos latices et longa oblivia potant. 

Has equidem memorare tibi atque ostendere coram, 

Jampridem banc prolem cupio enumerare meomm : 

Quo magis Italia mecum Isetere reperta. 

pater, anne aliquas ad coelum bine ire putandum est 

Sublimes animas, iterumque in tarda reverti 

Corpora ? quae lucis miseris tarn dira cupido ? 

Dieam equidem ; nee te suspensum, nate, tenebo :" 

Suscipit Ancbises, atque ordine singula pandit. 

" Principio coelum ac terras, camposque liquentes, 
Lucentemque globum Lunse Titaniaque astra, 
Spiritus intus alit, tot am que infusa per artus 
Mens agitat molem, et magno se corpore miscet. 
Inde bominum pecudumque genus, vitseque volantum, 
Et quae marmoreo fert monstra sub sequore pontus. 
Igneus est oUis vigor et coelestis origo 
Seminibus, quantum non noxia corpora tardant, 
Terrenique hebetant artus moribundaque membra, [auras 
Hinc metuunt, cupiuntque ; dolent, gaudentque ; neque 
Despiciunt clausse tenebris et carcere cseco. 
Quin et supremo quum lumine vita reliquit, 
Non tamen omne malum miseris, nee funditus omnes 
Corporese excedunt pestes ; penitusque necesse est 
Mult a diu concreta modis inolescere miris. 
Ergo exercentur poenis, veterumque malorum 
Supplicia expendunt. Alise panduntur inanes 
SuspenssB ad ventos ; aliis sub gurgite vasto 
Infectum eluitur scelus, aut exuritur igni ; 
Quisque suos patimur manes ; exinde per amplum 
Mittimur Elysium, et pauci Iseta arva tenemus : 
Donee longa dies, perfecto temporis orbe, 
Concretam exemit labem, purumque reliquit 
^tberium sensum, atque aural simplicis ignem. 
Has omnes, ubi mille rotam volvere per annos, 
Letbaeum ad fluvium deus evocat agmine magno : 
Scilicet immemores, supera ut convexa revisant 
Eursus, et incipiant in corpora velle reverti." 
Dixerat Ancbises ; natumque unaque Sibyllam 
Conventus trabit in medios, turbamque sonantem : 
Et tumulum capit, unde omnes longo ordine possit 
Adversos legere, et venientum discere vultus. 

" Nunc age, Dardaniam prolem quse deinde sequatur 
Gloria, qui maneant Itala de gente nepotes, 
Illustres animas, nostrumque in nomen ituras, 
Expediam dictis, et te tua fata docebo. 



240 



p. VIEGILTI MAEOISIS 



nie, vides, pura juvenis qui nititur hasta, 
Proxima sorte tenet lucis loca, primus ad auras 
^therias Italo commixtus sanguine surget 
Silvius, Albanum nomen, tua postuma proles : 
Quern tibi longsevo serum Lavinia conjux 
Educet silvis regem, regumque parentem : 
Unde genus Longa nostrum dominabitur Alba. 
Proximus ille Procas, Trojanae gloria gentis, 
Et Capys, et Numitor, et qui te nomine reddet 
Silvius iEneas, pariter pietate vel armis 
Egregius, si unquam regnandam acceperit Alb^im. 
Qui juvenes ! quantas ostentant, aspice, vires ! 
At, qui umbrata gerunt civili tempora quercu, 
Hi tibi Nomentum, et Gabios, urbemque Fidenam, 
Hi CoUatinas imponent montibus arces, 
[Laude pudicitioe celebres, addentque superbos] 
Pometios, Castrumque Inui, Bolamque, Coramque. 
Haec tum nomina erunt, nunc sunt sine nomine terrae. 
Quin et avo comitem sese Mavortius addet 
Romulus ; Assaraci quem sanguinis Ilia mater 
Educet. Yiden' ut geminse stant vertice cristas, 
Et pater ipse suo superum jam signat honore ? 




En bujus, nate, auspiciis ilia inclyta Poma 
Imperium terris, animos sequabit Olympo, 
Septemque una sibi muro circumdabit arces, 
Felix prole virum : qualis Berecyntia mater 
Invebitur cmTu Pbiygias turrita per urbes, 
Lseta deum partu, centum complexa nepotes, 



^NEIDOS LIB. TI. 



241 



Omnes coelicolas, omnes supera alta tenentes. 
Hue geminas nunc flecte acies ; hanc aspice gentem, 
Eomanosque tuos. Hie Caesar, et omnis luli 
Progenies, magnum coeli ventura sub axem. 
Hie vir, He est, tibi quem promitti ssepius audis, 




Augustus Csesar, Divi genus : am'ea condet 
Ssecula qui rursus Latio, regnata per arva 
Saturno quondam ; super et G-aramantas et Indos 
Proferet imperium : jacet extra sidera tellus, 
Extra anni Solisque vias, ubi coelifer Atlas 
Axem bumero torquet stellis ardentibus aptum. 
Hujus in adventum jam nunc et Caspia regna 
Eesponsis boiTent divum, et Masotia tellus, 
Et septemgemini turbant trepida ostia Nili. 
Nee vero Alcides tantum tellmis obivit ; 
Fixerit seripidem cervam licet, aut Erymanthi 
Pacaiit nemora, et Lernam tremefecerit arcu : 
Nee qui pampineis victor juga flectit habenis 
Liber, agens celso Nysse de vei'tice tigres. 
Et dubitamus adhuc virtutem extendere factis ? 
Aut metus Ausonia probibet consistere terra ? 
Quis prociiL ille autem ramis insignis olivae 
Sacra ferens ? Nosco crines incanaque menta 
Eegis Eomani, primus qui legibus m'bem 
Pundabit, Cmibus parvis et paupere terra 
Missus in imperium magnum. Cui deinde subibit, 
Otia qui rumpet patriae, residesque movebit 
Tullus in arma viros, et jam desueta triumphis 



242 P. TIEGILII MAEOin:s 

Agmina. Quern juxta sequitnr jactantior Ancus, 
Nunc quoque jam mmium gaudens popularibus auris. 




Vis et Tarquinios reges, animamque superbam 
Ultoris Bruti, fascesque videre receptos ? 
Consulis imperium hie primus ssevasque secm'es 
Accipiet ; natosque pater, nova bella moventes, 
Ad poenam pulebra pro libertate vocabit, 
Infelix ! TJtcumque ferent ea facta minores : 
Viiicet amor patriae laudumque immensa cupido. 
Quin Decios, Drusosque procul, s^vumque securi 
Aspice Torquatum, et referent em signa Camillum. 
Illse autem, paribus quas fulgere cernis in armis, 
Concordes animse nunc, et dum nocte prementm', 
Heu quantum inter se bellum, si lumina vitae 
Attigerint, quantas acies stragemque ciebunt ! 
Aggeribus socer Alpinis atque arce Monoeci 
Descendens ; gener adversis instructus Eois. 
Ne, pueri, ne tanta animis assuescite bella ; 
Neu patrise validas in viscera vertite vii'es. 
Tuque prior, tu parce, genus qui ducis Olympo ; 
Projice tela manu, sanguis meus. 
Ille triumphata Capitolia ad alt a Corintho 
Victor aget currum, csesis insignis Acliivis. 
Eruet ille Argos, Agamemnoniasque Mycenas, 
Ipsumque iEaciden, genus armipotentis Acbilli ; 
XJltus avos Trojse, templa et temerata Minervae. 



iEXEIDOS LIE. TI. 



243 




Quis te, magne Cato, taciturn, aut te, Cosse, relmquat 
Quis Gracclii genus, aut gemiiios, duo fulniina belli, 





Scipiadas, cladem Liby?e, parvoque potentem 
Fabricium ? vel te sulco, Serrane, serentem ? 
Quo fessum rapitis, Fabii ? tu Maximus ille es, 
Unus qui nobis cunctando restituis rem. 
Exeudent alii spii-antia mollius sera, 
Credo equidem, vivos ducent de maiTQore ^-ultus ; 
Orabimt eausas melius, eoelique meatus 
Describent radio, et sm'gentia sidera dicent : 
Tu regere imperio populos, Eomane, memento ; 
Hse tibi erunt ai-tes : pacisque imponere morem, 
Parcere subjectis, et debellai-e superbos." 

Sic pater Anchises, atque base mii'antibus addit ; 



244 



p. VIRaiLII MAI10N13 




" Aspice, ut insignis spoliis Marcellus opimis 

Ingreditur, victorque viros supereminet omnes ! 

Hie rem Romanam, magno turbante tumultu, 

Sistet, eques sternet Poenos, Grallumque rebellem, 

Tertiaque arma patri suspendet capta Quiriiio. 

Atque hie ^neas — una namque ire videbat 

Egregium forma juvenem et fulgentibus armis, 

Sed fi'ons laeta parum, et dejecto Imiiina vultu : — 

" Quis, pater, ille virum qui sic comitatur euntem ? 

Filius, anne aliquis magna de stii'pe nepotum ? 

Qui strepitus circa comitum ! quantum instar in ipso est ! 

Sed Nox atra caput tristi cii'cumvolat umbra." 

Tum pater Anchises, lacrimis ingressus obortis : 

" nate ingentem luctum ne quaere tuorum ; 

Ostendent terris hunc tantum fata, neque ultra 

Esse sinent. Nimium vobis Romana propago 

Visa potens, Superi, propria haec si dona fuissent. 

Quantos ille vii'um magnam Mavortis ad urbem 

Campus aget gemitus ! vel qu3e, Tiberine, videbis 

Funera, quum turaulum prseterlabere recentem ! 

Nee puer Iliaca quisquam de gente Latinos 

In tantum spe toilet avos ; nee Komula quondam 



^XEIDOS LIB. TT. 



245 



TJllo se tantam tellus jactabit alumno. 
Heu pietas, heu prisca fides, inrictaque bello 
Dextera ! non illi se quisquam impune tulisset 
Obvius armato, seu quum pedes ii'et in hostem, 
Seu spumantis equi foderet calcaribus aniios. 
Heu miserande puer ! si qua fata aspera rumpas, 
Tu Marcellus eris. Manibus date lilia plenis : 
Purpureos sparagam flores, animamque nepotis 
His saltern accumulem donis, et fungar inani 
Munere." Sic tota passim regione vagantur 
Aeris in campis latis, at que omnia lustrant. 
Qu£e postquam AncHses natum per singula duxit, 
Incenditque animum famae venientis am ore : 
Exin bella viro memorat quse deinde gerenda, 
Laurentesque docet populos, m-bemque Latini : 
Et quo quemque modo fugiatque feratque laborem. 

Sunt geminse Somni portsg : quarum altera fertui' 
Cornea, qua veris facilis datm' exitus umbris ; 
Altera candenti perfecta nitens elepbanto ; 
Sed falsa ad coelum mittunt insonmia manes. 
His ubi turn natum AncMses unaque Sibyllam 
Prosequitm' dictis, portaque emittit eburna : 
Ele viam seeat ad naves sociosque revisit. 
Turn se ad Caietas recto fert limite portum. 
Ancora de prora jacitur ; stant litore puppes. 




p. YIEGILII MAEONIS 

^ N E I D O S 

LIBEE SEPTIMUS. 




•iMilili;!lit'i|i'li!i!iiliiill|il;ii;!i'ii'^ili 



Ttj quoque litoribus nostris, -lEne'ia nutrix, 

^ternam moriens famam, Caieta, dedisti ; 

Et iiT:inc servat honos sedem tuus, ossaque nomen 

Hesperia in magna, si qua est ea gloria, signat. i 

At pius exsequiis ^Eneas rite solutis, 

Aggere composito tumuli, postquam alta quierunt 

^quora, tendit iter velis, portumque relinquit. 

Aspirant aurse in noctem, nee Candida cursus 

Luna negat ; splendet tremulo sub lumine pontus. 

Proxima Circaese raduntur litora terras, 

Dives inaccessos ubi Solis filia lucos 

Assiduo resonat cantu, tectisque superbis 

XJrit odoratam nocturna in lumina cedrum, 

Arguto tenues percurrens pectine telas. 

Hinc exaudiri gemitus irseque leonum, 

Yincla recusantum, et sera sub nocte rudentum ; 

Ssetigerique sues, atque in prsesepibus ursi 

Sa^vire, ac formse magnorum ululare luporum ; 

Quos hominum ex facie dea sseva potentibus herbis 

Induerat Circe in vultus ac terga ferarum. 



250 



p. YIEGILII MA-RPyiS 



Quae ne monstra pii paterentur talia Troes, 
Delati in portus, neu litora dira subirent : 
Neptunus ventis implevit vela secundis, 
Atque fugam dedit, et preeter vada fervida vexit. 

Jamque rubescebat radiis mare, et sethere ab alto 
Aurora in roseis folgebat lutea bigis ; 
Quum venti posuere, omnisque repente resedit 
Flatus et in lento luetantur mai'more tonsse. 
Atque hie ^neas ingentem ex sequore lucum 
Prospicit. Hunc inter fluvio Tiberinus amoeno, 
Verticibus rapidis, et multa flavus ai-ena, 
In mare prorumpit. Vaiise cii'cumque supraque 
Assuet^ ripis volucres et fluminis alveo 
iEtbera mulcebant cantu, lueoque volabant. 
Flectere iter sociis terraeque advertere proras 
Imperat, et laetus fluvio succedit opaco. 

Nunc age, qui reges, Erato, quae tempora rerum, 
Quis Latio antique fuerit status, advena classem 
Quum piimum Ausoniis exercitus appulit oris, 







Nii!.: 



JEJTEIDOS LIB. VII. 251 

Expediam, et primas revocabo exordia pugnaa. 
Tu vatem, tu diva, mone. Dicam horrida bella ; 
Dicam acies, actosque animis in funera reges, 
Tyrrlienamque manum, totamque sub arma coactam 
Hesperiam. Major rerum mihi nascitur ordo ; 
Majus opus moveo. Rex arva Latinus et urbes 
Jam senior longa placidas in pace regebat. 
Hunc Fauno et nympba genitum Laurente Marica 
Accipimus : Fauno Picus pater : isque parentem 
Te, Saturne, refert ; tu sanguinis ultimus auctor. 
Filius buic, fato divum, prolesque virilis 
Nulla fuit, primaque oriens erepta juventa est. 
Sola domum et tantas servabat filia sedes, 
Jam matura viro, jam plenis nubilis annis. 
Multi illam magno e Latio totaque petebant 
Ausonia ; petit ante alios pulcherrimus omnes 
Turnus, avis atavisque potens ; quem regia conjux 
Adjmigi generum miro properabat amore ; 
Sed variis portenta deum terroribus obstant. 
Laurus erat tecti medio in penetralibus altis, 
Sacra comam, multosque metu servata per annos : 
Quam pater inventam, primas quum conderet arces, 
Ipse ferebatur Phoabo sacrasse Latinus, 
Laurentisque ab ea nomen posuisse colonis. 
Hujus apes summum densse, mirabile dictu, 
Stridore ingenti liquidum trans sethera vectae, 
Obsedere apicem ; et, pedibus per mutua nexis, 
Examen subitum ramo frondente pependit. 
Continuo vates, "Externum cernimus," inqnit, 
" Adventare virum, et partes petere agmen easdem 
Partibus ex isdem, et summa dominarier arce." 
Prseterea, castis adolet dum altaria tagdis, 
TJt juxta genitorem adstat Lavinia virgo. 
Visa, nefas ! longis comprendere erinibus ignem, 
Atque omnem ornatum flamma crepitante cremari, 
E/egalesque accensa comas, accensa coronam, 
Insignem gemmis ; turn fumida lumine fulvo 
Involvi, ac totis Yulcanum spargere tectis. 
Id vero horrendum ac visu mirabile ferri : 
Namque fore illustrem fama fatisque canebant 
Ipsam ; sed populo magnum portendere bellum. 
At rex sollicitus monstris oracula Fauni, 
Fatidici genitoris, adit, lucosque sub alta 
Consulit Albunea : nemorum quas maxima sacro 
Fonte sonat, saevamque exbalat opaca mephitim. 
Hinc Italse gentes, omnisque (Enotria tellus, 



252 



p. yiEGILII MAEONIS 



In dubiis responsa petimt. Hue dona sacerdos 
Quum tulit, et csesarum ovium sub nocte silenti 
Pellibus incubuit stratis, somnosque petivit : 
Multa modis simulacra videt volitantia miris, 
Et varias audit voces, fruiturque deorum 
CoUoquio, atque imis Acberonta affatur Avernis. 
Hie et turn pater ipse petens responsa Latinus 
Centum lanigeras mactabat rite bidentes, 
Atque harum effultus tergo stratisque jacebat 
Yelleribus : subita ex alto vox reddita luco est : 
" Ne pete connubiis natam sociare Latinis, 
mea progenies, thalamis neu. crede paratis ; 
Externi venimit generi, qui sanguine nostrum 
Nomen in astra ferant, quorumque ab stirpe nepotes 
Omnia sub pedibus, qua Sol utrumque recm'rens 
Aspicit Oceanum, vertique regique videbunt." 




Haec responsa patris Fauni, monitusque silenti 
Nocte datos, non ipse suo premit ore Latinus : 
Sed eircum late volitans jam Fama ])er urbes 
Ausonias tulerat, quum Laomedontia pubes 
Gramineo ripae religavit ab aggere classem. 

JEneas primique duces et pulcher lulus 
Corpora sub ramis deponunt arboris altse ; 
Instituuntque dapes, et adorea liba per herbam 
Subjiciunt epulis, — sic Jupiter ille monebat — 
Et Cereale solum pomis agrestibus augent. 
Consumtis bie forte aliis, ut vertere morsus 
Exiguam in Cererem penuria adegit edendi, 
Et violare manu malisque audacibus orbem 



^JfEIDOS LIB. YII. 253 

Fatalis crusti, patulis nee parcere quadi'is : 

" Heus ! etiam mensas consumimus ? " inquit lulus. 

Nee plura alludens. Ea vox audita laborum 

Prima tulit finem, primamque loquentis ab ore 

Eripuit pater, ac stupefactus numine pressit. 

Contiuuo, " Salve fatis mihi debita Tellus, 

Vosque," ait, "o fidi Trojse salvete Penates. 

Hie domus, bsec patria est. Grenitor mihi talia, namque 

Nunc repeto, Aneliises fatorum arcana reliquit : 

Quum te, nate, fames ignota ad litora vectum 

Aeeisis coget dapibus consumere mensas : 

Tum sperare domos defessus, ibique memento 

Prima loeare manu molirique aggere tecta. 

Hsee erat ilia fames ; baec nos suprema manebat, 

Exitiis positm'a modum. 

Quare agite, et primo Iseti eum lumine solis, 

Quse loca, quive habeant homines, ubi mcenia gentis, 

Vestigemus, et a portu diversa petamus. 

Nunc pateras libate Jovi, precibusque voeate 

Anchisen genitorem, et vina reponite mensis." 

Sic deinde effatus frondenti tempora ramo 

Imphcat, et Greniumque loci, primamque deorum 

Tellurem, Nymphasque, et adhue ignota precatm' 

Elumina ; tum Noetem, Noctisque orientia signa, 

Idseumque Jovem, Phrygiamque ex ordine Matrem, 

Invocat, et dupHces Coeloque Ereboque parentes. 

Hie Pater omnipotens ter coelo clarus ab alto 

Intonuit, radiisque ardentem lucis et auro 

Ipse manu quatiens ostendit ab se there nubem. 

Diditur hie subito Trojana per agmina rumor, 

Advenisse diem, quo debita moenia condant. 

Certatim instaurant epulas, atque omine magno 

Crateras Iseti statuunt, et vina coronant. 

Postera quum prima lustrabat lampade terras 
Orta dies, urbem et fines et htora gentis 
Diversi explorant ; heec fontis stagna Numici, 
Hune Thybrim fluvium, hie fortes habitare Latinos. 
Tum satus Anchisa deleetos ordine ab omni 
Centum oratores augusta ad moenia regis 
Ire jubet, ramis valatos Palladis omnes, 
Donaque ferre vu-o, paeemque exposeere Teucris. 
Haud mora : festinant jussi, rapidisque feruntur 
Passibus. Ipse humih designat moenia fossa, 
Mohturque locum ; primasque in htore sedes, 
Castrorum in morem, pinnis atque aggere cingit. 
Jamque iter emensi, turres ac tecta Latinorum 



254 



p. TIEGILII MAEO]S"IS 



Ardua cernebant juvenes, mui'oque subibant : 

Ante m'bem pueri et primsevo flore juventus 

Exercentur equis, domitantque in pulvere currus ; 

Aut acres tendunt arcus, ant lenta lacertis 

Spicula contorquent, cui'suque ictuque lacessunt : 

Quum praeveetus equo longsevi regis ad aures 

Nuncius ingentes ignota in veste reportat 

Advenisse viros. Ille intra teeta vocari 

Imperat, et solio medius consedit avito. 

Tectum augustum, ingens, centum sublime columnis, 

Urbe fuit summa, Laurentis regia Pici, 

Horrendum silvis et religione parentum. 

Hie sceptra accipere, et primos attollere fasces 

Eegibus omen erat ; hoc iilis cmia templum, 

Has sacris sedes epulis ; bic ariete cseso 

Perpetuis soliti patres considere mensis. 

Quin etiam veterum effigies ex ordine avorum 

Antiqua e cedro, Italusque, paterque Sabinus 

Vitisator curvam servans sub imagine falcem, 




Saturnusque senex, Janique bifrontis imago, 

Vestibule adstabant ; aliique ab origine reges, 

Martiaque ob pati'iam pugnando vulnera passi. 

Multaque prseterea sacris in postibus arma, 

Captivi pendent cm-rus, curvasque secures, 

Et cristse capitum, et portarum ingentia claustra, 

Spiculaque, clipeique, ereptaque rostra carinis. 

Ipse Quirinali lituo parvaque sedebat 

Succinctus trabea, lasvaque ancile gerebat 

Picus, equum domitor : quem capta cupidine conjux 

Am-ea percussum virga, versumque venenis, 

Eecit avem Circe, sparsitque coloribus alas. 

Tali intus templo divum patriaque Latinus 



^NEIDOS LIE. Til. 255 

Sede sedens Teneros ad sese in tecta vocavit ; 
Atque hfec ingressis placido prior edidit ore : 

" Dicite, Dardanidse, neque enim nescimus et urbem 
Et genus, anditique advertitis sequore cursum, 
Quid petitis ? qn^ causa rates, aut cujus egentes 
Litus ad Ausonium tot per vada csei-ula vexit ? 
Sive errore vise, seu tempestatibus acti, — 
Qualia multa mari nautse patiuntur in alto — 
Eluminis intrastis ripas, portuque sedetis : 
Ne fugite hospitium, neve ignorate Latinos 
Satumi gentem, baud vinelo nee legibus sequam, 
Sponte sua veterisque dei se more tenentem. 
Atque equidem memini — fama est obscurior annis — 
Auruncos ita ferre senes, bis oi-tus ut agris 
Dardanus Idseas Pbrygise penetrarit ad urbes, 




Tln'eiciamque Samum, qute nunc Samotbraeia fertur, 
Hinc ilbiai Corjtbi Tyrrhena ab sede profectum 
Aurea nunc solio stellantis regia coeH 
Accipit, et numerum divoruni altaribus addit." 
Dixerat. Et dicta Ilioneus sic voce secutus : 
" Eex, genus egregium Fauni, nee fiuctibus actos 
Atra subegit biems vestris succedere terris, 
I^ec sidus regione vise Htusve fefeUit : 
Consibo banc omnes animisque volentibus urbem 
Afferimm-, pulsi regnis, quae maxima quondam 
Extremo veniens Sol aspiciebat Olympo. 
Ab Jove principium generis ; Jove Dardana pubes 
Gaudet avo : Rex ipse, Jovis de gente suprema, 
Troius jEneas tua nos ad limina misit. 
Quanta per Idseos ssevis efRisa Mycenis 
Tempestas ierit campos ; quibus actus uterque 
Em'opse atque Asise fatis concmTcrit orbis : 
Audiit, et si quern tellus extrema refuso 
Submovet Oceano, et si quern extenta plagarum 
Quatuor in medio du'imit plaga Sobs iniqui. 
Diluvio ex illo tot vasta per aequora vecti 



256 p. VIEGILII MAEONIS 

Dis sedem exiguam patriis litusque rogamus 
Innocuum, et cunctis undamque auramque patentem. 
Non erimus regno indecores : nee vestra feretur 
Fama levis, tantive abolescet gratia facti ; 
Nee Trojam Ausonios gremio excepisse pigebit. 
Fata per ^neae juro, dextramque potentem, 
Sive fide, sen quis bello est expertus et armis ; 
Multi nos populi, multse — ne temne, quod ultro 
Praeferimus manibus vittas ac verba precantia — 
Et petiere sibi et voluere adjungere gentes. 
Sed nos fata deum vestras exquirere terras 
Imperils egere suis. Hinc Dardanus ortus : 
Hue repetit, jussisque ingentibus urget Apollo 
Tyrrhenum ad Thybiim et fontis vada sacra Nunaici. 
Dat tibi prseterea fortungG parva prioris 
Munera, reliquias Troja ex ardente receptas. 
Hoc pater Ancbises auro libabat ad aras : 
Hoe Priami gestamen erat, quum jura vocatis 
More daret populis, sceptrumque sacerque tiaras, 
Iliadumque labor vestes." 

Talibus Ilionei dictis defixa Latinus 
Obtutu tenet ora, soloque immobilis haeret, 
Intentos volvens oculos. Nee pui'pui'a regem 
Picta movet, nee sceptra movent Priameia tantum, 
Quantum in connubio natae tbalamoque moratur ; 
Et veteris Fauni volvit sub pectore sortem. 
Hunc iUum fatis externa ab sede profectum 
Portendi generum, paribusque in regna vocari 
Auspiciis ; buic progeniem virtute futm'am 
Egregiam, et totum quae vii'ibus occupet orbem. 
Tandem laetus ait : " Di nostra incepta secmident, 
Augm-iumque suum ! Dabitm*, Trojane, quod optas 
Munera nee sperno. Non vobis, rege Latino, 
Divitis uber agri Trojaeve opulentia deerit. 
Ipse modo ^neas, nostri si tanta eupido est, 
Si jungi bospitio properat sociusque vocari, 
Adveniat ; vultus neve exliorrescat amicos. 
Pars mihi pacis erit dextram tetigisse tyranni. 
Vos contra regi mea nunc mandata referte. 
Est mibi nata, vii'o gentis quam jmigere nostrae, 
Non patrio ex adyto sortes, non plm'ima coelo 
Monstra sinunt : generos externis affore ab oris, 
Hoe Latio restare canunt, qui sanguine nostrum 
Nomen in astra ferant. Hunc ilium poscere fata 
Et reor, et, si quid veri mens augurat, opto." 
Haec effatus, equos numero pater eligit omni. 



^NEIDOS LIB. YII. 



257 



Stabant ter centum nitidi in praesepibus altis : 
Omnibus extemplo Teucris jubet ordine duci 
Instratos ostro alipedes pictisque tapetis : 
Aurea pectoribus demissa monilia pendent ; 
Tecti am'o, fulvum mandunt sub dentibus aurum ; 
Absenti iEneae currum geminosque jugales 
Semine ab setherio spii'antes naribus ignem, 
lUorum de gente, patri quos dsedala Circe 
Supposita de matre nothos furata creavit. 
Talibus iEneadse donis dictisque Latini 
Sublimes in equis redeunt, pacemque reportant. 
Ecce autem Inacbiis sese referebat ab Argis 
Saeva Jovis conjux, aurasque invecta tenebat ; 
Et laetum ^neam classemque ex sethere longo 
Dardaniam Siculo prospexit ab usque Pachyno. 
Moliii jam tecta videt, jam fidere terrse ; 
Deseruisse rates. Stetit acri fixa dolore. 
Turn quassans caput, hsec effundit pectore dicta : 
" Heu stirpem invisam, et fatis contraria nostris 
Fata Pbrygum ! num Sigeis occumbere campis, 




JSTum capti potuere capi ? num incensa cremavit 
Troja viros ? medias acies mediosque per ignes 
Invenere viam. At, credo, mea numina tandem 
Fessa jacent, odiis aut exsaturata quievi — 
Quin etiam patria excussos infesta per undas 
Ansa sequi, et profugis toto me opponere ponto : 
Absumtse in Teucros vires coelique marisque. 
Quid Syrtes, aut Scylla mibi, quid vasta Charybdis 
Profuit ? optato conduntur Thybridis alveo, 



258 p. YIKGILII MAKONIS 

Securi pelagi atque mei. Mars perdere gentem 

Immanem Lapithum valuit ; concessit in iras 

Ipse deum antiquam genitor Calydona Dianse ; 

Quod scelus aut Lapithas tantum, aut Calydona merentem ? 

Ast ego, magna Jovis conjux, nil linquere inausum 

Qu£e potui infelix, quae memet in omnia verti, 

Vincor ab iEnea. Quod si mea numina non sunt 

Magna satis: dubitem baud equidem implorare quod us- 

Flectere si nequeo superos, Acberonta movebo. [quam est. 

Non dabitur regnis, esto, probibere Latinis, 

Atque immota manet fatis Lavinia conjux : 

At trabere, atque moras tantis beet addere rebus ; 

At beet amborum populos exscindere regum. 

Hac gener atque socer coeant mercede suorum. 

Sanguine Trojano et Rutulo dotabere, virgo : 

Et Bellona manet te pronuba. Nee face tantum 

Cisseis prjBgnans ignes enixa jugales : 

Quin idem Veneri partus suus, et Paris alter, 

Funestaeque iterum recidiva in Pergama tsedae." 

Hasc ubi dicta dedit, terras borrenda petivit. 
Luctificam AUecto Dii-arum ab sede sororum 
Infernisque ciet tenebris : cui tristia bella, 
Iraeque, insidiaeque, et crimina noxia cordi. 
Odit et ipse pater Pluton, odere sorores 
Tartareae monstrum : tot sese vertit in ora, 
Tam saevae facies, tot pullulat atra colubris. 
Quam Juno bis acuit verbis, ac talia fatur : 
" Hunc mibi da proprium, virgo sata Nocte, laborem, 
Hanc operam, ne noster honos infractave cedat 
Fama loco ; neu connubiis ambire Latinum 
JEneadse possint, Italosve obsidere fines. 
Tu potes unanimos armare in proelia fratres, 
Atque odiis versare domos ; tu verbera tectis 
Funereasque inferre faces ; tibi nomina mille, 
Mille nocendi artes. Fecundum concute pectus, 
Disjice compositam pacem, sere crimina belli ; 
Arma velit poscatque simul, rapiatque juventus." 

Exin Grorgoneis Allecto infecta venenis 
Principio Latium et Laurentis tecta tyranni 
Celsa petit, tacitumque obsedit limen Amatae, 
Quam super adventu Teucrum Tm^nique hymenaeis 
Femineae ardentem cm^aeque iraeque coquebant. 
Huic dea caeruleis unum de crinibus anguem 
Conjicit, inque sinum praecordia ad intima subdit. 
Quo faribunda domum monstro permisceat omnem. 
Ille inter vestes et levia pectora lapsus 



^NEIDOS LIB. VII. 

Yolvitur attactu nuUo, fallitque furentem, 
Vipeream inspirans animam ; fit tortile collo 
Aurum ingens coluber, fit longae taenia vittas, 
Innectitque comas, et membris lubricus errat. 
Ac dum prima lues udo sublapsa veneno 
Pertentat sensus, atque ossibus implieat ignem, 
Necdum animus toto percepit pectore flammam : 
Mollius, et solito matrum de more, locuta est, 
Multa super nata lacrimans Phrygiisque hymenaeis : 

" Exsulibusne datur ducenda Lavinia Teucris, 
genitor ? nee te miseret natseque tuique ? 
Nee matris miseret, quam primo aquilone reluiquet 
Perfidus, alta petens abducta virgine praedo ? 



259 




At non sic Phrygius penetrat Lacedasmona pastor, 
Ledasamque Helenam Trojanas vexit ad urbes. 
Quid tua sancta fides ? quid cura antiqua tuorum, 
Et consanguineo toties data dextera Turno ? 
Si gener externa petitur de gente Latinis, 
Idque sedet, Faunique premunt te jussa parentis : 
Omnem equidem sceptris terram quse libera nostris 
Dissidet, externam reor, et sic dicere divos. 
Et Turno, si prima domus repetatur origo, 
Inacbus Acrisiusque patres, mediasque Mycenae.' ' 

His ubi nequidquam dictis experta, Latinum 
Contra stare videt, penitusque in viscera lapsum 
Serpentis furiale malum, totamque pererrat : 
Tum vero infelix, ingentibus excita monstris, 
Immensam sine more fmit lymphata per urbem : 



260 



p. YTEGILTI MAEONrS 



Ceu quondam torto volitans sub verbere turbo, 
Quern pueri magno in gyro vacua atria circum 
Intenti ludo exercent ; ille actus habena 
Curvatis fertur spatiis ; stupet inscia supra 
Impubesque manus, mirata volubile buxum ; 
Dant animos plagas : Non cursu segnior illo 
Per medias urbes agitur populosque feroces. 
Quin etiam in silvas, simulato numine Baccbi, 
IVIajus adorta nefas, majoremque orsa furorem 
Evolat, et natam frondosis montibus abdit ; 
Quo thalamum eripiat Teucris, tesdasque moretur 



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Evoe Baccbe, fremens, solum te virgine dignum, 
Vociferans ; etenim moUes tibi sumere tbyrsos, 
Te lustrare choro, sacrum tibi pascere crinem. 
Fama volat ; Furiisque accensas pectore matres 
Idem omnes simul ardor agit, nova quaerere tecta. 
Deseruere domos ; ventis dant colla comasque. 
Ast aliae tremulis ululatibus sethera complent, 
Pampineasque gerunt incinctae pellibus hastas. 
Ipsa inter medias flagrantem fervida pinum 
Sustinet, ac natse Turnique canit hjmenseos, 



JGNEIDOS LIB, YII. 201 

Sanguineam torquens aciem ; torvumque repente 
Clamat : " lo matres, audite, ubi quseque, Latinse : 
Si qua piis animis manet infelicis Amatae 
Gratia, si juris materni cura remordet ; 
Solvite crinales vittas, capite orgia mecum." 

Talem inter silvas, inter deserta ferarum, 
Regiriam Allecto stimulis agit undique Bacclii. 
Postquam visa satis primes acuisse furores, 
Consiliunique omnemque domum vertisse Latini : 
Protenus hinc fuscis tristis dea tollitur alis 
Audacis Rutuli ad muros : quam dicitur urbem 
Acrisioneis Danae fundasse colonis, 
Praecipiti delata noto. Locus Ardea quondam 
Dictus avis ; et nunc magnum manet Ardea nomen ; 
Sed fortuna fait. Tectis hie Turnus in altis 
Jam mediam nigra carpebat nocte quietem. 
Allecto torvam faciem et furialia membra 
Exuit ; in vultus sese transformat aniles, 
Et frontem obseenam rugis arat ; induit albos 
Cum vitta crines ; turn ramum innectit olivse ; 
Fit Calybe Junonis anus templique sacerdos ; 
Et juveni ante oculos bis se cum vocibus offert : 

" Turne, tot incassum fusos patiere labores, 
Et tua Dardaniis transcribi sceptra colonis ? 
Rex tibi conjugium et qusesitas sanguine dotes 
Abnegat, externusque in regnum quaeritm- beres. 
I nunc, ingratis offer te, irrise, periclis ; 
Tyrrbenas, i, sterne acies ; tege pace Latinos. 
Hsec adeo tibi me, placida quum nocte jaceres, 
Ipsa palam fari omnipotens Satm^nia jussit. 
Quare age, et armari pubem portisque moveri 
Laetus in arma para, et Phrygios, qui flumine pulcbro 
Consedere, duces pictasque exure cai'inas. 
Coelestum vis magna jubet. Eex ipse Latinus, 
Ni dare conjugium et dicto parere fatetur, 
Sentiat et tandem Turnum experiatur in armis." 

Hie juvenis, vatem irridens, sic orsa vicissim 
Ore refert : " Classes invectas Tbybridis alveo, 
Non, ut rere, meas effugit nuncius aures. 
Ne tantos mibi finge metus : nee regia Juno 
Immemor est nostri. 
Sed te victa situ verique effeta senectus, 
O mater, cm'is nequidquam exercet, et arma 
Eegum inter falsa vatem formidine ludit. 
Cura tibi, divum effigies et templa tueri ; 
Bella viri pacemque gerent, [quels bella gerenda.]" 



262 



p. VIEGILII MAEOIiTIS 




Talibus Allecto dictis exarsit in iras. 
At juveni oranti subitus tremor occupat artus ; 
Deriguere oculi : tot Erinys sibilat hydris, 
Tantaque se facies aperit. Turn flammea torqueiis 
Lumina cunctantem et quaerentem dicere plura 
Repulit, et geminos erexit crinibus angues, 
Yerberaque insonuit, rabidoque hsec addidit ore : 
" En ego victa situ, quam veri effeta senectus 
Arma inter regum falsa formidine ludit ; 
Respice ad haec : adsum dirarum ab sede sororum ; 
Bella manu letumque gero." 
Sic effata facem juveni conjecit, et atro 
Lumine fumantes fixit sub pectore taeda.s. 
OUi somnum ingens rumpit pavor, ossaque et artus 
Perfundit toto proruptus corpore sudor. 
Arma amens fremit ; arma toro tectisque requirit. 
Saevit amor ferri, et scelerata insania belli, 
Ira super : magno veluti quum flamma sonore 
Virgea suggeritur costis undantis aheni, 
Exsultantque asstu latices ; furit intus aquai 
Eumidus atque alte spumis exuberat amnis ; 
Nee jam se capit unda ; volat vapor ater ad auras. 
Ergo iter ad regem polluta pace Latinum 
Indicit primis juvenum, et jubet arma parari, 
Tutari Italiam, detrudere finibus hostem ; 
Se satis ambobus Teucrisque venire Latinisque. 
Haec ubi dicta dedit, divosque in vota vocavit : 



^KEIDOS LIB. VII. 263 

Certatlm sese Eutuli exhortantur in arma. 

Hunc decus egregium formse movet atque juventse ; 

Hunc atavi reges, hunc claris dextera factis. 

Dum Turnus Eutulos animis audacibus implet, 
Allecto in Teucros Stygiis se concitat alis. 
Arte nova speculata locum, quo litore pulcher 
Insidiis cui-suque feras agitabat lulus, 
Hie subitam canibus rabiem Cocytia virgo 
Objicit, et noto nares eontingit odore, 
Ut cervum ardentes agerent : quse prima laborum 
Causa fait, belloque animos accendit agrestes. 
Cervus erat forma praestanti et cornibus ingens, 
Tyrrbidae pueri quem matris ab ubere raptum 
Nutribant, Tyrrheusque pater, cui regia parent 
Armenta, et late custodia credita campi. 
Assuetum. imperils soror omni Silvia cura 
Mollibus intexens ornabat cornua certis, 
Pectebatque ferum, puroque in fonte lavabat. 
Ille manum patiens, mensseque assuetus berili, 
Errabat silvis ; rm'susque ad limina nota 
Ipse domum sera quamvis se nocte ferebat. 
Hunc procul errantem rabidae venantis luli 
Commovere canes, fluvio quum forte secundo 
Deflueret, ripaque sestus viridante levaret. 
Ipse etiam, eximise laudis succensus amore, 
Ascanius curvo direxit spicula cornu : 
Nee dextrge erranti deus afuit : actaque multo 
Perque uterum sonitu perque ilia venit arundo. 
Saucius at quadrupes nota intra tecta refugit, 
Successitque gemens stabulis, questuque cruentus 
Atque imploranti similis tectum omne replebat. 
Silvia prima soror, palmis percussa laeertos, 
Auxilium vocat et duros conclamat agrestes. 
Olli, pestis enim tacitis latet aspera silvis, 
Improvisi adsunt : hie torre armatus obusto, 
Stipitis hie gravidi nodis : quod cuique repertum 
Eimanti, telmn ira facit. Vocat agmina Tyrrheus, 
Quadrifidam quercum cuneis et forte coactis 
Scindebat, rapta spu-ans immane securi. 
At saeva e speculis tempus dea nacta nocendi 
Ardua tecta petit stabuli, et de culmine summo 
Pastorale canit signum, cornuque recurvo 
Tartaream intendit vocem : qua protenus omne 
Contremuit nemus, et silvae intonuere profundae, 
Audiit et Triviae longe lacus ; audiit amnis 
Sulfurea Nar albus aqua fontesque Velini ; 



264 



p. VIEGILII MAE0NI3 



Et Trepidae matres pressere ad pectora natos. 
Turn vero ad vocem celeris, qua buccina signum 
Dira dedit, raptis concurrunt undique telis 
Indomiti agricolae ; nee non et Troia pubes 
Ascanio auxilium castris effundit apertis. 
Direxere acies. Non jam certamine agresti, 
Stipitibus duris agitur sudibusve praeustis ; 







Sed ferro ancipiti decernunt, atraque late 
Horrescit strictis seges ensibus, seraque fulgent 
Sole lacessita, et lucem sub nubila jactant : 
Fluctus uti primo coepit quum albescere veiito, 
Paulatim sese toUit mare, et altius undas 
Erigit, inde imo consurgit ad sethera fundo. 
Hie juvenis primam ante aciem stridente sagitta, 
Natorum Tyrrhei fuerat qui maximus, Almo 
Sternitur ; hsesit enim sub guttm*e vulnus, et udse 
Vocis iter tenuemque inclusit sanguine vitam. 
Corpora multa virum circa, seniorque Gralsesus, 
Dum paci medium se offert ; justissimus unus 
Qui fuit, Ausoniisque olim ditissimus arvis : 
Quinque greges illi balantum, quina redibant 
Armenta, et terram centum vertebat aratris. 

Atque ea per campos sequo dum Marte geruntur, 
Promissi dea facta potens, ubi sanguine bellum 
Imbuit et primse comissit funera pugnoe, 



^NEIDOS LIB. YII. 265 

Deserit Hesperiam, et coeli convexa per auras 
Junonem victrix affatiir voce superba : > 

"En, perfecta tibi bello discordia tristi ; 
Die, in amicitiam coeant, et foedera jungant. 
Quandoquidem Ausonio respersi sanguine Teueros, 
Hoc etiam his addam, tua si mibi certa voluntas : 
Finitimas in bella feram rumoribus urbes, 
Accendamque animos insani Martis anaore, 
Undique ut auxilio veniant ; spargam arma per agi'os." 
Turn contra Juno : " Terrorum et fraudis abunde est. 
Stant belli causae ; pugnatur cominus armis : 
Quae fors prima dedit, sanguis novus imbuit arma. 
Talia connubia et tales celebrent hymenseos 
Egregium Veneris genus et rex ipse Latinus. 
Te super astherias errai'e licentius auras 
Hand Pater ille velit, summi regnator Olympi. 
Cede locis. Ego, si qua super fortuna laborum est, 
Ipse regam." Tales dederat Satm-nia voces. 
Ilia autem attollit stridentes anguibus alas, 
Cocytique petit sedem, supera ardua linquens. 
Est locus Italise medio sub montibus altis, 
Nobilis et fama multis memoratus in oris, 
Amsancti valles ; densis hunc frondibus atrum 
TJrget utrimque latus nemoris, medioque fragosus 
Dat sonitum saxis et torto vertice torrens. 
Hie specus horrendum, ssevi spiracula Ditis, 
Monstratm', ruptoque ingens Acheronte vorago 
Pestiferas aperit fauces : quels condita Erinys, 
Invisum numen, terras ccelunique levabat. 

Nee minus interea extremam Saturnia beUo 
Imponit regina manum. Ruit omnis in urbem 
Pastorum ex acie numerus, csesosque reportant 
Almonem puerum foedatique ora G-alsesi ; 
Implorantque deos, obtestantm-que Latinum. 
Turnus adest, medioque in crimine csedis et ignis 
Terrorem ingeminat : Teueros in regna vocari ; 
Stirpem admisceri Phrygiam ; se limine pelli. 
Tum, quorum attonitse Baccho nemora avia matres 
Insultant thiasis, neque enim leve nomen Amatae, 
Undique coUecti coeunt, Martemque fatigant. 
Ilicet infandum cuncti contra omina beUum, 
Contra fata deum, perverso numine poscunt : 
Certatim regis circumstant tecta Latini. 
Ille, velut pelagi rupes immota, resistit ; 
[Ut pelagi rupes, magno veniente fragore,] 
Quae sese, multis circum latrantibus undis, 



266 



p. YIEGILII MAEOKIS 



Mole tenet ; scopuli nequidquam et spumea circum 
Saxa fremunt, laterique illisa refunditur alga. 
Verum ubi nulla datur csecum exsuperare potest as 
Consilium, et saevse nutu Junonis eunt res ; 
Multa deos aurasque pater testatus inanes, 
" Frangimur heu fatis," inquit, " ferimurque procella ! 
Ipsi has sacrilego pendetis sanguine poenas, 
miseri. Te, Turne, nefas, te triste manebit 
Supplicium ; votisque deos venerabere seris. 
Nam mihi parta quies, omnisque in limine portus ; 
Funere felici spolior." Nee plura locutus 
Sepsit se tectis, rerumque reliquit habenas. 

Mos erat Hesperio in Latio, quem protinus urbes 
Albanae coluere sacrum, nunc maxima rerum 
Roma colit, quum prima movent in prcBlia Martem, 
Sive Getis inferre manu lacrimabile bellum, 
Hyrcanisve Arabisve parant, seu tendere ad Indos, 
Auroramque sequi, Parthosque reposcere signa. 
Sunt geminse Belli portse — sic nomine dicimt — 
ReHgione sacrsB et saevi formidine Martis : 
Centum serei claudunt vectes, seternaque ferri 




Robora ; nee custos absistit limine Janus. 
Has, ubi certa sedet patribus sententia pugnse, 
Ipse Quirinali trabea cinctuque Gabino 
Insignis reserat stridentia limina Consul : 
Ipse vocat pugnas ; sequitur tum cetera pubes, 
^reaque assensu conspirant cornua rauco. 
Hoc et tum ^neadis indicere bella Latinus 
More jubebatur, tristesque recludere portas. 
Abstinuit tactu pater, aversusque refugit 
Foeda ministeria, et csecis se condidit umbris. 
Tum regina deum coelo delapsa morantes 
Idmulit ipsa manu portas, et cardine verso 



iENEIDOS LIB. YII. 267 

Belli ferratos rupit Saturnia postes. 
Ardet inexcita Ausonia atque immobilis ante ; 
Pars pedes ire parat campis ; pars arduus altis 
Pulverulentus equis furit : omnes arma requirunt. 
Pars leves clipeos et spicula lucida tergiint 
Arvina pingui, subiguntque in cote secures ; 
Signaque ferre juvat, sonitusque audii-e tnbariim. 
Quinque adeo magnae positis incndibus urbes 
Tela novant, Atina potens, Tiburque superbum, 
Ardea, Crustumeriqne, et turrigerse Anteninae. 
Tegmina tuta cavant capitum, flectuntque salignas 
Umbonum crates ; alii tboracas ahenos, 
Aut leves ocreas lento ducunt argento : 
Vomeris hue et falcis bonos, hue omnis aratri 
Cessit amor : recoquunt 2)atrios fomaeibus enses. 
Classica jam que sonant ; it bello tessera signum. 
Hie galeam tectis trepidus rapit ; ille frementes 
Ad juga cogit equos ; clipeumque auroque trihcem 
Loricam induitur fidoque accingitur ense. 

Pandite nunc Hehcona, deae, cantusque movete, 
Qui bello exciti reges, quae quemque secutse 
Complerint campos acies ; quibus Itala jam turn 
Ploruerit terra ahna viris, quibus arserit armis. 
Et meministis enim, diva?, et memorare potestis ; 
Ad nos vix tenuis famse perlabitur aura. 

Primus init bellum Tyrrhenis asper ab oris 
Contemtor divum Mezentius, agminaque armat. 
Pilius huic juxta Lausus, quo pulchrior alter 
Non fait, excepto Laurentis corpore Turni. 
Lausus, equum domitor debellatorque ferarum, 
Ducit Agyllina nequidquam ex m'be secutos 
Mille viros ; dignus, patriis qui laetior esset 
Imperiis, et cui pater baud Mezentius esset. 

Post hos insignem palma per gramina currum 
Victoresque ostentat equos satus Hercule pulchi'o 
Pulcher Aventinus ; clipeoque insigne paternum 
Centum angues cinctamque gent serpentibus Hjdi'am ; 
CoUis Aventini silva quern Rhea sacerdos 
Purtivum partu sub luminis edidit oras, 
Mixta deo muher, postquam Lam'entia victor, 
Greryone exstincto, Tuynthius attigit arva, 
Tyrrhenoque boves in flumine lavit Iberas. 
Pila manu saevosque gerunt in bella dolones ; 
Et tereti pugnant mucrone veruque Sabello. 
Ipse pedes, tegumen torquens immane leonis, 
Terribih impexum saeta, cum dentibus albis, 



268 



p. YIEGILII MAEOIS-IS 



Indutus capiti, sic regia tecta subibat 
Horridus, Herculeoque humeros innexus amictu. 
Turn gemini fratres Tibui'tia moenia linquunt, 
Fratris Tiburti dictam cognomine gentem, 
Catillusque acerque Coras, Ai'giva juventus ; 
Et primam ante aciem densa inter tela feruntur, 
Ceu duo nubigense quum vertice montis ab alto 
Deseendunt Centaui'i, Homolen Otbiymque nivalem 
Linquentes cursu rapido ; dat euntibus ingens 
Silva locum, et magno cedunt virgulta fragore. 




Nee Pragnestinse fundator defuit urbis, 
Vulcano genituin pecora inter agrestia regem, 
Inventumque focis omnis quern credidit setas, 
Caeculus. Hunc legio late comitatur agrestis ; 
Qmque altum Pr£eneste viri, quique arva Gabinae 
Juiionis, gelidumque Anienem, et roscida rivis 
Hernica saxa colunt ; quos, dives Anagnia, pascis, 
Quos, Amasene pater. Non illis omnibus arma 
Nee clipei cuiTusve sonant : pars maxima glandes 
Liventis plumbi spargit ; pars spicula gestat 
Bina manu, fulvosque lupi de pelle galeros 
Tegmen habent capiti : vestigia nuda sinistri 
Instituere pedis ; crudus tegit altera pero. 

At Messapus, equum domitor, Neptunia proles, 
Quem neque fas igni cuiquam nee sternere ferro, 
Jam pridem resides populos, desuetaque bello 
Agmina, in arma vocat subito, ferrumque retractat. 
Hi Fescenninas acies ^Equosque Faliscos, 
Hi Soractis habent arces Flaviniaque arva, 
Et Cimini cum monte lacum lucosque Capenos. 



^I^EIDOS LIB. VII. 



269 



Ibant aequati numero, regemque canebant ; 
Ceu quondam nivei liquida inter nubila cycni 
Quum sese e pastu referunt, et longa canoros 
Dant per colla modos ; sonat amnis et Asia longe 
Pulsa palus. 

Nee quisquam asratas acies ex agmine tanto 
Misceri putet : aeriam sed gurgite ab alto 
Urgeri volucrum raucarum ad litora nubem. 

Ecce, Sabinorum prisco de sanguine, magnum 
Agmen agens Clausus, magnique ipse agminis instar, 




Claudia nunc a quo diffunditur et tribus et gens 
Per Latium, postquam in partem data Roma Sabinis. 
Una ingens Amiterna cohors, priscique Quii'ites, 
Ereti manus omnis, oliviferseque Mutuscae ; 
Qui Nomentum urbem, qui Rosea rura Velini, 
Qui Tetricse horrentis rupes, montemque Severum, 
Casperiamque colunt, Forulosque, et ilumen Himellag 
Qui Thybrim Fabarimque bibunt, quos frigida misit 
Nursia, et Hortinse classes, populique Latini, 
Quosque secans infaustum interluit Allia nomen : 
Quam multi Libyco volvuntur marmore fluctus, 
Saevus ubi Orion hibernis conditur undis ; 
Vel quum sole novo densse torrentur aristae, 
Aut Hermi campo, aut Lycise flaventibus arvis. 
Scuta sonant, pulsuque pedum conterrita tellus. 
Hinc Agamemnonius, Trojani nominis hostis, 
Curru jungit Halsesus equos, Turnoque feroces 
Mille rapit populos ; vertunt felicia Baccho 



270 p. YiEGiLn MAsoin:s 

Massica qui rastris, et quos de coUibus altis 
Amnmci misere patres, Sidicinaque juxta 
iEquora ; quique Cales linquunt, amnisque vadosi 
Accola Yulturni, pariterque Saticulas asper, 
Oscorumque manus. Teretes sunt aclydes illis 
Tela : sed hsec lento nios est aptare flagello. 
Laevas csetra tegit ; falcati cominus enses. 

l^ec tu cai'minibus nostris indictus abibis, 
(Ebale, quern generasse Telon Sebethide nymplia 
Fertur, Teleboum Capreas quum regna teneret 
Jam senior ; patriis sed non et filius arvis 
Contentus, late jam tum ditione premebat 
Sarrastes populos, et quae rigat aequora Sarnus, 
Quique Eufras Batulumque tenent atque arva Celenufe, 
Et quos maliferse despectant moenia Abellae : 
Teutonico ritu soliti torquere cateias ; 
Tegmina quels capitum rapt us de subere cortex, 
-^ratgeque micant peltse, micat sereus ensis. 

Et te montosse misere in proelia Nersae, 
Ufens, insignem fama et felicibus ai'mis : 
Horrida prsecipue cui gens, assuetaque multo 
Venatu nemorum, dm'is yEquicula glebis. 
Armati terram exereent, semperque recentes 
Conveetare juvat praedas, et vivere rapto. 

Quin et Marrubia venit de gente saeerdos, 
Eronde super galeam et felici comtus oliva, 
Archippi regis missu, fortissimus Umbro : 
Yiperio generi et graviter spirantibus hydris 
Spargere qui somnos cantuque manuque solebat, 
Mulcebatque ii'as, et morsus arte levabat. 
Sed non Dardanise medicari cuspidis ictum 
Evaluit ; neque eum juvere in vulnera cantus 
Somniferi, et Marsis qusesitas montibus herbos. 
Te nemus Anguitise, vitrea te Fueinus unda, 
Te liquidi flevere lacus. 

Ibat et Hippolyti proles pulcbenima bello 
Yirbius, insignem quem mater Alicia misit, 
Eductum Egerise lucis, humentia cii'cum 
Litora, pinguis ubi et placabilis ara Dianse. 
Namque ferunt fama Hippolvtum, postquam arte novercaj 
Occiderit, patriasque explerit sanguine poenas 
Tm'batis disti'actus equis, ad sidera rm'sus 
^theria et superas coeli venisse sub auras, 
Pseoniis revocatum herbis et amore Dianae. 
Tum Pater omnipotens, aliquem indignatus ab umbns 
Mortalem infernis ad lumina surgere vitae, 



^KEIDOS LIB. Tir. 271 




Ipse repertorem medicinse talis et artis 
Fulmine Phoebigenam Stygias detrusit in undas. 
At Trivia Hippoljtum secretis alma recondit 
Sedibus, et nymphae Egerise nemorique relegat : 
Solus ubi in silvis Italis ignobilis sevum 
Exigeret, versoque ubi nomine Yirbius esset. 
TJnde etiam templo Triviae lucisqne sacratis 
Cornipedes arcentm* equi ; quod litore currum \ 
Et juvenem monstris pavidi effudere marinis. 
Filius ardentes baud secius sequore campi 
Exercebat equos, curruque in bella ruebat. 

Ipse inter primos praestanti corpore Tui'nus 
Vertitur arma tenens, et toto vertice supra est : 
Cui triplici crinita juba galea alta CbimBeram 
Sustinet, ^tnseos efflantem fancibus ignes ; 
Tarn magis ilia Tremens , et tristibus efFera flammis, 
Quam magis effuso crudescunt sanguine pugnse. 
At levem clipeum sublatis cornibus lo 
Am'o insignibat, jam ssetis obsita, jam bos, 
Argumentum ingens, et custos virginis Argus, 
Caelataque amnem fundens pater Inachus urna. 
Insequitur nimbus peditum, clipeataque totis 
Agmina densentur campis, Argivaque pubes, 
Auruncaeque manus, Kutuli, veteresque Sicani, 
Et Sacranse acies, et picti scuta Labici : 
Qui saltus, Tiberine, tuos, saciTimque Numici 
Litus arant, Rutulosque exercent vomere coUes, 
Circaeumque jugum ; quels Jupiter Anxm'us arvis 
Praesidet, et viridi gaudens Eeronia lut30 ; 
Qua Saturse jacet atra palus, gelidusque per imas 
Quserit iter valles atque in mare conditur TJfens. 

Hos super advenit Yolsca de gente Camilla, 
Agmen agens equitum et florentes sere catervas, 



272 



p. YIEGILII MAEONIS. 



Bellatrix : non ilia colo calathisve Minervee 
Femineas assueta manus, sed proelia virgo 
Dura pati, cursuque pedum praevertere ventos. 
Ilia vel intact 88 segetis per summa volaret 
Grramina, nee teneras eursu Isesisset aristas ; 
Yel mare per medium, fluctu suspensa tumenti, 
Ferret iter, celeres nee tingeret sequore plantas. 
lUam omnis tectis agrisque effusa juventus 
Turbaque miratur matrum, et prospectat euntem, 
Attonitis inhians aiiimis : ut regius ostro 
Yelet honos leves humeros, ut fibula criuem 
Auro internectat ; Lyciam ut gerat ipsa pharetram 
Et pastoralem prsefixa cuspide myrtum. 




p. TIEGIIII MAEONIS 

^ N E I D S 

LIBER OCTAYUS. 




Ut belli signum Laurent! Turnus ab arce 
Extulit, et rauco strepuerunt cornua cantu ; 
Utque acres concussit equos, iitque impulit arma ; 
Extemplo turbati animi, sinml omne tumultu 
Conjiirat trepido Latiiim, ssevitque juventus 
Effera. Ductores primi Messapus et Ufens, 
Contemtorque deum Mezentius, undique cogunt 
Auxilia, et latos vastant cultoribiis agros. 
Mittitur et magni Venulus Diomedis ad urbem, 
Qui petat auxilium, et, Latio consistere Teueros, 
Advectum Mnesm classi, victosque penates 
Inferre, et fatis regem se dicere posci, 
Edoceat, multasque viro se adjungere gentes 
Dardanio, et late Latio increbrescere nomen. 
Quid struat bis coeptis, quern, si fortuna sequatur, 
Eventum pugnse cupiat, manifestius ipsi, 
Quam Turno regi, aut regi apparere Latino. 

Talia per Latium : quae Laomedontius beros 
Cuncta videns magno cui^arum fluctuat sestu ; 
Atque animum nunc buc celerem, nunc dividit illuc, 



276 p. VIEGILn MAEONIS 

In partesque rapit varias, perque omnia versat. 
Sicut aquse tremulum labris ubi lumen ahenis 
Sole repercussum, aut radiantis imagine Lunse, 
Omnia pervolitat late loca, jam que sub auras 
Erigitur, summique ferit laquearia tecti. 
Nox erat, et terras animalia fessa per omnes 
Alituum pecudumque genus sopor altus habebat : 
Quum pater in ripa geHdique sub aetberis axe 
^neas, tristi turbatus pectora bello, 
Procubuit, seramque dedit per membra quietem. 
Huic deus ipse loci fluvio Tiberinus amoeno 
Populeas inter senior se attollere frondes 
Visus ; eum tenuis glauco velabat amictu 
Carbasus, et crines umbrosa tegebat arundo ; 
Tum sic affari, et cm*as bis demere dictis : 

" sate gente deum, Trojanam ex hostibus ui-bem 
Qui revebis nobis, aeternaque Pergama servas, 
Exspectate solo Lam'enti arvisque Latinis, 
Hie tibi certa domus, certi, ne absiste, penates ; 
Neu belK terrere minis. Tumor omnis et ii'se 
Concessere deum. 

Jamque tibi, ne vana putes baec fingere somnum, 
Litoreis ingens inventa sub ilicibus sus, 
Triginta capitum fetus enixa, jacebit ; 
Alba, solo recubans, albi circum ubera nati. 
Hie locus urbis erit, requies ea certa laborum : 
Ex quo ter denis urbem redeuntibus annis 
Ascanius clari condet cognominis Albam. 
Hand incerta cano. Nunc qua ratione quod instat 
Expedias victor, paucis, adverte, docebo. 
Arcades bis oris, genus a Pallante profectum. 
Qui regem Evancb'um comites, qui signa secuti, 
Delegere locum, et posuere in montibus m^bem, 
Pallantis proavi de nomine Pallanteum : 
Hi bellum assidue ducunt cum gente Latina ; 
Hos castris adbibe socios, et foedera junge. 
Ipse ego te ripis et recto flumine ducam, 
Adversum remis superes subvectus ut amnem. 
Surge age, nate dea ; primisque cadentibus astris 
Junoni fer rite preces, iramque minasque 
Supplicibus supera votis. Mihi victor bonorem 
Pei'solves. Ego sum, pleno quem flmnine cernis 
Stringentem ripas, et pinguia culta secantera, 
Caeruleus Tbybris, coelo gratissimus amnis. 
Hie mibi magna domus, celsis caput urbibus, exit." 

Dixit, deinde lacu Fluvius se condidit alto, 



^KEIDOS LIB. Yin. 



277 



Ima petens. Nox TEnean somnusque reliquit : 

Sui'git, et setheni spectans orientia Solis 

Lumina, rite cavis undam de flumine palmis 

Sustulit, ac tales efFundit ad sethera voces : 

" Nymplise, Laurentes jSTymphss, genus amnibus unde est, 

Tuque, o Thybri tuo genitor cum flumine sancto, 

Accipite iEnean, et tandem arcete periclis. 

Quo te cumque lacus, miserantem incommoda nostra, 

Fonte tenet, quocumque solo pulcherrimus exis ; 

Semper bonore meo, semper celebrabere donis, 

Corniger Hesperidum fluvius regnator aquarum : 

Adsis o tantum, et propius tua numina firnies." 

Sic memorat, geminasque legit de classe bii-emes, 

Eemigioque aptat ; socios simul instruit armis. 

Ecce autem subitum atque oculis mirabile monstrum, 
Candida per silvam cum fetu concolor albo 




Procubuit, viridique in litore conspicitur sus : 
Quam pius iEneas tibi enim, tibi, maxima Juno, 
Mactat, sacra ferens, et cum grege sistit ad aram. 
Thybris ea fluvium, quam longa est, nocte tumentem 
Leniit, et tacita refluens ita substitit unda, 
Mitis ut in morem stagni placidseque paludis 
Sterneret sequor aquis, remo ut luctamen abesset. 
Ergo iter inceptum celerant ; rumore secundo 
Labitur uncta vadis abies : mii'antur et midae, 
Miratur nemus insuetum fiilgentia longe 
Scuta virum fluvio, pictasque innare carinas. 
Olli remigio noctemque diemque fatigant, 
Et longos superant flexus, variisque teguntur 
Arboribus, viridesque secant placido sequore silvas. 
Sol medium coeli conscenderat igneus orbem, 
Quum muros arcemque procul ac rara domorum 
Tecta vident, quae nunc Eomana potentia coslo 



278 p. YIEGILII MAEONIS 

-ZEquavit ; turn res inopes Evandrus habebat. 
Ocius advertunt proras, urbique propinquant. 

Forte die solemnem illo rex Areas honorem 
Amphitr^^oniadee magno divisque ferebat 
Ante urbem in luco. Pallas huic filius nna, 
Una omnes juvenum primi, pauperque senatus, 
Thura dabant ; tepidusqne cruor fumabat ad aras. 
Ut celsas videre rates, atqiie inter opacum 
Allabi nemus, et tacitis incumbere remis : 
Terrentur visu snbito, cunctique relic tis 
Consui'gunt mensis. Audax quos rumpere Pallas 
Sacra vetat, raptoque volat telo obvius ipse ; 
Et procul e tumulo : " Juvenes, quae causa subegit 
Ignotas tentare vias ? quo tenditis ?" inquit. 
" Qui genus ? unde domo ? pacemne hue fertis, an anna?' 
Turn pater ^neas puppi sic fatui' ab alta, 
Paciferaeque manu ramum praetendit olivae : 
" Trojugenas ac tela vides inimica Latinis ; 
Quos illi bello profugos egere superbo. 
Evandi'um petimus. Ferte haec et dicite, lectos 
DardanisB venisse duces, socia arma rogantes." 
Obstupuit tanto percussus nomine Pallas : 
" Egredere o quicumque es," ait, " coramque parentem 
Alloquere, ac nostris succede penatibus hospes." 
Excepitque manu, dextramque amplexus inbsesit. 
Progressi subeunt luco, fluviumque relinquunt. 

Turn regem -£neas dictis affatur amicis : 
" Optime Grajugenum, cui me fortuna precari, 
Et vitta comtos voluit praetendere ramos ; 
Non equidem extimui, Danaum quod ductor, et Areas, 
Quodque ab stirpe fores geminis conjunctus Atridis ; 
Sed mea me vii'tus, et sancta oracula divum, 
Cognatique patres, tua terris didita fama, 
Conjunxere tibi, et fatis egere volentem. 
Dardanus, Iliacae primus pater ui'bis et auctor, 




Electra, ut Graii perhibent, Atlantide cretus, 
Advehitur Teucros ; Electram maximus Atlas 
Edidit, aethcrios humero qui sustinet orbes. 



JENELDOS LIB. YIII. 279 

Vobis Mercurius pater est, quern Candida Maia 

Cyllenag gelido conceptum vertice fudit ; 

At Maiam, auditis si quidquam eredimus, Atlas, 

Idem Atlas generat, coeli qui sidera tollit. 

Sic genus amborum scindit se sanguine ab uno. 

His fretus, non legates, neque prima per artem 

Tentamenta tui pepigi : me, me ipse, meumque 

Objeci caput, et supplex ad limina veni. 

Gens eadem, quae te, crudeli Damiia bello 

Insequitur ; nos si peUant, nihil afore credunt, 

Quin omnem Hesperiam penitus sua sub juga mittant, 

Et mare, quod supra, teneant, quodque alluit infra. 

Accipe, daque fidem. Sunt nobis fortia beUo 

Pectora, sunt animi, et rebus spectata juventus." 

Dixerat ^neas. Ille os, oculosque loquentes 
Jamdudum, et totum lustrabat lumine corpus. 
Turn sic pauca refert : " Ut te, fortissime Teucrum, 
Accipio agnoscoque libens ! ut verba parentis, 
Et vocem Anchisee magni vultumque recordor ! 
Nam memini Hesionse visentem regna sororis 
Laomedontiaden Priamum, Salamina petentem, 
Protenus Arcadise gelidos invisere fines. 
Tum mihi prima genas vestibat flore juventa : 
Mirabarque duces Teucros, mirabar et ipsum 
Laomedontiaden ; sed cunctis altior ibat 
Anchises. Mihi mens juvenali ardebat amore 
Compellare virum, et dextrse conjungere dextram : 
Accessi, et cupidus Phenei sub moenia duxi. 
Ille mihi insignem phareti-am Lyciasque sagittas 
Discedens chlamydemque auro dedit intertextam, 
Frenaque bina, mens quse nunc habet, aurea, Pallas. 
Ergo et, quam petitis, juncta est mihi foedere dextra : 
Et lux quum primum terris se crastuia reddet, 
Auxilio Isetos dimittam, opibusque juvabo. 
Interea sacra hsec, quando hue venistis amici, 
Annua, quae differre nefas, celebrate faventes 
Nobiscum, et jam nunc sociorum assuescite mensis." 

Hsec ubi dicta, dapes jubet et sublata reponi 
Pocula, gramineoque viros locat ipse sedili ; 
Prsecipuumque toro et villosi pelle leonis 
Accipit ^nean, sohoque invitat acerno. 
Tum lecti juvenes certatim araeque sacerdos 
Viscera tosta ferunt taurorum, onerantque canistris 
Dona laboratae Cereris, Bacchumque ministrant. 
Vescitur jEneas, simul et Troj ana juventus, 
Perpetui tergo bovis, et lustraHbus extis. 



280 p. VIEGILII MAEONIS 

Postqnam exemta fames, et amor compressus edendi, 
Eex Evandrus ait : " Non hsec solemnia nobis, 
Has ex more dapes, hanc tanti numinis aram 
Vana superstitio veterumque ignara deorum 
Imposuit : saevis, hospes Trojane, periclis 
Servati facimus, meritosque novamus honores. 
Jam primum saxis suspensam hanc aspice rupem : 
Disjectae procul ut moles, desertaque montis 
Stat domus, et scopuli ingentem traxere ruinam. 
Hie spelunca fuit, vasto submota recessu, 
Semihominis Caci facies quam dira tenebat, 
Solis inaccessam radiis ; semperque recenti 
CsDde tepebat bumus ; foribusque affixa superbis 
Ora virum tristi pendebant pallida tabo. 
Huic monstro Yulcanus erat pater : illius atros 
Ore vomens ignes, magna se mole ferebat. 
Attulit et nobis aliquando optantibus setas 
Auxilium adventumque dei. Nam maximus ultor, 
Tergemini nece Greryonse spoliisque superbus, 
Alcides aderat, tam-osque hac victor agebat 
Ingentes ; vallemque boves amnemque tenebant. 
At furiis Caci mens effera, ne quid inausum 
Aut intractatum scelerisve dolive faisset, 
Quatuor a stabulis prsestanti corpore tanros 
Avertit, totidem forma superante juvencas. 
Atque bos, ne qua forent pedibus vestigia rectis, 
Cauda in speluncam tractos, versisque viarum 
Indiciis raptos, saxo occultabat opaco. 
Quserenti nulla ad speluncam signa ferebant. 
Interea, quum jam stabulis saturata moveret 
Ampbitryoniades armenta, abitumque pararet, 
Discessu mugire boves, atque omne querelis 
Impleri nemus, et coUes clam ore relinqui. 
Reddidit una boum vocem, vastoque sub antro 
Mugiit, et Caci spem custodita fefellit. 
Hie vero Alcidse furiis exarserat atro 
Felle dolor : rapit arma manu nodisque gravatum 
Eobur ; et setlierii cursu petit ardua montis. 
Tum primum nostri Cacum videre timentem 
Turbatumque oculis. Fugit ilicet ocior euro, 
Speluncamque petit ; pedibus timor addidit alas. 
Ut sese inclusit, ruptisque immane catenis 
Dejecit saxum, ferro quod et arte paterna 
Pendebat, fultosque emuniit objice postes : 
Ecce furens animis aderat Tiryntbius ; omnemque 
Accessum lustrans buc ora ferebat et illuc, 



iENEIDOS LIB. YIII. 



281 



Dentibus infrendens. Ter totum fervidus ira 
Lustrat Aventini montem ; ter saxea tentat 
Limina nequidquam ; ter fessus valle resedit. 




Stabat acuta silex, prsecisis undique saxis 
Speluncse dorso insurgens, altissima visu ; 
Dirarum nidis domus opportuna volucrum. 
Hanc, ut prona jugo Isevnm incumbebat ad amnem, 
Dexter in adversum nitens coneussit, et imis 
Avulsam solvit radicibiis ; inde repente 
Impulit : impulsu quo maximus insonat setber ; 
Dissultant ripse, refluitque exterritus amnis. 
At specus et Caci detecta apparuit ingens 
Begia, et umbrosse penitus patuere cavernse : 
Non secus ac si qua penitus vi terra debiscens 



282 p. YIEGILII MAEOIfIS 

Infernas reseret sedes, et regna recludat 
Pallida, dis invisa ; superque immane barathrum 
Cernatur, trepidentque immisso lumine manes. 
Ergo insperata deprensum in luce repente, 
Inclusumqne cavo saxo, atque insueta rudentem, 
Desuper Alcides telis premit, omniaque arma 
Advocat, et ramis vastisque molaribus instat. 
Ille autem, neque enim fuga jam super ulla pericli, 
Faucibus ingentem fumum, mirabiie dictu, 
Evomit, involvitque domum caligine casca, 
Prospectum eripiens oculis ; glomeratque sub antro 
Fumiferam noetem commixtis igne tenebris. 
Non tulit Alcides animis, seque ipse per ignem 
Praecipiti injecit saltu, qua plurimus undam 
Fumus agit, nebulaque ingens specus aistiiat atra. 
Hie Cacum in tenebris incendia vana vomentem 
Corripit in noduni complexus, et angit inhasrens 
Elisos oculos, et siccum sanguine guttur. 
Panditur extemplo foribus domus atra revulsis, 
Abstractaeque boves abjurataeque rapina) 
Coelo ostenduntur, pedibusque informe cadaver 
Protrahitur. Nequeunt expleri corda tuendo 
Terribiles oculos, vultum, villosaque scetis 
Pectora semiferi, atque exstinctos faucibus ignes. 
Ex illo celebratus honos, lastique minores 
Servavere diem, primusque Potitius auctor, 
Et domus Hereulei custos Pinaria sacri. 
[Hanc aram luco statuit, quae Maxima semper 
Dicetm* nobis, et erit quae maxima semper.] 
Quare agite, o juvenes, tantarum in munere laudum 
Cingite fronde comas, et pocula porgite dextris, 
Communeraque vocate deum, et date vina volentes." 
Dixerat : Herculea bicolor quum populus umbra 
Velavitque comas, foliisque innexa p^pendit, 
Et sacer implevit dextram scyphus. Ocius omnes 
In mensam laeti libant, divosque precantur. 

Devexo interea propior fit Vesper Olympo. 
Jamque sacerdotes primusque Potitius ibant 
Pellibus in morem cincti, flammasque ferebant. 
[Instaurant epulas, et mensge grata secundae 
Dona fermit, cumulantque oneratis lancibus ai'as.] 
Tum Salii ad cantus incensa altaria circum 
Populeis adsunt evincti tempora ramis ; 
Hie juvenum chorus, ille senum, qui carmine laudes 
Herculeas et facta ferunt : ut prima novercse 
Monstra manu geminosque premens eliserit anguis ; 



^NEIDOS LIE. Tin. 283 

Ut bello egregias idem disjecerit urbes, 
Trojamque OEchali.imque ; ut duros mille labores 
Rege sub Eurystheo, ftitis Junonis iniquaB, 
Pertulerit. " Tu nubigenas, iiivicte, bimembres 
Hylseumque Pholumque manu tu Cresia mactas 
Prodigia, et vastum Nemia sub rupe leonem. 
Te Stj^gii tremuere lacus, te janitor Orci 
Ossa super recubans antro semesa cruento ; 
Nee te uUae facies, iion terrait ipse Typhoeus 
Arduus arma tenens ; non te rationis egentem 
Lernaeus turba capitum circumstetit anguis. 
Salve, vera Jovis proles, desus addite divis ; 
Et nos et tua dexter adi pede sacra secundo." 
Talia carminibus celebrant : super omnia Caci 
Speluncam adjiciunt, spirantemque ignibus ipsum 
Consonat omne nemus strepitu, collesque resultant. 

Exin se cuncti divinis rebus ad urbem 
Perfectis referunt. Ibat rex obsitus aevo, 
Et comitem jEnean juxta natumque tenebat 
Ingrediens, varioque viam sermone levabat. 
Miratur, facilesque oculos fert omnia circum 
^neas, capiturque locis ; et singula Isetus 
Exquiritque auditque virum monumenta priorum. 
Turn rex Evandrus, Romanae conditor areis : 
"Hscc nemora indigena^ Fauni Nympbseque tenebant, 
Gensque virum truncis et duro robore nata : 
Quels neque mos neque cultus erat ; nee jungere tauros, 
Aut componere opes norant, aut parcere parto : 
Sed rami atque asper victu venatus alebat. 
Primus ab setherio venit Saturnus Olympo, 
Arma Jovis fugiens et regnis exsul ademtis. 
Is genus indocile ac dispersum montibus altis 
Composuit, legesque dedit, Latiumque vocari 
Maluit, bis quoniam latuisset tutus in oris. 
Aurea quae perhibent, illo sub rege fuerunt 
Sascula : sic placida populos in pace regebat ; 
Deterior donee paulatim ac decolor setas 
Et belli rabies et amor successit babendi. 
Tum manus Ausonia et gentes venere Sicanse ; 
Saepius et nomen posuit Saturnia tellus. 
Tum reges, aspercjue immani corpore Tbybris, 
A quo post Itali fluvium cognomine Thy brim 
Diximus ; amisit verum vet us Albula nomen. 
Me pulsum patria, pelagique extrema sequentem, 
Fortuna omnipotens et ineluctabile fatum 
His posuere locis ; matrisque egere tremenda 



284 



p. TTEGILII MAEONIS 



Carmentis nympli£e monita, et deus auctor Apollo. 

Vix ea dicta ; dehinc progressus monstrat et aram, 

Et Carmentalem Romano nomine portam 

Quam memorant, nymphse priscum Carmentis lionorem 

Vatis fatidicEe : cecinit quae prima futuros 

JEneadas magnos et nobile Pallanteum. 

Hinc lucum ingentem, quem Romulus acer Asylum 

Eetulit, et gelida monstrat sub rupe Lupercal, 

Parrhasio dictum Panos de more Lycaei. 

Nee non et sacri monstrat nemus Argileti, 

Testaturque locum, et letum docet hospitis Argi. 

Hinc ad Tai'peiam sedem et Capitolia ducit, 





Aurea nunc, olim silvestribus borrida dumis. 
Jam tum religio pavidos terrebat agrestes 
Dira loci ; jam tum silvam saxumque tremebant. 
Hoc nemus, bunc, inquit, frondoso vertice collem — 
Quis deus, incertum est — babitat deus ; Arcades ipsum 




Credunt se vidisse Jovem, quum ssepe nigrantem 
^Egida concuteret dextra nimbosque cieret. 
Hsec duo praeterea disjectis oppida muris, 
Reliquias veterumque vides monumenta virorum. 



iEKEIDOS LIB. YIII. 



285 



Hanc Janus pater, hanc Saturnus condidit arcem : 

Janiculum huic, illi fuerat Satm-nia nomen." 

Talibus inter se dictis ad tecta subibant 

Pauperis Evandi'i, passimque armenta videbant 

Eomanoque foro et lautis mugir-e Carinis. 

Ut ventum ad sedes, " Hsec," inquit, "limina victor 

Alcides subiit ; hsec ilium regia cepit. 

Aude, hospes, contemnere opes, et te quoque dignum 

Finge deo : rebusque veni non asper egenis." 

Dixit, et angusti subter fastigia tecti 

Ingentem iEnean duxit, stratisque locavit 

Effultum foliis et pelle Libjstidis ui'sae. 

Nox ruit, et fuscis tellui'em amplectitur alis. 
At Venus baud animo nequidquam exterrita mater, 
Laurentumque minis et dui^o mota tumultu, 
Yulcanum alloquitm', tbalamoque haec coujugis aiu'eo 




Incipit, et dictis divinum aspirat amorem : 
" Dum bello Argolici vastabant Pergama reges 
Debita casm'asque inimicis ignibus ai'ces, 
Non ullum auxilium miseris, non arma rogavi 
Artis opisque tuse ; nee te, caiissime conjux, 
Incassumve tuos volui exercere labores : 
Quamvis et Priami deberem plm'ima natis, 
Et dm-um ^nese flevissem ssepe laborem. 
Nunc Jovis imperils Rutulorum constitit oris : 
Ergo eadem supplex venio, et sanctum mibi numen 
Arma rogo, genetrix nato. Te filia Nerei, 
Te potuit lacrimis Titbonia flectere conjux. 
Aspice, qui coeant populi, quas mo3nia clausis 



286 p. VIRGILII MAEONIS 

Ferrum acuant portis in me excidiumque meorum." 
Dixerat ; et niveis hinc atque hinc diva lacertis 
Cunctantem amplexu molli fovet. Ille repente 
Accepit solitam flammam ; notusque medullas 
Intravit calor, et labefacta per ossa cucmTit : 
Non secus atque olim, tonitru quum rupta corusco 
Ignea rima micans percurrit lumine nimbos. 
Sensit laeta dolis et formse conscia conjux. 
Turn pater seterno fatur devinctus amore : 
" Quid causas petis ex alto ? tiducia cessit 
Quo tibi, diva, mei ? Similis si cura fuisset, 
Turn quoque fas nobis Teucros armare fuisset ; 
Nee Pater omnipotens Trojam, nee fata vetabant 
Stare, decemque alios Priamum superesse per annos. 
Et nunc, si bellare paras, atque haic tibi mens est, 
Quiquid in arte mea possum promittere curse, 
Quod fieri ferro liquidove potest electro. 
Quantum ignes animseque valent ; absiste precando 
Viribus indubitare tuis." Ea verba locutus 
Optatos dedit amplexus, placidumque petivit 
Conjugis infusus gremio per membra soporem. 

Inde ubi prima quies medio jam noctis abactaB 
Curriculo expulerat somnum ; quum femina primum, 
Cui tolerare colo vitam tenuique Minerva 
Impositum, cinerem et sopitos suscitat ignes 
Noctem addens operi ; famulasque ad lumina longo 
Exercet penso, castum ut servare cubile 
Conjugis, et possit parvos educere natos : 
Haud secus ignipotens nee tempore segnior illo 
MoUibus e stratis opera ad fabrilia surgit. 
Insula Sicanium juxta latus ^oliamque 
Erigitur Liparen, fiimantibus ardua saxis : 
Quam subter specus et Cjclopum exesa caminis 
Antra ^tneea tonant, validique incudibus ictus 
Auditi referunt gemitum, striduntque cavernis 
Stricturse Chalybum, et fornacibus ignis anbelat ; 
Vulcani domus, et Vulcania nomine tellus. 
Hoc tunc ignipotens coelo descendit ab alto. 
Ferrum exercebant vasto Cyclopes in antro, 
Brontesque, Steropesque, et nudus membra Pyracmon. 
His informatum manibus jam parte polita 
Fulmen erat ; toto genitor quae plurima coelo 
Dejicit in terras ; pars imperfecta manebat. 
Tres imbris toi'ti radios, tres nubis aquosse 
Addiderant, rutili tres ignis et alitis austri, 
Fulgores nunc horrificos, sonitumque, metumque 



^NEIDOS LIB. Till. 

Miscebant operi, flammisque sequacibus iras. 
Parte alia Marti eiirrumque rotasque volucres 
Instabant, quibus ille viros, quibus excitat urbes ; 
-^gidaque horriferam, turbatse Palladis arma, 
Certatim squamis serpentum auroque polibant, 
Connexosque angues, ipsamque in pectore divse 
Grorgona, desecto vertentem lumina collo. 



287 




"Tollite cuncta," in quit, " coeptosque auferte labores, 
^tnsei Cyclopes, et hue advertite mentem : 
Arma acri facienda viro. Nunc viribus usus, 
Nunc manibus rapidis, omni nunc arte magistra. 
Prsecipitate moras." Nee plura effatus ; et illi 
Ocius incubuere omnes, pariterque laborem 
Sortiti : fluit ss rivis, aurique metallum ; 
Yulnificusque chalybs vasta fornace liquescit. 
Ingentem clipeum informant, unum omnia contra 
Tela Latinorum ; septenosque orbibus orbes 
Impediunt. Alii ventosis follibus auras 
Accipiunt redduntque ; alii»stridentia tingunt 
^ra lacu : gemit impositis incudibus antrum. 
Illi inter sese multa vi brachia tollunt 
In numerum, versantque tenaci forcipe massam. 

Hsec pater ^Eoliis properat dum Lemnius oris, 
Evandrum ex bumili tecto lux suscitat alma, 
Et matutini volucrum sub culmine cantus. 
Consm-git senior, tunicaque inducitur artus, 
Et Tyrrhena pedum circumdat vincula plantis : 
Turn lateri atque humeris Tegeseum subligat ensem, 
Demissa ab Iseva pantherse terga retorquens. 
Nee non et gemini custodes limine ab alto 
Prsecedunt gressumque canes comitantur berilem. 
Hospitis ^nese sedem et secreta petebat 
Sermonum memor et promissi muneris heros : 
Nee minus -^neas se matutinus agebat. 



288 p. VIEGILII MAEONIS 

Filiiis huic Pallas, illi comes ibat Achates. 

Congress! jungunt dextras, mediisque residunt 

^dibus, et licito tandem sermone fruuntur. 

Kex prior bsc : 

" Maxime Teucrorum ductor, quo sospite nmiquaiQ, 

Bes eqnidem Trojae victas aut regna fatebor, 

Nobis ad belli auxilium pro nomine tanto 

Exiguse vires. Hinc Tusco claudimm- amni, 

Hinc E/utulus premit, et murum cii'cumsonat armis. 

Sed tibi ego ingentes populos opulentaque regnis 

Jmigere castra paro : qnam fors inopina salutem 

Ostentat. Fatis buc te poscentibus afFers. 

Hand procul bine saxo incolitm' fundata vetiisto 

TJrbis Agyllinse sedes : ubi Lydia quondam 

Gens, bello prseclara, jugis insedit Etruscis. 

Hanc multos florentem annos rex deinde superbo 

Imperio et ssevis tenuit Mezentius armis. 

Quid memorem infandas csedes ! quid facta tyranni 

Effera ! Di capiti ipsius generique reservent ! 

Mortua quin etiam jungebat corpora vivis, 

Componens manibusque manus atque oribus ora, 

Tormenti genus ! et sanie taboque fluentes 

Complexu in misero longa sic morte necabat. 

At fessi tandem cives infanda fm'entem 

Armati circumsistunt ipsumque domumque ; 

Obtruncant socios, ignem ad fastigia jactant. 

Ille inter csedes Rutulorum elapsus in agros 

Confugere, et Turni defendier bospitis armis. 

Ergo omnis fui'iis surrexit Etrm-ia justis ; 

E-egem ad supplicium praesenti Marte reposcunt. 

His ego te, ^nea, ductorem millibus addam. 

Toto namque fremunt condensse litore puppes, 

Signaque ferre jubent ; retinet longsevus baruspex 

Eata canens : Mseonise delecta juventus, 

Flos veterum virtusque virum, quos Justus in bostem 

Pert dolor, et merita accendit Mezentius ira, 

Nulli fas Italo tantam subjungere gentem : 

Externos optate duces. Tum Etrusca resedit 

Hoc acies campo, monitis exterrita divum. 

Ipse oratores ad me regniqae coronam 

Cum sceptro misit, mandatque insignia Tarcbon, 

Succedam castris, Tyrrhenaque regna capessam. 

Sed mihi tarda gelu sseclisque effeta senectus 

Invidit imperium, seraeque ad fortia vires. 

Natum exbortarer, ni mixtus matre Sabella 

Hinc partem patri^ traberet. Tu, cujus et annis 



^NEIDOS LIB. Yin. 



289 



Et generi fata indulgent, quern numina poscunt, 
Ingredere, o Teucrum atque Italum fortissime ductor. 
Hunc tibi praeterea, spes et solatia nostri, 
Pallanta adjungam ; sub te tolerare magistro 
Militiam et grave Martis opus, tua cernere facta 
Assuescat, primis et te mii'etur ab annis. 
Arcadas liuic equites bis centum, robora pubis 
Lecta, dabo ; totidemque suo tibi nomine Pallas." 

Vix ea fatus erat ; defixique ora tenebant 
-^neas Ancbisiades et fidus Achates, 
Multaque dura suo tristi cum corde putabant : 
Ni siguum coelo Cytherea dedisset aperto. 
Namque improviso vibratus ab aetbere fulgor 
Cum sonitu venit, et ruere omnia visa repents, 
Tyrrhenusque tubse mugire per sethera clangor. 
Suspiciunt : iterum atque iterum fragor increpat iiigens, 
Arma inter nubem coeli in regione serena 
Per sudum rutilare vident, et pulsa tonare. 
Obstupuere animis alii ; sed Troius heros 
Agnovit sonitum et divae promissa parentis. 
Turn memorat : " Ne vero, hospes, ne quaere profecto, 
Quem casum portenta ferant ; ego poscor Olympo. 
Hoc signum cecinit missuram diva creatrix, 
Si bellum ingrueret ; Vulcaniaque arma per auras 
Laturam auxilio. 

Heu quant se miseris caedes Laurentibus instant ! 
Quas poenas mihi, Turne, dabis ! quam multa sub undas 
Scuta virum galeasque et fortia corpora volves, 
Tbybri pater ! Poscant acies, et foedera rumpant." 

Haec ubi dicta dedit, solio se tollit ab alto : 




290 



p. YIEGILU MAEOKTS 



Et primum Herculeis sopitas ignibus aras 
Excitat, liesternumqiie Larem parvosque penates 
Lastus adit ; mactant lectas de more bidentes 
Evandrus pariter, pariter Trojana juventus. 
Post bine ad naves graditur, sociosqne revisit : 
Quorum de numero, qui sese in bella sequantur, 
Prsestantes virtute legit ; pars cetera prona 
Fei-tur aqua, segnisque secmido defluit amni, 
Nuncia ventnra Ascanio rerumque patrisque. 
Dantur equi Teucris Tyrrbena petentibus arva : 
Ducunt exsortem ^nese, quern fulva leonis 
Pelbs obit totum, praefulgens unguibus anreis. 

Fama volat parvam subito vulgata per m-bem, 
Ocius ire equites Tvrrbeni ad limina regis. 
Yota metu duplicant matres, propiusque periclo 
It timor, et major Martis jam apparet imago. 
Tum pater Evandrus, dextram complexus euntis, 
Haeret, inexpletum lacrimans, ac talia fatur : 
" mihi praeteritos referat si Jupiter annos ! 
Qualis eram, quum primam aciem Prseneste sub ipsa 
Stravi scutorumque incendi victor acervos, 
Et regem bac Herikim dextra sub Tartara misi : 
Nascenti cui tres animas Feronia mater, 
Horrendum dictu, dederat, terna arma movenda ; 
Ter leto sternendus erat ; cui tunc tamen omnes 
Abstubt baec animas dextra, et totidem exuit armis. 
Non ego nunc dulci amplexu divellerer usquam 
Nate, tuo ; neque finitimus Mezentius usquam 
Huic capiti insultans, tot ferro ssBva dedisset 
Funera, tam multis viduasset civibus urbem. 
At vos, o superi, et divum tu maxima rector 




Jupiter, Ai'cadii, quaeso, miserescite regis, 
Et patrias audite preces : Si numina vestra 
Incolumem Palanta mibi, si fata reservant, 
Si visurus eum vivo, et venturus in unum, 
Yitam oro ; patiar quemvis dm-are laborem : 



iEXEIDOS LIB. Till. 291 

Sin aliquem infandum casmii, Fortuna, minaris, 
Nunc, o nunc liceat crudelera abrumpere vitam, 
Dum curse ambiguae, dum spes incerta futuri, 
Dum te, care puer, mea sera et sola voluptas, 
Complexu teneo ; gravior ne nuncius aures 
Vulneret," Hsec genitor digressu dicta supremo 
Fundebat : famuli collapsum in tecta ferebant. 

Jaraque adeo exierat portis equitatus apertis ; 
^neas inter primes et fidus Achates ; 
Inde alii Trojse proceres ; ipse agmine Pallas 
In medio, cblamyde et pictis conspectus in armis : 
Qualis ubi occani perfusus Lucifer unda, 
Quem Venus ante alios astrorum diligit ignes, 
Extulit OS sacrum ccelo, tenebrasque resolvit. 
Stant pavidge in muris matres, oculisque sequuntur 
Pulveream nubem et fulgentes sere catervas. 
OUi per dumos, qua proxima meta viarum, 
Armati tendunt. It clamor, et agmine facto 
Quadrupedante putrem sonitu quatit ungula campum. 
Est ingens gelidum lucus prope Ceeritis amnem, 
Heligione patrum late sacer ; undique colles 
Inclusere cavi et nigra nemus abiete cingunt. 
Silvano fama est veteres sacrasse Pelasgos, 
Arvorum pecorisque deo, lucumque diemque, 
Qui primi fines aliquando habuere Latinos. 
Hand procul bine Tarcbo et Tyrrheni tuta tenebant 
Castra locis, celsoque omnis de colle videri 
Jam poterat legio, et latis tendebat in arvis. 
Hue pater ^neas et bello lecta juventus 
Succedunt, fessique et equos et corpora curant. 

At Venus setherios inter dea Candida nimbos 
Dona ferens aderat ; natumque in valle reducta 
Ut procul egelido secretum flumine vidit, 
Talibus affata est dictis, seque obtulit ultro : 
" En perfecta mei promissa conjugis arte 
Munera ; ne mox aut Laurentes, nate, superbos, 
Aut acrem dubites in proelia poscere Turnum." 
Dixit, et amplexus nati Cytberea petivit ; 
Arma sub adversa posuit radiantia quercu. 
Ille dese donis et tanto Isetus bonore 
Expleri nequit, atque oculos per singula volvit, 
Miraturque, interque manus et braohia versat 
Terribilem cristis galeam flammasque vomentem, 
Fatiferumque ensem, loricam ex sere rigentem, 
Sanguineam, ingentem ; qualis quum casrula nubes 
Solis inardescit radiis longeque refulget ; 



292 



p. YIEGILII MAEOI^IS 



Turn leves ocreas electro auroque recocto, 
Hastamque, et clipei non enarrabile textum. 
Illic res Italas Eomanorumque triuaiphos, 
Haud vatum ignarus venturique inscius sevi, 
Fecerat ignipotens ; illic genus onme faturse 
Stirpis ab Ascanio, pugnataque in ordine bella. 
Fecerat et viridi fetam Mavortis in antro 




Procnbuisse lupam : geminos huic ubcra circum 
Ludere pendentes pueros ; et lambere matrem 
Impavidos ; illam tereti cervice reflexam 
Mulcere alternos, et corpora fingere lingua. 
Nee procul liinc Eomam, et raptas sine more Sabinas 
Consessu cavece, magnis Circensibus actis, 
Addiderat, subitoque novum consurgere bellum 
Romulidis, Tatioque seni, Curibusque sevens. 




Post idem, inter se posito certamine, reges 
Armati Jovis ante aram paterasque tenentes 
Stabant, et csesa jungebant fcedera porca. 



JE^'EIDOS LIB. Tin. 




Haud procul inde citge Metum in diver sa quadrigae 
Distulerant, at tu dictis, Albane, maneres ! 
Eaptabatqne viii mendacis viscera Tullus 
Per silvam, et sparsi rorabant sanguine vepres. 
Nee non Tarquinium ejectum Porsena jubebat 
Aecipere, ingentique urbem obsidione premebat ; 
^neadee in ferrum pro libertate ruebant. 
Ilium indignanti similem, similemque minanti 
Aspiceres ; ponteni auderet quod vellere Codes, 




Et fluvium vinclis innaret Cloelia ruptis. 
In summo custos Tarpeise Manlius arcis 



2^4 



p. TIRGILII ivTAEOyiS 




Stabat pro templo, et Capitolia celsa tenebat, 
[Romuleoque recens horrebat regia culmo.] 
Atque hie auratis volitans argenteus anser 
Porticibus, G-allos in limine adesse, canebat ; 
Galli per dumos aderant, arcemque tenebant, 
Defensi tenebris et dono noctis opacas : 
Aurea ccesaries ollis, atque aiii'ea vestis ; 
Vii'gatis lucent sagulis ; turn lactea colla 
Auro innectuntur ; duo quisque Alpina coruscant 
Gsesa manu, scutis protect! corpora longis. 




Hie exsultantes Salios, nudosque Lupercos, 
Lanigerosque apices, et lapsa ancilia coelo 
Extuderat ; castas ducebant sacra per urbem 
Pilentis matres in mollibus. Hinc procul addit 
Tartareas etiam sedes, alta ostia Ditis, 
Et scelerum poenas, et te, Catilina, minaci 
Pendentem scopulo, Furiarumque ora trementem, 
Secretosque pios ; his dantem jura Catonem. 
Haec inter tumidi late maris ibat imago 
Aurea, sed fluctu spumabant caerula cano ; 
Et cii'cum argento clari delphines in orbem 
iEquora verrebant caudis, ^estumque secabant. 
In medio classes seratas, Actia bella, 
Cernere erat ; totumque instructo Marte videres 
Eervere Leucaten, auroque effulgere fluctus, 
Hinc Augustus agens Italos in proelia Csesar 
Cum patribus, populoque, penatibus et magnis dis, 
Stans celsa in puppi : geminas cui tempora flammas 
Laeta vomunt, patriumque aperitur vertice sidus. 
Parte alia ventis et dis Agrippa secundis 



-ENEIDOS LIB. Till. 



295 



Arduus agmen agens : cui, belli insigne superbum, 
Tempora navali fulgent rosfcrata corona. 





Hinc ope barbarica variisque Antonius armis 
Victor ab Aurorse populis et litore rubro 
^Egyptum viresque Orientis et ultima secum 
Bactra vehit ; sequiturque, nefas ! ^gyptia conjux. 




Una omnes mere, ac totum spumare, reductis 
Convulsum remis rostrisque tridentibus, asquor. 
Alta petunt : pelago credas innare revulsas 
Oycladas, aut montes concurrere montibus altos : 
Tanta mole viri turritis puppibus instant. 
Stuppea flamma manu telisque volatile ferrum 
Spargitur ; arva nova Neptunia caede rubescunt. 
Regina in mediis patrio vocat agmina sistro ; 
Necdum etiam geminos a tergo respicit angues. 
Omnigenumque deum monstra et latrator Anubis 
Contra Neptunum et Venerem contraque Minervam 
Tela tenent. S^vit medio in certamine Mavors 
Cselatus ferro, tristesque ex a) there Dii-ae ; 



296 



p. YIEGILII MAEONIS. 




Et scissa gaudens vadit Discordia palla : 
Quam cum sanguineo sequitur Bellona flagello. 
Actius hsec cernens arcum intendebat Apollo 
Desuper : omnis eo terrore ^gyptus et Indi, 
Omnis Arabs, omnes vertebant terga Sabsei. 
Ipsa videbatur ventis regina vocatis 
Vela dare, et laxos jam jamque immittere funes. 
Illam inter csedes pallentem morte futura 
Fecerat ignipotens undis et Iap3^ge ferri ; 
Contra autem magno mserentem corpore Nilum, 
Pandentemque sinus, et tota veste vocantem 
Cseruleum in gremium latebrosaque flumina victos. 
At CsBsar, triplici invectus Komana triumpho 
Moenia, dis Italis votum immortale sacrabat, 
Maxima tercentum totam delubra per Urbem. 
Lsetitia ludisque viae plausuque freraebant ; 
Omnibus in templis matrum chorus, omnibus arse ; 
Ante aras terram csesi stravere juvenci. 
Ipse sedcns niveo candentis limine Pboebi 
Dona recognoscit populorum, aptatque superbis 
Postibus ; incedunt victae longo ordine gentes, 
Quam variae Unguis, habitu tarn vestis et armis. 
Hie Nomadum genus et discinctos Mulciber Afros, 
Hie Lelegas Carasque sagittiferosque Gelonos 
Finxerat : Euphrates ibat jam mollior undis, 
Extremique hominum Morini, Phenusque bicornis ; 
Indomitique Dahae, et pontem indignatus Araxes. 
Taha per clipeum Yulcani dona parentis 
Miratur, rerumque ignarus imagine gaudet, 
Attollens humero famamque et fata nepotum. 



p. TIEGILII MAEONIS 

JE N E I D S 

LIBER NONUS. 




Atque ea diversa penitus dum parte geruntur, 

Irim de ccelo misit Saturnia Juno 

Audacem ad Turmim. Luco turn forte parentis 

Pilumni Turnus sacrata valle sedebat. 

Ad quern sic roseo Thaumantias ore locuta est : 

" Tm-ne, quod optanti divum promitfcere nemo 

Auderet, volvenda dies en attulit ultro. 

^neas, urbe et sociis et classe relicta, 

Seeptra Palatini sedemque petivit Evandri 

Nee satis : extremas Corythi penetravit ad urbes, 

Lydorumque manum, collectos armat agrestes. 

Quid dubitas ? nunc tempus equos, nunc poscere currus. 

Ilumpe moras omnes, et turbata arripe eastra." 

Dixit, et in coelum paribus se sustulit alis ; 

Ingentemque fuga secuit sub nubibus arcum. 

Agnovit juvenis, duplicesque ad sidera palmas 

Sustulit, et tali fugientem est voce secutus : 

" Iri, decus coeli, quis te mihi nubibus actam 

Detulit in terras ? unde bsec tarn clara repente 

Tempestas ? medium video discedere coelum, 



300 p. TIRGILII MAEOIfIS 

Palantesque polo stellas. Sequor omina tanta, 
Quisquis in arma vocas." Et sic effatus ad undam 
Processit summoque hausit de gurgite lymphas, 
^lulta deos orans, oneravitqne setliera votis. 

Jamque omnis campis exercitus ibat apertis, 
Dives equum, dives pictai vestis et auri. 
Messapus primas acies, postrema coercent 
Tyrrhidse juvenes, medio dux agraine Turnus 
[Yertitur arma tenens, et toto vertice supra est :] 
Ceu septem surgens sedatis amnibus altus 
Per taciturn Ganges, aut pingui flumine Nilus 
Quum refluit campis et jam se condidit alveo. 
Hie subitam nigro glomerari pulvere nubem 
Prospiciunt Teucri, ac tenebras insurgere campis. 
Primus ab adversa conclamat mole Caicus : 
" Quis globus, o cives, caligine volvitur atra! 
Ferte citi ferrum, date tela, scandite muros : 
Hostis adest, eja." Ingenti clamore per omnes 
Condunt se Teucri portas, et moenia complent. 
Namque ita discedens prseceperat optimus armis 



^ 




^-^^"""^^^^-^ 



^neas : Si qua interea fortuna fuisset, 

Neu struere auderent aciem, neu credere campo ; 

Castra modo et tutos servarent aggere muros. 

Ergo, etsi conferre manum pudor iraque monstrat, 

Objiciunt portas tamen, et prsecepta facessunt, 

Armatique cavis expectant turribus hostem. 

Turnus, ut ante volans tardum prsecesserat agmen, 

Yiginti lectis equitum comitatus et urbi 

Improvisus adest : maculis quern Thracius albis 

Portat equus, cristaque tegit galea aurea rubra. 

" Ecquis erit mecum, juvenes ? qui primus in hostem ? 



^XEIDOS LIB. IX. 301 

En," ait. Et jaculum attorqueiis emittit in auras, 
Principium pugnse, et campo sese arduu%infert. 
Clamore excipiunt socii, fremituque sequuntur 
Horrisono ; Teucrum mirantur inertia corda : 
Non sequo dare se campo, non obvia ferre 
Arma viros, sed castra fovere. Hue turbidus atque buc 
Lustrat equo muros, aditumque per avia quserit. 
Ac veluti pleno lupus insidiatus ovili 
Quum fremit ad caulas, ventos perpessus et imbres, 
Nocte super media ; tuti sub matribus agni 
Balatum exercent : ille asper et improbus, ii'a 
Ssevit in absentes ; collecta fatigat edendi 
Ex longo rabies, et siccse sanguine fauces. 
Haud aliter Rutuio, muros et castra tuenti, 
Ignescunt irse ; duris dolor ossibus ardet ; 
Qua tentet ratione aditus, et quae via clausos 
Excutiat Teucros vallo, atque efFundat in sequor. 
Classem, quae lateri castrorum adjuncta latebat, 
Aggeribus septam circum et fluvialibus u.ndis, 
Invadit ; sociosque incendia poscit ovantes ; 
Atque manum pinu flagranti fervidus implet. 
Turn, vero incumbunt ; lu'get prsesentia Turni ; 
Atque omnis facibus pubes aceingitur atris. 
Diripuere focos ; piceum fert fumida lumen 
Teeda, et commixtam Vulcanus ad astra favillam. 
Quis deus, o Musae, tarn saeva incendia Teucris 
Avertit ? tantos ratibus quis depulit ignes r 
Dicite. Prisca fides facto, sed fama perennis. 
Tempore quo primum Phrygia formabat in Ida 
.^neas classem, et pelagi petere alta parabat. 
Ipsa deum fertur genetrix Berecyntia magnum 
Vocibus his affata Jovem : " Da, nate, petenti, 
Quod tua cara parens domito te poscit Olympo. 
Pinea silva mihi multos dilecta per annos : 
[Lucus in arce fuit summa, quo sacra ferebant, 
Nigranti picea trabibusque obscurus acernis :] 
Has ego Dardanio juveni, quum classis egeret, 
Lseta dedi ; nunc soUicitam timor anxius urget. 
Solve metus, atque hoc precibus sine posse parentem, 
Ne cm'su quassatse ullo neu turbine venti 
Vincantur : prosit nostris in montibus ortas." 
FiHus liuie contra, torquet qui sidera mundi : 
" O genetrix, quo fata vocas ? aut quid petis istis ? 
Mortaline manu factse immortale carinse 
Fas habeant ? certusque incerta pericula lustret 
-^neas ? cui tanta deo permissa potestas ? 



302 P. TIEGILII MAEOISTS 

Immo, ubi defunctag finem portusque tenebunt 
Ausonios olim, quaicumque evaserit undis 
Dardaniumque ducem Lam-entia vexerit arva, 
Mortalem eripiam formam, maguique jubebo 
^quoris esse deas : qualis Nere'ia Doto 
Et Gralatea secant spumantem pectore pontum." 
Dixerat : idque ratum St3"gii per flumina fratris, 
Per pice torrentes atraque voragine ripas 
Annuit, et totum. nutu tremefecit Olympum. 

Ergo aderat promissa dies, et tempora Parcse 
Debita complerant ; quum Turni injuria Matrem 
Aclmonuit, ratibus sacris depellere tsedas. 
Hie primum nova lux oculis offulsit, et ingens 
Visas ab Aurora caelum transcurrere nimbus, 
Idseique cbori : turn vox horrenda per auras 
Excidit, et Troura Eutulorumque agmina eomplet : 
" Ne trepidate meas, Teucri, defendere naves ; 
Neve armate manus : maria ante exurere Turno 
Quam sacras dabitur pinus. Vos ite solutag, 
Ite, deas pelagi; genetrix jubet." Et sua quaeque 
Continuo puppes abrumpunt vincula ripis, 
Delphinumque modo demersis jequora rostris 
Ima petunt. Hinc virginese, mirabile monstrum, 
[Quot prius seratas steterant ad litora prorse,] 
E-eddunt se totidem facies, pontoque feruntur. 

Obstupuere animis Rutuli ; conterritus ipse 
Tui'batis Messapus equis ; cunctatur et amnis 
Rauca sonans, revocatque pedem Tiberinus ab alto. 
At non audaci cessit tiducia Turno ; 
Ultro animos toUit dictis, atque increpat ultro : 
" Trojanos baec monstra petunt ; his Jupiter ipse 
Auxilium solitum eripuit ; non tela, nee ignes 
Exspectant Rutulos. Ergo maria in via Teucris, 
Nee spes ulla fugse ; rerum pars altera ademta est. 
Terra autem in nostris manibus : tot millia, gentes 
Arma ferunt Italas. Ni me fatalia terrent, 
Si qua Phryges prse se jactant, responsa deorum. 
Sat fatis Yenerique datum, tetigere quod arva 
Fertilis Ausonise Troes. Sunt et mea contra 
Fata mihi, ferro sceleratam exscindere gentem, 
Conjuge prasrepta ; nee solos tangit Atridas 
Iste dolor, solisque licet capere arma Mycenis. 
Sed periise semel satis est. Peccare fuisset 
Ante satis, penitus modo non genus omne perosos 
Eemineum. Quibus ba?c medii fiducia valli, 
Fossarumque morse, leti discrimina parva, 



.ENEIDOS LIE. IX. 



303 



Dant animos. At non viclerimt moenia Trojs? 
Neptuni fabricata manu consiclere in ignes ? 
Sed vos, o lecti, ferro qui scindere vallum 
Apparat, et mecum invadit trepidantia castra ? 
Non armis mihi Vulcani, non mille carinis 
Est opus in Teucros. Addant se protenus omnes 
Etrusci socios. Tenebras et inertia furta 




[Palladii, csesis summse custodibus arcis,] 
Ne timeant ; nee equi- caeca condemur in alvo ; 
Luce palam certum est igni circumdare muros. 
Hand sibi cum Danais rem faxo et pube Pelasga 
Esse putent, decimum quos distulit Hector in annum. 
Nunc adeo, melior quoniam pars acta diei, 
Quod superest, leeti bene gestis corpora rebus 
Procurate, viri, et pugnam sperate parati." 
Interea vigilum excubiis obsidere portas 
Cura datur Messapo, et moenia cingere flammis. 
Bis septem, Rutulo muros qui milite servent, 
Delecti ; ast illos centeni quemque sequuntiu- 
Purpurei cristis juvenes am-oque corusci. 
Discurrunt, variantque vices, fusique per berbam 
Indulgent vino, et vertunt crateras abenos. 
Collucent ignes : noctem custodia ducit 
Insomnem ludo. 

Hsec super e vallo prospectant Troes, et armis 
Alta tenent ; nee non trepidi formidine portas 
Explorant, pontesque et propugnacula j migunt ; 
Tela gerunt. Instant Mnestbeus acerque Serestus : 



304 



p. VIEGILII MAEONIS 



Quos pater ^neas, si quando adversa vocarent, 
Rectores juvenum et rerum dedit esse magistros. 
Omnis per muros legio sortita periclum 
Excubat, exercetque vices, quod cuique tuendum est. 

Nisus erat portse custos, acerrimus armis, 
Hyrtacides ; comitem ^neae quern miserat Ida 
Venatrix, jaculo celerem levibusque sagittis : 
Et juxta comes Euryalus, quo pulclirior alter 
Non fuit ^neadum, Trojana neque induit arma ; 
Ora puer prima signans intonsa juventa. 
His amor unus erat, pariterque in bella ruebant ; 
Turn quoque communi portam statione tenebant. 
Nisus ait : " Dine liunc ardorem mentibus addunt, 
Euryale ? an sua cuique deus fit dira cupido ? 
Aut pugnam, aut aliquid jamdudum invadere magnum 
Mens agitat mihi ; nee placida contenta quiet e est. 





Cernis, quae Rutulos habeat fiducia rerum. 
Lumina rara micant ; somno vinoque sepulti 
Procubuere ; silent late loca. Percipe porro 
Quid dubitem, et quae nunc animo sententia surgat. 
^nean acciri omnes, populusque patresque, 
Exposcunt, mittique viros, qui certa reportent. 
Si tibi qnse posco promittunt — nam mihi facti 
Fama sat est — tumulo videor reperire sub illo 
Posse viam ad muros et moenia Pallantea." 
Obstupuit magno laudum percussus amore 
Euryalus ; simul his ardentem afFatur amicum : 
" Mene igitur socium summis adjungere rebus, 



^NEIDOS LIB. IX. 305 

Nise, fugis ? solum te in tanta pericula mittam ? 
Non ita me genitor bellis assuetus Opheltes 
Argolicum terrorem inter Trojseque labores 
Sublatum erudiit ; nee tecum talia gessi, 
Magnanimum ^nean et fata extrema secutus. 
Est hie, est animus lucis contemtor, et istum 
Qui vita bene credat emi, quo tendis, honorem." 
Nisus ad hsec : " Equidem de te nil tale verebar : 
Nee fas — non. Ita me referat tibi magnus ovantem 
Jupiter, aut quicumque oculis hsec aspicit asquis. 
Sed si quis — quae multa vides discrimine tali — 
Si quis in adversum rapiat casusve deusve, 
Te superesse velim ; tua vita dignior setas. 
Sit, qui me raptum pugna pretiove redemtum 
Mandet humo ; solita aut si qua id fortuna vetabit, 
Absenti ferat inferias, decoretque sepulchre. 
Neu matri miserse tanti sim causa doloris : 
Q.uEe te sola, puer, multis e matribus ausa 
Persequitur, magni nee moenia curat Acestae." 
lUe autem : " Causas nequidquam nectis inanes, 
Nee mea jam mutata loco sententia cedit. 
Acceleremus," ait. Yigiles simul excitat. Illi 
Succedunt, servant que vices : statione relicta 
Ipse comes Niso graditur, regemque requirunt. 

Cetera per terras omnes animalia somno 
Laxabant curas et corda oblita laborum : 
Ductores Teucrum primi, delecta juventus, 
Consilium summis regni de rebus habebant, 
Quid facerent, quisve Mneso jam nnncius esset : 
Stant longis adnixi hastis, et scuta tenentes, 
Castrorum et campi medio. Tum Nisus et una 
Euryalus confestim alacres admittier orant : 
Rem magnam, pretiumque morse fore. Primus lulus 
Accepit trepidos, ac Nisum dicere jussit 
Tum sic Hyrtacides : " Audite o mentibus aequis 
TEneadss, neve haec nostris spectentur ab annis, 
Quas ferimus. Eutuli somno vinoque soluti 
Conticuere ; locum insidiis conspeximus ipsi, 
Qui patet in bivio porta3, quas proxima ponto ; 
Interrupti ignes, aterque ad sidera fumus 
Erigitur ; si fortuna permittitis uti, 
Quaesitum vEnean ad moenia Pallantea 
Mox hie cum spoliis, ingenti csede peracta, 
Affore cernetis. Nee nos via fallit euntes : 
Vidimus obscuris primam sub vallibus urbem 
Venatu assiduo et totum cognovimus amnem. 

X 



306 p. TIEGILII MAE0J7IS 

Hie aiinis gravis atqne animi maturus Aletes : 
Di patrii, quorum semper sub numine Troja est, 
Non tamen omnino Teucros delere paratis, 
Quum tales animos juvenum et tam cert a tulistis 
Pectora." Sic memorans, humeros dextrasque tenebat 
Amborum, et vultum lacrimis atque ora rigabat : 
" Quae vobis, quae digna, viri, pro laudibus istis 
Prasmia posse rear solvi P pulcherrima primum 
Di moresque dabunt vestri ; tum cetera reddet 
Actutura pius ^Eneas, atque integer asvi 
Ascanius, meriti tanti non immemor unquam. 
Immo ego vos, cui sola salus genitore reducto, 
Excipit Ascanius, per magnos, Nise, Penates, 
Assaracique Larem, et cause penetralia Vestse, 
Obtestor : — qusecumque mihi fortuna fidesque est 
In vestris pono gremiis — revocate parentem ; 
Reddite conspectum ; nihil illo triste recepto. 
Bina dabo argento perfecta atque aspera signis 
Pocula, devicta genitor quag cepit Arisba ; 
Et tripodas geminos, auri duo magna talenta ; 
Cratera antiquum, quem dat Sidonia Dido. 
Si vero capere Italiam sceptrisque potiri 
Contigerit victori, et praedas ducere sortem : 
Vidisti, quo Turnus equo, quibus ibat in armis 
Aureus ; ipsum ilium, clipeum cristasque rubentes 
Excipiam sorti, jam nunc tua prsemia, Nise. 
Prseterea bis sex genitor lectissima matrum 
Corpora, captivosque dabit, suaque omnibus arma ; 
Insuper his, campi quod rex habet ipse Latinus. 
Te vero, mea quem spatiis propioribus setas 
Insequitur, venerande puer, jam pectore toto 
Accipio, et comitem casus complector in omnes. 
Nulla meis sine te quseretur gloria rebus ; 
Seu pacem seu bella geram ; tibi maxima rerum 
Yerborumque fides." Contra quem talia fatur 
Eurvalus : " Me nulla dies tam fortibus ausis 
Dissimilem arguerit ; tantum — fortuna secunda 
Aut adversa cadat. Sed te super omnia dona 
Unmn oro : genetrix Priami de gente vetusta 
Est mihi, quam miseram tenuit non Ilia tellus 
Mecum excedentem, non mcenia regis Acestse. 
Hanc ego nunc ignaram hujus quodcumque pericli est 
In que salutatam linquo ; Nox et tua testis 
Dextera, quod nequeam lacrimas perferre parentis. 
At tu, oro, solare inopem, et succurre relictae. 
Hanc sine me spem ferre tui : audentior ibo 



^IfEIDOS LIB. IX. 



307 




In casus omnes." Percussa mente dederunt 
Dardanidse lacrimas ; ante omnes pulcher lulus ; 
Atque animum patriae strinxit pietatis imago. 
Turn sic effatur : 

" Spondeo digna tuis ingentibus omnia coeptis. 
Namque erit ista mihi genetrix, nomenque Creiisse 
Solum defaerit, nee partum gratia talem 
Parva manet. Casus factum quicumque sequuntur : 
Per caput hoc jm-o, per quod pater ante solebat : 
Quse tibi poUiceor reduci, rebusque secundis, 
Hsec eadem matrique tuse generique manebimt." 
Sic ait illacrimans ; humero simul exuit ensem 
Auratum, mira quem fecerat arte Lycaon 
Gnosius atque babilem vagina aptarat ebuma : 
Dat Niso Mnestheus peUem horrentesque leonis 
Exuvias ; galeam fidus permutat Aletes. 
Protenus armati incedunt : quos omnis euntes 
Primorum manus ad portas juvenumque senumque 
Prosequitur votis. Nee non et pulcher lulus, 
Ante annos animumque gereiis curamque virilem, 
Multa patri portanda dabat mandata. Sed aurse 
Omnia discerpunt, et nubibus irrita donant. 

Egressi superant fossas, noctisque per umbram 
Castra inimica petunt, multis tamen ante futuri 
Exitio. Passim somno vinoque per herbam. 
Corpora fusa vident, arrectos litore currus, 
Inter lora rotasque viros, simul arma jacere, 
Vina simul. Prior Hyrtacides sic ore locutus : 
" Euryale, audendum clextra. Nimc ipsa vocat res. 
Hac iter est. Tu, ne qua manus se attollere nobis 
A tergo possit, custodi et consule longe. 



308 p. YIEGILII MAEOIfIS 

Hsec ego vast a dabo, et lato te limit e ducam." 
Sic memorat, vocemque premit ; simul ense superbum 
Ehamnetem aggreditur, qui foi-te tapetibus altis 
Exstructus toto proflabat pectore somnum ; 




Rex idem, et regi Turno gratissimus augur : 

Sed non augm-io potuit depellere pestem. 

Tres juxta famulos temere inter tela jacentes, 

Armigerumque Hemi premit, aurigamque sub ipsis 

Nactus equis ; ferroque secat pendentia colla. 

Turn caput ipsi aufert domino truncumque relinquit 

Sanguine singultantem ; atro tepefacta cruore 

Terra torique madent. Nee non Lamyrumque Lamumque, 

Et juvenem Sarranum, ilia qui plurima nocte 

Luserat, insignis facie, multoque jacebat 

Membra deo victus : felix, si protenus ilium 

-^quasset nocti ludum in lucemque tulisset. 

Impastus ceu plena leo per ovilia turbans ; 

Suadet enim vesana fames ; manditque trabitque 

MoUe pecus mutumque metu ; fremit ore cruento. 

Nee minor Euryali csedes : incensus et ipse 

Perfui'it ; ac multam in medio sine nomine plebem, 

Fadumque Herbesumque subit, Rhoetumque, Abarimque, 

Ignaros ; Rboetum vigilantem, et cuncta videntem ; 

Sed magnum metuens se post cratera tegebat : 

Pectore in adverse totum cui cominus ensem 

Condidit assurgenti, et multa morte recepit. 

Purpuream vomit ille animam, et cum sanguine mixta 

Vina refert moriens ; hie fiu'to fervidus instat. 

Jamque ad Messapi socios tendebat, ubi ignem 

Deficere extremum, et relegates rite videbat 

Carpere gramen equoc : breviter cum talia Nisus, — 

Sensit enim nimia csede atque cupidine ferri — 

" Absistamus," ait : " nam lux inimica propinquat. 

Poenarum exhaustum satis est ; via facta per hostes." 

Multa virum solido argento perfecta relinquunt 

Armaque, craterasque simul, pulchrosque tapetas. 

Euryalus pbaleras Rhamnetis et aurea bullis 



iElS^ETDOS LIB. IX. 309 

Cingula, Tiburti Eemulo ditissimiis olim. 

Quae mittit dona, hospitio quum jungeret absens, 

Csedicus ; ille suo moriens dat habere nepoti ; 

Post mortem bello Rutuli pugnaque potiti : 

Haec rapit, atque humeris nequidquam fortibus aptat. 

Tum galeam Messapi habilem cristisque decoram 

Induitir Excedunt castris, et tuta capessmit. 




Interea prsemissi equites ex urbe Latina, 
Cetera dum legio campis instructa moratur, 
Ibant, et Turno regis responsa ferebant, 
Tercentum, scutati omnes Volscente magistro. 
Jamque propinquabant castris, murosque subibant, 
Quum procul bos Isevo flectentes limite cernunt ; 
Et galea Euryalum sublustri noctis in umbra 
Prodidit immemorem, radiisque adversa refulsit. 
Haud temere est visum. Conclamat ab agmine Volscens : 
" State, viri ; qus8 causa viae ? quive estis in armis ? 
Quove tenetis iter ?" Nihil illi tendere contra ; 
Sed celerare fugam in silvas, et Mere nocti. 
Objiciunt equites sese ad divortia nota 
Hinc atque hinc, omnemque abitum custode coronant. 
Silva fuit, late dumis atque ihce nigra 
Horrida, quam densi complerant undique sentes ; 
Kara per occultos lucebat semita calles. 
Euryalum tenebrse ramorum onerosaque prseda 
Impediunt, fallitque timor regione viarum. 
Nisus abit : jamque imprudens evaserat hostes, 
Atque lacus, qui post Albse de nomine dicti 
Albani : tum rex stabula alta Latinus habebat. 
Ut stetit, et frustra absentem respexit amicum ; 



810 p. YIEGILII MAEONIS 

" Euiyale, infelix qua te regione reliqui ? 
Quave sequar, rursus perplexum iter omne revolvens 
Fallacis silvee ? " Simul et vestigia retro 
Observata legit, dumisque silentibus errat. 
Audit equos, audit strepitus et signa sequentum. 
Nee longum in medio tempus ; quum clamor ad aures 
Pervenit, ac videt Euryalum ; quern jam manus omnis 
Fraude loci et noctis, subito tm^bante tumultu, 
Oppressum rapit, et conantem plurima frustra. 
Quid faciat ? qua vi juvenem, quibus audeat armis 
Eripere ? an sese medios moriturus in enses 
Inferat, et pulcliram properet per vulnera mortem ? 
Ocius adducto torquens liastile lacerto, 
Suspiciens altam Lunam, sic voce precatur : 
" Tu, dea, tu praesens nostro succurre labori, 
Astrorum decus, et nemorum Latonia custos ; 
Si qua tuis unquam pro me pater Hyrtacus aris 
Dona tulit, si qua ipse meis venatibus auxi, 
Suspendive tholo, aut sacra ad fastigia fixi : 
Hmic sine me turbare globum, et rege tela per am'as." 
Dixerat : et toto connixus corpore ferrum 




Conjicit: hasta volans noctis diverberat umbras, 
Et venit aversi in tergum Sulmonis, ibique 
Frangitur, ac iisso transit prascordia ligno. 
Volvitur ille vomens calidum de pectore flumen 
Frigidus, et longis singultibus ilia pulsat. 
Diversi cii'cumspiciunt. Hoc acrior idem 



.EXEIDOS LIB. IX. 



311 



Ecce aliud summa telum librabat ab aure. 

Dum trepidant, iit hasta Tago per tempus utrumque 

Stridens, trajectoque hsesit tepefacta cerebro. 

Ssevit atrox Volscens, nee teli conspicit usquam 

Auctorem, nee quo se ardens immittere possit. 

" Tu tamen interea calido mihi sanguine poenas 

Persolves amborum," inquit : simul ense recluso 

Ibat in Euryalura. Turn vero exterritus, amens, 

Conclamat Xisus ; nee se celare tenebris 

Amplius, aut tantum potuit perferre dolorem : 

" Me, me, — adsum, qui feci, — in me convertite fernim, 

O Eutuli ! mea fraus omnis ; nihil iste nee ausus, 

Nee potuit : coelum hoc et conscia sidera testor." 

Tantum infelicem nimium dilexit amicum. 

Talia dicta dabat : sed viiibus ensis adactus 

Transabiit costas, et Candida pectora rumpit. 

Yolvitur Euiyalus leto, pulchrosque per artus 

It cnior, inque humeros cervix collapsa recumbit : 

Pm-pm-eus veluti quum flos, succisus aratro, 

Languescit moriens : lassove papavera collo 

Demisere caput, pluvia quum forte gravantur. 

At Nisus ruit in medios, solumque per omnes 

Yolscentem petit ; in solo Yolscente moratur. 

Quern cii'cum glomerati hostes, bine cominus atque bine 

Proturbant. Instat non secius, ac rotat ensem 

Fulmineum ; donee Eutuli clamantis in ore 

Condidit adverso, et moriens animam abstuKt hcsti. 

Tum super exanimem sese projecit amicum 

Confossus, placidaque ibi demum morte quievit. 

Fortunati ambo ! si quid mea carmina possunt, 
Nulla dies unquam memori vos eximet «yo ; 
Dum domus ^neee Capitoli immobile saxum 
Accolet, imperiumque pater Eomanus habebit. 




312 p. TIEGILII M:AE0]S^I3 

Yictores prgeda Eutuli spoliisque potiti, 
Yolscentem exanimum flentes in castra ferebant. 
Nee minor in castris luetus, Ehamnete reperto 
Exsangui, et primis una tot csede peremtis, 
Sarranoque Numaqne. Ingens concursus ad ipsa 
Corpora, semineeesque viros, tepidaque recentem 
Csede locum, et plenos spumanti sanguine rivos, 
Agnoscunt spolia inter se, galeamque nitentem 
Messapi, et multo phaleras sudore receptas. 

Et jam prima novo spargebat lumine terras 
Tithoni croceum linquens Aurora cubile : 
Jam sole infuso, jam rebus luce retectis, 
Turnus in arma viros, armis circumdatus ipse,. 
Suscitat ; seratasque acies in proelia cogit 
Quisque suas, variisque acuunt rumoribus iras. 
Quin ipsa arrectis, visu miserabile, in hastis 
Prsefigunt capita, et multo clamore sequuntur, 
Euryali et Nisi. 

^neadse duri murorum in parte sinistra 
Opposuere aciem, nam dextera cingitur amni, 
Ingentesque tenent fossas, et turribus altis 
Stant msesti : simul ora virum prsefixa movebant, 
Nota nimis miseris, atroque fluentia tabo. 

Interea pavidam volitans pennata per urbem 
Nuncia Fama ruit, matrisque allabitur aures 
Euryali. At subitus miserse calor ossa reliquit : 
Excussi manibus radii, revolutaque pensa. 
Evolat infelix, et femineo ululatu, 
Scissa comam, muros amens atque agmina cursu 
Prima petit : non ilia virum, non ilia pericli, 
Telorumque memor : coelum debinc questibus implet : 
" Hunc ego te, Emyale, aspicio ? tune ilia senectae 
Sera mea3 requies, potuisti linquere solam, 
Crudelis ? nee te, sub tanta pericula missum, 
Affari extremum miserse data copia matri ? 
Heu, terra ignota canibus date prseda Latinis 
Alitibusque jaces ! nee te tua funera mater 
Produxi, pressive oculos, aut vulnera lavi, 
Yeste tegens ; tibi quam noctes festina diesque 
Urgebam, et tela cm-as solabar aniles. 
Quo sequar ? aut quae nunc artus, avulsaque membra, 
Et funus lacerum tellus babet ? boc mibi de te, 
Nate, refers ? hoc sum terraque marique secuta ? 
Eigite me, si qua est pietas ; in me omnia tela 
Conjicite, o Eutuli ; me primam absumite ferro ; 
Aut tu, magne pater divum, miserere, tuoque 



J3NEID0S LIB. IX. 



313 



InvIsTim hoc detrude caput sub Tartara telo : 
Quando aliter nequeo crudelem abrumpere vitam.' 
Hoc fletu concussi animi, msestusque per omnes 
It gemitus ; torpent infract se ad proelia vires. 
Illam incendentem luctus Idaeus et Actor, 
Ilionei monitu et multum lacrimantis luli, 
Corripiunt, interque manus sub tecta reponunt. 
At tuba terribilem sonitum procul £ere canoro 
Increpuit : sequitur clamor, coelumque remugit. 




Accelerant acta pariter testudine Yolsci ; 

Et fossas implere parant, ac vellere vallum. 

Quserunt pars aditum, et scabs ascendere mm^os, 

Qua rara est acies, interlucetque corona 

Non tarn spissa viris. Telorum effundere contra 

Omne genus Teucri, ac duris detrudere contis, 

Assueti longo muros defendere beUo. 

Saxa quoque infesto volvebant pondere, si qua 

Possent tectam aciem perrumpere : quum tamen omnes 

Ferre juvat subter densa testudine casus. 

Nee jam sufficiunt : nam qua globus imminet ingens, 

Immanem Teucri molem volvuntque ruuntque ; 

Quae stravit Eutulos late, armorumque resolvit 

Tegmina. Nee cm-ant cseco contendere Marte 



314 p. YIEGILTI MAEONIS 

Amplius audaces Eutuli, sed pellere vallo 
Missilibus certant. 

Parte alia horrendus visu quassabat Etriiscam 
Pinum, et fumiferos infert Mezentius ignes ; 
At Messapus equum domitor, Neptunia proles, 
Rescindit vallum, et scalas in moenia poscit. 

Vos, o Calliope, precor, aspirate canenti, 
Quas ibi tunc ferro strages, quae funera Turnus 
Ediderit, quern quisque virum demiserit Oreo ; 
Et mecum ingentes oras evolvite belli. 
[Et meministis enim, divse, et memorare potestis.] 

Turris erat vasto suspectu et pontibus altis, 
Opportuna loco ; summis quam viribus omnes 
Expugnare Itali, summaque evertere opum vi 
Certabant : Trees contra defendere saxis, 
Perque cavas densi tela intorquere fenestras. 
Princeps ardentem conjecit lampada Turnus, 
Et flammam affixit lateri ; quse plurima vento 
Corripuit tabulas, et postibus haesit adesis. 
Turbati trepidare intus, frustraque malorum 
Yelle fugam. Dum se glomerant, retroque residunt 
In partem quse peste caret, turn pondere turris 
Procubuit subito, et coelum tonat omne fragore. 
Semineces ad terram, immani mole secuta, 
Confixique suis telis et pectora duro 
Transfossi ligno veniunt. Yix unus Helenor, 
Et Lycus elapsi ; quorum primasvus Helenor, 
Mseonio regi quern serva Licymnia furtim 
Sustulerat, vetitisque ad Trojam miserat armis, 
Ense levis nudo, parmaque ingiorius alba. 
Isque ubi se Tm^ni media inter millia vidit, 
Hinc acies, atque liinc acies adstare Latinas ; 
TJt fera, quae densa venantum septa corona 
Contra tela furit, seseque baud nescia morti 
Injicit, et saltu supra venabula fertur : 
Hand aliter juvenis medios moriturus in hostes 
Irruit ; et, qua tela videt densissima, tendit. 
At pedibus longe melior Lycus inter et liostes, 
Inter et arma, fuga muros tenet, altaque certat 
Prendere tecta manu, sociumque attingere dextras. 
Quern Turnus, pariter cursu teloque secutus, 
Increpat bis victor : " Nostrasne evadere, demens, 
Sperasti te posse manus ? " simul arripit ipsum 
Pendentem, et magna muri cum parte revellit : 
Qualis ubi aut leporem, aut candenti corpore cycnum, 
Sustulit alta petens pedibus Jovis armiger uncis ; 



JSNEIDOS LIB. IX. 315 

QuEesitum aut matri multis balatibus agnum 
Martins a stabulis rapuit lupus. Undique clamor 
Tollitur. Invadunt, et fossas aggere complent ; 
Ardentes tasdas alii ad fastigia jactant. 
Ilioneus saxo atque ingenti fragmine montis 
Lucetium, portse subeuntem ignesque ferentem ; 
Ematbiona Liger, Corynaeum sternit Asylas, — 
Hie jaculo bonus, hie longe fallente sagitta : 
Ortygium Cseneus, victorem Csenea Turnus ; 
Turnus Itym Cloniumque, Dioxippum Promolumque, 
Et Sagarim, et summis stantem pro turribus Idan ; 
Privernum Capys. Hunc primo levis hasta Temillse 
Strinxerat : ille manum projecto tegmine demens 
Ad vulnus tulit ; ergo alis allapsa sagitta, 
Et Isevo afiixa est lateri manus, abditaque intus 
Spiramenta animae letali vulnere rumpit. 
Stabat in egregiis Ai'centis filins armis, 




Pictus acn cblamydem et ferrugine clarus Hibera, 
Insignis facie ; genitor quern miserat Arcens, 
Ednctnm matris luco, Symsethia circum 
Flumina, pinguis ubi et placabiiis ara Palici. 
Stridentem fundam, positis Mezentius hastis, 
Ipse ter adducta circum caput egit babena ; 
Et media adversi liquefacto tempora plumbo 
Diffidit, ac multa porrectum extendit arena. 
Turn primum bello celerem intendisse sagittam 
Dicitur, ante feras solitus terrere fugaces, 
Ascanius, fortemque manu fudisse Numanum ; 
Cui Remulo cognomen erat ; Turnique minorem 



316 



p. TIEaiLIT ,MAEOIfIS 



Germanam nuper thalarao sociatus habebat. 
Is primam ante aciem digna atque indigna relatu 
Vociferans, tumidusque novo prsecordia regno 
Ibat, et ingentem sese clamore ferebat : 

" Non pudet obsidione iterum valloque teneri, 
Bis capti Phryges, et Marti praetendere muros ? 
En qui nostra sibi bello connubia poscunt ! 
Quis deus Italiam, quae vos dementia adegit ? 
Non hie Atridse, nee fandi fictor Ulixes. 
Durum ab stirpe genus natos ad flumina primum 
Deferimus, ssevoque gelu duramus et undis ; 
Venatu invigilant pueri, silvasque fatigant ; 
Flectere ludus equos, et spicula tendere cornu. 
At patiens operum parvoque assueta juventus 
Aut rastris terram domat, aut quatit oppida bello. 
Omne sevum ferro teritur, versaque juvencum 
Terga fatigamus hasta ; nee tarda senectus 
Debilitat vires animi, mutatque vigorem. 
Canitiem galea premimus ; semperque recentes 
Comportare juvat prsedas, et vivere rapto. 
Vobis picta croeo et fulgenti murice vestis, 
Desidise cordi ; juvat indulgere choreis ; 
Et tunicae manicas, et babent redimicula mitrse. 
vere Phrygise, neque enim Phryges, ite per alta 




Dindyma, ubi assuetis biforem dat tibia cantum. 
Tympana vos buxusque vocant Berecyntia matris 
Id^£e : sinite arma viris, et cedite ferro." 

Talia jactantem dictis, ac dira canentem 
Non tuht Ascanius ; nervoque obversus equine 



JSIsTEIDOS LIB. IX. 317 

Intendit telum, diversaque bracliia ducens 
Constitit, ante Jovem supplex per vota precatns : 
" Jupiter omnipotens, audacibus annue cceptis. 
Ipse tibi ad tua templa feram solemnia dona, 
Et statuam ante ai'as aui-ata fronte juvencum 
Candentem, pariterque caput cum matre ferentem, 
Jam cornu petat et pedibus qui spai'gat arenam." 
Audiit et coeli Genitor de parte serena 
Intonuit Isevum : sonat una fatifer arcus. 
Eiiugit horrendum stridens adducta sagitta ; 
Perque caput Eemuli venit, et cava tempora feiTo 
Trajicit. " I, verbis vii'tutem illude superbis. 
Bis capti Plirjges hsec Eutulis responsa remittunt." 
Hoc tantum Ascanius. Teucri clamore sequuntm', 
Lastitiaque fremunt, animosque ad sidera tollunt. 
iEtheria turn forte plaga crinitus Apollo 
Desuper Ausonias acies urbemque videbat, 
Nube sedens, atque bis victorem afFatm' lulum : 
" Macte nova vii'tute, puer ; sic itm' ad astra, 
Dis genite, et genitui'e deos. Jure omnia bella 
Gente sub Assai'aci fato ventura resident : 
Nee te Trqja capit." Simul hsec elfatus ab alto 
iEtbere se mittit, spirantes dimovet auras, 
Ascaniumque petit. Formam turn vertitur oris 
Antiquum in Buten. Hie Dardanio Anchisa) 
Armiger ante fuit, fidusque ad limina custos ; 
Turn comitem Ascanio pater addidit. Ibat Apollo 
Omnia long^vo similis, vocemque coloremque, 
Et crines albos et s£eva sonoribus arma ; 
Atque bis ardentem dictis affatur lulum : 
" Sit satis, iEneada, telis impune ISTumanum 
Oppetiisse tuis ; primam banc tibi magnus Apollo 
Concedit laudem, et paribus non invidet armis ; 
Cetera parce, puer, bello." Sic orsus Apollo 
Mortales medio aspectus sermone reliquit, 
Et procul in tenuem ex oculis evanuit am-am. 
Agnovere deum proceres divinaque tela 
Dai'danidaB, pbaretramque fuga sensere sonantem. 
Ergo avidum pugnae, dictis ac numine Pboebi, 
Ascanium probibent ; ipsi in certamina i-ursus 
Succedunt, animasque in aperta pericula mittunt. 
It clamor totis per propugnacula muris : 
Intendunt acres arcus, amentaque torquent. 
Sternitm' omne solum telis ; tum scuta cavseque 
Dant sonitum flictu galeae ; pugna aspera sm'git : 
Quantus ab occasu veniens pluviabbus Hssdis 



318 p. YIEGILII MAEOIfIS 







Verberat imber bumum ; quam miilta grandine nimbi 
In vada prsecipitant, quum Jupiter borridus austris 
Torquet aquosam hiemem, et coelo cava nubila rumpit. 

Pandai'us et Bitias, Idseo Aleanore creti, 
Quos Jovis eduxit luco silvestris lasra, 
Abietibus juvenes patriis et montibus sequos, 
Portam, quae ducis imperio commissa, recludunt 
Freti armis, ultroque uivitant moenibus bostem. 
Ipsi intus dextra ac Iseva pro turribus adstant 
Armati ferro, et eristis capita alta corusci ; 
Quales aerise liquentia flumina circum, 
Sive Padi ripis Atbesim sen propter amcenum, 
Consurgunt geminas quercus, intonsaque coelo 
Attollunt capita, et subbmi vertice nut ant. 
Irrumpunt, aditus Rutuli ut videre patentes. 
ContiQuo Quercens, et pulcber Aquicolus armis, 
Et praeceps animi Tmarus, et Mavortius Hgemon, 
Agminibus totis aut versi terga dedere, 
Aut ipso portae posuere in bmine vitam. 
Tum niagis increscunt animis discordibus irsB, 
Et jam collecti Troes glomerantm* eodem, 
Et conferre manum et procm'rere longius audent. 

Ductori Turno, diversa in parte furenti 
Turbantique vii'os, perfertur nuncius, bostem 
Fervere csede nova, et portas prsebere patentes. 
Deserit inceptum, atque immani concitus ira 
Dardaniam ruit ad portam fratresque superbos : 
Et primum Antipbaten, is enim se primus agebat, 
Tbebana de matre notbum Sarpedonis alti, 
Conjecto sternit jaculo : volat Itala cornus 
Aera per tenermn, stomachoque infixa sub altum 
Pectus abit ; reddit specus atri vulneris undam 



^IfEIDOS LIB. IX. 319 

Spumantem, et fixo ferrum in pulmone tepescit. [num ; 

Turn Meropem atque Erymanta manu, turn sternit Aphid- 
Turn Bitian ardentem oculis, animisque frementem, 
Non jaculo — neque enim jaculo vitam ille dedisset — 
Sed magnum stridens contorta phalarica venit, 
Fulminis acta modo : quam nee duo taurea terga, 
'Nee duplici squama lorica fidelis et am^o 
Sustinuit ; collapsa ruunt immania membra. 
Dat tellus gemitum, et clipeum super intonat ingens : 



Qualis in Euboico Baiarum litore quondam 
Saxea pila cadit, magnis quam molibus ante 
Constructam ponto jaciunt ; sic ilia ruinam 
Prona trahit, penitusque vadis illisa recumbit ; 
Miscent se maria, et nigrae attolluntur arenas. 
Tum sonitu Prochyta alta tremit, durumque cubile 
Inarime Jovis imperils imposta Typhoeo. 

Hie Mars armipotens animum viresque Latinis 
Addidit, et stimulos acres sub pectore vertit ; 
Immisitque fugam Teucris atrumque timorem. 
Undique conveniunt ; quoniam data copia pugnas, 
Bellatorque aninaos deus incidit. 
Pandarus ut fuso germanum corpore cernit, 
Et quo sit fortuna loco, qui casus agat res ; 
Portam vi multa eonverso cardine torquet, 
Obnixus latis bumeris, multosque suorum 
Moenibus exclusos duro in certamine linquit ; 



320 



p. YIEGILII MAE0:N"IS 



Ast alios secum includit recipitque ruentes, 
Deinens 1 qui Rutulum. in medio non agmine regem 
Yiderit irrumpentem, ultroque incluserit ui'bi : 
Immanem veluti pecora inter inertia tigrim. 
Continuo nova lux oculis effalsit, et arma 
Horrendum sonuere : tremunt in vertice cristse 
Sanguineae, clipeoque micantia fulmina mittunt. 
Agnoscunt faciem invisam atque immania membra 
Turbati subito ^neadse. Tum Pandarus ingens 
Emicat, et mortis fraternse fervidus ira 
Effatur : " Non b^c dotalis regia Amat£e ; 
Nee muris cobibet patriis media Ardea Tm'num. 
Castra inimica vides ; nulla bine exire potestas." 
Olli subridens sedato pectore Turnus : 

" Incipe, si qua animo virtus, et consere dextram ; 
Hie etiam inventum Priamo narrabis AcbiUem." 
Dixerat. Ille rudem nodis et cortice crudo 
Intorquet summis adnixus viribus bastam. 
Excepere am'se ; vulnus Satm-nia Juno 




Detorsit veniens ; portaeque infigitur basta. 
" At non boc telum, mea quod vi dextera versat, 
Effugies ; neque enim is teli nee vulneris auctor." 
Sic ait, et sublatum alte consurgit in ensem, 
Et mediam ferro gemina mter tempora frontem 
Dividit, impubesque immani vulnere malas. 
Fit sonus ; ingenti concussa est pondere tellus. 
Collapsos artus atque arma cruenta cerebro 
Sternit hunii moriens ; atque illi partibus sequis 
Hue caput atque illuc bumero ex utroque pependit. 



^NEIDOS LIE. IX. 321 

Diffugiunt versi trepicla formidine Troes. 
Et si continuo victorem ea cura subisset, 
Rumpere claustra maiiu sociosque immittere portis : 
TJltimus ille dies bello gentique fuisset. 
Sed furor ardentem csedisque insana cupido 
Egit in adversos. 

Principio Phalerim et succiso poplite Grygen 
Excipit ; Mnc raptas fugientibus ingerit hastas 
In tergum : Juno vires animumque ministrat. 
Addit Halym comitem, et confixa Phegea parma ; 
Ignaros deinde in muris Martemque cientes, 
Alcandi'unique Haliumque iSToemonaque Prjtanimque ; 
Lyncea tendentem contra, sociosque vocantem, 
Yibranti gladio connixus ab aggere dexter 
Occupat : hnic uno. dejectum cominus ictu 
Cum galea longe jacuit caput. Inde ferarum 
Yastatorem Amycum, quo non felicior alter 
Ungere tela manu, ferrumque armare veneno ; 
Et Clytium -^oliden, et amicum Cretbea Musis ; 
Crethea Musarum comitem, cui carmina semper 
Et citharas cordi, numerosque intendere nervis ; 
Semper equos atque arma virum, pugnasque canebat. 

Tandem ductores, audita csede suorum, 
Conveniunt Teucri, Mnestbeus acerque Serestus ; 
Palantesque vident socios, bostemque receptum. 
Et Mnestbeus, " Quo deiude fugam, quo tenditis ?" inquit. 
" Quos alios miu'os, quae jam ultra moenia babetis ? 
Unus homo, et vestris, o cives, imdique septus 
Aggeribus, tantas strages impune per ui'bem 
Ediderit ? juvenum primos tot miserit Oreo ? 
Non infelicis patriae, veterumque deorum, 
Et magni ^nese segnes miseretque pudetque ? 
Talibus accensi firmantur, et agmine denso 
Consistunt. Turnus paulatim excedere pugna, 
Et fluvium petere, ac partem qua3 cingitur amni. 
Acrius hoc Teucri clamore incumbere magno, 
Et glomerare manum : ceu seevum turba leonem 
Quum telis premit infensis ; at territus ille, 
Asper, acerba tuens, retro redit ; et neque terga 
Ii-a dare aut vu'tus patitur, nee tendere contra, 
Ille quidem boc cupiens, potis est per tela virosque. 
Hand aliter retro dubius vestigia Turnus 
Improperata refert, et mens exsestuat ii'a. 
Quin etiam bis turn medios invaserat bostes ; 
Bis confusa fuga per muros agmina vertit. 
Sed manus e castris propere coit omnis in imum. 

T 



322 



p. YIEGILII MAEOifflS. 



Nec contra vires audit Saturnia Juno 
Sufficere ; aeriam coelo nam Jupiter Irim 
Demisit, germanae haud mollia jussa ferentem : 
Ni Turnus cedat Teucrorum moenibus altis. 
Ergo nee clipeo juvenis subsistere tantum, 
Nee dextra valet: injectis sie undique telis 
Obruitur. Strepit assiduo cava tempera circum 
Tinnitu galea, et saxis solida £era fatiscunt ; 
Discussseque jubse capiti ; nee sufficit umbo 
Ictibus ; ingeminant bastis et Troes et ipse 
Fulmineus Mnestbeus. Turn toto coi'pore sudor 
Liquitm', et piceum — nee respii'are potestas — 
Flmnen agit ; fessos quatit acer anbelitus artus. 
Tum demum prseceps saltu sese omnibus armis 
In fluvium dedit. Ille sue cum gm'gite flavo 
Aceepit venientem, ac mollibus extubt undis ; 
Et Iffitum sociis abluta c£ede remisit. 



v,u 




P, TIEGILII MAEONIS 

^ N E I D S 

LIBEE DECIMUS. 




Pa]S"DITUE interea domus omnipotentis Oljmpi, 
Conciliumque vocat divum pater atque hominiim rex 
Sideream in sedem : terras mide arduus omues, 
Castraque Dardanidum aspectat, populosque Latinos. 
Considunt tectis bipatentibus. Incipit ipse : 

" Coslieols magni, quianam sententia vobis 
Versa retro, tantumque animis certatis iniquis ? 
Abnueram bello Italiam coucnrrere Teucris. 
Quae contra vetitum discordia ? quis metus aut bos, 
Aut hos arma seqni, ferrumque lacessere suasit ? 
Adveniet justum pugnas, ne arcessite, tenipus, 
Quum fera Cartbago Eomanis areibus obm 
Exitimn magnum atqne Alpes immittet apertas : 
Tum certare odiis, tum res rapuisse licebit. 
Nunc sinite ; et placitum Iseti componite foedus." 

Jupiter bsec paucis ; at non Venus am-ea contra 
Pauca refert : 

" Pater, o bominum divumque ssterna potestas, — 
Namque aliud quid sit, quod jam implorare queamus ?- 
Cernis ut insultent Eutuli ; Turnusque feratm' 



326 p. YIEGHLII MAEONIS 

Per medios insignis equis, tumidusque secundo 
Marte ruat ? Non clausa tegunt jam moenia Tencros. 
Quin intra portas atque ipsis proelia miseent 
Aggeribus mserorum ; et inundant sanguine fossae. 
iEneas ignarus abest. Nunquamne levari 
Obsidione sines ? Muris iterum imminet liostis 
Nascentis Trojae, nee non exercitus alter ; 
Atque iterum in Teucros ^tolis surgit ab Arpis 
Tydides. Equidem credo, mea vulnera restant, 
Et tua progenies mortalia demoror arma ! 
Si sine pace tua atque invito numine Troes 
Italiam petiere, — luant peccata ; neque illos 
Juveris auxilio : sin tot responsa secuti, 
Quae superi manesque dabant, — cur nunc tua quisquam 
Vertere jussa potest ? aut cur nova condere fata ? 
Quid repetam exustas Erycino in litore classes ? 
Quid tempestatum regem, ventosque furentes 
-^olia excitos ? aut actam nubibus Irim ? 
Nunc etiam manes — hsec intentata manebat 
Sors rerum — movet, et superis immissa repente 
Allecto, medias Italum baccbata per urbes. 
Nil super imperio moveor : speravimus ista, 
Dum fortuna fait : vincant, quos vincere mavis. 
Si nulla est regio, Teucris quam det tua conjux 
Dura : per eversse, genitor, fumantia Trojse 
Excidia obtestor : liceat dimittere ab armis 
Incolumem Ascanium, liceat superesse nepotem. 
-^neas sane ignotis jactetur in undis, 
Et, quamcumque viam dederit fortuna, sequatur : 
Hunc tegere, et diras valeam subducere pugnse. 
Est Amatbus, est celsa mibi Paphus, atque Cythera, 
Idaliseque domus : positis inglorius armis 
Exigat hie sevum. Magna ditione jubeto 
Carthago premat Ausoniam : nihil urbibus inde 
Obstabit Tyriis. Quid pestem evadere belli 
Juvit, et Argolicos medium fugisse per ignes, 
Totque maris vastseque exhausta pericula terrse, 
Dum Latium Teucri recidivaque Pergama quaerunt ? 
Non satius, cineres patriae insedisse supremos, 
Atque solum quo Troja fait ? Xanthum et Simoenta 
Bedde, oro, miseris ; iterumque revolvere casus 
Da, pater, IHacos Teucris." Tum regia Juno 
Acta furore gravi : " Quid me alt a silentia cogis 
Kumpere, et obductum verbis vulgare dolorem ? 
^Enean hominum quisquam divumque subegit 
Bella sequi, aut hostem regi se inferre Latino ? 



JENEIDOS LIB. X. 327 

Italiam fatis petiit auctoribus — esto — 

CassandraB impulsus furiis. Num liiiquere castra 

Hortati sumus aut vitam committere ventis ? 

Num puero summam belli, num credere muros ? 

T}T.Tlienanive fidem aut geiites agitare quietas ? 

Quis deus in fraudem, quae dui*a potentia nostri 

Egit ? Ubi hie Jmio, demissave nubibus Iris ? 

Indigmim est, Italos Trojam circumdare flammis 

Nascentem, et patria Turnum consistere terra, 

Cui Pilumnus avus, cui diva Venilia mater. 

Quid, face Trqjanos atra vim ferre Latinis ? 

Arva aliena jugo premere, atque advertere pr^das ? 

Quid, soceros legere, et gremiis abducere pactas ? 

Pacem orare manu, prsefigere puppibus arma ? 

Tu potes TEnean manibus subducere Grraium, 

Proque viro nebulam et ventos obtendere iuanes ; 

Et potes in totidem classem convertere nymphas : 

Nos aliquid Rutulos contra juvisse, nefandum est ? 

-<Eneas isfnarus abest : isfnarus et absit, 

. . . 

Est Papbus, Idaliumque tibi, sunt alta Cytbera : 

Quid gravidam bellis urbem et corda aspera tentas ? 

Nosne tibi fluxas Phrygias res vertere fundo 

Conamur ? nos ? an miseros qui Troas Achivis 

Objecit ? quae causa fuit, consurgere in arma 

Europamque Asiamque, et foedera solvere fm-to ? 

Me duce Dardanius Spartam expugnavit adulter ? 

Aut ego tela dedi, fovive Cupidine bella ? 

Turn decuit metuisse tuis ; nunc sera querelis 

Hand justis assurgis, et irrita jm-gia jactas." 

Talibus orabat Juno : cunctique fremebant 

Ccelicolse assensu vario. Ceu flamina prima 

Quum deprensa fremunt silvis, et caeca volutant 

Murmura, venturos nautis prodentia ventos. 

Turn pater omnipotens, rerum cui summa potestas, 

Infit. Eo dicente deum domus alta silescit ; 

Et tremefacta solo tellus ; silet arduus aether ; 

Tum zephyri posuere ; premit placida sequora pontus. 

" Accipite ergo animis atque hsec mea figite dicta. 

Quandoquidem Ausonios conjungi foedere Teucris 

Hand licitum ; nee vestra capit discordia finem : 

Quae cuique est fortuna hodie, quam quisque secat spem, 

Tros Rutulusve fuat, nuUo discrimme habebo ; 

Sen fatis Italum castra obsidione tenentur, 

Sive errore malo Trojse monitisque sinistris. 

Nee Rutulos solvo. Sua cuique exorsa laborem 

Fortunamque ferent. Eex Jupiter omnibus idem. 



328 



p. YIEaiLII MAEONIS 



Fata viam invenient." Stjgii per flumina fratris, 
Per pice torrentes atraque voragine ripas 
Annuit, et totum iiutu tremefecit Olympum. 
Hie finis fandi. Solio turn Jupiter am'eo 
Surgit, coelicolae medium quern, ad limina ducunt. 

Interea Eutuli portis circum omnibus instant 
Sternere caede viros, et moenia cingere flammis. 
At legio iEneadum vallis obsessa tenetur ; 
Nee spes ulla fugse. Miseri stant tm'ribas altis 
Nequidquam, et rara muros cinxere corona : 
Asius Imbrasides, Hicetaoniusque Thymcetes, 
Assaracique duo, et senior cum Castore Thymbris, 
Prima acies. Hos germani Sarpedonis ambo, 
Et Clarus et Themon, Lycia comitantur ab alta. 
Fei't ingens toto connixus corpore saxum, 
Haud partem exiguam montis, Lyrnessius Acmon, 
Nee Clytio genitore minor, nee fratre Menestbeo. 
Hi jaculis, iUi certant defendere saxis, 
Molii'ique ignem, nervoque aptare sagittas. 
Ipse inter medios, Veneris justissima cura, 
Dardanius caput ecce puer detectus bonestum, 
Qualis gemma micat, Mvum quae dividit aurum, 
Aut coUo decus aut ca])iti ; vel quale per artem 
Inclusum buxo, aut Oricia terebintbo, 
Lucet ebur ; fuses cervix cui lactea crines 
Accipit et molli subnectens circulus am'o. 
Te quoque magnanimae viderunt, Ismare, gentes 
Vulnera dii'igere et calamos armare veneno, 
Mseonia generose domo : ubi pinguia culta 
Exercentque viri, Pactolusque irrigat auro. 
Affuit et Mnestheus, quem pulsi pristina Tm-ni 
Aggere moerorum sublimem gloria tollit, 
Et Capys : hinc nomen Campanse ducitm' urbi. 




j:xeidos lie. x. 



329 



Illi inter sese duii certamina belli 
Contulerant : media ^neas freta nocte secabat. 
Namque ut ab Evaudro castris ingressus Etrucis 
Regem adit, et regi memorat nomenque genusque, 
Quidve petat, quiclve ipse ferat ; Mezentius arma 
Qu£e sibi concilet, violentaque pectora Tiu'ni, 
Edocet ; humanis qu£e sit fiducia rebus 
Admonet, immiseetque preces. Haud fit mora ; Tarcbon 
Jungit opes, fcedusque ferit ; turn libera fati 
Classem conscendit jussis gens Lydia divnm, 
Externo commissa duci. ^nela puppis 
Prima tenet, rostro Pbrygios subjuncta leones : 
Imminet Ida super, profugis gratissima Teucris. 
Hie magnus sedet ^neas, secumque volutat 
Eventus belli varios ; PaUasque sinistro 
Affixus lateri jam quserit sidera, opac^ 
ISJ'octis iter, jam quse passus terraque marique. 




Pandite nunc Helieona, deae, cantusque movete, 
Quae manus interea Tuscis comitetur ab oris 
^nean, ai-metque rates, pelagoque vebatm'. 



330 p. TTEGILII MAEOKLS 

Massicus aerata princeps seeat seqiiora tigri : 
Sub quo mille manus juvenum, qui moenia Clusi, 
Quique ui'bem liquere Cosas : quels tela, sagittaa 
Gorytique leves humeris et letifer arcus. 
Una torvus Abas : huic totum insignibus armis 
Agmen, et aurato fulgebat Apolline puppis. 
Sexcentos illi dederat Populonia mater 
Expertos belli juvenes ; ast Ilva trecentos 
Insula, inexhaustis Chalybum generosa metallis. 
Tertius, ille hominum divumque interpres Asylas, 
Cui pecudum fibrae cceli cui sidera parent, 
Et Imguse volucnun, et prsesagi fulminis ignes, 
Mille rapit densos acie atque horrentibus bastis. 
Hos parere jubent Alpbese ab origine Pisae, 
TJrbs Etrusca solo. Sequitur pulclierrimus Astur, 
Astur equo fidens et versicoloribus armis. 
Tercentum adjiciunt, mens omnibus una sequendi, 
Qui Cserete domo, qui sunt Minionis in arvis, 
Et Pyi'gi veteres, intempesteeque Grraviscse. 

Non egro te, Lis^m'um ductor fortissime bello, 
Transierim, Cinyra, et paucis comitate Cupavo, 
Cujus oloriuEe sm'gunt de vertice pennae : 
Crimen amor vestrum, formaeque insigne paternce. 
Namque ferunt, luctu Cycnum Pliaetbontis amati, 
Populeas inter frondes umbramque sororum 
Dum canit, et miestum Musa solatur amorem, 
Canentem molli pluma duxisse senectam, 
Linquentem terras, et sidera voce sequentem. 
FiUus, aequales comitatus classe catervas, 
Ingentem remis Centaurum promovet ; ille 
Instat aquae, saxumque undis immane minatur 
Arduus, et longa sulcat maria alta carina. 

Ille etiam patriis agmen ciet Ocnus ab oris, 
Fatidicae Mantus et Tusci filius amnis, 
Qui mm'os matrisque dedit tibi, Mantua, nomen, — 
Mantua, dives avis : sed non genus omnibus unum. 
G-ens iUi triplex, populi sub gente quaterni : 
Ipsa caput populis : Tusco de sanguine vires. 
Hinc quoque quingentos in se Mezentius armat, 
Quos patre Benaco velatus arundine glauca 
Mincius infesta ducebat in aequora pinu. 

It gravis Aalestes, centenaque arbore fluctus 
Verberat assm'gens : spumant vada marmore verso. 
Hunc vebit immanis Triton et cserula concha 
Exterrens freta : cui laterum tenus hispida nanti 
Frons hominem praefert, in pristin desinit alvus ; 



iENEIDOS LIB. X. 331 

Spiimea semifero sub pectore murmurat unda. 
Tot lecti proceres ter denis navibus ibant 
Subsidio Trojae, et campos salis sere secabant. 

Jamque dies cceIo concesserat, almaque curru 
Noctivago Phoebe medmni pulsabat Olympum : 
^neas, neque enim membris dat cura quietem, 
Ipse sedens clavumqne regit velisque ministrat. 
Atque illi medio in spatio chorus ecce suarum 
Occurrit comitum : ^ympbse, quas abna Cybebe 
Numen habere maris, Nymphasque e navibus esse 




Jusserat, innabant pariter, fluctusque secabant, 

Quot prius seratse steterant ad htora proras. 

Agnoscunt longe regem, lustrantque choreis. 

Quarum, quse fandi doctissima, Cymodocea 

Pone sequens dextra puppim tenet, ipsaque dorso 

Eminet, ac Iseva tacitis subremigat undis. 

Tum sic ignarum alloquitui' : " Vigilasne, deum gens, 

^nea ? vigila, et veHs immitte rudentes. 

Nos sumus Idseae sacro de vertice pinus, 

Nunc pelagi Nymphse, classis tua. Perfidus ut nos 

Prsecipites ferro Rutulus flammaque premebat, 

Eupimus invitee tua vincula, teque per sequor 

Quserimus. Hanc G-enetrix faciem miserata refecit, 

Et dedit esse deas, sevumque agitare sub undis. 

At puer Ascanius muro fossisque tenetur 

Tela inter media atque horrentes Marte Latinos. 

Jam loca jussa tenent forti permixtus Etrusco 

Areas eques. Medias illis opponere tm^mas, 

Ne castris jungant, certa est sententia Tmnio. 

Surge age, et Am^ora socios veniente vocari 

Primus in arma jube, et chpeum cape, quern dedit ipse 

Invictum ignipotens, atque oras ambiit auro. 

Crastina lux, mea si non irrita dicta putaris, 

Ingentes Putulse spectabit csedis acervos." 

Dixerat : et dextra discedens impulit altam, 

Haud ignara modi, puppim. Fugit ilia per undas 

Ocior et jaculo et ventos ssquante sagitta. 



332 p. YiEaiLii maeojS'is 

Inde alias celerant cursus. Stupet inscms ipse 
Tros Anchisiades ; animos tamen omiiie toUit. 
Turn breviter supera aspectans convexa precatur : 
" Alma parens Idsea deum, cui Dindyma cordi, 
Turrigeraeque urbes, bijugique ad frena leones ; 
Tu nulii nunc pugnse princeps, tu rite propinques 
Augurium, Phrygibnsque adsis pede, diva, secundo." 
Tantum eifatus : et interea revoluta ruebat 
Matura jam luce dies, noctemque fugarat. 

Principio sociis edicit, signa sequantur, 
Atque animos aptent armis, pugnseque parent se. 
Jamque in conspectu Teucros habet et sua castra, 
Stans celsa in puppi : clipeum quum deinde sinistra 
Extulit ardentem. Clamorem ad sidera tollunt 
Dardanidse e mmis ; spes addita suscitat iras ; 
Tela manu jaciunt. Quales sub nubibus atris 
Strymonise dant signa grues, atque sethera tranant 
Cum sonitu, fugiuntque notos clamore secundo. 
At Rutulo regi ducibusque ea mira videri 
Ausoniis ; donee versas ad litora puppes 
Respiciunt, totumque allabi classibus sequor. 
Ai'det apex capiti, cristisque a vertice flamma 
Funditni', et vastos umbo vomit aureus ignes : 
Non secus ac liquida si quando nocte cometge 
Sanguinei lugubre rubent, aut Sirius ardor : 
lUe sitim morbosque ferens mortalibus segris 
Nascitur, et Isevo contristat lumine coelum. 

Hand tamen audaci Turno fiducia cessit 
Litora prtecipere, et venientes pellere terra. 
[Ultro animos toUit dictis, atque increpat ultro :] 
" Quod votis optastis adest, perfringere dextra. 
In manibus Mars ipse, viii. Nunc conjugis esto 
Quisque suae tectique memor ; nunc magna referto 
Facta, patrum laudes. Ultro occurramus ad undam, 
Dum trepidi, egressique labant vestigia prima. 
Audentes fortuna juvat." 
Hsec ait, et secum versat, quos ducere contra, 
Vel quibus obsessos possit concredere muros. 

Interea ^neas socios de puppibus altis 
Pontibus exponit. Multi servare recursus 
Languentis pelagi, et brevibus se credere saltu ; 
Per remos alii. Speculatus litora Tarchon, 
Qua vada non spirant, nee fracta remurmurat unda, 
Sed mare inoffensum crescenti allabitur sestu, 
Advertit subito proras, sociosque precatur : 
" Nunc, lecta manus, validis incumbite remis : 



iBXEIDOS LIS. X. 



333 



Tollite, ferte rates ; iuimicam findite rostris 
Hanc terrain, suleumque sibi premat ipsa carina. 
Frangere nee tali puppim statione recuso, 
AiTepta tellure semel." Quae talia postquam 
Effatus Tarclion, socii consurgere tonsis, 
Spumantesque rates arvis inferre Latinis ; 
Donee rostra tenent siccum, et sedere carinse 
Omnes innocuae : sed non puppis tua, Tai'chon. 
Namque inflicta vc.dis dorso dum pendet iniquo, 
Anceps sustentata diu, fluctusque fatigat : 
Solvitur, atque viros mediis exponit in undis ; 
Fragmina remorum quos et fliiitantia transtra 
Impediunt, retrahitque pedem simul unda relabens. 





I*^ec Turnum segnis retinet mora : sed rapit acer 
Totam aciem in Teucros, et contra in litore sistit. 
Signa canunt. Primus tm-mas invasit agrestes 
u^neas, omen pugnae, stravitque Latinos, 
Occiso Therone, vii'um qui maximus ultro 
^neam petit ; huic gladio perque ssrea suta, 
Per tunicam squalenteni auro, latus liaurit apertum. 
Inde Lichan ferit, exsectmn jam matre peremta, 
Et tibi, Phcebe, sacrum, casus evadere ferii 
Quod licuit pai'vo. Nee longe, Cissea dm-um 
Immanemque Gryan, sternentes agmina clava, 
Dejeeit leto : nihil illos Herculis arma, 
Nee validae juvere manus, genitorque Melampus, 
Alcidse comes, usque graves quum terra labores 
Prsebuit. Ecce Pliaro, voces dum jactat inertes, 



334 p. TIRGILII MAEOITIS 

Intorquens jaculum clamanti sistit in ore. 
Tu quoque, flaventem prima lanugine malas 
Dum sequeris Clytium infelix, nova gaudia, Cydon, 
Dardanea stratus dextra, securus amorum, 
Qui juvenum tibi semper erant, miserande jaceres : 
Ni fratrum stipata coh.ors foret obvia, Phorci 
Progenies, septem numero, septenaque tela 
Conjiciunt : partim galea clipeoque resultant 
Irrita ; deflexit partim stringentia corpus 
Alma Venus. Fidum jEneas affatur Acbaten : 
" Suggere tela mihi — non ullum dextera frustra 
Torserit in E,utulos, — steterunt quae in corpore Grraium 
Iliacis eampis." Tum magnam corripit hastam, 
Et jacit : ilia volans clipei transverberat sera 
Maeonis, et thoraca simul cum pectore rumpit. 
Huic frater subit Alcanor, fratremque ruentem 
Sustentat dextra : trajecto missa lacerto 
Protinus hasta fugit, servatque cruenta tenorem ; 
Dexteraque ex liumero nervis moribunda pependit. 
Tum Numitor, jaculo fratris de corpore rapto, 
^nean petiit ; sed non et figere contra 
Est licitum, magnique femur perstrinxit Acliatas. 
Hie Cmibus, fidens primaevo corpore, Clausus 
Advenit, et rigida Dryopem ferit eminus liasta 
Sub mentum, graviter pressa, pariterque loquentis 
Vocem animamque rapit trajecto gutture ; at ille 
Fronte ferit terram, et crassum vomit ore cruorem. 
Tres quoque Threicios Boreoe de gente suprema, 
Et tres, quos Idas pater et patria Ismara mittit. 
Per varios sternit casus. Accurrit Halesus 
Aurmicseque manus ; subit et Neptunia proles, 
Insignis Messapus equis. Expellere tendmit 
Nunc hi, nunc illi ; certatm' limine in ipso 
Ausonise. Magno discordes se there venti 
Proeha ceu tollunt animis et viribus sequis ; 
Non ipsi inter se, non nubila, non mare cedunt ; 
Anceps pugna diu ; stant obnixi ; omnia contra. 
Hand aliter Trojanse acies aciesque Latinse 
Concurrunt ; hseret pede pes, densusque viro vir. 

At parte ex aha, qua saxa rotantia late 
Impulerat torrens arbustaque diruta ripis, 
Arcadas, insuetos acies inferre pedestres, 
Ut vidit PaUas Latio dare terga sequaci ; 
Aspera quels natm^a loci dimittere quando 
Suasit equos : imum quod rebus restat egenis. 
Nunc prece, nunc dictis virtutem accendit amaris : 



J3NEID0S LIB. X. 335 

" Quo fugitis, socii ? per vos et fortia facta, 
Per ducis Evaiidri nomen, devictaque bella, 
Spemque meam, patriae quse nunc subit aemula laudi, 
Fidite ne pedibus. Ferro rumpenda per bostes 
Est via. Qua globus ille virurn densissimus urget, 
Hac vos et Pallanta ducem patria alta reposcit. 
Nuniina nulla premunt ; mortal! urgemur ab hoste 
Mortales ; totidem nobis animseque manusque. 
Ecce, maris magna claudit nos objice pontus ; 
Deest jam terra fugae : pelagus Trojamne petemus ? " 
Hsec ait, et medius densos prorumpit in bostes. 
Obvius buic primum, fatis adductus iniquis, 
Fit Lagus : bunc, magno vellit dum pondere saxum, 
Intorto figit telo, discrimina costis 
Per medium qua spina dabat ; bastamque receptat 
Ossibus bserentem. Quern non super occubat Hisbo, 
Ille quidem hoc sperans : nam Pallas ante ruentem, 
Dum furit, incautum crudeli morte sodalis, 
Excipit, atque ensem tumido in puknone recondit. 
Hinc Stbenelum petit, et Eboeti de gente vetusta 
Ancbemolum, thalamos ausum incestare novercse. 
Yos etiam gemini Eutulis cecidistis in arvis, 
Daucia, Laride Tbymberque, simillima proles, 
Indiscreta suis gratusque parentibus error ; 
At nunc dura dedit vobis discrimina PaUas : 
Nam tibi, Thymbre, caput Evandrius abstulit ensis ; 
Te decisa suum, Laride, dextera quserit, 
Semianimesque micant digiti, ferrumque retractant. 
Arcadas accensos monitu, et prseclara tuentes 
Facta viri, mixtus dolor et pudor armat in bostes. 
Tum Pallas bijugis fugientem Ehoetea praeter 
Trajicit. Hoc spatium, tantumque morge fuit Ilo ; 
Ilo namque procul validam direxerat hastam, 
Quam medius Eboeteus intercipit, optime Teutbra, 
Te fugiens, fratremque Tyren ; curruque volutus 
Csedit semianimis Eutulorum calcibus arva. 
Ac velut, optato ventis sestate coortis, 
Dispersa immittit silvis incendia pastor ; 
Correptis subito mediis, extenditur una 
Horrida per latos acies Vulcania campos ; 
lUe sedens victor flammas despectat ovantes : 
Non aliter socium virtus coit omnis in unum, 
Teque juvat, Palla. Sed bellis acer Halesus 
Tendit in adversos, seque in sua colligit arma. 
Hie mactat Ladona, Pheretaque, Demodocumque 
Strjmonio dextram fulgenti deripit ense 



336 p. YIEGILII MAEOJ^IS 

Elatam in jugulum ; saxo ferit ora Thoantis, 
Ossaque dispersit cerebro permixta cruento. 
Fata canens silvis genitor celarat Halesum, 
Ut senior leto canentia lumina solvit : 
Injecere manum Parcse, telisque sacrarunt 
Evandri. Quern sic Pallas petit ante precatus : 
" Da nunc, Thybri pater, ferro, quod missile libro, 
Fortunam atque viam duri per pectus Halesi. 
Hsec arma exuviasque viri tua quercus habebit." 
Audiit ilia deus : dum texit Imaona Halesus, 
Arcadio infelix telo dat pectus inermum. 
At non csede viri tanta perterrita Lausus, 
Pars ingens belli, sinit agmina : primus Abantem 
Oppositum interimit, pugnae nodumque moramque. 
Sternitur Arcadise proles : sternuntur Etrusci ; 
Et vos, o Graiis imperdita corpora, Teucri. 
Agmina concmTunt ducibusque et viribus sequis. 
Extremi addensent acies : nee turba moveri 
Tela manusque sinit. Hinc Pallas instat et urget, 
Hinc contra Lausus, nee multum discrepat aetas, 
Egregii formae ; sed quels fortuna negarat 
In patriam reditus. Ipsos concurrere passus 
Hand tarn en inter se magni regnator Olympi : 
Mox illos sua fata manent majore sub hoste. 
Interea soror alma monet succurrere Lauso 




Tui-num, qui volucri curru medium secat agmen. 
Ut vidit socios : " Tempus desistere pugnse ; 
Solus ego in PaUanta feror ; soli mibi Pallas 
Debetiu' ; cuperem ipse parens spectactor adesset. 
Haec a,it ; et socii cesserunt sequore jusso. 
At Eutulum abscessu, juvenis tum jussa superba 
Mii-atus stupet in Turno, corpusque per ingens 
Lumina volvit, obitque true! procul omnia visu ; 
Talibus et dictis it contra dicta tyranni : 
" Aut spoliis ego jam raptis laudabor opirais, 
Aut leto insigni. Sorti pater sequus utrique est. 



JENEIDOS LIB. X. 337 

Tolle minas." Fatus medium procedit in jequor. 
Frigidus Ai'cadibus coit in prsecordia sanguis. 
Desiluit Tm-nus bijugis ; pedes apparat ire 
Cominus. Utque leo, specula quum vidit ab alta 
Stare procul campis meditantem in proelia taurum, 
Advolat ; baud alia est Turni venientis imago, 
Hunc ubi contiguum missas fore credidit bastae, 
Ire prior Pallas, si qua fors adjuvet ausum 
Viribus imparibus. magnumque ita ad sethera fatur : 
" Per patris bospitium, et mensas quas advena adisti, 
Te preeor, Alcide, coeptis ingentibus ad sis. 
Cernat semineci sibi me rapere arma cruenta, 
Victoremque ferant morientia lumina Turni." 
Audiit Alcides juvenem, magnumque sub imo 
Corde premit gemitum, lacrimasque effudit inanes. 
Turn Genitor natum dictis affatur amieis : 
" Stat sua cuique dies ; breve et irreparabile tempus 
Omnibus est vitse : sed famam extendere factis, 
Hoc virtutis opus. Trojse sub moenibus altis 
Tot nati cecidere deum ; quin occidit una 
Sarpedon, mea progenies. Etiam sua Turnum 
Fata vocant, metasque dati pervenit ad aevi." 
Sic ait, atque oculos Rutulorum rejieit arvis. 
At Pallas magnis emittit viribus hastam, 
[Vaginaque cava fulgentem deripit ensem.] 
Ilia volans, humeris surgunt qua tegmina summa, 
Incidit, atque viam clipei molita per oras, 
Tandem etiam magno strinxit de corpore Tumi. 
Hie Turnus ferro praefixum robm- acuto 
In Pallanta diu librans jacit, atque ita fatur : 
" Aspice, num mage sit nostrum penetrabile telum." 
Dixerat ; at clipeum, tot ferri terga, tot aeris 
Quum pellis totiens obeat circumdata tauri, 
Vibranti medium cuspis transverberat ictu, 
Loricseque moras et pectus perforat ingens. 
lUe rapit calidum frustra de vulnere telum : 
Una eademque via sanguis animusque sequuntur. 
Corruit in vulnus ; sonitum super arma dedere ; 
Et terram hostilem moriens petit ore cruento. 
Quem Turnus super adsistens : 

"Arcades, bsec," inquit, "memores mea dicta referte 
Evandro : Qualem meruit, Pallanta remitto. 
Quisquis honos tumuli, quidquid solamen humandi est, 
Largior. Hand illi stabunt iEne'ia parvo 
Hospitia." Et laevo pressit pede talia fatus 
Exanimem, rapiens immania pondera baltei, 

z 



338 p. YIEGILn IVIAEOE^IS 

Impressumque nefas — una sub nocte jugali 
Caesa manus juvenum foede, thalamique cruenti, — 
Quae Clonus Emytides multo cselaverat auro : 
Quo nunc Turnus ovat spolio gaudetque potitus. 
Nescia mens hominum fati sortisque futurae, 
Et servare modum, rebus sublata secundis ! 
Turno tempus erit, magno quum optaverit emtum 
Int actum Pallanta, et quum spolia ista diem que 
Oderit. At socii multo gemitu lacrimisque 




Impositum scuto referunt Pallanta frequentes. 
O dolor atque decus magnum rediture parent! ! 
Hsec te prima dies bello dedit, hsec eadem aufert, 
Quum tamen ingentes Rutulorum linquis acervos ! 

Nee jam fama mali tanti, sed certior auctor 
Advolat Mnedd, tenui discrimine leti 
Esse suos : tempus, versis succurrere Teucris. 
Proxima quseque metit gladio, latumque per agmen 
Ardens limitem agit ferro ; te, Tume, superbum 
Caede nova quaerens. Pallas, Evander, in ipsis 
Omnia simt oculis ; mensse, quas advena primas 
Tunc adiit, dextraeque datse. Sulmone creates 
Quatuor hie juvenes ; totidem, quos educat Ufens, 
Viventes rapit, inferias quos immolet umbris, 
Captivoque rogi perfundat sanguine ilammas. 
Inde Mago procul infensam contenderat hastam. 
Ille astu subit ; at tremebunda supervolat bast a ; 
Et genua amplectens effatm- talia supplex :^ 
" Per patrios manes, per spes surgentis luli,^ 
Te precor, banc animam serves natoque patrique. 



^NEIDOS LIB. X. 339 

Est domiis alta ; jacent penitus defossa talenta 
Caelati argenti ; sunt ami pondera facti 
Infectiqiie mihi. Non hie victoria Teucrum 
Vertitui' ; aut anima una dabit discrimina tanta." 
Dixerat. iEneas contra cui talia reddit : 
" Argenti atque ami memoras quae multa talenta, 
Natis parce tuis. Belli commercia Tmiius 
Sustulit ista prior jam turn Pallante peremto. 
Hoc patris Anchisae manes, hoc sentit lulus." 
Sic fatus galeam Iseva tenet, atque reflexa 
Cervice orantis capulo tenus applicat ensem. 
l^ec procul Hsemonides, Phcebi Triviseque sacerdos, 
Infula cui sacra redimibat tempora vitta, 
Totus coHucens veste atque insignibus armis : 
Quem congressus agit campo, lapsumque superstans 
Immolat, ingentique umbra tegit ; arma Serestus 
Lecta refert humeris, tibi, rex Grradive, tropseum. 
Instam'ant acies Yulcani sthpe creatus 
Caeculus et veniens Marsorum montibus XJmbro. 
Dardanides contra fmit. Anxmis ense sinistram. 
Et totum chpei ferro dejecerat orbem ; — 
Dixerat ille ahquid magnum, vimque affore verbo 
Crediderat, coeloque animum fortasse ferebat, 
Canitiemque sibi et longos promiserat annos ; — 
Tarquitus exsultans contra fulgentibus armis, 
Silvicolae Fauno Drvope quem nympha crearat, 
Obvius ai'denti sese obtulit. Ille reducta 
Loricam clipeique ingens onus impedit hasta. 
Tum caput orantis nequidquam, et multa parantis 
Dicere, deturbat terras, ti'uncmuque tepentem 
Provolvens, super hsec inimico pectore fatur : 
" Istic nunc, metuende, jace. Non te optima mater 
Condet humi, patriove onerabit membra sepulcro : 
Alitibus hnquere feris ; aut gurgite mersum 
Unda feret, piscesque impasti vulnera lambent." 
Protenus Antseum et Lucam, prima agmina Tm'ni, 
Persequitm-, fortemque Xumam, fulvumque Camertem, 
Magnanimo Yolscente satnm, ditissimus agri 
Qui fuit Ausonidum, et tacitis regnavit Amyclis. 
^geon qualis, centum cui brachia dicunt 
Centenasque manus, quinquaginta oribus ignem 
Pectoribusque arsisse, Jovis quum fulmina contra 
Tot pai'ibus streperet clipeis, tot stringeret enses : 
Sic toto ^neas desaevit in sequore victor, 
TJt semel intepuit mucro. Quin ecce Kiphaei 
Quadrijuges in equos adversaque pectora tendit : 



340 p. VIEGILII MAEOjSIS 

Atque illi longe gradientem efc dira frenientem 
Ut videre, metu versi retroque ruentes 
Effunduiitque ducem, rapiuntque ad litora curras. 




Interea bijugis infert se Lucagus albis 

In medios, fraterque Liger ; sed frater liabenis 

Flectit equos, strictum rotat acer Lucagus eiisem. 

Haud tulit ^Eneas tanto fervore furentes : 

Irruit, adversaque ingens apparuit hasta. 

Cui Liger : 

" Non Diomedis equos, nee eurrus cernis Achilli, 

Aut Phiygise campos : nunc belli finis et sevi 

His dabitur terris." Vesano talia late 

Dicta volant Ligeri : sed non et Troius heros 

Dicta parat contra ; jaculum nam torquet in hostem 

Lucagus ut pronus pendens in verbera telo 

Admonuit bijugos ; projecto dum pede Isevo 

Aptat se pugnae ; subit oras hasta per imas 

Fulgentis clipei, turn loevum perforat inguen ; 

Excussus curru moribundus volvitur arvis. 

Quern pius TEneas dictis atfatur amaris : 

" Lucage, nulla tuos eurrus fuga segnis equorum 

Prodidit, aut vanse vertere ex hostibus umbrsD : 

Ipse rotis saliens juga deseris." Hsec ita fatus 

Arripuit bijugos. Frater tendebat inermes 

Infelix palmas, curru delapsus eodem : 

" Per te, per qui te talem genuere parentes, 

Vir Trojane, sine banc animam, et miserere precantis. 



JEKEIDOS LIB. X. 



341 



Pluribns oranti iEneas : " Hand talia dudum 

Dicta dabas. Morere, et fratrem ne desere frater." 

Turn latebras animae, pectus mucrone recludit. 

Talia per campos edebat funera ductor 

Dardanius, torrentis aquee vel turbinis atri 

More furens. Tandem erumpnnt, et castra relinqnnnt 

Ascanius puer et nequidquam. obsessa jnventus. 




Junonem interea compellat Jupiter nltro : 
" germana mihi atque eadem gratissima conjux, 
Ut rebare, Venus — nee te sententia fallit — • 
Trqjanas sustentat opes : non vivida bello 
Dextra viris, animusque ferox, patiensque pericli." 
Cui Juno submissa : " Quid, o pulcherrime conjux, 
Sollicitas 8Bgram. et tua tristia dicta timentem ? 
Si mihi, qu£e quondam fuerat, quamque esse decebat, 
Yis in araore foret ; non hoc mihi namque negares, 
Omnipotens, quin et pugn^ subducere Turnum, 
Et Danno possem incolumem servare parent!. 
Nunc pereat, Teucrisque pio det sanguine poenas. 
Ille tamen nostra deducit origine nomen, 
Pilumnusque iUi quartus pater ; et tua larga 
Saepe manu mutisque oneravit hmina donis." 
Cui rex astherii breviter sic fatur Olympi : 
" Si mora prsesentis leti tempusque caduco 
Oratur juveni, meque hoc ita ponere sentis : 
Tolle fuga Turnum, atque instantibus eripe fa,tis. 
Hactenus indulsisse vacat. Sin altior istis 



342 p. TIEGILII MAEOIfIS 

Sub precibus venia ulla latet, totumque moveri 

Mutarive putas bellum : spes pascis inanes." 

Et Juno aUacrimans : " Quid si, quod voce gravaris, 

Mente dares ; at que hsec Turno rata vita maneret ? 

Nunc manet insontem gravis exitus : aut ego veri 

Vana feror. Quod ut o potius formidine falsa 

Ludai', et in melius tua, qui potes, orsa reflectas ! " 

Hsec ubi dicta dedit, coelo se protenus alto 

Misit, agens Hemem nimbo succincta per auras ; 

Iliacamque aciem et Laurentia castra petivit. 

Turn dea nube cava tenuem sine viribus umbram 

In faciem Mnead, visu mirabile monstrum, 

Dardaniis ornat telis ; clipeumque jubasque 

Divini assimulat capitis ; dat inania verba ; 

Dat sine mente sonum, gressusque effingit euntis ; 

Morte obita quales fama est volitare figuras, 

Aut quae sopitos deludunt somnia sensus. 

At primas laeta ante acies exsultat imago, 

Irritatque vii'um telis, et voce lasessit. 

Instat cui Tm-nus, stridentemque eminus hastam 

Conjicit ; ilia dato vertit vestigia tergo. 

Tum vero ^nean aversum ut cedere Turnus 

Credidit, atque animo spem turbidus hausit inanem : 

" Quo fagis, ^nea ? thalamos ne desere pactos : 

Hac dabitui' dextra tellus qusesita per undas." 

Talia vociferans sequitur, strictumque coruscat 

Mucronem ; nee ferre videt sua gaudia ventos. 

Forte ratis celsi conjuncta crepidine saxi 

Expositis stabat scabs, et ponte parato ; 

Qua rex Clusinis advectus Osinius oris. 

Hue sese trepida iEneae fugientis imago 

Conjicit in latebras ; nee I'm-nus segnior instat ; 

Exsuperatque moras, et pontes transilit altos. 

Vix proram attigerat : rumpit Saturnia funem, 

Avulsamque rapit revoluta per sequora navem. 

Ilium autem ^neas absentem in proelia poscit ; 

Obvia multa virum demittit corpora morti. 

Tum levis baud ultra latebras jam quserit imago, 

Sed sublime volans nubi se immiscuit atrae : 

Quum Tm-num medio interea fert sequore turbo. 

Bespicit ignarus rerum, ingratusque salutis, 

Et duplices cum voce manus ad sidera tendit : 

" Omnipotens genitor, tanton' me crimine dignum 

Duxisti, et tales voluisti expendere pcenas ? 

Quo feror ? unde abii ? quae me fuga, quemve reducet ? 

Laurentisne iterum muros aut castra videbo ? 



^IslEIDOS LIB. X. 343 

Quid manus ilia vii-um, qui me meaque arma secuti ? 
Quosne, iiefas ! omnes infanda in morte reliqui ? 
Et nunc palantes video, gemitumque cadentum 
Accipio. Quid ago ? aut qu« jam satis ima dehiscat 
Terra mihi ? vos o potius miserescite, venti, 
In rupes, in saxa — volens vos Tm-nus adoro — 
Ferte ratem, seevisque vadis immittite Syrtis, 
Quo neque me Rutuli, nee conscia fama sequatur." 
Hsec memorans, animo nunc hue, nunc fluctuat illuc ; 
An sese mucrone ob tantum dedecus amens 
Induat, et crudum per costas exigat ensem ; 
Fluctibus an jaciat mediis, et litora nando 
Cm'va petat, Teucrumque iterum se reddat in arma. 
Ter conatus utramque viam : ter maxima Juno 
Continuit ; juvenemque animi miserata repressit. 
Labitur alta secans fluctuque sestuque secundo ; 
Et patris antiquam Dauni defertm- ad m*bem. 
At Jo vis interea monitis Mezentius ardens 
Succedit pugnae, Teucrosque invadit ovantes. 
ConcuiTunt Tyrrhense acies, atque omnibus uni, 
Uni odiisque vii-o telisque frequentibus instant. 
Ille, velut rupes vastum quge prodit in sequor, 
Obvia ventorum furiis, expostaque ponto, 
Yim cunctam atque minas perfert coelique marisque, 
Ipsa immota manens : prolem Dolichaonis Hebrum 
Sternit humi, cum quo Latagum, Palmumque fugacem : 
Sed Latagum saxo atque ingenti fragmine montis 
Occupat OS faciemque adversam ; poplite Palmum 
Succiso volvi segnem sinit ; armaque Lauso 
Donat habere humeris, et vertice figere cristas. 
Nee non Evanthen Phr3^gium, Paridisque Mimanta 
iEqualem comitemque : una quern nocte Theano 
In lucem genitori Amyco dedit, et face preegnans 
Cisseis regina Parin : Paris m^be paterna 
Occubat ; ignarum Lam^ens habet ora Mimanta. 
Ac velut ille canum morsu de montibus altis 
Actus aper, multos Vesulus quern pinifer annos 
Defendit, multosve palus Lam^entia, silva 
Pastus arundinea, postquam inter retia ventum est, 
Substitit, irLfremuitque ferox, et inhorruit armos : 
Nee cuiquam hasci propiusve accedere virtus, 
Sed jacuhs tutisque procul clamoribus instant : 
Ille autem impavidus partes cimctatur in omnes, 
Dentibus infrendens, et tergo decutit hastas : 
Hand ahter, justse quibus est Mezentius ii'se, 
Non ulli est animus stricto concm-rere ferro : 



3M p. yiKGILII MAEONIS 

Missilibus longe et vasto clamore lacessunt. 

Yenerat antiquis Corythi de finibus Acron, 

Grraius homo, infectos linquens profugus hymenaeos : 

Hunc ubi misceiitem longe media agmina vidit, 

Pm^pm-eum pennis et pactse conjugis ostro : 

Impastus stabula alta leo cen ssepe peragrans — 

Suadet enim vesana fames — si forte fugacem 

Conspexit capream, aut sm-gentem in cornua cervum, 

Gaudet, hians imraane, comasque arrexit, et hseret 

Yisceribus super incumbens ; lavit improba teter 

Ora cruor : 

Sic ruit in densos alacer Mezentius bostes. 

Sternitur infelix Acron, et calcibus atram 

Tundit humum exspirans, infractaque tela cruentat. 

Atque idem fugientem baud est dignatus Oroden. 

Sternere, nee jacta csecum dare cuspide vulnus : 

Obvius adversoque occm'rit, seqiie viro vir 

Contulit, baud furto melior, sed fortibus armis. 

Turn super abjectum posito pede nixus et liasta : 

Pars belli baud temnenda, vii'i, jacet altus Orodes. 

Conclamant socii laetum pseana secuti. 

Ille autem exspirans : " Non me, quicumque es, inulto, 

Victor, nee longum laetabere : te qaoque fata 

Prospectant paria, atque eadem mox arva tenebis." 

Ad quem subridens mixta Mezentius ira : 

" Nunc morere. Ast de me divum pater atque bominum rex 

Yiderit." Hoc dicens eduxit corpore telum. 

Olli dura quies oculos et ferreus urget 

Somnus ; in aeternam clauduntur lumina noctem. 

Csedicus Alcathoum obtruncat, Sacrator Hydaspen ; 

Partbeniumque Rapo et prsedurum viribus Orsen : 

Messapus Cloniumque Lycaoniumque Ericeten ; 

Ilium infrenis equi lapsu tellure jacentem, 

Hunc peditem pedes. Et Lycius processerat Agis, 

Quem tamen baud expers Yalerus virtutis avitse 

Dejicit ; at Thronium Salius, Saliumque Nealces, 

Insignis jaculo et longe fallente sagitta. 

Jam gravis sequabat luctus et mutua Mavors 
Eunera ; csedebant pariter pariterque ruebant 
Yictores victique ; neque bis fuga nota, neque illis. 
Di Jovis in tectis iram miserantur inanem 
Amborum, et tantos mortalibus esse labores ; 
Hinc Yenus, bine contra spectat Saturnia Juno. 
Pallida Tisipbone media inter millia saevit. 
At vero ingentem quatiens ^Mezentius hastam 
Turbidus ingreditur campo. Quam magnus Orion, 



^NEIDOS LIB. X. 



345 



Qiium pedes incedit medii per maxima Nerei 
Stagna viam scindens, humero supereminet undas 
Aut, summis referens annosam montibus ornum, 
Ingrediturque solo et caput inter nubila condit : 
Talis se vastis infert Mezentius armis. 
Huic contra ^neas, speculatus in agmine longo, 
Obvius ire parat. Manet imperterritus ille, 




Hostem magnanimnm opperiens, et mole sua stat ; 
Atque oculis spatium emensus, quantum satis hastae 
" Dextra, mihi deus, et telum, quod missile libro, 
Nunc adsint ; voveo prsedonis corpore raptis 
Indutum spoliis ipsum te, Lause, tropseum 
^Enese." Dixit; stridentemque eminus hastam 
Injicit ; ilia volans clipeo est excussa, proculque 
Egregium Antoren latus inter et ilia figit : 
Herculis Antoren comitem, qui missus ab Argis 
Haeserat Evandro, atque Itala consederat urbe. 
Sternitur infelix alieno vulnere, ccelumque 
Aspicit, et dulces moriens reminiscitur Argos. 
Tum pius ^Eneas bastam jacit : ilia per orbem 
Mre cavum triplici, per linea terga, tribusque 
Transiit intextum tauris opus, imaque sedit 
Inguine ; sed vires baud pertulit. Ocius ensem 
^neas, viso Tyrrbeni sanguine lastus, 
Eripit a femine, et trepidanti fervidus instat. 
Ingemuit cari graviter genitoris amore, 
TJt vidit, Lausus 5 lacrimseque per ora volutse. 



346 p. YIEGILII MAEOIS^IS 

Hie mortis durse casum tuaque optima facta, 
Si qua fidem tanto est operi latura vetustas, 
Non equidem, nee te, juvenis memorande, silebo. 
Ille pedem referens, et inutilis, inque ligatus 
Cedebat, clipeoque inimieum hastile trahebat. 
Prorupit juvenis, seseque immiscuit armis ; 
Jamque assurgentis dextra plagamque ferentis 
Mnesd subiit mucronem, ipsumque morando 
Sustinuit ; socii magno clamore sequuntur, 
Dum genitor nati parma protectus abiret ; 
Telaque conjiciunt, proturbantque eminus hostem 
Missilibus. Fui'it JEneas, tectusque tenet se. 
Ac velut, effusa si quando grandine nimbi 
Praecipitant, omnis campis diffugit arator, 
Omnis et agricola, et tuta latet arce viator 
Aut amnis ripis aut alti fornice saxi, 
Dum pluit in terris ; ut possint, sole reducto, 
Exercere diem : sic obrutus undique tebs 
^neas nubem belli, dum detonet, omnem 
Sustinet, et Lausum increpitat, Lausoque minatur : 
" Quo moriture rais, majoraque viribus audes ? 
Fallit te incautum pietas tua." Nee minus ille 
Exsultat demens : ssevse jamque altius irge 
Dardanio surgunt ductori, extremaque Lauso 
Parcse fila legunt : validum namque exigit ensem 
Per medium JEneas juvenem, totumque recondit : 
Transiit et parmam mucro, levia arma minacis, 
Et tunicam, molli mater quam neverat auro ; 
Implevitque sinum sanguis ; tum vita per auras 
Concessit msesta ad manes, corpusque reliquit. 
At vero ut vultum vidit morientis et ora, 
Ora modis Anchisiades pallentia miris, 
Ingemuit miserans graviter, dextramque tetendit ; 
Et mentem patriae strinxit pietatis imago. 
" Quid tibi nunc, miserande puer, pro laudibus istis, 
Quid pius iEneas tanta dabit indole dignum ? 
Arma, quibus laetatus, habe tua ; teque parentum 
Manibus et cineri, si qua est ea cura, remitto. 
Hoc tamen infelix miseram solabere mortem : 
jEnese magni dextra cadis." Increpat ultro 
Cunctantes socios, et terra sublevat ipsum, 
Sanguine turpantem comtos de more capillos. 
Interea genitor Tiberini ad fluminis undam 
Vulnera siccabat lymphis, corpusque levabat 
Arboris acclinis trunco. Procul serea ramis 
Dependet galea, et prato gravia arma quiescunt. 



JENEIDOS LIB, X. 347 

Stant lecti circum juvenes : ipse agger, anhelans, 
Colla fovet, fusus propexam in pectore barbam ; 
Multa super Lauso rogitat, multumque remittit, 
Qui revocent, maestique ferant mandata parentis. 
At Lausum socii exanimem super arma ferebant 
Flentes, ingentem, atque ingenti vulnere victum. 
Agnovit longe gemitum praesaga mali mens. 
Canitiem multo deformat pulvere, et ambas 
Ad coelum tendit pabnas, et corporc inhaeret. 
" Tantane me tenuit vivendi, nate, voluptas, 
Up pro me hostili paterer succedere dextrae, 
Quem genui ? Tuane base genitor per vubiera server, 
Morte tua vivens ? Heu, nunc misero mibi demum 
Exsilium infebx ! nunc alte vubius adactum ! 
Idem ego, nate, tuum maculavi crimine nomen, 
Pulsus ob invidiam solio sceptrisque paternis. 
Debueram patriae poenas odiisque meorum : 
Omnes per mortes animam sontem ipse dedissem ! 
Nunc vivo ! neque adbuc homines lucemque relinquo ! 
Sed linquam." Simul hoc dicens attolHt in ^grum 
Se femur ; et, quamquam vis alto vulnere tardat, 
Haud dejectus equum duci jubet. Hoc decus illi, 
Hoc solamen erat ; bellis hoc victor abibat 
Omnibus, Alloquitur m.serentem, et tahbus infit : 
" Rhcebe, diu — res si qua diu mortahbus ulla est — 
Yiximus. Aut hodie victor spoha ilia cruenta 
Et caput ^neae referes, Lausique dolorum 
TJltor eris mecum : aut, aperit si nulla viam vis, 
Occumbes pariter. JSTeque enim, fortissime, credo, 
Jussa ahena pati et dominos dignabere Teucros." 
Dixit, et exceptus tergo consueta locavit 
Membra, manusque ambas jaculis oneravit acutis, 
^re caput fulgens, cristaque hirsutus equina. 
Sic cursum in medios rapidus dedit. iEstuat ingens 
TJno in corde pudor, mixtoque insania luctu, 
[Et Furiis agitatus amor, et conscia virtus ;] 
Atque hie ^nean magna ter voce vocavit. 
^neas — agnovit enim — lastusque precatur : 
" Sic pater ille deum faciat, sic altus Apollo ! 
Incipias conferre mamma." 
Tantum effatus, et infesta subit obvius hasta. 
Ille autem : " Quid me erepto, saevissime, nato 
Terres ? haec via sola fait, qua perdere posses. 
Nee mortem horremus, nee divum parcimus ulli. 
Desine : jam venio moriturus, et haec tibi porto 
Dona prius." Dixit, telumque mtorsit in hostem ; 



348 p. TIEaiLII MAKOIS'IS. 

Inde aliud super atque aliud figitque, volatque 

Ingenti gjro : sed sustinet aureus umbo. 

Ter circum adstantem Isevos equitavit in orbes, 

Tela manu jaciens ; ter secum Troius beros 

Immanem serato circunifert tegmine silvam. 

Inde ubi tot traxisse moras, tot spicula tsedet 

Yellere, et urgetur pugna congressus iniqua : 

Mult a movens animo, jam tandem erumpit, et inter 

Bellatoris equi cava tempora conjicit bastam. 

TolHt se arrectum quadrupes, et calcibus auras 

Verberat, effusumque equitem super ipse secutus 

Implicat, ejectoque incumbit cernuus armo. 

Clamore incendunt coelum Troesque Latinique. 

Advolat iEneas, vaginaque eripit ensem, 

Et super baec : " Ubi nunc Mezentius acer, et ilia 

Effera vis animi ? " Contra Tyrrbenus, ut auras 

Suspiciens bausit coelum, mentemque recepit : 

" Hostis amare, quid increpitas, mortemque minaris ? 

Nullum in caede nefas ; nee sic ad proelia veni ; 

Nee tecum mens baec pepigit mibi foedera Lausus, 

Unum boc, per, si qua est victis venia bostibus, ore : 

Corpus bumo patiare tegi. Scio acerba meorum 

Circumstare odia : bunc, oro, defende furorem, 

Et me consortem nati concede sepulcro." 

Hsec loquitur, juguloque baud inscius accipit ensem, 

Undantique animam difFandit in arma cruore. 




p. TIEGILII MAEONIS 

^ N E I D S 

LIBER UNDECIMUS. 




OcEAis^irM interea sui-gens Aurora reKquit. 
^neas, quamquam et sociis dare tempus humandis 
Precipitant curse, turbataque funere mens est, 
Yota deum primo victor solvebat Eoo. 
Ingentem quercum decisis undique ramis 
Constituit tumulo, fulgentiaque induit arma, 
Mezenti ducis exuvias ; tibi, magne, ti'opseum, 
Belli^Dotens : aptat rorantes sanguine cristas, 
Telaque trunca viri, et bis sex tboraca petitum 
Perfossumque locis : clipeumque ex £ere sinistrae 
Subligat, atque ensem collo suspendit eburnum. 
Turn socios, namque omnis eum stipata tegebat 
Turba ducum, sic incipiens bortatur ovantes : 
" Maxima res effecta, viri ; timor omnis abesto. 
Quod superest ; baec sunt spolia, et de rege superbo 
Primitise ; manibusque meis Mezentius liic est. 
Nunc iter ad regem nobis mui'osque Latinos. 
Arma parate animis, et spe prsesumite bellum, 
Ne qua mora ignaros, ubi primum vellere signa 
Annuerint superi pubemque educere castris, 



352 



p. YIEGILII MAEOXIS 



Impediat, segnisve metu sententia tardet. 
Interea socios inhumataque corpora terras 
Mandemus : qui solus honos Acheronte sub imo est. 
Ite," ait ; " egregias animas, quae sanguine nobis 
Hanc patriam peperere suo, decorate supremis 
Muneribus ; mgestamque Evandri primus ad urbem 
Mittatur Pallas, quern non virtutis egentem 
Abstulit atra dies, et funere mersit acerbo." 

Sic ait illacrimans, recipitque ad limina gressum : 




Corpus ubi exanimi positum Pallantis Acoetes 

Servabat senior, qui Parrhasio Evandro 

Armiger ante fuit ; sed non felicibus seque 

Turn comes auspiciis caro datus ibat alumno. 

Circum omnis famulumqae man us Trojanaque turba 

Et msestum Iliades crinem de more solutae. 

TJt vero ^Eneas foribus sese intulit altis, 

Ingentem gemitum tunsis ad sidera tollunt 

Pectoribus, m^stoque immugit regia luctu. 

Ipse caput nivei fultum PaUantis et ora 

TJt vidit, levique patens in pectore vulnus 

Cuspidis Ausonise, lacrimis ita fatur obortis : 

" Tene," inquit, " miserande puer, quum Iseta venii'et, 

Invidit fortuna mibi, ne regna videres 

Nostra, neque ad sedes victor veberere paterna s ? 

Non hsec Evandro de te promissa parent! 



JEJfEIDOS LIB. XI. 



353 



Discedens dederam : quum me complexus euntem 

Mitteret in magnum imperium, metuensque moneret 

Acres esse viros, cum dura proelia gente. 

Et nunc ille quidem spe multum captus inani 

Fors et vota facit, cumulatque altaria donis ; 

Nos juvenem exanimum, et nil jam coelestibus ullis 

Debentem, vano msesti comitamur honore. 

Infelix, nati funus crudele videbis ! 

Hi nostri reditus, exspectatique triumphi ? 

Haec mea magna fides ? At non, Evandre, pudendis 

Vulneribus pulsum aspicies : nee sospite dirum 

Optabis nato funus pater. Hei mihi, quantum 

Praesidium Ausonia, et quantum tu perdis, lule !" 

Hsec ubi deflevit, tolli miserabile corpus 
Imperat, et toto lectos ex agmine mittit 
Mille viros, qui supremum comitentur honorem, 
Intersintque patris lacrimis : solatia luctus 
Exigua ingentis, misero sed debita patri. 
Hand segnes alii crates et molle feretrum 
Arbuteis texunt virgis et vimine querno, 
Exstructosque toros obtentu frondis inumbrant. 
Hie juvenem agresti sublimem stramine ponunt ; 
Qualem virgineo demessum pollice florem 
Seu mollis violse, seu languentis byacinthi, 
Cui neque fulgor adhuc, nee dum sua forma recessit ; 
Non jam mater alit tellus, viresque ministrat. 
Tunc geminas vestes auroque ostroque rigentes 




Extulit JEneas, quas illi laeta laborum 
Ipsa suis quondam manibus Sidonia Dido 
2 A 



354 p. YIEaiLII MAEONIS 

Fecerat, et tenui telas discreverat auro. 

Harum unam juveni supremum msestus honorem 

Induit, arsurasque comas obnubit amictu ; 

Multaque prseterea Laurentis prsemia pugnsB 

Aggerat, et longo prsedam jubet ordine duci. 

Addit equos et tela, quibus spoliaverat hostem. 

Vinxerat et post terga manus, quos mitteret umbris 

Inferias, cseso sparsuros sanguine flammam ; 

Indutosque jubet truncos bostilibus armis 

Ipsos ferre duces, inimicaque nomina figi. 

Ducitur infelix sevo confectus Acoetes, 

Pectora nunc fcedans pugnis, nunc unguibus era ; 

Sternitur, et toto projeetus corpore terras. 

Ducunt et Rutulo perfuses sanguine currus. 

Post bellator equus, positis insignibus, iEthon 

It lacrimans, guttisque humectat grandibus ora. 

Hastam alii galeamque ferunt ; nam cetera Tui'nus 

Victor habet. Tum msesta phalanx Teucrique sequuntur, 

Tyrrhenique duces, et versis Arcades armis. 

Postquam omnis longe comitum processerat ordo, 

Substitit ^neas, gemituque hsec addidit alto : 

" Nos alias hinc ad lacrimas eadem borrida belli 

Fata vocant. Salve seternum mihi, maxime Palla, 

iEternumque vale." Nee plura effatus ad altos 

Tendebat mui'os, gressumque in castra ferebat. 

Jamque oratores aderant ex urbe Latina, 
Velati ramis olese, veniamque rogantes : 
Corpora, per campos ferro quae fusajacebant, 
Redderet, ac tumido sineret succedere terras ; 
Nullum cum victis certamen et aethere cassis ; 
Parceret bospitibus quondam socerisque vocatis. 
Quos bonus ^neas, baud aspernanda precantes, 
Prosequitur venia, et verbis h^c insuper addit : 
" Quaenam vos tanto fortuna indigna, Latini, 
Implicuit bello, qui nos fugiatis amicos ? 
Pacem me exanimis et Martis sorte peremtis 
Gratis ? equidem et vivis concedere vellem. 
Nee veni, nisi fata locum sedemque dedissent ; 
Nee bellum cum gente gero : rex nostra reliquit 
Hospitia, et Turni potius se credidit armis. 
^quius buic Turnum fuerat se opponere morti. 
Si bellum finire manu, si pellere Teucros 
Apparat, bis mecum decuit concurrere tebs ; 
Yixet, cui vitam deus aut sua dextra dedisset, 
Nmic ite, et miseris supponite civibus ignem." 
Dixerat ^neas. Olli obstupuere silentes ; 



JENEIDOS LIB. XI. 355 

Conversique oculos inter se atque ora tenebani. 
Turn senior semperque odiis et crimine Drances 
Infensus juveni Turno sic ore vicissim 
Orsa refert : " fama ingens, ingentior armis, 
Vir Trojane, quibus coelo te laudibus sequem ? 
Justitiaene prius mirer, belline laborum ? 
Nos vero hsec patriam grati referemus ad urbem ; 
Et te, si qua viam dederit fortuna, Latino 
Jungemus regi. Quserat sibi feed era Turnus. 
Quin et fatales murorum atoUere moles, 
Saxaque subvectare humeris Trojana juvabit." 
Dixerat heec, unoque omnes eadem ore fremebant. 
Bis senos pepigere dies, et pace sequestra 
Per silvas Teucri, mixtique impune Latini, 
Erravere jugis. Ferro sonat icta bipenni 
Fraxinus ; evertunt actas ad sidera pinus ; 
Eobora nee cuneis et olentem scindere cedrum, 
Nee plaustris cessant vectare gementibus ornos. 
Et jam Fama volans, tanti prsenuncia luctus, 
Evandrum Evandrique domos et mcenia complet, 
Quae modo victocem Latio Pallanta ferebat. 
Arcades ad portas mere, et de more vetusto 
Funereas rapuere faces, Lucet via longo 
Ordine flammarum, et late discriminat agros. 
Contra turba Phrj^gum veniens plangentia jungunt 
Agmina. Quse postquam matres succedere tectis 
Viderunt, msestam incendunt clamoribus urbem. 
At non Evandrum potis est vis uUa tenere ; 
Sed venit in medios. Feretro Pallanta reposto 
Procubuit super, atque hseret lacrimansque gemensque, 
Et via vix tandem voci laxata dolore est : 
" Non hsec, o Palla, dederas promissa parenti. 
Cautius ut ssevo velles te credere Marti ! 
Hand ignarus eram, quantum nova gloria in armis, 
Et prsedulce decus primo certamine posset. 
Primitise juvenis miserse ! bellique propinqui 
Dura rudimenta ! et nulli exaudita deorum 
Vota precesque mese ! tuque, o sanctissima conjux, 
Felix morte tua, neque in hunc servata dolorem ! 
Contra ego vivendo vici mea fata, superstes 
Eestarem ut genitor. Troum socia arma secutum 
Obruerent Rutuli telis ! animam ipse dedissem, 
Atque base pompa domum me, non Pallanta, referret ! 
Nee vos arguerim, Teucri, nee foedera, nee quas 
Junximus hospitio dextras ; sors ista senectse 
Debita erat nostrse. Quod si immatura manebat 



356 



p. VTEGILII MAEOjS^IS 



Mors natum, cassis Volscorum millibus ante, 
Ducentem in Latium Teucros ceeidisse juvabit. 
Quin ego non alio digner te funere, Palla, 
Quam pius ^neas, et quam magni Phiyges et quam 
Tyrrheniqne duces, Tyrrhenum exercitus omnis. 
Magna tropaea ferunt, quos dat tua dextera leto ; 
Tu quoque nunc stares immanis truncus in armis ; 
Esset par aetas, et idem si robur ab annis, 
Turne. Sed infelix Teucros quid demoror armis ? 
Vadite, et hsec memores regi mandata referte : 
Quod vitam moror invisam, Pallante peremto, 
Dextera causa tua est ; Turnum natoque patrique 
Quam debere vides. Meritis vacat hie tibi solus 
Fortunseque locus. Non vitse gaudia qusero, 
Nee fas : sed nato manes perferre sub imos." 

Aurora interea miseris mortalibus almam 
Extulerat lucem, referens opera atque labores. 
Jam pater ^Eneas, jam curvo in litore Tar ebon 



--_:^ -^^^ 




Constituere pyras : hue corpora quisque suorum 
More tulere patrum ; subjectisque ignibus atris 
Conditur in tenebras altum caligine coelum. 
Ter circum accensos, cincti fulgentibus armis, 



^NEIDOS LIB. XI. 357 

Decurrere rogos ; ter msestum funeris ignem 
Lustravere in equis ; ululatusque ore dedere. 
Spargitm* et tellus lacrimis, sparguntur et arma. 
It coelo clamorque virum clangorque tubarum. 
Hinc alii spolia occisis derepta Latinis 
Conjiciunt igni, galeas, ensesque decoros, 
Frenaque, ferventesque rotas ; pars munera nota, 
Ipsorum clipeos, et non felicia tela. 
Multa bourn cii'ca mactantur corpora Morti ; 
Saetigerosque sues raptasque ex omnibus agris 
In flammam jugulant pecudes. Turn litore toto 
Ardentes spectant socios, semiustaque servant 
Busta ; neque avelli possunt, nox humida donee 
Invertit coelum stellis fulgentibus aptum. 

Nee minus et miseri diversa in parte Latini 
Innumeras struxere pyras ; et corpora partim 
Multa vii'um terrge infodiunt, avectaque partim 
Finitimos tollunt in agros, urbique remittunt : 
Cetera, confusseque ingentem csedis acervum, 
Nee numero nee honore cremant ; tunc undique vasti 
Certatim crebris collucent ignibus agri. 
Tertia lux gelidam coelo dimoverat umbram : 
Mserentes altum cinerem et confusa ruebant 
Ossa focis, tepidoque onerabant aggere terrse. 
Jam vero in tectis prsedivitis urbe Latini 
Prsecipuus fragor, et longi pars maxima luctus. 
Hie matres, miserseque nurus, liic cara sororum 
Pectora mserentum, puerique parentibus orbi, 
Dirum exsecrantm* bellum Turnique bymenseos ; 
Ipsum armis, ipsumque jubent decernere ferro, 
Qui regnum Italic et primes sibi poscat honores. 
Ingravat bsec ssevus Drances, solumque vocari 
Testatur, solum posci in certamina Turnum. 
Multa simul contra variis sententia dictis 
Pro Tm'no ; et magnum reginse nomen obumbrat ; 
Multa virum meritis sustentat fama tropseis. 

Hos inter motus, medio in flagrante tumultu, 
Ecce, super msesti magna Diomedis ab m-be 
Legati responsa ferunt : niliil omnibus actum 
Tantorum impensis operum ; nil dona, neque aurum, 
Nee magnas valuisse preces ; alia arma Latinis 
QuEerenda, aut pacem Trojano ab rege petendam. 
Deficit ingenti luctu rex ipse Latinus. 
Fatalem ^Enean manifesto numine ferri, 
Admonet ira deum, tumulique ante ora recentes. 
Ergo concilium magnum, primosque suorum 



358 p. VIEGILn MAE0:tfI3 

Imperio accitos, alta intra limina cogit. 
Olli convenere, fluuntque ad regia plenis 
Tecta viis. Sedet in mediis et maximus aevo, 
Et primus sceptris, hand Iseta fronte, Latinus. 
Atqne He legates jEtola ex ui'be remissos, 
Quae referant, faii jubet, et responsa reposcit 
Ordine cuncta suo. Tnm facta silentia linguis. 
Et Yenulns dicto parens ita faiier infit : 

" Yidimus, o cives, Diomedem Ai'givaque castra, 
Atque iter emensi casus superavimus omnes ; 
Contigimusque manum, qua concidit IKa tellus. 
Ille ui'bem Ai'gpipam, patriae cognomine gentis, 
Victor Gargani condebat lapvgis arvis. 
Postquam introgressi, et coram data copia fandi : 
Munera prseferimus, nomen patriamque docemus ; 
Qui bellum intulerint, qu£e causa attraxerit Arpos. 
Auditis ille hsec placido sic reddidit ore : 
' O fortunatse gentes, Saturnia regna, 
Antiqui Ausonii, quae vos fortuna quietos 
Sollicitat, suadetque ignota lacessere bella ? 
Quicumque Iliacos ferro violavimus agros, — 
Mitto ea, qu£e muris bellaudo exhausta sab altis, 
Quos Simois premat ille viros, — infanda per orbem 
Supplicia et scelerum poenas expendimus omnes, 
Vel Priamo miseranda manus ; scit triste Minervae 
Sidus, et Euboicae cautes,, ultorque Caphereus. 
Militia ex ilia diversum ad litus adacti, 
Atrides Protei Menelaus adusque columnas 
Exsulat ; ^tnaeos vidit C3^clopas Ulixes. 
Pegna jSTeoptolemi referam, versosque penates 
Idomenei ? Libycone habitantes litore Locros ? 
Ipse Mjcenaeus magnorum ductor Achivum 
Conjugis infandge prima intra limina dextra 
Oppetiit ; devictam Asiam subsedit adulter. 
Invidisse deos, patriis ut redditus aris 
Conjugium optatum et pulcliram Calydona viderem ? 
Nunc etiam horribili visu portenta scquuntm', 
Et socii amissi petierunt sethera pennis, 
Fluminibusque vagantur aves, lieu dira meorum 
Supplicia ! et scopulos lacrimosis vocibus implent. 
Hsec adeo ex illo mihi jam speranda fuerunt 
Tempore, quum ferro coelestia corpora demens 
Appetii, et Yeneris violavi vulnere dextram. 
Ne vero, ne me ad tales impellite pugnas. 
Nee mibi cum Teucris ullum post eruta bellum. 
Pergama : nee veterum memini loetorve malorum. 



JENEIDOS LIB. XI. 359 

Munera, quje patriis ad me portatis ab oris, 
Yertite ad JEneaii. Stetimus tela aspera contra, 
Contulimusque manus : experto credite, quantus 
In clipeum assurgat, quo turbine torqueat hastam. 
Si duo praeterea tales Idsea tulisset 
Terra viros, ultro Inacbias venisset ad urbes 
Dardanus, et versis lugeret G-raecia fatis. 
Quidquid apud durae cessatum est mcenia Trojse, 
Hectoris ^Eneseque manu victoria G-raium 
Hffisit, et in decimum vestigia retulit annum. 
Ambo animis, ambo insignes praestantibus armis ; 
Hie pietate prior. Coeant in foedera dextrse, 
Qua datur : ast, armis concurrant arma, cavete.' 
Et responsa simul quae sint, rex optime, regis 
Audisti, et quae sit magno sententia bello." 

Vix ea legati ; variusque per ora cucm-rit 
Ausonidum tm-bata fremor : ceu saxa morantur 
Quum rapidos amnes, fit clauso gurgite murmur, 
Vicinaeque fremunt ripae crepitantibus undis, 
TJt primum placati animi, et trepida ora quierunt, 
Prsefatus divos solio rex infit ab alto : 

" Ante equidem summa de re statuisse, Latini, 
Et vellem, et fuerat melius ; non tempore tali 
Cogere concilium, quum muros assidet hostis. 
Bellum importunum, cives, cum gente deorum, 
Invictisque viris gerimus, quos nulla fatigant 
Proelia, nee victi possunt absistere ferro. 
Spem si quam adscitis ^tolum habuistis in armis, 
Ponite. Spes sibi quisque : sed hasc quam angusta videtis. 
Cetera qua rerum jaceant perculsa ruina. 
Ante oculos interque manus sunt omnia vestras. 
Nee quemquam incuso. Potuit quae plurima virtus 
Esse, fuit. Toto certatum est corpore regni. 
Nunc adeo, quae sit dubiae sententia menti, 
Expediam, et paucis — animos adhibete — docebo. 
Est antiquus ager Tusco mihi proximus amni, 
Longus in occasum, fines super usque Sicanos ; 
Aurunci Rutulique serunt, et vomere duros 
Exercent coUes, atque horum asperrima pascunt. 
Haec omnis regie, et celsi plaga pinea montis, 
Cedat amicitiae Teucrorum ; et foederis aequas 
Dicamus leges, sociosque in regna vocemus ; 
Considant, si tantus amor, et moenia condant. 
Sin alios fines aliamque capessere gentem 
Est animus, poscuntque solo decedere nostro ; 
Bis denas Italo texamus robore naves, 



360 p. VIEGHLII MAEOTTIS 

Seu plures complere valent : jacet omnis ad undam 
Materies ; ipsi numerumque modumque carinis 
Praecipiant ; nos sera, maims, navalia demus. 
Prseterea, qui dicta ferant et fcBdera firment, 
Centum oratores prima de gente Latinos 




Ire placet, pacisque manu pretendere ramos ; 
Munera portantes aurique eborisque talenta 
Et sellam regni trabeamque insignia nostri. 
Consulite in medium, et rebus succurrite fessis." 

Tum Drances, idem infensus, quem gloria Turni 
Obliqua invidia stimulisque agitabat amaris, 
Largus opum et lingua melior, sed frigida bello 
Dextera, consiliis habitus non futilis auctor, 
Seditione potens — genus huic materna superbum 
Nobilitas dabat, incertum de patre ferebat — • 
Surgit, et his onerat dictis atque aggerat iras : 

" Rem nulli obscuram, nostrse nee vocis egentem, 
Consulis, o bone rex. Cuncti se scire fatentur, 
Quid fortuna ferat populi ; sed dicere mussant. 
Det libertatem fandi, flatusque remittat, 
Cujus ob auspicium infaustum moresque sinistros — 
Dicam equidem, licet arma mihi mortemque minetur- 
Lumina tot cecidisse ducum, totamque videmus 
Consedisse urbem luctu, dum Troia tentat 
Castra, fugJB fidens, et coelum territat armis. 
Unum etiam donis istis, quse plurima mitti 
Dardanidis dicique jubes, unum, optime regum, 
Adjicias ; nee te ullius violentia vincat, 
Quin natam egregio genero dignisque hymenseis 
Des, pater, et pacem banc seterno foedere jungas. 
Quod si tantus habet mentes et pectora terror, 
Ipsum obtestemur, veniamque oremus ab ipso ; 
Cedat, jus proprium regi patriseque remittat. 



^NEIDOS LIB. XI. 361 

Quid miseros toties in aperta pericula cives 
Projicis, o Latio caput horum et causa malorum ? 
Nulla salus bello : pacem te poscimus omnes, 
Tui'ne, simul pacis solum inviolabile pignus. 
Primus ego, invisum quern tu tibi fingis, et esse 
Xil moror, en supplex venio. Miserere tuorum, 
Pone animos, et pulsus abi. Sat funera fusi 
Vidimus, ingentes et desola^amus agros. 
Aut si fama movet, si tantum pectore robur 
Concipis, et si adeo dotalis regia cordi est ; 
Aude, atque adversum fidens fer pectus in hostem. 
Scilicet, ut Tm'no contingat regia conjux, 
Xos, animae viles, inbumata infletaque turba, 
Sternamur campis. Et jam tu, si qua tibi vis, 
Si patrii quid Martis babes, ilium aspice contra, 
Qui vocat." 

Talibus exarsit dictis violentia Tui-ni ; 
Dat gemitum, rumpitque has imo pectore voces : 
" Larga quidem, Drance, semper tibi copia fandi 
Tum, quum bella manus poscunt ; patribusque vocatis 
Primus ades. Sed non replenda est cm-ia verbis, 
Quae tuto tibi magna volant, dum distinct hostem 
Agger moerorum, nee inundant sanguine fossae. 
Proinde tona eloquio, — solitum tibi ; meque timoris 
Ai'gue tu, Drance, quando tot stragis acervos 
Teucrorum tua dextra dedit, passimque tropseis 
Insignis agros. Possit quid vivida virtus, 
Experiare licet : nee longe scilicet bostes 
Quserendi nobis ; circumstant undique muros. 
Imus ill adversos ? quid cessas ? an tibi Mavoi*s 
Ventosa in lingua pedibusque fugacibus istis 
Semper erit ? 

Pulsus ego ? aut quisquam merito. foedissime, pulsum 
Arguet, Iliaco tumidum qui crescere Thybrim 
Sanguine, et Evandri totam cum stirpe videbit 
Procubuisse domum, atque exutos Arcadas armis ? 
Hand ita me experti Bitias et Pandarus ingens, 
Et quos mille die victor sub Tai'tara mi si, 
Inclusus muris bostilique aggere septus. 
Nulla salus bello. Capiti cane talia demens 
Dai'danio, rebusque tuis. Proinde omnia magno 
Ne cessa turbare metu, atque extollere vires 
Gentis bis victee : contra premere arma Latini. 
Nunc et Myrmidonum proceres Pbrygia ai-ma tremiscunt. 
Nunc et Tydides, et Larissseus Achilles ; 
Amnis et Hadiiacas retro fusrit Aufidus undas. 



362 



p. VIEGim MAEONIS 



Vel quum se pavidum contra mea jurgia fingit 
Artificis scelus, et formidine crimen acerbat. 
Nunquam animam talem dextra hac — absiste moveri- 
Amittes ; habit et tecum, et sit pectore in isto. 
Nunc ad te, et tua magna, pater, consulta reverter. 
Si nullam nostris ultra spem ponis in armis, 
Si tarn deserti sumus, et semel agmine verso 
Funditus occidimus neque habet fortuna regressum ; 
Oremus pacem, et dextras tendamus inertes. 
Quanquam o, si solitae quidquam virtutis adesset, 
lUe mihi ante alios fortunatusque laborum, 
Egregiusque animi, qui, ne quid tale videret, 
Procubuit moriens, et humum semel ore momordit. 
Sin et opes nobis, et adhuc intacta juventus, 
Auxilioque urbes Italae populique supersunt ; 
Sin et Trojanis cum multo gloria venit 
Sanguine ; sunt illis sua funera, parqiie per omnes 
Tempestas ; cur indecores in limine primo 
Deficimus ? cm- ante tubam tremor occupat artus ? 
Multa dies variique labor mutabilis sevi 
Retulit in melius ; multos alterna revisens 
Lusit et in solido rursus fortuna locavit. 
Non erit auxilio nobis iEtolus et Arpi : 
At Messapus erit, felixque Tolumnius, et quos 
Tot populi misere duces ; nee tarda sequetur 
Gloria delectos Latio et Laurentibus agris. 
Est et Volscorum egregia de gente Camilla, 
Agmen agens equitum et florentes aere catervas. 
Quod si me solum Teucri in certamina poscunt, 
Idque placet, tantumque bonis connnunibus obsto ; 
Non adeo has exosa manus victoria fugit. 




iENEIDOS LIB. XI. 



363 



Ut tanta quidquam pro spe tentare recusem. 
Ibo animis contra : vel magnum pr sestet Achillem, 
Factaque Yulcani manibus paria induat arma 
Ille licet. Yobis animam banc soceroque Latino 
Tm*nus ego, baud nlli veterum virtute secundus, 
Devovi. Solum ^Eneas vocat : et, vocet, oro. 
Nee Drances potius, sive est bsec ira deorum, 
Morte luat ; sive est virtus et gloria, tollat." 

Illi bsec inter se dubiis de rebus agebant 
Certantes : castra iEneas aciemque movebat. 
Nuncius ingenti per regia tecta tumultu 
Ecce ruit, magnisque urbem terroribus implet : 
Instructos acie Tiberino a flumine Teucros 
Tyrrbenamque manum totis descendere campis. 
Extemplo turbati animi, concussaque vulgi 
Pectora, et arrectse stimulis baud moUibus ii-ae. 
Arma manu trepidi poscunt ; fremit arma juventus ; 
Elent meesti mussantque patres. Hie undique clamor 
Dissensu vario magnus se tollit in auras : 
Haud secus atque alto in luco quum forte catervse 
Consedere avium, piscosove amne Padusae 
Dant sonitum rauci per stagna loquacia cycni. 
"Immo," ait, "o cives," arrepto tempore Tm-nus, 
" Cogite concilium, et pacem laudate sedentes : 
nii ai'mis in regna ruant." Nee plui'a locutus 
Corripuit sese et tectis citus extubt altis. 
" Tu, Voluse, armari Volscorum edice maniplis ; 
Due," ait, " et Rutulos. Equitem, Messapus, in armis, 







364 p. YIEGHLII MAEONIS 

Et cum fratre Coras, latis diffundite campis. 
Pars aditus urbis firment turresque capessant : 
Cetera, qua jusso, mecum manus inferat arma." 
Ilicet in muros tota discurritur urbe. 
Concilium ipse pater et magna incepta Latinus 
Deserit, ac tristi turbatus tempore diifert ; 
Multaque se incusat, qui non acceperit ultro 
Dardanium ^Enean, generumque adsciverit urbi. 
Prasfodiunt alii portas, aut saxa sudesque 
Subvectant. Bello dat signum rauca cruentum 
Buccina. Tum muros varia cinxere corona 
Matronse puerique ; vocat labor ultimus omnes. 
Nee non ad templum summasque ad Palladis arces 
Subvebitur magna matrum regina caterva. 
Dona ferens ; juxtaque comes Lavinia virgo, 
Causa mali tanti, oculos dejecta decoros. 
Succedunt matres, et templum tbure vaporant, 
Et msestas alto fundunt de limine voces : 
" Armipotens, praeses belli, Tritonia virgo, 
Erange manu telum Phrygii prsedonis, et ipsum 
Pronum sterne solo, portisque effunde sub altis." 
Cingitur ipse furens certatim in proelia Turnus. 
Jamque adeo Eutulum thoraca indutus abenis 
Horrebat squamis, surasque incluserat auro, 
Tempora nudus adbuc ; laterique accinxerat ensem ; 
Fulgebatque alta decurreiis aureus arce ; 
Exsultatque animis, et spe jam prsecipit hostem. 
Qualis ubi abruptis fugit prsesepia vinclis 
Tandem liber equus, campoque potitus aperto 
Aut ille in pastus armentaque tendit equarum, 
Aut assuetus aquae perfundi flumine noto 
Emicat, arrectisque fremit cervicibus alte 
Luxurians ; luduntque jubae per coUa, per armos. 
Obvia cui, Volscorum acie comitante, Camilla 
Occrn'rit, portisque ab equo regina sub ipsis 
Desiluit ; quam tota cobors imitata relictis 
Ad terram defluxit equis ; tum talia fatur : 
" Turne, sui merito si qua est fiducia forti, 
Audeo et ^neadum promitto occurrere turmse, 
Solaque Tyrrhenes equites ire obvia contra. 
Me sine prima manu tentare pericula belli : 
Tu pedes ad muros subsiste, et mcenia serva." 
Turnus ad b^c, occulos liorrenda in virgine fixus : 
" decus Italise virgo, quas dicere grates, 
Quasve referre parem ? sed nunc, est omnia quando 
Iste animus supra, mecum partire laborem. 



iEKEIDOS LIB. XI. 365 

iEneas, ut fama fidem missique reportant 
Exploratores, equitum levia improbus arma 
Prsemisit, quaterent campos ; ipse ardua montis 
Per deserta jugo superans adventat ad urbem. 
Furta paro belli convexo in tramite silvse, 
Ut bivias armato obsidam milite fauces. 
Tu Tyrrhenum equitem collatis excipe signis ; 
Tecum acer Messapus erit, turmseque Latins, 
Tibui'nique in anus : ducis et tu concipe cui'am." 
Sic ait, et paribus Messapum in proelia dictis 
Hortatur sociosque duces, et pergit in hostem. 
Est cui'vo anfractu valles, accommoda fraudi 
Armorumque dolis, quani densis frondibus atrum 
Urget utrimque latus ; tenuis quo semita ducit, 
Angustaeque ferunt fauces aditusque maligni. 
Hanc super in speculis summoque in vertice montis 
Planities ignota jacet, tutique receptus ; 
Seu dextra leevaque velis occurrere pugnge, 
Sive instare jugis, et grandia volvere saxa. 
Hue juvenis not a fertur regione viarum, 
Arripuitque locum, et silvis insedit iniquis. 
Velocem interea superis in sedibus Opim, 
Unam ex vii'ginibus sociis sacraque caterva, 
Compellabat, et has tristes Latonia voces 
Ore dabat : " Grraditur bellum ad crudele Camilla, 
O virgo, et nostris nequidquam cingitur armis, 
Cara mibi ante alias." Neque enim novus iste Dianas 
Venit amor, subitaque animum dulcedine movit. 
Pulsus ob invidiam regno vii^esque superbas 
Priverno antiqua Metabus quum excederet urbe, 
Infantem fugiens media inter proelia belli 
Sustulit exsilio comitem, matrisque vocavit 
Nomine Casmillae, mutata parte, Camillam. 
Ipse, sinu prse se portans, juga longa petebat 
Solorum nemorum ; tela undique saeva premebant, 
Et circum fuso volitabant milite Yolsci. 
Ecce, fugae medio summis Amasenus abundans 
Spumabat ripis ; tantus se nubibus imber 
Buperat. Ille, innare parans, infantis amore 
Tardatm", caroque oneri timet. Omnia secum 
Versanti subito vix bsec sententia sedit : 
Telum immane, manu valida quod forte gerebat 
BeUator, solidum nodis et robore cocto ; 
Huic natam, libro et silvestri subere clausam, 
Implicat, atque habilem mediae cii-cumligat hastae, 
Quam dextra ingenti librans ita ad aetbera fatur : 



366 p. TIEGHLII MARONIS 

" Alma, tibi hanc, nemorum cultrix, Latonia virgo, 
Ipse pater famulam voveo ; tua prima per auras 
Tela tenens supplex hostem fugit. Accipe, testor, 
Diva tuam, quse nimc dubiis committitur auris." 
Dixit, et adducto contortum hastile lacerto 
Immittit : sonuere undse ; rapidum super amnem 
Infelix fugit in jaculo stridente Camilla. 
At Metabus, magna propius jam urgent e caterva, 
Dat sese fluvio, atque hastam cum virgine victor 
Gramineo donum Trivise de cespite vellit. 
Non ilium tectis uUse, non mcenibus urbes 
Accepere, neque ipse manus feritate dedisset ; 
Pastorum et solis exegit montibus eevum. 
Hie natam in dumis interque horrentia lustra 
Armentalis equse mammis et lacte ferino 
Nutribat, teneris immulgens ubera labris. 
Utque pedum primis infans vestigia plantis 
Institerat, jaculo palmas oneravit acuto, 
Spiculaque ex bumero parvse suspendit et arcum. 
Pro crinali auro, pro longse tegmine pallse, 
Tigridis exuvise per dorsum a vertice pendent. 
Tela manu jam turn tenera puerilia torsit, 
Et fundam tereti circum caput egit babena, 
Strymoniamque gruem, aut album dejecit olorem. 
Multae iUam frustra Tyrrbena per oppida matres 
Optavere nurum : sola contenta Diana, 
iEternum telorum et virginitatis amorem 
Intemerata colit. " Vellem baud correpta fuisset 
Militia tali, conata lacessere Teucros ; 
Cara mibi comitumque foret nunc una mearum. 
Verum age, quandoquidem fatis urgetur acerbis, 
Labere, Nympba, polo, finesque invise Latinos, 
Tristis ubi infausto committitur omine pugna. 
Haec cape, et ultricem pbaretra deprome sagittam : 
Hac, quicumque sacrum violarit vulnere corpus, 
Tros Italusve, mibi pariter det sanguine poenas, 
Post ego nube cava miserandse corpus et arma 
Inspoliata feram tumulo, patriajque reponam." 
Dixit : at ilia leves coeli delapsa per auras 
Insonuit, nigro circumdata turbine corpus. 

At manus interea muris Trojana propinquat, 
Etruscique duces, equitumque exercitus omnis. 
Compos! ti numero in turmas. Fremit sequore toto 
Insultans sonipes, et pressis pugnat babenis 
Hue obversus et buc ; tum late ferreus bastis 
Horret ager, campique armis sublimibus ardent. 



^NEIDOS LIB. XI. 367 

JSTec non Messapus contra, celeresque Latinij 
Et cum fratre Coras, et virginis ala Camillse, 
Adversi campo apparent, hastasqne reductis 
Protendunt longe dextris, et spicula vibrant ; 
Adventusque virum fremitusque ardescit equorum. 
Jamqiie intra j actum teli progressus uterque 
Substiterat : subito erumpunt clamore, frementesque 
Exhortantur equos ; fundunt simul undique tela 
Crebra nivis ritu, coelumque obtexitui' umbra. 
■Continuo adversis Tyrrbenus et acer Aconteus 
Connixi incurrunt hastis, primique ruinam 
Dant sonitu ingenti, perfractaque quadrupedantum 
Pectora pectoribus rumpunt. Excussus Aconteus 
Eulminis in morem, aut tormento ponderis acti, 
Praecipitat longe, et vitam dispergit in am-as. 
Extemplo turbatee acies, versique Latini 
Bejiciunt parmas, et equos ad moenia vertunt. 
Troes agunt ; princeps turmas inducit Asylas. 
Jamque propinquabant portis, rursusque Latini 
Clamorem tollunt, et moUia coUa reflectunt ; 
Hi fugiunt, penitusque datis referuntm' babenis. 
Qualis ubi alterno procurrens gurgite pontus 
Nunc ruit ad terras, scopulosque superjacit undam 
Spumeus, extremamque sinu perfundit arenam ; 
Nunc rapidus retro, atque aestu revoluta resorbens 
Saxa fugit, litusque vado labente relinquit. 
Bis Tusci Rutulos egere ad mcenia versos : 
Bis rejecti armis respectant terga tegentes. 
Tertia sed postquam congressi in proelia, totas 
Implicuere inter se acies, legitque virum w : 
Tum vero et gemitus morientum, et sanguine in alto 
Armaque, corporaque, et permixti casde vii'orum 
Semanimes volvuntur equi ; pugna aspera surgit. 
Orsilochus Eemuli, quando ipsum horrebat adire, 
Hastam intorsit equo, ferrumque sub aure reliquit : 
Quo sonipes ictu furit arduus, altaque jactat 
Vulneris impatiens arrecto pectore crura. 
Yolvitar iUe excussus humi. Catillus lollan, 
Ingentemque animis, ingentem corpore et armis 
Dejicit Herminium ; nudo cui vertice fulva 
Csesaries, nudique humeri ; nee vulnera terrent ; 
Tantus in arma patet. Latos buic hasta per armos 
Acta tremit, duplicatque virum transfix a dolore. 
Funditur ater ubique cruor : dant funera ferro 
Certantes pulcbramque petunt per vulnera mortem. 
At medias inter csedes exsultat Amazon, 



368 p. VIEGILII MAEONIS 

XJnum exserta latus pugnse, pharetrata Camilla : 
Et nunc lenta manu spargens hastilia denset, 
Nunc validam dextra rapit indefessa bipennem. 
Aureus ex humero sonat arcus et arma Dianse. 
Ilia etiam, si quando in tergum pulsa recessit, 
Spicula converso fugientia dirigit arcu. 
At cii'cum lectse comites, Larinaque virgo, 
Tullaque, et seratam quatiens Tarpeia securem, 
Italides ; quas ipsa decus sibi dia Camilla 
Delegit, pacisque bonas bellique ministras. 
Quales Threiciae quum flumina Thermodontis 
Pulsant, et pictis bellantur Amazones armis : 
Seu circum Hippolyten, seu quum se Martia cmru 





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Penthesilea refert, magnoque ululante tumultu 
Feminea exsultant lunatis agmina peltis. 
Quem telo primum, quern postremum, aspera virgo 
Dejicis ? aut quot humi morientia corpora fundis ? 
Eunaeum Clytio primum patre : cujus apertum 
Adversi longa transverberat abiete pectus. 
Sanguinis ille vomens rivos cadit, at que cruentam 
Mandit humum, moriensque suo se in vulnere versat. 
Turn Lirim, Pagasumque super : quorum alter habenas 
Suffosso revolutus equo dum colligit, alter 
Dum subit, ac dextram labenti tendit inermem, 
Tersecipites pariterque ruunt. His addit Amastrmn 
Hippotaden ; sequiturque incumbens eminus hasta 
Qureaque, Harpalycumque, et Demophoonta, Chromimque ; 
Potque emissa manu contorsit spicula virgo, 



JENEIDOS LIB. XI. 369 

Tot Phiygii cecidere viri. Procul Ornytus armis 
Ignotis et equo venator lapyge fertur ; 
Cui pellis latos humeros erepta juvenco 
Pugnatori operit ; caput ingens oris hiatus 
Et nial« texere lupi eum dentibus albis, 
Agrestisque manus armat sparus. Ipse catervis 
Vertitur in mediis, et toto vertice supra est. 
Hunc ilia exceptum, neque enim labor agmine verso, 
Trajicit, et super base inimico pectore fatur : 
" Silvis te, Tyrrhene, feras agitare putasti ? 
Advenit qui vestra dies muhebribus armis 
Verba redarguerit. Nomen tamen baud leve patrum 
Manibus hoc referes, telo cecidisse Camillse." 
Protenus Orsilochum et Buten, duo maxima Teucrum 
Corpora : sed Buten aversum cuspide fixit 
Loricam galeamque inter, qua coUa sedentis 
Lucent, et laevo dependet parma lacerto ; 
Orsilochum, fugiens magnumque agitata per orbem, 
Eludit gyro interior, sequiturque sequentem ; 
Tum validam perque arma viro perque ossa securim, 
Altior exsurgens, oranti et multa precanti 
Congeminat : vulnus cahdo rigat ora cerebro. 
Incidit huic, subitoque aspectu territus hassit 
Appenninicolse bellator filius Auni, 
Haud Ligurum extremus, dum fallere fata sinebant. 
Isque, ubi se nullo jam cursu evadere pugnas 
Posse, neque instantem reginam avertere cernit, 
Oonsilio versare dolos ingressus et astu, 
Incipit hsec : " Quid tarn ^gregium, si femina forti 
Pidis equo ? dimitte fugam, et te cominus aequo 
Mecurn crede solo, pugneeque accinge pedestri ; 
Jam nosces, ventosa ferat cui gloria laudem." 
Dixit : at ilia furens, acrique accensa dolore. 
Tradit equum comiti, paribusque resistit in armis, 
Ense pedes nudo, puraque interrita parma. 
At juvenis, vicisse dolo ratus, avolat ipse, 
Haud mora, conversisque fugax aufertur habenis, 
Quadrupedemque citum ferrata calce fatigat. 
" Yane Ligus, frustraque animis elate superbis, 
Nequidquam patrias tentasti lubricus artes ; 
Nee fraus te incolumem fallaci perferet Auno." 
Hffic fatur virgo, et pernicibus ignea plantis 
Transit equum cursu, frenisque adversa prehensis 
Congreditur poenasque inimico ex sanguine sumit. 
Quam facile accipiter saxo sacer ales ab alto 
Consequitur pennis subhmem in nube columbam, 

2 B 



370 



p. VIEaiLII MAEONIS 



Comprensamque tenet, pedibusque eviscerat uneis 
Turn cruor et vulsge labuntur ab sethere plumae. 




At non hsec nullis hominnm sator atque deorum 
Observans oculis summo sedet altus Olympo. 
Tyrrhenum genitor Tarchonem in proelia sseva 
Suscitat, et stimulis baud moUibus injicit iras. 
Ergo inter csedes cedentiaque agmina Tarchon 
Fertur equo, variisque instigat vocibus alas, 
Nomine quemque vocans, reficitque in proelia pulsos. 
" Quis metus, o nunquani dolituri, o semper inertes 
Tyrrlieni, quse tanta animis ignavia venit ? 
Femina palantes agit, atque hjBc agmina vertit ? 
Quo ferrum, quidve bsec gerimus tela irrita dextris ? 
At non in Venerem segnes, nocturnaque bella, 
Aut, ubi curva eboros indixit tibia Baccbi, 
Exspectare dapes, et plense pocnla mensse : 
Hie amor, hoc studium ; dum sacra secundus haruspex 
Nunciet, ac lucos vocet hostia pinguis in altos." 
Hsec effatus, equum in medios moriturus et ipse 
Concitat, et Venulo adversum se turbidus infert, 
Dereptumque ab equo dextra complectitur hostem, 
Et gremium ante suum multa vi concitus aufert. 
Tollitur in coelum clamor ; cunctique Latini 
Convertere oculos. Yolat igneus sequore Tarchon, 
Arma virumque ferens ; tum summa ipsius ab hasta 
Defringit ferrum, et partes rimatur apertas. 
Qua vulnus letale ferat : contra ille repugnans 
Sustinet a jugulo dextram, et vim viribus exit. 
IJtque volans alte raptum quum fulva draconem 
Fert aquila, implicuitque pedes, atque unguibus hsesit : 



Ji:]!TEIDOS LIB. XI. 371 

Sauclus at serpens sinuosa volumina versat,' 
Arrectisque liorret squamis, et sibilat ore 
Arduus insurgens : ilia baud minus urget obunco 
Luctantem rostro ; simul sethera verberat alis : 
Haud aliter prsedam Tiburtum ex agmine Tarchon 
Portat ovans. Ducis exemplum eventumque secuti 
MseonidsB incurrunt. Turn fatis debitus Arruns 
Velocem jaculo et multa prior arte Camillam 
Circuit, et, quae sit fortuna facillima, tentat. 
Qua se curaque furens medio tulit agmine virgo, 
Hac Arruns subit, et tacitus vestigia lustrat : 
Qua victrix redit ilia, pedemque ex hoste reportat, 
Hac juvenis furtim celeres detorquet habenas. 
Hos aditus, jamque bos aditus, omnemque pererrat 
Undique circuitum ; et certam quatit improbus bast am. 
Forte sacer Cybelse Cbloreus, olimque sacerdos, 
Insignis longe Phrygiis fulgebat in armis, 
Spumantemque agitabat equum : quem pellis abenis 
In plumam squamis auro conserta tegebat. 
Ipse, peregrina ferrugine clarus et ostro, 
Spicula torquebat Lycio Gortynia cornu ; 
Aureus ex bumeris sonat arcus, et aurea vati 
Cassida ; tum croceam cblamydemque sinusque crepantes 
Carbaseos fulvo in nodum coUegerat auro, 
Pictus acu tunicas, et barbara tegmina crurum. 
Hunc virgo, sive ut templis preefigeret arma 
Troia, captivo sive ut se ferret in auro, 
Venatrix unum ex omni certamine pugnae 
Caeca sequebatur ; totumque incauta per agmen 
Femineo prsedse et spoliorum ardebat amore : 
Telum ex insidiis quum tandem tempore capto 
Concitat, et superos Arruns sic voce precatur : 
" Summe deum, sancti custos Soractis Apollo, 
Quem primi colimus, cui pineus ardor acervo 
Pascitur, et medium freti pietate per ignem 
Cultores multa premimus vestigia pruna ; 
Da, pater, hoc nostris aboleri dedecus armis, 
Omnipotens. Non exuvias, pulsseve tropaeum 
"Virginis, aut spolia ulla peto : mihi cetera laudem 
Facta ferent : baec dira meo dum vulnere pestis 
Pulsa cadat, patrias remeabo inglorius urbes." 
Audiit, et voti Phoebus succedere partem 
Mente dedit ; partem volucres dispersit in auras. 
Sternerit ut subita turbatam morte Camillam, 
Annuit oranti : reducem ut patria alta videret, 
Non dedit ; inque notos vocem vertere procellse. 



372 p/yiegilii maeonis 

Ergo, ut missa manu sonitum dedit liasta per auras, 
Convertere animos acres oculosque tulere 
Cuncti ad reginam, Yolsci. Nihil ipsa neque aurae 
Nee sonitus memor, aut venientis ab sethere teli : 
Hasta sub exsertam donee perlat'a papillam 
Hsesit, virginiumque alte bibit acta cruorem. 
Coneurrunt trepidse eomites, dominamque ruentem 
Suseipiunt. Fugit ante omnes exterritus Arruns, 
Lsetitia mixtoque metu ; nee jam amplius hastse 
Credere, nee telis ocurrere virginis audet. 
Ac velut ille, prius quam tela inimica sequantur, 
Continuo in montes sese avius abdidit altos, 
Occiso pastore, lupus, magnove juvenco, 
Conscius audacis facti, caudamque remulcens 
Subjecit pavitantem utero, silvasque petivit : 
Haud secus ex oculis se turbidus abstulit Arruns, 
Contentusque fuga mediis se imniiscuit armis. 
Ilia manu moriens telum trahit : ossa sed inter 
Ferreus ad costas alto stat vulnere mucro. 
Labitur exsanguis ; labuntur frigida leto 
Lumina ; purpureus quondam color ora reliquit. 
Turn sic exspirans Accam, ex sequalibus unam, 
Alloquitur, fida ante alias qu£e sola Camillse, 
Quicum partiri cm'as ; atque base ita fatur : 
" Hactenus, Acca soror, potui ; nunc vulnus acerbum 
Conficit, et tenebris nigrescunt omnia circum. 
Effuge, et haec Turno mandata novissima perfer : 
Succedat pugn^e Trojanosque arceat urbe. 
Jamque vale." Simul bis dictis linquebat liabenas, 
Ad terram non sponte fluens. Tum frigida toto 
Paulatim exsolvit se corpore, lentaque coUa 
Et captum leto posuit caput, arma relinquens ; 
Vitaque cum gemitu fugit indignata sub umbras. 
Tum vero immensus siirgens ferit am^ea clamor 
Sidera ; dejecta crudescit pugna Camilla ; 
Incurrunt densi simul omnis copia Teucrum, 
Tyrrbenique duces, Evandrique Arcades alse. 

At Trivise custos jamdudum in montibus Opis 
Alta sedet summis, spectatque interrita pugnas. 
XJtque procul medio juvenum in clamore furentum 
Prospexit tristi multatam morte Camillam, 
Ingemuitque deditque has imo pectore voces : 
" Heu nimium, virgo, nimium crudele luisti 
Supplicium, Teucros conata lacessere bello ! 
Nee tibi desertae in dumis coluisse Dianam 
Profdt, aut nostras humero gessisse pharetras. 



^NEIDOS LIE. XI. 373 

Non tamen indecorem tua te regina reliquit 

Extrema jam in morte ; neque hoc sine nomine letum 

Per gentes erit, aut famam patieris imiltae. 

Nam quicumque tunm violavit vulnere corpus, 

Morte luet merita." Fuit ingens monte sub alto 

Regis Dercenni terreno ex aggere bustum 

Antiqui Laurentis, opacaque ilice tectum ; 

Hie dea se primum rapido pulcherrima nisu 

Sistit, et Arruntem tumulo speculatur ab alto. 

Ut vidit fulgentem armis, ac vana tumentem, 

" Cur," inquit, " diversus abis ? hue dirige gressum ; 

Hue periture veni : capias ut digna Camillas 

Prsemia. Tune etiam telis moriere Dianse ?" 

Dixit, et aurata volucrem Thre'issa sagittam 

Depromsit pbaretra, cornuque infensa tetendit, 

Et duxit longe, donee curvata coirent 

Inter se capita, et manibus jam tangeret sequis, 

Lseva aciem ferri, dextra nervoque papillam. 

Extemplo teli stridorem aurasque sonantes 

Audiit una Arruns, baesitque in corpore ferrum. 

Ilium exspirantem socii atque extrema gementem 

Obliti ignoto camporum in pulvere linquunt ; 

Opis ad setberium pennis aufertur Olympum. 

Prima fugit, domina amissa, levis ala Camillse ; 
Turbati fugiunt Rutuli ; fugit acer Atinas ; 
Disjectique duces desolatique manipli 
Tuta petunt, et equis aversi ad moenia tendunt. 
Nee quisquam instantes Teucros letumque ferentes 
Sustentare valet telis, aut sistere contra : 
Sed laxos referunt bumeris languentibus arcus ; 
Quadrupedumque putrem cursu quatit ungula campum. 
Volvitur ad muros caligine turbidus atra 
Pulvis, et e speculis percussse pectora matres 
Femineum clamorem ad coeli sidera toUunt. 
Qui cursu portas primi irrupere patentes, 
Hos inimica super mixto premit agmine turba ; 
Nee miseram effugiunt mortem, sed limine in ipso, 
Moenibus in patriis, atque inter tuta domorum, 
Confixi exspirant animas. Pars claudere portas ; 
Nee sociis aperire viam, nee moenibus audent 
Accipere orantes ; oriturque miserrima caedes 
Hefendentum armis aditus, inque arma ruentum. 
Exclusi, ante oculos lacrimantumque ora parentum, 
Pars in prsecipites fossas, urgente ruina, 
Volvitm' ; immissis pars caeca et concita frenis 
Arietat in portas et duros objice postes. 



374 



p. YTEGILII MAEOWIS. 



Ipsse de muris summo certamine matres — ■ 
Monstrat amor verus patriae — ut videre Camillam, 
Tela manu trepidse jaciunt ; ac robore duro 
Stipitibus ferrum sudibusque imitantur obustis 
Prsecipites, primgeque mori pro moenibus ardent. 

Interea Turnum in silvis ssevissimus implet 
Nuncius, et juveni ingentem fert Acca tumultum : 
Deletas Yolscorum acies, cecidisse Camillam, 
Ingruere infensos hostes> et Marte secundo 
Omnia corripuisse : metum jam ad moenia ferri. 
Ille furens — et sseva Jovis sic numina poscunt — 
Deserit obsessos colles, nemora aspera linquit. 
Vix e conspectu exierat, campumque tenebat, 
Quum pater MnesiS, saltus ingressus apertos, 
Exsuperatque jugum, silvaque evadit opaca. 
Sic ambo ad muros rapidi totoque fermitur 
Agmine, nee longis inter se passibus absmit ; 
Ac simul iEneas fumantes pulvere campos 
Prospexit longe, Lam^entiaque agmina vidit ; 
Et ssevum ^nean agnovit Tm^nus in armis, 
Adventmnque pedum flatusque audivit equorum. 
Continuoque ineant pugnas et proelia tentent : 
Ni roseus fessos jam gurgite Phoebus Hibero 
Tingat equos, noctemque die labente reducat. 
Considunt castris ante m'bem, et moenia valiant. 




p. VIEGILII MAEONIS 

iE N E I D O S 

LIBER DUODECIMUS. 




TuEifTJS ut infract OS adverso Marte Latinos 
Defecisse videt, sua nunc promissa reposci, 
Se signari oculis ; ultro implacabilis ardet, 
Attollitque animos. Poenorum qualis in arvis, 
Saucius ille gravi venantum vulnere pectus, 
Turn demum movet arma leo, gaudetque comantes 
Excutiens cervice toros, fixumque latronis 
Impavidus frangit telum, et fremit ore cruento : 
Hand secus accenso gliscit violentia Turno. 
Turn sic affatur regem, atque ita turbidus infit : 
" Nulla mora in Turno ; nihil est quod dicta retractent 
Ignavi JEneadae ; nee quae pepigere, recusent. 
Congredior. Fer sacra, pater, et concipe foedus. 
Aut hac Dardanium dextra sub Tartara mittam, 
Desertorem Asise, — sedeant spectentque Latini — 
Et solus ferro crimen commune refellam : 
Aut habeat victos ; cedat Lavinia conjux." 

Olli sedato respondit corde Latinus : 
" prsestans animi juvenis, quantum ipse feroci 
Yirtute exsuperas, tanto me impensius sequum est 
Consulere, atque omnes metuentem expendere casus. 
Sunt tibi regna patris Dauni, sunt oppida capta 
Multa manu ; nee non aurumque animusque Latino est ; 



378 p. VIEGILII MAEONIS 

Sunt alise innuptae Latio et Laurentibus agris, 

Nee genus indecores. Sine me liaec haud mollia fatu 

Sublatis aperire dolis ; simul hoc animo hauri. 

Me natam nulli veterum sociare procoruni 

Fas erat, idque omnes divique hominesque canebant. 

Victus amore tui, cognato sanguine victus 

Conjugis et msestse lacrimis, vincla omnia rupi : 

Promissam eripui genero ; arma impia sumsi. 

Ex illo qui me casus, quae, Turne, sequantur 

Bella, vides ; quantos primus patiare labores. 

Bis magna victi pugna vix urbe tuemur 

Spes Italas ; recalent nostro Tiberina fluenta 

Sanguine adhuc, campique ingentes ossibus albent. 

Quo referor toties ? quae mentem insania mutat ? 

Si Turno exstincto socios sum adscire paratus : 

Cur non incolumi potius certamina tollo ? 

Quid consanguinei Butuli, quid cetera dicet 

Italia, ad morten> si te — Fors dicta refutet ! — 

Prodiderim, natam et connubia nostra petentem ? 

Bespice res bello varias ; miserere parentis 

Longsevi, quem nunc msestum patria Ardea longe 

Dividit." Haudquaquam dictis violentia Turni 

Flectitur : exsuperat magis, a^grescitque medendo. 

Ut primum fari potuit, sic institit ore : 

" Quam pro me curam geris, banc precor, optime, pro me 

Deponas, letumque sinas pro laude pacisci. 

Et nos tela, pater, f'errumque baud debile dextra 

Spargimus, et nostro sequitur de vulnere sanguis. 




Longe illi dea mater erit, quas nube fugacem 
Feminea tegat, et vanis sese occulat umbris." 

At regina, nova pugnaj conterrita sorte, 
Flebat, et ardentem generum moritura tenebat : 
" Turne, per has ego te lacrimas, per si quis Amatae 
Tangit honos animum — spes tu nunc una, senectse 
Tu requies miserae ; decus imperiumque Latini 
Te penes ; in te omnis domus inclinata recumbit — 
Unum oro : desiste manum committere Teucris. 
Qui te cumque manent isto certamine casus, 



^NEIDOS LIB. XII. 379 

Et me, Tume, manent : simul h^c invisa relinquam 

Lmnina, nee generum ^nean captiva videbo." 

Accepit vocem lacrimis Lavinia matris 

Flagrantes perfasa genas : cui pluiimus ignem 

Subjecit rubor, et calefacta per ora cucurrit. 

Indum sanguineo veluti violaverit ostro 

Si quis ebur, aut mixta rubent ubi lilia multa 

Alba rosa : talis vu-go dabat ore co]ores. 

lUum tm'bat amor, figitque in virgine vultus : 

Ardet in ai-ma magis, paucisque affatnir Amatam : 

" T^e, quseso, ne me lacrimis, neve omine tanto 

Prosequere in dmi certamina Martis euntem, 

mater : neque enim Tumo mora libera mortis. 

Nmicius bsec Idmon Phrygio mea dicta tvranno 

Hand placitm-a refer : Quum primum crastina coelo 

Puniceis invecta rotis Am-ora rubescit, 

Xon Tencros agat in Rutulos : Teucrum arma quiescant 

Et Pntulum : nostro dii'imamus sanguine beUum : 

Illo quseratnr conjux Lavinia campo." 

Hsec ubi dicta dedit, rapidusque in tecta recessit, 
Poscit equos, gaudetque tuens ante ora frementes, 
Pilumno quos ipsa decus dedit Orithjia ; 
Qui candore nives anteirent, cm'sibus am-as. 
Cii'cumstant proper! amigfe, manibusque lacessunt 
Pectora plausa cavis, et coUa comantia pectunt. 
Ipse debinc am*o sqnalentem alboque oricbalco 
Cii'cumdat loricam bumeris ; simul aptat babendo 
Ensemqne cbpeumque et rubrse cornua cristas, — 
Ensem, quem Dauno ignipotens deus ipse parent! 
Eecerat, et Stvgia candentem tinxerat unda. 
Exin, qu.se medns ingenti adnixa columnse 
^dibus adstabat, validam vi corripit bastam, 
Actoris Am-unci spolium ; quassatque trementem, 
Yociferans : " Nunc, o nunquam frustrata vocatns 
Hast a meos, nunc tempns adest ; te maximus Actor, 
Te Turni nmic dextra gerit. Da sternere corpus, 
Loricamque manu vabda lacerai^e revnlsam 
Semiviii Pbrygis, et foedare in pulvere crines 
Vibratos calido ferro, myi-rbaque madentes." 
His agitur fm'iis : totoque ardentis ab ore 
Scintillge absistunt ; oculis micat acribus ignis. 
Mugitus veluti quum prima in proeba taurus 
Terrificos ciet, atque irasci in cornua tentat, 
Arboris obnixus trunco, ventosque lacessit 
Ictibus, et sparsa ad pugnam proludit arena. 

Nee minus interea maternis ssevus in armis 



380 p. yiEGiLn MAEOin:s 

^neas acuit Martem, et se suscitat ira, 
Oblato gaudens componi fa3dere bellum, 
Turn socios msestique metum solatui' luli, 
Tata docens ; regique jubet responsa Latino 
Certa referre viros, et pacis dicere leges. 

Postera vix sunimos spargebat lumine montes 
Orta dies ; quum primnm alto se gnrgite tollunt. 
SoHs equi, lucemque elatis naribus efflant : 
Campmn ad certamen magnse sub moenibus urbis 
Dimensi Eutulique viri Teucrique parabant ; 
In medioqne focos et dis communibus aras 
Gramineas. Alii fontemque ignemque ferebant, 
Yelati limo, et verbena tempora vincti. 
Procedit legio Ausonidum, pilataque plenis 
Agmina se fundunt portis, Hinc Troius omnis 
Tyrrhenusque ruit variis exercitus armis ; 
Haud secus instructi ferro, quam si aspera Martis 
Pugna voeet. Nee non mediis in millibus ipsi 
Ductores aui'O volitant ostroque decori, 
Et genus Assaraci Mnestlieus, et fortis Asylas, 
Et Messapus equum domitor, Neptunia proles. 
Utque dato signo spatia in sua quisque recessit, 
Refigunt tellure hastas, et scuta reclinant. 
Turn studio elfusse matres, et vulgus inermum, 
Invalidique senes, turres et tecta domorum 
Obsedere ; abi portis sublimibus adstant. 

At Juno e summo, qui nunc Albanus babetur, — 
Turn neque nomen erat, nee honos, aut gloria monti — 
Prospiciens tumulo campum aspectabat, et ambas 
Laurentum Troumque acies urbemque Latini. 
Extemplo Turni sic est aiFata sororem, 
Diva deam, stagnis quse fluminibusque sonoris 
Prsesidet ; liunc illi rex setheris altus bonorem 
Jupiter erepta pro virginitate sacravifc : 
" Nympba, decus fluviorum, animo gratissima nostro, 
Scis, ut te cunctis unam, qusecumque Latinse 
Magnanimi Jovis ingratum ascendere cubile, 
Praetulerim, ccelique lubens in parte locarim : 
Disce tuum, ne me incuses, Juturna, dolorem. 
Qua visa est fortuna pati, Parcaeque sinebant 
Cedere res Latio, Turnum et tua moenia texi : 
Nunc juvenem imparibus video concuiTcre fatis, 
Parcarumque dies et vis inimica propinquat. 
Non pugnam aspicere banc oculis, non foedera possum. 
Tu, pro germano si quid prasentius audes, 
Perge ; decet. Forsan miseros meliora sequentur." 



^KEIDOS LIB. XII. 381 

Vix ea : quum lacrimas oculis Juturna profudit, 
Terque quaterque manu pectus percussit honestuni. 
" Non lacrimis hoc tempus," ait Saturnia Juno : 
" Accelera, et fratrem, si quis modus, eripe morti ; 
Aut tu bella cie, concept umque excute foedus. 
Auctor ego audendi." Sic exhortata reliquit 
Incertam, et tristi turbatam vulnere mentis. 

Interea reges, ingenti mole Latinus 
Quadrijugo vehitm' curru, cui tempora circum 
Am-ati bis sex radii fulgentia cingunt, 
Solis avi specimen : bigis it Turnus in albis, 
Bina manu lato crispans hastilia ferro. 
Hinc pater vEneas, Romanse stirpis origo, 
Sidereo ilagrans clipeo et ccfilestibus armis, 
Et juxta Ascanius, magnse spes altera Rom^, 
Procedunt castris, puraque in veste sacerdos 
Saetigeri fetum suis, intonsamque bidentem 
Attulit, ammovitque pecus flagrantibus aris. 
Illi ad surgentem conversi lumina solem 
Dant fruges manibus salsas, et tempora ferro 
Summa notant pecudum, paterisque altaria libant. 
Turn pius JEneas stricto sic ense precatur : 
" Esto nunc Sol testis et hsec mihi Terra vocanti, 
Quam propter tantos potui perferre labores, 
Et Pater omnipotens, et tu Saturnia Juno, 
Jam melior, jam, diva, precor, tuque inclyte Mavors, 
Cuncta tao qui bella, pater, sub numine torques ; 
Eontesque, Eluviosque voco, quseque J^theris alti 
Eeligio, et qusB cseruleo sunt numina ponto. 
Cesserit Ausonio si fors victoria Turno, 
Convenit, Evandri victos discedere ad urbem ; 
Cedet lulus agris ; nee post arma ulla rebelles 
-^neadse referent, ferro ve ligec regna lacessent. 
Sin nostrum annuerit nobis Victoria Martem, — 
Ut potius reor, et potius di numine firment — • 
Non ego nee Teucris Italos parere jubebo, 
Nee mihi regna peto : paribus se legibus ambse 
Invictae gentes seterna in foedera mittant. 
Sacra deosque dabo ; socer arma Latinus habeto ; 
Imperium solemne socer : mihi moenia Teucri 
Constituent, urbique dabit Lavinia nomen." 
Sic prior jEneas ; sequitur sic deinde Latinus 
Suspiciens coelum, tenditque ad sidera dextram : 
" Hffic eadem, ^Enea, Terram, Mare, Sidera, juro, 
Latonseque genus duplex, Janumque bifrontem, 
Yimque deum infernam et duri sacraria Ditis ; 



382 p. VIEGILII MAEONIS 

Audiat liaec G-enitor, qui foedera fulmine sancit ; 
Tango aras ; medios ignes et numina tester : 
Nulla dies pacem lianc Italis, nee foedera rumpet, 
Quo res cumque cadent ; nee me vis ulla volentem 
Avertet ; non, si tellurem effundat in undas, 
Diluvio miscens, coelumque in Tartara solvat : 
XJt sceptrum hoc (dextra sceptrum nam forte gerebat) 
Nunquam fronde levi fimdet virgulta neque umbras, 
Quum semel in silvis imo de stirpe recisum 
Matre caret, posuitque comas et brachia ferro ; 
OKm arbos — nunc artificis manus sere decoro 
Inclusit, patribusque dedit gestare Latinis." 
Talibus inter se firmabant foedera dictis, 
Conspectu in medio procerum. Turn rite sacratas 
In flammam jugulant pecudes, et viscera vivis 
Eripiunt, cumulantque oneratis lancibus aras. 




At vero Rutulis impar ea pugna videri 
Jamdudum, et vario misceri pectora motu ; 
Tum magis, ut propius cernunt non viribus sequis. 
Adjuvat incessu tacito progressus et aram 
Suppliciter venerans demisso lumine Turnus, 
Tabentesque gense, et juvenali in corpore pallor. 
Quem simul ac Juturna soror crebrescere vidit 
Sermonem, et vulgi variare labantia corda : 
In medias acies, formam assimulata Camerti — 
Cui genus a proavis ingens, clarumque paternse 
Nomen erat virtutis, et ipse acerrimus armis — 
In medias dat sese acies, baud nescia rerum, 
Bumoresque serit varios, ac talia fatur : 
" Non pudet, o E-utuli, pro cunctis talibus unam 
Objectare animam ? numerone, an viribus sequi 
Non sumus ? En, omnes et Troes, et Arcades, bi sunt, 
[Fatalisque manus, infensa Etruria Turno.] 
Vix bostem, alterni si congrediamm% habemus. 
Ille quidem ad superos, quorum se devovet aris, 
Succedet fama, vivusque per ora feretur : 
Nos, patria amissa, dominis parere superbis 
Cogemur, qui nunc lenti consedimus arvis." 



^IfEIDOS LIB. XII. 383 

Talibus incensa est juveniTm sententia dictis 
Jam magis atque magis ; serpitque per agmina murmur. 
Ipsi Laurentes mutati, ipsique Latini : 
Qui sibi jam requiem pugnse rebusque salutem 
Sperabaut, nunc arma volunt, foedusque precantur 
Infectum, et Turni sortem miserantur iniquam. 
His aliud majus Jutmma adjungit, et alto 
Dat signum coelo ; quo non prsesentius ullum 
Turbavit mentes Italas, monstroque fefellit. 
Namque volans rubra fulvus Jovis ales in setlira 
Litoreas agitabat aves turbamque sonantem 
Agminis aligeri ; subito quum lapsus ad undas 
Cycnum exceUentem pedibus rapit improbus uncis. 
Arrexere animos Itali, cunctaeque volucres 
Convertunt clamore fugam, mirabile visu, 
^theraque obscm^ant pennis, hostemque per auras 
Facta nube premunt : donee vi victis, et ipso 
Pondere defecit, prsedamque ex unguibus ales 
Projecit fluvio, penitusque in nubila fugit. 
Turn vero augurium Rutuli clamore salutant, 
Expediuntque manus ; primusque Tolumnius augur, 
" Hoc erat, hoe votis," inquit, " quod saepe petivi : 
Accipio, agnoscoque deos : me, me duce ferrum 
Corripite, o niiseri, quos improbus advena belle 
Territat, invalidas ut aves et litora vestra 
Vi populat. Petet ille fugam, penitusque profundo 
Vela dabit. Vos unanimi densate catervas 
Et regem vobis pugna defendite raptum." 
Dixit, et adversos telum contorsit in bostes 
Procurrens ; sonitum dat stridula cornus, et auras 
Certa secat. Simul hoc, simul ingens clamor, et omnes 
Turbati cunei, calefactaque corda tumultu. 
Hasta volans, ut forte novem pulcherrima fratrum 
Corpora constifcerant contra, quos fida crearat 
Una tot Arcadio conjux Tyrrhena G-ylipo, 
Horum unum ad medium, teritur qua sutilis alvo 
Balteus, et laterum junctm^as fibula mordet, 
Egregium forma juvenem et fulgentibus armis, 
Transadigit costas, fulvaque effundit arena. 
At fratres, animosa phalanx accensaque luctu, 
Pars gladios stringunt manibus, pars missile ferrum 
Corripiunt, csecique ruunt. Quos agmina contra 
Procurrunt Laurentum : hinc densi rursus inundant 
Trees AgyRinique et pictis Ai-cades armis. 
Sic omnes amor unus habet decemere ferre. 
Diripuere aras ; it tote turbida coelo 



384 



p. YIEGILII MAEONIS 




Tempestas telorum, ac ferreus ingruit imber ; 
Craterasque focosque ferunt. Fugit ipse Latinus 
Pulsatos referens infecto foedere divos. 
Infrenant alii currus, aut corpora saltu 
Subjiciunt in equos, et strictis ensibus adsunt. 
Messapus regem, regisque insigne gerentem, 
Tj^rrbenum Aulesten, avidus confundere foedus, 
Adverso proterret equo : ruit ille recedens, 
Et miser oppositis a tergo involvitur aris 
In caput inque bumeros. At fervidus advolat hasta 
Messapus, teloque orantem multa trabali 
Desuper altus equo graviter ferit, atque iter fatm* : 
Hoc habet ; baec meHor magnis data victiraa divis. 
Concurrunt Itali, spoliantque calentia membra. 
Obvius ambustum torrem Corynseus ab ara 
Corripit, et venienti Ebuso plagamque ferenti 
Occupat OS flammis : olli ingens barba reluxit, 



iEXEIDOS LIB. XTI. 385 

Nidoremque ambusta dedit : super ipse secutns 
Caesariem Iseva turbati corripit hostis, 
Impressoque genu nitens terras applicat ipsnm ; 
Sic rigido latus ensc ferit. Podalirius Alsum 
Pastorem, primaque acie per tela ruentem, 
Ense sequens nudo superimminet : ille securi 
Adversi frontem mediam mentumque reducta 
DLsjicit, et sparso late rigat arm a cruore. 
Oili dura quies oculos et ferreus urget 
Somnus ; in fetemam clauduntur luraina noctem. 

At pius iEneas dextram tendebat inermem 
Nudato capite, atque suos elamore vocabat : 
" Quo ruitis ? quseve ista repens discordia surgit ? 
cohibete iras ! ictum jam foedus, et omnes 
Compositae leges ; milii jus concurrere soli ; 
Me sinite, atque auferte metus. Ego foedera faxo 
Firm a manu ; Turnum jam debent hsec mibi sacra." 
Has inter voces, media inter talia verba, 
Ecce, vii'o stridens alis allapsa sagitta est, 
Incertum, qua pulsa manu, quo turbine adacta ; 
Quis tantam Eutulis laudem, casusne deusne, 
Attulerit. Pressa est insignis gloria facti ; 
'Nee sese ^neae jactavit vulnere quisquam. 

Turnus, ut ^nean cedentem ex agmine vidit 
Turbatosque duces, subita spe fervidus ardet ; 
Poscit equos atque arma simul, saltuque superbus 
Emicat in cunnim, et manibus molitur habenas. 
Multa virum volitans dat fortia corpora leto ; 
Semineces volvit multos, aut agmina curru 
Proterit, aut raptas fugientibus ingerit bastas. 
Qualis apud gelidi quum ilumina concitus Hebri 
Sanguineus Mavors clipeo increpat, atque furentes 
Bella movens immittit equos, illi jsquore aperto 
Ante notos zephyrnmque volant ; gemit ultima piolsu 
Thraca pedum; circumque atrse Formidinis ora, 
Irseque, Insidia}que, dei comitatus. aguntur. 
Talis equos alacer media inter proelia Turnus 
Fumantes sudore quatit, miserabile ceesis 
Hostibus insultans ; spargit rapida ungula rores 
Sanguineos, mixtaque cruor calcatur arena, [que 

Jamque neci Stbenelumque dedit, Thamyrimqne, Pbolum- 
Hunc congressus et hunc; ilium eminus; eminus ambo 
Imbrasidas, Glaucum atque Laden, quos Imbrasus ipse 
Xutrierat Lycia, paribusque ornaverat armis, 
Yel conferre mannm, vel equo prgevertere ventos. 
Parte alia media Eumedes in proelia fertur, 
2 c 



386 p. YIEGILII MAEONIS 

Antiqui proles bello prseclara Dolonis, 
Nomine avum referens, animo manibusque parentem: 
Qui quondam, castra ut Danaum speculator adiret, 
Ausus Pelidse pretium sibi poscere currus. 
Ilium Tydides alio pro talibus ausis 
Affecit pretio ; nee equis aspirat Achillis. 
Hunc procul ut campo Tm-nus prospexit aperto, 
Ante levi jaculo longum per inane secutus, 
Sistit equos bijuges, et curru desilit, atque 
Semianimi lapsoque supervenit, et pede coUo, 
Impresso dextrae mucronem extorquet, et alto 
Fulgentem tingit jugulo ; atque hsec insuper addit : 
" En, agros et, quam bello, Trojane, petisti, 
Hesperiam metire jacens : hsec prsemia, qui me 
Ferro ausi tentare, ferunt : sic moenia condunt." 
Huic comitem Asbuten conjecta cuspide mittit, 
Chloriaque, Sjbarimque, Daretaque, Thersilochumque, 
Et sternacis equi lapsum cervice Thymoeten. 
Ac velut Edoni Boreae quum spirit us alto 
Insonat Mgseo, sequiturque ad litora fluctus, 
Qua venti ineubuere, fugam dant nubila coelo : 
Sic Turno, quacumque viam secat agmina cedunt, 
Conversaeque i-uunt acies ; fert impetus ipsum, 
Et cristam adverso curru quatit aura volantem. 
Non tulit instant em Pliegeus animisque frementem : 
Objecit sese ad cmTum, et spumantia frenis 
Ora citatorum dextra detorsit equorum. 
Dum trabitur, pendetque jugis, hunc lata retectum 
Lancea consequitur, rumpitque infixa bilicem 
Lorieam, et summum degustat vulnere corpus. 
Ille tamen clipeo objecto conversus in hostem 
Ibat, et auxihum ducto mucrone petebat : 
Quum rota praecipitem et procursu concitus axis 
Impuht, efiunditque solo ; Tm-nusque secutus 
Imam inter galeam summi thoracis et oras 
AbstuHt ense caput, truncumque reliquit arense. 

Atque ea dum campis victor dat funera Turnus, 
Interea iEnean Mnestheus et fidus Achates 
Ascaniusque comes castris statuere cruentum, 
Alternos longa nitentem cuspide gressus. 
Saevit, et infracta luctatur arundine telum 
Eripere, auxihoque viam, quae proxima, poscit : 
Ense secent lato vuhius, t clique latebram 
Bescindant penitus, seseque in bella remittant. 
Jamque aderat Phoebo ante alios dilectus lapis 
lasides : acri quondam cui captus amore 



^NEIDOS LIB. XII. 



38^ 



Ipse suas artes, sua munera, laetus Apollo 
Augurium cithai'amque dabat celeresque sagittas. 
Ille, ut deposit! proferret fata parentis, 
Scire potestates herbarum usumque medendi 




Maluit, et mutas agitare inglorius artes. 
Stabat acerba fremens, ingentem nixus in bastam, 
-^neas, magno juvenum et maerentis luli 
Concursu, lacrimis immobilis. Ille retorto 
Paeonium in morem senior succinctus amictu, 
Multa manu medica Pboebique potentibus berbis 
Nequidquam trepidat, nequidquam spicnla dextra 
SolUcitat, prensatque tenaci forcipe ferrum, 
NuUa viam fort una regit ; nihil auctor Apollo 
Subvenit ; et sasvus campis magis ac magis horror 
Crebrescit, propiusque malum est. Jam pulvere coeluni 
Stare vident ; subeuntque equites, et spicula castris 
Densa cadunt mediis. It tristis ad sethera clamor 
Bellantum juvenum, et duro sub Marte cadentum. 
Hie Yenus, indigno nati concussa dolore, 
Dictamnum genetrix Cretasa carpit ab Ida, 
Puberibus caulem foliis et flore comantem 
Purpureo : non ilia feris incognita capris 
Grramina, quum tergo volucres haesere sagittse. 
Hoc Yenus, obscuro faciem circumdata nimbo, 
Detuht ; hoc fusum labris splendentibus amnem 
Inficit, occulte medicans ; spargitque salubres 
Ambrosige sucos, et odoriferam panaceam. 
Fovit ea vulnus lympha longeevus lapis 
Ignorans ; subitoque omnis de corpore fugit 
Quippe dolor ; omnis stetit imo vulnere sanguis. 
Jamque secuta manum, nuUo cogente, sagitta 
Excidit, at que novse rediere in pristina vires. 



388 p. YIEGILTI MAEOlfIS 

" Arma citi properate viro ! quid statis ?" lapis 
Conclamat, primusque animos accendit in hostem. 
" Non liasc humanis opibus, non arte magistra 
Proveniunt, neque te, iEnea, mea dextera servat ; 
Major agit deus, atque opera ad majora remittit." 
Ille avidus pugnse suras incluserat auro 
Hinc atque hinc, oditque moras, hastamque coruscat. 
Postquam habilis lateri elipeus loricaque tergo est, 
Ascaniuni fusis circum complectitur armis, 
Summaque per galeam delibaiis oseula fatur : 
" Disce, puer, virtutem ex ine verumque laborem ; 
Eortunam ex aliis. Nunc te mea dextera bello 
Defensum dabit, et magna inter prsemia ducet. 
Tu facito, mox quum matura adoleverit setas, 
Sis memor, et te, animo repetentem exempla tuorum, 
Et pater ^Eneas, et avunculus excitet Hector." 

Hsec ubi dicta dedit, portis sese extulit ingens, 
Telum immane manu quatiens : simul agraine denso 
Antheusque Mnestheusque raunt ; omnisque relictis 
Turba fluit castris. Turn cseco pulvere campus 
Miscetm% pulsuque pedum tremit excita tellus. 
Vidit ab adverso venientes aggere Turnus, 
Videre Ausonii, gelidusque per ima cucurrit 
Ossa tremor. Prima ante omnes Juturna Latinos 
Audiit agnovitque sonum, et tremefacta refugit. 
Ille volat, campoque atrum rapit agmen aperto : 
Qualis ubi ad terras abrupto sidere nimbus 
It mare per medium : miseris, heu, praescia longe 
Horrescunt corda agricolis ; dabit ille ruinas 
Arboribus, stragemque satis ; ruet omnia late ; 
Ante volant, sonitumque ferunt ad litora venti ; 
Talis in adversos ductor Rhceteius hostes 
Agmen agit ; densi cmieis se quisque coactis 
Agglomerant. Ferit ense gravem Thymbraeus Osirim, 
Ai'chetium Mnestheus, Epulonem obtruncat Achates, 
Ufentemque Gyas ; cadit ipse Tolumnius augur, 
Primus in adversos telum qui torserat hostes. 
Tollitur in caelum clamor, versique vicissim 
Pulverulenta fuga Kutuli dant terga per agros. 
Ipse neque aversos dignatur sternere morti ; 
Nee pede congresses aequo, nee tela ferentes 
Insequitur : solum densa in caligine Turnum 
Vestigat lustrans, solum in certamina poscit. 
Hoc concussa metu mentem Juturna virago 
Aurigam Turni media inter lora Metiscum 
Excutit, et longe lapsum temone relinquit : 



^NEIDOS LIB. XII. 389 

Ipsa subit, manibusque undantes flectit habenas, 
Cuncta gersns, vocemque et corpus et arma Metisci. 
Nigra velut magnas domini quum divitis asdes 
Pervolat et pennis alta atria lustrat hirundo, 
Pabula parva legens, nidisqne loquacibus escas ; 
Et nunc porticibus vacuis, nunc humida circum 
Stagna sonat : similis medios Juturna per hostes 
Fertur equis, rapidoque volans obit omnia curru ; 
Jamque bic germanum, jamque hie ostentat ovantem ; 
Nee conferre manum patitur ; volat avia longe. 
Hand minus ^neas tortos legit obvius orbes, 
Vestigatque virum, et disjecta per agmina magna 
Voce vocat. Quoties oculos conjecit in hostem, 
Alipedumque fugam cursu tentavit equorum ; 
Aversos toties currus Juturna retorsit. 
Heu, quid agat ? Vario nequidquam fluctuat sestu, 
Diversseque vocant animum in contraria curse. 
Huic Messapus, uti laeva duo forte gerebat 
Lenta, levis CLirsu, praefixa bastilia ferro, 
Horum unum certo contorquens dirigit ictu. 
Substitit iEneas, et se collegit in arma, 
Poplite subsidens : apicem tamen incita summum 
Hasta tulit, summasque excussit vertice cristas. 
Turn vero assurgunt irge ; insidiisque subactus, 
Diversos ubi sensit equos currumque referri, 
Multa Jovem et Isesi testatur foederis aras ; 
Jam tandem invadit medios, et Marte secundo 
Terribilis saevam nuUo discrimine csedem 
Suscitat, irarumque omnes effundit babenas. 

Quis mihi nunc tot acerba deus, quis carmine cssdes 
Diversas, obitumque ducum, quos asquore toto 
Inque vicem nunc Tm'nus agit, nunc Troius heros, 
Expediat ? tanton' placuit concurrere motu, 
Jupiter, aeterna gentes in pace futuras ! 
^neas E-utulum Sucronem — ea prima ruentes 
Pugna loco statuit Teucros — baud multa moratus 
Excipit in latus, et, qua fata celerrima, crudum 
Transadigit costas et crates pectoris ensem. 
Tumus equo dejectum Amy cum, fratremque Diorem, 
Congressus pedes, hunc venientem cuspide longa, 
Hunc mucrone ferit ; curruque abscisa duorum 
Suspendit capita, et rorantia sanguine portat. 
Ille Talon Tanaimque neci fortemque Cetbegum, 
Tres uno congressu, et masstum mittit Onyten, 
Nomen Ecbionium, matrisque genus Peridise ; 
Hie fratres Lycia missos et ApoUinis agris, 



390 p. VIEGILII MAEOli^IS 

Et juvenem exosum nequidquam bella Menoeten 
Arcada : piscosse cui circum flumina Lernse 
Ars fuerat, pauperque douius ; nee nota potentum 
Limina ; eonduetaque pater tellure serebat. 
Ac velut immissi diversis partibus ignes 
Arentem in silvam et virgulta sonantia lauro ; 
Aut ubi decursu rapido de montibus altis 
Dant sonitum spnmosi amnes, et in sequora currunt, 
Quisque suum populatus iter : non segnins ambo 
-^neas Turnusque ruunt per proelia ; nunc, nunc 
Fluctuat ira intus ; rumpuntur nescia vinci 
Pectora ; nunc totis in vulnera viribus itur. 
Murranum hie, atavos et avorum antiqua sonantem 
Nomina, per regesque actum genus omne Latinos, 
Prsecipitem scopulo atque ingentis turbine saxi 
Excutit, effunditque solo : hunc lora et juga subter 
Provolvere rotae : crebro super ungula pulsu 
Incita, nee domini memorum proculcat equorum ; 
Ille ruenti Hyllo, animisque immane frementi 
Occurrit, telumque am-ata ad tempera torquet : 
Olli per galeam fixo stetit hasta cerebro. 
Dextera nee tua te, Graium fortissime, Cretbeu, 
Eripuit Turno ; nee di texere Cupencum 
iEnea veniente sui ; dedit obvia ferro 
Pectora, nee misero clipei mora profuit serei. 
Te quoque Laurentes viderunt, ^ole, campi 
Oppetere, et late terram consternere tergo ; 
Occidis, Argivas quem non potuere phalanges 
Sternere, nee Priami regnorum eversor Achilles : 
Hie tibi mortis erant metae, domus alta sub Ida ; 
Lyrnessi domus alta, solo Laurente sepulcrum. 
Totae adeo conversse acies, omnesque Latini, 
Omnes Dardanidse : Mnestheus, acerque Serestus, 
Et Messapus equum domitor, et fortis Asylas, 
Tuscorumque phalanx, Evandrique Arcades alse : 
Pro se quisque viri summa nituntur opum vi. 
Nee mora, nee requies ; vasto certamine tendunt. 

Hie mentem Mnese genetrix pulcherrima misit, 
Iret ut ad muros, urbique adverteret agmen 
Ocius, et subita turbaret clade Latinos. 
Ille, ut vestigans diversa per agmina Turnum 
Hue atque hue acies circumtulit, aspicit urbem 
Immunem tanti belli, atque impune quietam. 
Continue pugnae accendit majoris imago : 
Mnesthea Sergestumque vocat fortemque Serestum, 
Ductores, tumulumque capit, quo cetera Teucrum 



iEKELDOS LIB. XII. 391 

Concnrrit legio ; nee scuta aut spicula densi 
Deponimt. Celso medius stans aggere fatur : 
" Ne qua meis esto dictis mora. Jupiter hac stat. 
Neu quis ob inceptum subitum mihi segnior ito. 
Urbem hodie, causam belli, regna ipsa Latini, 
Ni fi'enum accipere et victi parere fatentur, 
Eruam, et sequa solo fumantia cubnina ponam. 
Scilicet exspectem, libeat dima prcelia Tumo 
Nostra pati, rursusque vebt concurrere victus ? 
Hoc caput, o cives, bsec belli summa nefandi. 
Ferte faces propere, fcedusque reposcite jElammis." 
Dixerat, atque animis pariter certantibus omnes 
Dant cuneum, densaque ad muros mole feruntm*. 
Scalffi improviso, subitusque apparuit ignis. 
Discurrunt alii ad portas, primosque trucidant ; 
Ferrum alii torquent, et obumbrant astbera telis. 
Ipse inter primos dextram sub moenia tendit 
-^neas, magnaque incusat voce Latinum ; 
Testatm'que deos, iterum se ad prcelia cogi ; 
Bis jam Italos bostes ; bsec altera foedera rumpi. 
Exoritur trepidos inter discordia cives : 
TJrbem alii reserare jubent, et pandere portas 
Dardanidis, ipsumque trabunt in moenia regem ; 
Arma ferunt alii, et pergunt defendere muros : 
Inclusas ut quum latebroso in pumice pastor 
Yestigavit apes, fumoque implevit amaro ; 
IHse intus trepidee rerum per cerea castra 
Discurrunt, magnisque acuunt stridoribus iras : 
Volvitm' ater odor tectis ; tum mm'mm'e cseco 
Intus saxa sonant ; vacuas it fumus ad am'as. 

Accidit bgec fessis etiam fortmia Latinis, 
Quse totam luctu concussit funditus m-bem. 
Regina ut tectis venientem prospicit bostem, 
Incessi muros, ignes ad tecta volare, 
Nusquam acies contra Rutulas, nulla agmina Turni ; 
Infelix pugna3 juvenem in certamine credit 
Exstinctum ; et, subito mentem turbata dolore, 
Se causam clamat, crimenque, caputque malorum ; 
Multaque per msestum demens etfata furorem, 
Purpureos moritm-a manu discindit amictus, 
Et nodum informis leti trabe nectit ab alta. 
Q.uam cladem miserse postquam accepere Latinse, 
Filia prima manu flavos Lavinia crines 
Et roseas laniata genas, tum cetera circum 
Turba, furit : resonant late plangoribus sedes. 
Hinc totam infelix vulgatm' fama per urbem. 



392 



p. YIEGILII MAEOK^IS 



Demittunt mentes ; it scissa veste Latinns, 
Conjugis attonitus fatis, urbisque ruina, 
Canitiem immundo perfusam pulvere turpans, 
[Multaque se incusat, qui non acceperit ante 
Dardanium ^Enean, generumque adsciverit ultro.] 




Interea extreme bellator in sequore Turnus 
Palantes sequitur paucos, jam segnior, atque 
Jam minus atque minus successu laetus equorum. 
Attulit liunc illi cascis terroribus aura 
Commixtum clamorem, arrectasque impulit aures 
Confusse sonus urbis et illaetabile murmur. 
" Hei mill! ! quid tanto turbantur moenia bictu ? 
Quisve ruit tantus diversa clamor ab urbe ? ' ' 
Sic ait, adductisque amens subsistit habenis. 
Atque huic, in faciem soror ut conversa Metisci 
Aurigae currumque et equos et lora regebat, 
Talibus occmTit dictis : " Hac, Turne, sequamur 
Trqjugenas, qua prima viam victoria pandit ; 
Sunt alii, qui tecta manu defendere possint. 
Ingruit JEneas Italis, et proelia miscet ; 
Et nos saeva manu mittamus funera Teucris. 
Nee numero inferior, pugnae nee honore recedes." 
Turnus ad lisec : 

" soror, et dudum agnovi, quum. prima per arteni 
Foedera turbasti, teque hsec in bella dedisti ; 
Et nunc nequidquam fallis dea : sed quis Olympo 
Demissam tantos voluit te ferre labores ? 



J5NEID0S LIB. XII. 393 

An fratris miseri letum ut crudele videres ? 
Nam quid ago ? aut quae jam spondet fortuna salutem ? 
Vidi oculos ante ipse meos me voce vocantem 
Murranum, quo non superat mihi carior alter, 
Oppetere ingentem at que ingenti vulnere victum. 
Occidit infelix, ne nostrum dedecus Ufens 
Aspiceret ; Teucri potiuntur corpore et armis. 
Exscindine domos, id rebus defuit unum, 
Perpetiar ? dextra nee Drancis dicta refellam ? 
Terga dabo ? et Turnum fugientem hsec terra videbit ? 
Usque adeone mori miserum est ? vos o mihi Manes 
Este boni : quoniam superis aversa voluntas. 
Sancta ad vos anima, atque istius inscia culpae 
Descendam, magnorum baud unquam indignus avorum." 

Vix ea fatus erat : medios volat ecce per liostes 
Vectus equo spumante Saces, adversa sagitta 
Saucius ora, ruitque implorans nomine Turnum : 
" Turne, in te suprema salus ; miserere tuorum. 
Fulminat jEneas armis, summasque minatur 
Dejectm'um arces Italum, excidioque daturum ; 
Jamque faces ad tecta volant. In te ora Latini, 
In te oculos referunt : mussat rex ipse Latinus, 
Quos generos vocet, aut quse sese ad foedera flectat. 
PrEeterea regina, tui fidissima, dextra 
Occidit ipsa sua, lueemque exterrita fugit. 
SoH pro portis Messapus et acer Atinas 
Sustentant aciem. Circum bos utrimque phalanges 
Stant dens3e, strictisque seges mucronibus horret 
Eerrea: tu cmTum deserto in gramine versas." 
Obstupuit varia confusus imagine rerum 
Turnus, et obtutu tacito stetit. jEstuat ingens 
Uno in corde pudor, mixtoque insania luctu, 
Et Furiis agitatus amor, et conscia virtus. 
Ut primum discussse umbrae, et lux reditta menti, 
Ardentes oculorum orbes ad moenia torsit 
Turbidus, eque rotis magnam respexit ad urbem. 
Ecce autem, flammis inter tabulata voiutus 
Ad coelum undabat vertex, turrimque tenebat ; 
Turrim, compactis trabibus quam eduxerat ipse, 
Subdideratque rotas, pontesque intraverat altos. 
" Jam jam fata, soror, superant ; absiste morari ; 
Quo deus et quo dura vocat fortuna, sequamur. 
Stat conferre manum ^nese, stat, quidquid acerbi est, 
Morte pati ; nee me indecorem, germana, videbis 
Amplius. Hunc, oro, sine me furere ante furorem." 
Dixit, et e curru saltum dedit ocius arvis ; 



394 p. YIEGILII MAEO:fTIS 

Perque hostes, per tela ruit ; msestamque sororera 
Deserit, ac rapido cursu media agmina rumpit. 
Ac veluti montis saxum de vertice praeceps 
Quum ruit, avulsum vento, seu turbidus imber 
Proluit, aut annis solvit sublapsa vetustas ; 
Fertur in abruptum magno mons improbus actu, 
Exsultatque solo, silvas, armenta, virosque 
Involvens secum : disjecta per agmina Turnus 
Sic urbis ruit ad muros, ubi plurima fuso 
Sanguine terra madet, striduntque hastilibus aurse ; 
Significatque manu, et magno simul incipit ore : 
" Parcite jam, Rutuli ; et vos tela inbibete, Latini ; 
Quaecumque est fortuna, mea est ; me verius unum 
Pro vobis foedus lucre, et decernere ferro." 
Discessere omnes medii, spatiumque dedere. 

At pater JEneas, audito nomine Turni, 
Deserit et muros, et summas deserit arces ; 
Pra3cipitatque moras omnes ; opera omnia rumpit, 
Lsetitia exsultans, borrendumque intonat armis : 




Quantus Athos, aut quantus Eryx, aut ipse coruscis 
Quum fremit ilicibus quantus, gaudetque nivali 
Vertice, se attollens pater Appenninus ad auras. 
Jam vero et Rutuli certatim, et Troes, et omnes 
Convertere oculos Itali, quique alta tenebant 
Mcenia, quique imos pulsabant ariete muros ; 
Armaque deposuere humeris. Stupet ipse Latinus, 
Ingentes, genitos diversis partibus orbis, 
Inter se coiisse vii'os, et cernere ferro. 
Atque illi, ut vacuo patuerunt sequore campi, 
Procursu rapido, conjectis eminus bastis, 
Invadunt Martem clipeis atque sere sonoro. 



J3KEID0S LIB, XII, 395 

Dat gemitum tellus : turn crebros ensibus ictus 

Congeminant, Fors et virtus miscentur in unum. 

Ac velut insrenti Sila summove Tabui'no 

Quum duo conversis inimica in prcelia tauri 

Frontibus incurrunt, pavidi cessere magistri ; 

Stat pecus omne metu mutum, mussantque juvencae, 

Quis nemori imperitet, quern tota armenta sequantur ; 

Illi inter sese multa vi vulnera miscent, 

Cornuaque obnixi infigunt, et sanguine largo 

Colla armosque lavant ; gemitu nemus omne remugit : 

Hand aliter Tros ^neas et Daunius heros 

Concurrunt clipeis ; ingens fragor aethera complet. 

Jupiter ipse duas sequato examine lances 

Sustinet, et fata imponit diversa duorum, 

Quern damnet labor, et quo vergat pondere letum. 

Emicat bic, impune putans, et corpore toto 

Alte sublatum consurgit Tm'nus in ensem, 

Et ferit. Exclamant Troes trepidique Latini, 

Arrectaeque amborum acies. At perfidus ensis 

Frangitm', in medioque ardentem deserit ictu : 

Ni fuga subsidio subeat, Fugit ocior em'o, 

Ut capulmn ignotum dextramque aspexit inermem, 

Fama est, prsecipitem, quum prima in proelia junctos 

Conscendebat equos, patrio mucrone relicto, 

Dum ti'epidat, ferrum aurigag rapuisse Metisci ; 

Idque diu, dum terga dabant palantia Teucri, 

Suffecit : postquam arma dei ad Vulcania ventum, 

Mortalis mucro, glacies ceu futilis, ictu 

Dissiluit : fulva resplendent fragmina arena. 

Ergo amens diversa fuga petit sequora Turnus ; 

Et nunc buc, inde buc incertos impbcat orbes. 

Undique enim densa Teucri inclusere corona ; 

Atque bine vasta palus, bine ardua mcenia cingunt. 

Nee minus iEneas, quanquam tardata sagitta 
Interdum genua impediunt cm'sumque recusant, 
Insequitiu', trepidique pedem pede fervidus m-get : 
Inclusum veluti si quando flumine nactus 
Cervum, aut punicese septum formidine pennse, 
Yenator cursu canis et latratibus instat ; 
Hie autem, insidiis et ripa territus alta, 
Mille fugit refugitque vias : at vividus Umber 
Hseret Mans, jam jam que tenet, similisque tenenti 
Increpuit malis, morsuque elusus inani est. 
Turn vero exoritm' clamor ; ripseque lacusque 
Eesponsant circa, et coslum tonat omne tumultu. 
Ille simul fugiens, E,utulos simul inerepat omnes, 



396 p. YIEGILII MAEOIfIS 

Nomine quemque vocans, notumque efflagitat ensem. 

-^neas mortem contra, prassensque minatur 

Exitium, si quisquam adeat ; terretque trementes, 

Excism'um m-bem minitans, et saucius instat. 

Quinque orbes explent cursu, totidemque retexunt 

Hue illuc. Neque enim levia aut ludicra petuntm' 

Prsemia ; sed Turni de vita et sanguine certant. 

Forte sacer Fauno foliis oleaster amaris 

Hie steterat, nautis olim venerabile lignum ; 

Servati ex undis ubi figere dona solebant 

Laurenti divo, et votas suspendere vestes. 

Sed stirpem Teucri nullo discrimine sacrum 

Sustulerant, puro ut possent concurrere campo. 

Hie liasta ^Enese stabat : hue impetus illam 

Detulerat, fixam et lenta in radice tenebat. 

Incubuit voluitque manu convellere ferrum 

Dardanides, teloque sequi, quem prendere cursu 

Non poterat. Turn vero amens formidine Turnus, 

" Faune, precor, miserere," inquit ; "tuque optima ferrum 

Terra tene : colui vestros si semper honores, 

Quos contra ^Eneadse bello fecere profanes." 

Dixit, opemque dei non cassa in vota vocavit. 

Namque diu luctans, lentoque in stirpe moratus, 

Yiribus baud uUis valuit discludere morsus 

Eroboris ^neas. Dum nititur acer, et instat, 

Rursus in aurigse faciem mutata Metisci 

ProcmTit, fratrique ensem dea Daunia reddit. 

Quod Venus audaci Nymphse indignata licere 

Accessit, telumque alta ab radice revellit. 

Olli sublimes, armis animisque refecti, 

Hie gladio fidens, hie acer et arduus hasta, 

Adsistunt contra certamine Martis anheli. 

Junonem interea Rex omnipotentis Olympi 
Alloquitur, fulva pugnas de nube tuentem : 
" Quae jam finis erit, conjux ? quid denique rest at ? 
Indigetem ^Enean scis ipsa, et scire fateris, 
Deberi coelo, fatisque ad sidera tolli. 
Quid struis ? aut qua spe gelidis in nubibus hseres ? 
Mortalin' decuit violari vulnere divum ? 
Aut ensem — quid enim sine te Juturna valeret ? — • 
Ereptum reddi Turno, et vim crescere victis ? 
Desine jam tandem, precibusque inflectere nostris ; 
Nee te tantus edat tacitam dolor ; et mihi curse 
Saepe tuo dulci tristes ex ore recursent. 
Ventum ad supremum est. Terris agitare vel undis 
Tiojanos potuisti ; infandum accendere bellum, 



^XEIDOS LIB. XII. 



397 



Deformare domum, et luctu miscere hymeuseos : 

Ulterius tentare veto." Sic Jupiter orsus ; 

Sic dea submisso contra Saturnia vultu : 

" Ista quidem quia nota mihi tua, magne, voluntas, 

Jupiter : et Tm*num et terras invita reliqui. 

Nee tu me aeria solam nunc sede videres 

Digna indigna pati ; sed flammis cincta sub ipsam 

Starem aciem, traheremque inimica in proelia Teucros. 

Juturnam misero, fateor, succurrere fratri 

Suasi, et pro vita majora audere probavi ; 

Non ut tela tamen, non ut contenderet arcum ; 

Adjuro Stjgii caput implacabile fontis, 

Una superstitio superis quae redditta divis. 

Et nunc cedo equidem, pugnasque exosa relinquo. 

lUud te, nulla fati quod lege tenetur, 

Pro Latio obtestor, pro maj estate tuorum : 

Quum jam connubiis pacem felicibus, esto, 

Component, quum jam leges et foedera jungent : 

Ne vetus indigenas nomen mutare Latinos, 

Neu Troas fieri jubeas, Teucrosque vocari ; 

Aut vocem mutare viros, aut vertere vestes. 

Sit Latium, sint Albani per ssecula reges ; 




Sit Eomana potens Itala virtute propago ; 
Occidit, occideritque sinas cum nomine Troja." 



398 p. TTEGILII MAEOIfIS 

Olli subridens hominum rerumque repertor : 
" Et germana Jovis, Saturnique altera proles, 
Iranim tantos volvis sub pectore fluctus ? 
Verum age, et inceptum frustra submitte furorem. 
Do, quod vis ; et me victusque volensque remitto. 
Sermonem Ausonii patrium moresque tenebunt ; 
Utque est, nomen erit ; commixti corpore tantum 
Subsident Teucri. Morem ritusque sacrorum 
Adjiciam, faciamque omnes uno ore Latinos. 
Hinc genus Ausonio mixtum quod sanguine surget, 
Supra homines, supra ii'e deos pietate videbis ; 
Nee gens ulla tuos seque celebrabit lionores." 
Annuit bis Juno, et mentem laetata retorsit. 
Interea excedit coelo, nubemque reliquit. 

His actis, aliud Genitor secum ipse volutat, 
Jutm'namque parat fratiis dimittere ab armis. 
Dicuntur geminae pestes cognomine Dirse, 
Quas et Tartaream Nox intempesta Megaeram 
Uno eodemque tulit partu, paribusque revinxit 
Serpentum spiris, ventosasque addidit alas. 
Hge Jovis ad solium, S83vique in Kmine regis, 
Apparent, acuuntque metum mortalibus aegris. 
Si quando letum horrificum morbosque deum rex 
Molitm', meritas aut bello territat urbes. 
Harum unam celerem demisit ab aetbere summo 
Jupiter, inque omen Juturnae occm-rere jussit. 
Ilia volat, celerique ad terrara turbine fertur : 
Non secus ac nervo per nubem impulsa sagitta, 
Armatam saevi Partbus quam felle veneni, 
Parthus, sive Cydon, telum immedicabile, torsit, 
Stridens et celeres incognita transilit umbras. 
Talis se sata Nocte tulit, terrasque petivit. 
Postquam acies videt Iliacas atque agmina Turni, 
Alitis in parvse subitam collecta figuram, 
Quae quondam in bustis aut cubninibus desertis 
Nocte sedens serum canit importuna per umbras ; 
Hanc versa in faciem Tm-ni se pestis ob ora 
Fertque refertque sonans, clipeumque everberat alis. 
lUi membra novus solvit formidine torpor ; 
Arrectaeque borrore comae, et vox faucibus haesit. 
At procul ut Dii-ae stridorem agnovit et alas, 
Infelix crines scindit Jutm-na solutos, 
Unguibus ora soror foedans, et pectora pugnis : 
" Quid nunc te tua, Turne, potest germana juvare ? 
Aut quid jam durae superat mibi ? qua tibi lucem 
Arte morer ? talin' possum me opponere monstro ? 



^2st:idos lib. XII. 399 

Jam jam linquo acies. Xe me terrete timentem, 
Obscenag volucres ; alarum verbera nosco, 
Letalemque sonum ; nee fallunt jussa superba 
Magnanimi Jovis. H^ec pro virginitate reponit ? 
Quo vitam dedit asternam ? cur mortis ademta est 
Conditio ? possem tantos finire dolores 
Nunc certe, et misero fratri comes ii'e per umbras. 
Immortalis ego ? aut quidquam mi hi dulce meorum 
Te sine, frater, erit ? quEe satis alta dehiscat 
Terra mihi, manesque deam demittat ad imos ?" 
Tantum efiata, caput glauco contexit amictu 
Multa gemens, et se fluvio dea condidit alto. 

-^neas instat contra, telumque coruscat 
Ingens arboreum, et ssexo sic pectore fatur : 
" Quae nunc deinde mora est r aut quid jam, Tmiie, retractas ? 
Non cursu, saevis certandum est cominus armis, 
Terte omnes tete in facies ; et contrahe, quidquid 
Sive animis sive arte vales ; opta ardua pennis 
Astra sequi, clausumve cava te condere terra." 
nie caput quassans : " ]^on me tua fervida ten-ent 
Dicta, ferox ; di me terrent, et Jupiter hostis." 
Nee plura effatus, saxum cii'cumspicit ingens, 
Saxum antiquum, ingens, campo quod forte jacebat, 
Limes agro positus, litem ut discerneret arvis ; 
Vix illud lecti bis sex cervice subirent, 
Qualia nunc hominum producit corpora tellus : 
nie manu raptum trepida torquebat in hostem, 
Altior insm-gens, et cm-su concitus heros. 
Sed neque cm'rentem se, nee cognoscit euntem, 
Tollentemve manu saxumque immane moventem : 
Genua labant ; gelidus concrevit frigore sanguis. 
Tum lapis ipse viii, vacuum per inane volutus, 
Nee spatium evasit totum, nee pertulit ictum. 
Ac velut in somnis, oculos ubi languida pressit 
Nocte quies, nequidquam avidos extendere cm-sus 
Velle videmm-, et in mediis conatibus segri 
Succidimus ; non lingua valet, non corpore notce 
Sufficiunt vii'es, nee vox aut verba sequuntur : 
Sic Turno, quacumque viam virtute petivit, 
Successum dea dira negat. Tum pectore sensus 
Vertuntm- varii. Rutulos aspectat et urbem, 
Cunctatm'que metu, telumque instai'e tremiscit ; 
Nee quo se eripiat, nee qua vi tendat in bostem, 
Nee currus usquam ^ddet, amigamve sororem. 
Cunctanti telum JSneas fatale coruscat, 
Sortitus fortunam oculis ; et corpore toto 



400 p. YIEGHLII MAEOFIS. 

Eminus intorquet. Murali concita nunquam 
Tormento sic saxa fremunt, nee fulmine tanti 
Dissultant crepitus. Volat atri turbinis instar 
Exitium dirum hasta ferens, orasque recludit 
Loricse, et clipei extremes septemplicis orbes ; 
Per medium stridens transit femur. Incidit ictus 
Ingens ad terram duplicate poplite Turnus. 
Consurgunt gemitu Rutuli, totusque remugit 
Mous circum, et vocem late nemora alta remittunt. 
Ille humilis supplexque oculos dextramque precantem 
Protendens, "Equidem merui, nee deprecor," inquit; 
" XJtere sorte tua. Miseri te si qua parentis 
Tangere eura potest, oro — fuit et tibi talis 
Anchises genitor — Dauni miserere senectae ; 
Et me, seu corpus spoliatum lumine mavis, 
Pedde meis. Vicisti ; et victum tendere palmas 
Ausonii videre ; tua est Lavinia conjux ; 
Ulterius ne tende odiis." Stetit acer in armis 
^neas, volvens oculos, dextramque repressit ; 
Et jam jamque magis cunctantem flectere sermo 
Coeperat : infelix humero quum apparuit alto 
Balteus, et notis fulserunt cingula buUis 
Pallantis pueri ; victum quem vulnere Turnus 
Straverat atque humeris inimicum insigne gerebat. 
Ille, oculis postquam saevi monument a doloris 
Exuviasque hausit, furiis accensus, et ira 
Terribilis : " Tune hinc spoliis indute meorum 
Eripiare mihi ? Pallas te hoc vulnere, Pallas 
Immolat, et poenam scelerato ex sanguine sumit." 
Hoc dicens, ferrum adverso sub pectore condit 
Fervidus. Ast illi solvuntur frigore membra, 
Vitaque cum gemitu fugit indignata sub umbras. 




BELL AND BAIN, PUINXEKS, GLASGOW 



NOTES, 

ORIGINAL, AND SELECTED 

FEOM HEYNE, WAGNEE, THIEL, FOEBIGEE, GOSSEAU, LADEWIG, EEmX 
AND OTHEE EMINENT COMMENTATOES. 



BY 

ARCHIBALD HAMILTON BRYCE, A.B., 

AND SENIOK CLASSICAL MODEEATOR, TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN: ONE OF THE 
CLASSICAL MASTERS IN THE HIGH SCHOOL OF EDINBURGH. 



The Editor thinks it right to state that, in preparing the accompanying "Notes," he 
has implicitly followed no commentator, but has selected from ancient, as well as 
from modern som-ces, whatever appeared to him most consonant with sound sense, 
and the just standai-d of an enlightened criticism. He has added a very large niimber 
of original remarks, and has often ventured, more especiaUj'- in the Eclogues and 
Georgics, to controvert the opinions of former annotators, on passages whose uncertmn 
interpretation has provoked the discussions of the learned. The peculiar wjuits of 
Junior and of Senior Students have been constantly kept in view, and it is hoped that 
both classes of readers will find in the Annotations matter suited to their special cir- 
cumstances. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES, 



ECLOGUE I. 

Whek Octavianus had returned to Eome, after the defeat of Brutus and Cassius at 
Philippi, in A.u.c. 712, he set about distributing, to his own and Antony's veteran 
soldiers, certain lands in Italy, which had been promised to them the year before, at the 
siege of Mutiua. The tenitories of thirty-four cities had been destined for this purpose, 
and, among these, Cremona; but, as the district adjoining this town did not suffice for 
those to whom it had been aiDportioned, the fields of the people of Mantua, wliich was 
nearest to it, were seized to make up the deficiency. Among those who lost then- farms 
(mthis occasion was the poet Virgil; but, through the intercession of his friend Asinius 
Pollio, then Prefect of Trauspadane Gaul, and other influential individuals, it was 
restored to him by Octavianus. To testify his devotedness and gratitude to the future 
emperor for his cleraencj', the poet composed this Eclogue in the autumn of a.u.c. 718. 
Tityrus represents Virgil himself in some parts of this piece, and, in others, an old slave 
in the employment of the poet Meliboeus is a shepherd, whose loss was not made 
good. 

The Eclogues were written, according to Voss, in the following order:— II. III. I. V. 
IX. IV. VI. VIII. VII. X. 



1. On Tityrus see the Argument. Fagi 
patulos — "a wide spreading (and therefore 
shady) beech tree." Some have objected 
to the mention of beech trees here, on the 
ground that none are now found in the 
neighbourhood of Mantua. " But they for- 
get," says Spohn, "that eighteen centm-ies 
liave roiled over smce the period referred 
to. On Lebanon the representatives of 
the once celebrated cedar grove are now 
but few and dwarfish." That in Virgil's 
time there must have been some is evident 
from Ms frequent mention of them. See 
EcL ii. 3; ix. 9. During the summer 
months the flocks were pastured in the 
high grounds and among the woods, for 
the sake of coolness and unparched grass. 
The season in which the events of this 
Eclogue are supposed to take place is 
autumn, 

2. Silvestrem Musam, " a shepherd's 
song." Cf. egressus silvis, JEn. i., intro- 
ductory lines. Avena properly means an 
oaten straw, but it is also used for any pipe, 
reed, or flageolet. See note on avena, 
JEn. L, at beginning. The epithet tenuis 
applies rather to the natural slenderness of 
the reed, than to meanness and unimpor- 
tance of subject. The avena or arundo was 
of very simple construction at first, but 
gradually became more complicated. A 
favom'ite form of it (the Pandean pipe) was 
made of several stalks or reeds, differing in 
length and in the diameter of the bore, 
fastened together in a frame, and usually 
cemented with wax, as represented in the 



accompanying woodcut. Meditaris, "prac- 
tise," "carefully study;" it is equal to the 
Greek y^iXira-v. The term is particularly 
appropriate in reference to a shepherd re- 
chning at leisure in solitariness beneath a 
shady tree, and rather striving to strike out 
new measures than to play old ones. 




3. Patrice, Le., one's paternal farm, one's 
" home." 'The condition of the two indivi- 
duals is well contrasted in these lines ; the 
one is leaving for ever, as he supposes, his 
beloved home for exile, and is compelled to 
trudge along beneath a scorching sun ; the 
other, at his ease (lentus), and unburdened 
by toil, reclines peacefully beneath the 
beech tree, and sings his loves. The repe- 
titions betray great depth of feeling. The 
\evhfugere means, to " make away from," 
whether by choice or compulsion. 

5. AmaryUiia — the Greek accusative. 
Slaves who were faithful to their masterf , 
and favoured by them, though not allowed 
to contract a legal maniage, were yet per- 
mitted to select female companions, who 
lived with them as wives. These were 
called Contubernahs. Such was Amaryllis. 
1 



ECL. I. 6-13. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. I. 14-19. 



Doces resonare, le., canse the echo which is 
common in the woods to repeat the name 
of yom- beloved. 

6. Afeliboee — this name is compounded of 
ficikii and Boy J, and means properly "care 
taker of oxen," Le., "herdsman." Deus is 
pnt for the master of Mehboeus, and is thus 
applied to Augustus, the benefactor of the 
poet. Divine honours were not decreed to 
Augustus for many years after this period ; 
deus must therefore have reference to his 
bemg the adopted son of the divus Julius, 
who had been enrolled the year before 
(u.c. 712) among the gods, and be thus ap- 
pUed by anticipation to Octavianus himself; 
though perhaps lines 43. 44, decide that it 
apphes dkectly to Augustus. Augustus was 
paid divine honours in r.c. 725 at Pergamus 
and other places abroad ; but it was not till 
u.c. 767, after his death, that he was for- 
mally deified by the Eomans. Deus may, 
however, be used here as in Hor. Sat. n. 6, 
52, Deos quoniam p7^opius contingis, to sig- 
nify those high in state, and of great power, 
" the great men." Sucli were often received 
among the Lares. See Hor. Odes. iv. 5. 34. 
JIaec otia, " this ease (seciurity) which I am 
enjoying.*' On the pluraL see Note, iEn. 
L IL 

7. Observe the emphatic use of iUe, illius, 
ilk, in this and the following lines ; and con- 
sult our Abstract of Wagner's Qusstiones 
Virgiliana, xxi 3. Mihi, " In my estima- 
tion." On the short penult of illius, see 
Note. ^n. i. 17. 

8. Imbuet, "shall stain with its blood." 
Xostris is used by Tityrus as a mere stewai'd, 
speaking of thiugs of which he was care- 
taker, and therefore in some degree mte- 
rested in common with the o^vner. Agnus 
— Voss says that by the use of agnus, the 
moderate extent of the poet's f;irm is hinted 
at ; for the very poor, he alleges, were wont 
to olfer a little pig, those in moderate cir- 
cumstances a lamb, and the rich a calf 

9. Errare, "to roam at will," -without 
risk of plunder. Ludere, " to play for my 
own amusement," ira/^£/v. Calamo — See 
Note 2. 

11. J/ogfw, "rather." fsgue means, " aU 
the way," to or from. " For even to such a 
height does confubion reign throughout the 
whole country." Turbaiur is used imper- 
sonally. Wagner remarks that adeo, talis, 
tantus, tot, Tcffo:, To7'>:, and such Hke 
words, when placed at the beginning of a 
clause, to connect it to the foregoing, con- 
tain the power of the causal paiticle 7iam, 
which, however, is easily omitted ■v\ithout 
detriment to the sense. Thus tantus is equal 
to nam jyiaximus, and tot to nam plurimi. 
Here, therefore, we must supply a nam 
before usque adeo. In such a case as this, 
the words, adeo, tantus, &c., usually head 
the clause ; but here adeo is projected to 
the beoinning of line 12. The confusion re- 
ferred to is that consequent on the veterans 
dispossessing the former inhabitants and 
cultivators. 

13. Ipse has peculiar force. It is not others 
only that have suffered, but even / myself 



am an example of the evil results of 
this confusion. Protenus, Le., porro temis, 
Tpoa-u, is said by the old grammarians to 
be properly applied to space, vrhUeprotinuS' 
is used of time. But this distinction is not 
carried out by the authority of ancient MSS. 
j and inscriptions. 

I .cEgrer— " sick at heart," "cast down by 
I my misfortunes," in the loss of my land, and 
j in banishmentfrom my native home. Hejme 
I would imderstand it of bodily infirmity; but 
i this is not to be approved of He suggests 
also that ceger may be equal to (sgre; but 
the near position of vix renders this objec- 
tionable, if indeed it be Latin to use ager 
thus at aU. 

14. Hie, Sec. " For here, among the dense 
! hazel bushes, bringing forth twins with 
j many throes, she has left them, alas ! the 
j hope of the flock, on the bare rock," 

15. Connixa—Connitor is perhaps no- 
where else used for enitor — the former, how- 

, ever, implies a greater degree of difficulty 
than the latter. Nuda, Le., tmstrewn with 
grass or other bed. Reliquit, "has aban- 
doned," because unable to suckle them, or 
, to take them along with her. 
I 16. <Si' mens non Iceva, "had my mind not 
I been stupid," or " infatuated," " sUly." 
It will have been observed by the student 
that Icevus and sinister sometimes mean 
! "■ p7-opiti02is," and sometimes the very op- 
■ posite, "unpropitious." In Roman augury 
I their piimarj^ meaning is the former: and 
j when they are foimd in the latter sense, it 
j is a mere adopting of the Greek mode ot 
speaking. The cause of difference is found 
in the fact, that while Greeks faced the 
north in taking the omens, Romans turned 
toward the south ; then, as favourable 
tokens came, in the opmions of both na- 
tions, from tlie east, and unfavourable ones 
from the west, the propitious signs were on 
' the 7'ight hand to a Greek, but on the left 
I to a Roman. When a Roman, therefore, 
uses IcEviis as "propitious," he speaks 
I Latino more, but when "unpropitious,' he 
speaks Grceco more, as here. The opposite 
of Itevus is dexter. 

17. Be coelo tactus — Le., struck with light- 
ning. De coelo tangi is often fotmd in this 
sense. The old grammarians hand down 
that the ancients took as evil omens the 
, blasting of aU fruit-bearing trees — injury to 
the oHve denoting a bad crop, and to the 
oak, exile. 

IS. This line is looked upon by ahnost all 

, editors as spurious. It seems a couiage 

from Eel. Lx. 15 ; and is a silly iteration 

and expansion of the preceding Une. The 

, xe^&xXxion oi praedicere, praedixit, of quercus 

i and ile.v, is of itself sufficient, as Spohn 

remarks, to cast discredit on the whole 

; verse. 

19. Iste, ''that of yours," "that deity, 
the object of your especial regard. Iste is 
the pronoun of the second person — it ha-; 
always reference to the person addressed. 
See our Epitome of Wagner's Quaestiones. 
(at end of Notes on ^Eneid) xLx. 
; The MSS. varj" between qui sit and quix 



ECL. I. 21-23. 



KOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. I. 26-34. 



sil, not only in this place, but also in many- 
others, both inVirg:U, and elsewhere through- 
out the writings of classical authors ; and 
learned discussions have been engaged in 
by Clitics, to arrive at the true difference in 
meaning between qui and quis in such 
phrases. Contending theories may be re- 
duced to three : 1st, Qui is used before con- 
sonants, particularly sibilants, and quis be- 
fore vowels and the letters t and d. 2d, 
Qui is used in indirect interrogations, and 
guts in direct. This is Wagner's view, as 
already given in the Quaestiones, xxii., 
■which see. 3d, Qui has always reference 
to the nature, character, qualities, or condi- 
tion of the object spoken of, while quis 
merely inquii-es the name. 

The first of these theories is so unphiloso- 
phical, and so little borne out by examples, 
as to be unworthy of lengthened comment. 
The second has the Avelghty name uf Wag- 
ner as its sponsor. Yet he confines his rule 
to Virgil ; and even in this limited area, he 
is obliged to except quis when at the be- 
gimiing of a verse, (the principle of which he 
does not state, for indeed there seems to be 
none,) and in certain other peculiar cases. 
Moreover, he alters the reading, in a few 
instances, to suit liis theory. The third 
view, then, is that Avhich we deem most 
especially worthy of our notice and confi- 
dence. It will be borne out by examples in 
ninety-nine cases in a hundi-ed, where the 
one word or other occurs ; and it is sup- 
ported by Zumpt, MadAig, Kritz, Eams- 
honi, Spohn, Jahn, <fec., &c. We, therefore, 
translate, " What kind of a god, that god 
of yours is." This is particularly suitable, 
since, in line 7, Tityrus indicates that tlie 
deity he refers to is not one of the old ac- 
knowledged gods, but a mortal, whose deeds 
entitle him to apotheosis (namque erit ille 
MiHi SEJXPEE. deus) ; aud shice, he shows 
an unwillmgness to state the name of his 
favourite. See Note iEn. iii. 60S ; and con- 
sult " Scottish Educational and Literaiy 
Journal," vol. ii. p. 320. Da— dare, was 
often used by the Latins, as " give" often 
is with us, for "tell," "declare." 

21. With shepherd-like inexperience and 
simplicity Tityrus digresses into a long 
palaver about Eome, and shirks the ques- 
tion directly put to him as to qui deus. 

Huic nostrae—i.e., IMantua, a to^vn three 
miles distant from Andes, Virgil's native 
village. Local tradition identities the mo- 
dem Pietola, on the banks of the Mincius, 
two miles below IMantua, with the ancient 
Andes. Andes was situated on a hill, aud 
Virgil's farm lay on the slope at the base of 
this ; so that the shepherds when driving 
then- flocks for sale to Mantua, which was 
built farther down in the valley, may be 
rightly said depellere. Some, however, 
think that depellere refers to the weaning, 
or " driving away " of the young from their 
dams. 

23. The comparison is a natural one for a 
shepherd. Similes — Similis is the old form 
of the accus. plur. of the 3d decl. This is 
form is often used by the poet. See Wag- 



ner's learned discussion of the matter in 
vol. V. of his edition of Vii'gO, p. 384, sqq. 

26. Vihurna — The Vibmmutn is what is 
usuidly called the ic ay-faring tree, the Vibur- 
num Lantana of Linnaeus. It was a shrub 
with tough and pliant branches, well adapted 
for intwining in hedges to firm them, or 
for binding round faggots. Compare La- 
burnum, and Albuimum. The French viorne 
is a corruption of viburnum. 

27. Et is used as expressive of curiosity 
and wonder. It is sometimes used at the 
beginning of an interrogation to denote in- 
dignation. See-iEn. iv. 415. 

28. Lioe-rtas, Le., the desire of liberty. 
Agricultm-al servants and shepherds were 
usually of the class of slaves; but they 
were able in a few years (five or six) to pur- 
chase their freedom if they were frugal and 
saving. Titynis, however, according to his 
own confession, had not been careful when 
under the influence of his first love Galatea, 
though the thrifty habits and disposition of 
Amaryllis induced him to think on liberty 
and the means of procuring it. Sera is equal 
to sero, it is said ; but this a clumsy way of 
getting over the matter. The adjective is 

1 much stronger than the adverb in such 
phrases, for the former is equal to a second 
assertion ; thus, " Liberty regarded me 
with favour, but she icas late of doing it," 
while the latter sero would be a mere modi- 
fying word attached to the verb. Inertem 
is explained by line 33. He means to ac- 
knowledge that he was verj' remiss in not 
accumulating his peculium so as to be able 
to buy himself oif. It cannot refer to the 
inactivity of old age. Respe.rit — this is equal 
to tlie French regarder, and our " regard," 
in a certain sense, as, e.g., " have regard 
to," in Scriptiure; "to look upon with fa- 
vour." 

29. Candidior— This refers of course to 
the mixing greyness of old age, as line 47 
shows; and there is also an allusion to the 
custom of slaves cutting off, when manu- 
mitted, the beard that had been cultivated 
in then' servile state. 

30. Longo post tempore — A long time com- 
pared to the very short time (five or six 
yeai-s) in which a man might purchase hi-; 
freedom. The order of the words here 
adopted is foimd often even in prose. 

31. Observe postquam with habet, the 
present. This present expresses the con- 
tinuance of Jiis love, and of the power of 
Amaryllis over him. Haheo is a verb, espe- 
cially applicable to the soft bonds of love, 
and is similar to om* phrase, " hold en- 
chained." 

33. Peculi—iVvs, contracted form of the 
gen. of nouns in ius, ium, is that usually 
adopted by Virgil. It was used till near the 
end of the'reign of Augustus. The 2)ecuUum 
of a slaA-e was, properly speaking, some 
part of the flock which his master allowed 
him to manage for his own advantage, and 
to enjoy as he liked. Compare the history 
of Jacob and Laban. 

34. Midta is often used thn=! in the sing, 
with nouns: e.g. .Sn. L 334; Hor. Epode 2, 

3 



ECL. I. 35.S9. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



ECL. T. 41-U. 



31, muHa canis; Ovid, Fast iv. 772, rrmlta 
agna, &c. 

3-5. Ingratae — The poet calls Mantua 
'■'■ ungrateful,'''' or: thankless, as not return- 
ing such a price for his cattle and cheese as 
to come up to his own expectations, and to 
enable him to procm-e for Galatea all the 
finery she desired. The word ingratae is 
used \vith a idnd of comic dissatisfaction and 
faiUt-finding-. So say the commentators; 
but we are far from being pleased with this 
interpretation of i«5rrr7<ae. We see no reason 
for imagining that the shepherd finds fault 
with Mantua for the price given for his ar- 
ticles, as if his long- servitude was owing to 
thai circumstance. On the contrarj', Tity- 
rus lays all the blame on hhiself, as is evi- 
dently sho-mi by inertem, line 28, postquam 
habet (postquam) reJiquit, 31, and nee spes, 
Jibertatis, nee cura pecuU, 33. Moreover, 
Multa victima and (muUus) caseus (of 34) 
acknowledge that he had abundant oppor- 
tunity of saving ; for though his profits on 
each might be small, j^et they were frequent ; 
and 36, non unquayn gravis, (tc, suggests 
no idea that his actual income Avas smatl, 
but merely that after the expensive tastes 
of Galatea were satisfied, little remained 
to hoard. And farther stiU, the words sera 
and longo post tempore imply that his case 
is worse than that of others, but at the 
ifame time no hmt is given that he received 
a lower price than they. We believe, there- 
fore, that ingratae is employed as a general 
epithet of towns, whose coldness of afi'ection. 
and whose want of feeling to the poor and 
unfriended stranger, are not only the sub- 
ject of frequent remark by the Latin poets, 
but are also proverbial, even in our o'\\ti 
days. The city received his rich cheese and 
paid him for it, but thought of himself no 
farther, and entertained no feeling of grati- 
tude for the trouble he had taken in prepar- 
ing it; whereas a country' friend would 
have often complimented him on the fatness 
of his beasts, and the richness of his Parme- 
san. Perhaps ingratae is used of Mantua 
because none of her great men had interfered 
for Tityrus, as those of Rome had done. 
Martyn interprets ingratae. "unhappj*," 
referring to Eel. ix. 28, and iEn. vL 213. 

37. The meaning of this passage will be 
understood by the foUowuig paraphrase: 
"Oh, this explains, Madam Amaryllis, what 
I often wondered at, viz., whi-- you invoked 
the gods in sorrowful strains, and for whom 
it was that you allowed the fruit to hang 
imgathered, each kind on its own peculiar 
tree. The secret is, Tityrus was away from 
home.'" Obscrs-e how much more pomted 
and spirited the sentence is by the speaker 
supposing Amaryllis present, and therefore 
addressing her in the second person. Some 
editors read Galatea for Amarylli, on the 
ground that Mantua and Rome are re- 
spectively meant by these names : but this 
is merely a violent substitution to carrj'- out 
and render more consistent an absurd alle- 
gorj', which leads its supporters into endless 
difficulties and contradictions. 

39. Ipsae is here opposed to Amaryllis. 
On the distinguishing and opposing power 

4 



of ipse, sec Epitome of Wagner's Quaest. 
Vu-g. xviiL As in pastoral poetry, the feel- 
ings of men are wont to be transferred to 
nature herself, to trees and fountains, so in 
this place the trees, fountains, and other 
objects, are said to feel the same longing 
desire for Tityrus which Am.aryllis herself 
experienced. 

Finns. The Pine-tree (Piniis Pinea of 
Linnaeus) was planted in gardens, not only 
on account of its fruit and pleashig appear- 
ance, but also because it furnished the bees 
with wax and hive-dross, or eri/thace 
(Ipu^dKri). It must be remembered that 
the pine here meant is what is commonly 
called the stone pine. In the southern 
parts of Europe and in the Levant, the 
seeds, which are large and like nuts, are 
eaten. The Spaniards are particularly fond 
of them. Fee, Flore Je Virgile, quoted by 
Anthon. 

Obsei-ve that the last syllable of aberat 
is lengthened by the ai'sis, or stress of the 
voice. This hberty is very often taken by 
Virgil, and generally on the following- 
principles : — 

1st. It occurs most frequently in the Sd 
foot, and of course in caesura, but also in 
the 2d, 4th, and 5th. when the arsis is par- 
ticularly strong. As a general rule, the 
lengthening of the syllable is the more 
agreeable, the greater the break between 
the ATords, i.e., the greater the punctuation 
mark following, ^n. i. 308. 

2d The arsis is often found after short 
syllables ; and in this case long syllables 
usually follow. Mn. iii. 90. 

3d. It frequently lengthens a short 
syllable which follows long ones in the 
same word : such a Avord is commonly fol- 
lowed by short syllables, ^n. i. 668. 

4th. It rarely lengthens a short syllable 
tennmating in a vowel, ^n. iii. 464. 

5th. It never lengthens a short mono- 
syllabic word. 

Consult, also, on this subject, Epitome of 
Wagn. Quaest. Virg. xii., where the case 
before us is particularly mentioned. 

41. Quidfacerem ? — " what was I to do ?" 
asks Tityrus. I must go to Rome, despite 
the remonstrances of Amaryllis, seeing I 
had nowhere else such an opportunity of 
procuring my liberty. 

42. Praesentes — "propitious," ^'-present 
and Avilling to help." Alici refers to the 
matter of the preceding line. 

43. Juvenem, i.e., Octavianus, who was 
twenty-two years of age at the distribution 
of the lands. 

44. Quotannis fumant, dr. — "in whose 
honour my .altars smoke twelve days in 
each year," i.e., one day in each month, as 
was the custom in the case of the Lares, to 
whom offerings were made on tlie Kalends, 
or Nones, or Ides : for Virgil worships 
Octavianus as a Domesticus Lar. Cf Hor. 
Od. iv. 5, 34, et Laribus tuum miscet numen. 
Titj-rus set out for Rome in July or August, 
as we see from the mention of ripe fruit in 
39, and this conversation is held in the end 
of October, as line 82 shows : fumant is not, 



ECL. I. 45-52. 



NOTES ON THE ECL03UES. 



ECL. I. 54-55. 



tlierefore, for fumahunt, but is placed in its 
proper present tense. 

45. Responsum — "the poet Iceeps up the 
idea of deity in the oracular complexion 
given to the reply of Octavianus." So say 
some of the commentators, bat we see no 
mystery or enigma about the matter requir- 
ing a responsum. Moreover, did Lares give 
responsa ? Primus is here almost in the 
sense of tandem: after all had discouraged 
me in my attempt to recover my farm, and 
when my hope was well nigh exhausted, 
he was the first (i.e., he at length) to give 
this reply to my entreaty. The first blink 
of safety and prosperity was seen through 
him. 

46. Suhmittite. Of the different interpre- 
tations proposed for this we prefer that of 
Jahn, which is adopted by Forbiger, and by 
"Wagner, in his smaller and later edition : 
they understand it "■ de tauris vaccarum 
gregi ad admissuram suhmissis" Pueri, 
i.e., the master of the flock and his associates, 
It is therefore used like our term " lads." 

47. Tua is to be pronounced with em- 
phasis, like mea in Eel. ix, 4. It is to be 
observed that the characters of master and 
slave are hei'e confounded, seeing that the 
fields and flocks belonged to (the herus) 
Virgil, and not to (the slave) Tityrus. 

49. Lapis, palusque obducat. The poet's 
farm was situated, as has been said, at the 
base of the hill on which Andes stood ; and 
thus, while part of it was stony and wooded, 
part of it touched on the river Mincius, 
the floods of which had made some marshy 
districts, producing the bull-rush, that loves 
the slime or mud. Nudus, " devoid of grass, 
or other covering," as nuda silice, 15. 

50. The meaning is — you are to live here 
in security and peace, free from those annoy- 
ances which afflict me in my expulsion from 
my paternal home. Your flocks will graze 
in safety on healthy pastures — mine will 
be liable to unwholesome fodder in our 
successive removals from place to place, 
and they will incur the risk of contagion 
from diseased hei'ds. Fetas may mean 
either those goats that are pregnant, or those 
that have recently brought forth young. It 
is of little consequence which signification 
we adopt here, though perhaps line 15 would 
lead us to decide on the latter, the mind of 
Meliboeus recurring to his poor she-goat 
which had fallen sick:— in this case graves 
will mean " sickly." Fetus, and wot foetus, 
is the true form, according to Voss, (Etymol. 
p. 212,) Kritz, Schneider, &c., because it is 
the participle of the obsolete verb feo : cf. 
fecundus, fe-lix. 

52. Flumina — not different rivers; but 
"the streams of the Mincius," &^,ftwmina is 
often used by Virgil for one single river, 
e.g., M\x xii. 331. Some understand it of 
the Padus and Mincius ; and others again 
of the streams in the valley ; but the Padus 
was too far off to be visited by the poet with 
his flocks. The fountains are called sacred, 
as being the abode of certain nymphs. 
Opacumfrigus — "Tlie shady cool," or " the 
cool shade," i.e., the coolness of a shady 
place. The whole description is intended 



to contrast strongly the good fortune of 
Tityrus witli the ill luck of Meliboeus, by 
depicting the most delightful charms of 
country life and rustic scenes as secured to 
the former and denied to the latter. 

54. Tire order of this very difficult and 
involved passage is as follows : — Hinc, ah 
vicino limite, saepes, quae semper depasta 
(est) HyUaeis apibus fiorem salicti, saepe 
suadebit iibi levi susurro (apmn) inire som~ 
num.- On the one side, that is, on your 
neighbour's boundary fence, thehedgewhicli 
is always fed upon as to the flower of the 
willow [i.e., the willow hedge whose flowers 
are always fed upon] by Hyblean bees will 
often invite you to sleep by its soft murmur. 
That ab vicino limite is to be joined to hinc 
as an apposition, and not to saepes (see our 
Note on hue, caeco laieri, Mn. ii. 18,) is 
shown by line 57, Hinc, sub alta rupe, 
which exactly balances the clauses. The sen- 
tence, however, is veiy involved, though our 
author affords many examples of such in- 
tricate syntax, as, e.g., Geo. ii. 227, .^n. 
viii. 168.' Ab limite— Ii is very common in 
both Greek and Latin writers to find a point 
in space designated by a word denoting 
motion from, or separation from that point, 
since beginning and extending from a point 
imply contiguity and contact with that 
point. Thus a dextro cornu. " on the right 
wing;" oTitrhv, "in the rear," behind — 
literally "from behind." So here ab limite 
means, "on the border or margin of." 
Moreover, the phrase quae semper saepes 
depasta, is put by attraction for saepes, quae 
semper depasta (est), and the substantive 
verb is omitted, though in a relative clause, 
as is often done in Virgil (see Mn. ii. 546; 
Eel. viii. 24 ; Mn. ix. 675, v. 687). Some 
critics have hazarded various readings on 
conjecture, but we think it unnecessary to 
record their suggestions. 

55. Fiorem depends on depasta, and is an 
example of the Accusative of the Remote 
Object, or the Accusative of Reference 
OE Limitation. The Latin poets, ever fond 
of imitating the Greeks, and some prose 
writers who adopt poetical expressions, often 
use an accus. instead of the "ablative of 
limiting circumstance " such as claudus 
altera pede. This happens usually after pas- 
sive verbs, and more especially after Peril 
Participles, to denote that part of a whole 
to which the statement is limited: thus, 
nube candentes humeros amictus : miles 
fractus membra labore. The accus. in this 
construction is also found after neuter verbs 
and adjectives ; as tremit artus : fagos 
densas cacumina (beech trees dense in their 
topmost boughs) Eel. ii. 3, which see. 
Consult Note on .^n. i. 228. 

Hyblaeis apibus, the bees of Hybla, a town 
of Sicily, S. of Mt. Aetna, were famous for 
their honey, and are here put for bees 
generally. 

Salicti, contracted for saliceti : words in 
— etum, of this class, signify " a collection 
of," as salicetum, a collection of salices, i.e., 
a willow-grove. So arboretum, quercetum, 
fruticetum, &c. 

6 



EcL. I. 56-6 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES, 



EcL. I. ei- 



56. The sleep-giving power, which pro- 
perly belongs to the bees and their buzzing 
is, by poetic mutation, transferred to the 
hedge. 

57. Alta sub rupe is in apposition to hinc, 
as vicino ah Umite above, 54, to Jiinc. 
Frondator, i.e., the vine dresser. Although 
the operation, of vine pruning was proper to 
August, yet we are not to conclude from 
this passage that the Eclogue was written 
in that particular month ; we must fix the 
date of its composition in a general way in 
Autumn. Ad auras, "touching the earth, 
and extending upwards towards the higher 
air and heaven ;" in auras, " completely off 
the earth, up in the higher regions of the 
atmosphere. " Such is Wagner's distinction 
(see Quaest. Virg. x., and our Note on ^n. 
ii. 759); which, however, is formed on the 
vulgar notion and expression, " up in the 
air," meaning clean up into the high regions 
of the atmosphere. Ad auras canit, " sends 
forth his song on the breeze." 

58. Palunibes has three forms, either 
palumhus, palumba, or that here used, 
palumbes—is. The wood pigeon is the bird 
intended ; and it will, therefore, be at once 
felt how appropriate the term gemere is to 
the hoarse and melancholy character of its 
note. 

59. Aeria — this adj. is a common epithet 
of trees, and, m fact, of all things which 
permanently or temporarily tower high 
into the air. Observe that though cessabit 
has, properly speaking, two subjects, it yet 
agrees only with the one nearest to it : this 
takes place even when the metre admits the 
plural. 

60. We have here a comparison from the 
impossible: — as well may you expect stags to 
take wing and pasture in mid air, and fish 
to leave the watery deep and feed on vege- 
tables of t'.e land: as well may you look 
to see the Parthian drinking the Avaters of 
the Saone, and the German those of the 
Tigris, as to find me forgettmg my bene- 
factor. In nudos we have an example 
of the proleptic use of the adjective, by 
which a thing is represented as alreadi/ 
done, though in reality it is to follow as a 
consequence of the action of the verb on 
which its subst. depends: as "kill a man 
dead," &c. See Note on .^n. ii. 736. 

6i>. " Sooner shall the Parthian wanderer 
drink the water of the Saone, or the Ger- 
man that of the Tigris, each having tra- 
versed the territories of the other, than," 
<fec As the Arar (Saone) was not a Ger- 
man, but a Gallic river, while the Tigris 
was a Parthian stream, fault has been 
foimd with this Ihie on the ground that the 
clauses are not properly balanced. But the 
difficulty may be easily got rid of, either by 
the circumstance that the speaker is an 
illiterate shepherd, not "well up" in 
geography: or, by the fact, that at the 
date of the composition of this Eclogue, 
the Arar was really the boundary of the 
Roman empire towards Germany : for, 
though the tribes between the Arar and 
the Rhine had been subdued by Julius 
Cte.sar, yet it was not till 38 b.c. that the 



district was finally added to the Roman 
empire. Critics have created an unneces- 
sary difficulty by mtQv^x&tmg perer rati s too 
literally, as if the entire territory of each 
had been passed ovei\ 

Germania, Le., Germani, the name of the 
country being put for that of the people, as 
is often the case. 

64. Illius, i.e., Octavianus. 

65. The shepherd in his distress exagge- 
rates the misery of his situation, and 
imagines the very worst kind of exile to 
the most remote corners of the world. 
Alii and pars are often opposed, instead of 
alii — alii, or pars — pars. 

Sitientes Afros, i.e., the parched Africans; 
referring to the dryness of the climate, and 
the want of moisture in the soU. 

&Q. Oaxeni, (more correctly written 
Oaxen,) was the name of a small river in 
Crete, mentioned by no other ancient 
author except the geographer Vibius 
Sequester. On it was the town Oaxus or 
Axus. Some commentators have suggested 
to substitute Araxes (a river of Armenia), 
and others 0.vus (in Scythia), for the read- 
ing in the text, making creiae a common 
noun dependent on rapidum, in the sense, 
" flowing swiftly with its chalky stream," 
but this is quite uncalled for. The mention 
of such an insignificant river hi a remote 
district is, certainly, unsuited to the cha- 
racter of a plain Mantuan shepherd ; but if 
the Eclogues of Virgil Avere cleared of 
all such improprieties they would be much 
curtailed from their present length. It has 
been remarked that the poet here mentions 
the extreme limits of the empire in different 
directions — Africa to the W. and S. ; 
Scythia to the E. and N. ; Crete to the 
S.E. ; and Britain to the N.W. With line 
67 compare Horace, Od. i. 35. 29, ultimos 
orbis Britannos : and Tacitus, Agric 20, 
Britannos terrarum extrtvios. As the 
ocean surrounded the orbis terrarum, and 
as Britain was, in the Roman notion, be- 
yond the ocean, it is said to be out of the 
limits of the world proper. No wonder 
Britain was thus spoken of, as it was en- 
tirely unknown, we may say, to the Romans 
before the time of Julius Ca;sar. 

68. En is used, as Hand. Tursell, p. 
37], shows, to denote any very strong feel- 
ing of the mind, as anxiety, grief, indigna- 
tion, and the like : and thus is it employed 
here. Translate—" Ah ! shall I ever, after 
a longhiterval of time, when beholding my 
paternal fields, and the turf-piled roof of 
my humble hut — shall I, afterwards, (I 
say) when beholduig this (once) my king- 
dom, view with astonishment a few scanty 
ears of grain ?" This is the interpretation 
adopted by Wagner, Forbigcr, and other 
commentators ; but to us it is not satisfac- 
tory. We object, first— Hhat the idea of 
return from exile only to see a stranger still 
in possession of one's paternal farm, is not 
consolatory to him who is being banished, 
nor is it suitable to the individual case be- 
fore us, for we can discover no reason why, 
under these circumstances, Meliboeus should 
ivish to return at all: secondly — That, had 



EOL. I. 



NOTES ON TUE ECLOGUES. 



Ect, I 71-80. 



a wish of evil success to the new possessoi* 
been intended to be expressed, we should 
not have had a future tense and an interro- 
gation, but more likely a pres. subj. ; or, 
perhaps, a confident prophecy of failiu-e in- 
dicated in no doubtful form : thivdly — That 
the position of the words mearegna favours 
the idea that they are in apposition to 
aliquot aristas rather than to patrios fines 
and culmen : fourthly — That if Meliboeus 
wei"e merely foreteUing failure to the soldier 
cultivator, he would not likely give him a 
long period (longo post tempore) ; a verj- 
few years would suffice to oust such a 
clumsy farmer. We would suggest, there- 
fore, that, as the preceding sentence spealcs 
of banishment, distant and dismal, so, as is 
natural, this one catches at a faint glimmer 
of hope that the daj- may come sooner or 
later when exile shall be at an end, and when 
the wanderer will be allowed to return and 
cultivate once more the fields of which he 
is now so ruthlessly deprived. The hope, 
however, is too pleasing and too flattering 
to be seriouslj- and long entertained, and 
he accordingly relapses to his former 
melancholy train of thoughts. " And is it 
possible that an accursed soldier shall pos- 
sess these fields so highly cultivated?" In 
this view translate — "Ah! then, shall I 
ever, after a long interval, look with ad- 
miring delight on my paternal farm, and 
the tmf-piled roof of my humble hut, 
(and) thereafter [look with admiration] 
on (even) a few scanty ears of grain (which 
would be) to me a kingdom ;" or " my 
whole kingdom," hinting that his flocks will 
have been all lost, and if he do return it wiU 
be empty-handed. The syntax in these 
two methods is identical, but the -\iews differ 
in the object which they seek to obtain. 
The great difficulty lies mpost and aristas; 
the former is an adv., modifjiug mir- 
abor, and being merely a repetition of the 
post in line 68,'' and the latter is an accus. 
in apposition to tnea regna. 

The common interpretation which makes 
aristas xa^m\harviests, (cf. earing for harvest 
in om- ovra language, i and post a preposi- 
tion, is not, perhaps to be lightly thrown 




aside. The woodcut represents the tugu- 
rium, or hut of the lowest classes of the 



rural population. The uprights and sup- 
ports of the roof were of Avood, while the 
covermg of the roof was tu7f, hurdles, the 
bark of trees, or such like refuse. 

71. Inipius is a term often applied to war, 
its ageuts, and its concomitants ; but here 
there is, besides, a reference to the fact that 
the contest was a civil one, and that the 
soldiers are now, by force, taking possession 
of property which they laiow to belong to 
others. "A ruffian soldier." The ruthless 
soldier is contrasted with the peaceful, 
harmless, and just husbandman. 

i^ ovale is properly "?ea /a/jcT' broken up 
again, Le., land which has lain idle for some 
years, but is at length ploughed again : 
and so it comes to mean, as here, land 
b?-oken up for the first time. Hence it sig- 
nifies (though rarely) land of any kind what- 
ever. 

72. Barbarus is said to have reference to 
the Gallic and other foreign soldiers which 
were at tliis time in the Roman legions : 
but though this ma}-, of course, be the case, 
and though such are doubtless included in 
the term, yet we think the consistency of 
the shepherd is far more decidedly kept up 
by the application of the epithet to every 
soldier, be he Roman or foreigner ; it hints 
that the Rom-ins even had le;-imed, by their 
intercom-se with barbarians, to be as savage 
as they, and as little mindful of the ties of 
kmdred and of affection. 

73. In the readhig of this line MSS 
varj- between ^7'ocf(/xe< and perduxit; and, 
in fact, it matters little which we adopt, as 
each gives a suitable meaning. The former 
suggests the several steps and gradual pro- 
gress of the struggle, and as it calls up be- 
fore us the very first beginnings and trivial 
causes of the contest, is perhaps the most 
graphic: while the latter brings forward 
bluntly the sad tennination and fatal re- 
sults of the war, and compels us to dicell 
on the fearful consummation. In a moral 
point of A-iew the former is to be preferred. 

74. This line is ironical : " Oh ! by all 
means, Meliboeus, now is the time for you 
to engraft your pears, and to plant your 
vines in due order." On the mode of plant- 
ing see Geo. ii. 278, on Quincuns. The pear 
is used as a generic term for aU kinds cf 
fruit trees. 

75. The depth of the shepherd's giief is 
seen by the repetition of word and idea in 
this verse, and by the use of quondam as 
opposed to the present command, ite, ite. 

76. Viridi — green, ie., overgrown with 
moss. Pendere de rupe to hang, to be sus- 
pended, as it were, while they feed on some 
precipitous ledge. 

79. The Cytisus was a whitish shrub- 
pleasing in taste and flavom-, and cele- 
brated for supplying excellent milk. Bees 
and goats were particularly fond of it 

80r This invitation to a night's lodging 
is taken from Theocritus, Id. xi. 44 sqq. 
Poteras is not for posses, but is used by 
Tityi-us because Meliboeus has already 
started on his journey. This use of the 
pluperf. indie is very frequently met with 
in Latin writers. So'Ovid, Met. L 679, Hoc 

7 



ECL. I. 82: II. 1-4. 



XOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. EcL. I. 83, 84; II. 7-10. 



mecum poteras considere saxo. The past 
tense of the indie in Greekis similarly Uccd. 

Hanc noctem, " throughout the whole 
night," is to be preferred to the various 
reading hac node. 

82. AfUia poma, i.e., ripe and sweet fruit. 
Mollis castanea — from the mention of the 
"mellow chestnuts" (so mollissima vina, 
"very mellow wines,") Spohn concludes 
that this Eclogue was Avi-itten in the 
autumn, and in October or November, for 
it was in these months that the Italian 
chestnut became ripe for use. Pressi lactis, 
i.e., curds : cheese quickly pressed. 



83. Villarum, " the farm houses." Cul- 
mina—ihe roofs, not the chimneys, for such 
luxuries were rare in Roman houses, and 
were found only in the most costly. The 
smoke got egress by a hole in the roof, or 
by the doors, and -svindow apertures. But 
houses were verj^ generally warmed, not by 
hearth fires, but by heated air conveyed in 
pipes, or by braziers, or portable furnaces. 
In these they burned charcoal or other fuel. 
The roofs were smoking, as supper was 
now behig prepared. 

84. On the Majores unibrae see Note. 
EcL ii. 67. 



ECLOGUE II. 



The Poet having seen a beautiful youth, caUed Alexander, serving at a banquet in tlie 
house of his friend Asiuius PoUio, took a fancy to him. It is this boy that is here cele- 
brated under the name of Alexis, Virgil himself being represented by Corydon, and 
Pollio by lollas. Pollio was so delighted with thp poem that he presented Alex- 
au'ler to Virgil; and the youthful slave, ha\ing been carefuUy instructed bj' his new 
master, became afterwards the Grammarian Alexander. 

This Eclogue was the earliest of those composed by Virgil ; the critics assign it to the 
year a.u.c. 711 or 712. Theocritus is laid largely under contilbution to supply thoughts 
and expressions ; the 3d, 23d, and 11th Idylls are more especially imitated. 



1. On the different modes of construing 
ardere see Smith's Latin Dicty. The verb 
is here applied to such pure and enlightened 
love as Plato, Socrates, and others, enter- 
tained for youths of superior mind and 
winning manners. 

Alexim is the reading adopted by the best 
editors for Alexin, the vulgar form. On 
the authority of the best codices and gram- 
marians it would appear that Virgil never 
uses in in the accus. sing, of proper nouns 
in is, except when necessitated by the 
metre, as in Eel. v. 52. See our Epitome 
of Wagner's Quaest. Virg. iii. 

2. Beliciasdottiini— ''the delight (favour- 
ite) of his master" (i.e., the master of Alexis, 
loUas). Nee quid speraret, &c, "Nor had 
he any apparent ground for hope." Some 
books read quod which would signify. " He 
had no ground whatever for hope," as Wagn. 
correctly shows. 

3. Tantum, "only."— Obseiwe twier after 
vmio, as in ^n. x. 710, posiquam inter retia 
ventum est. This line is usually punctuated 
with a comma after densas, and another 
after cacumina, making u?nbrosa cacumina 
an apposition to fagos. But we prefer the 
reading of Spohn, Forbiger, &c., which 
omits the commas, and makes umbrosa 
cacmnina depend on densas as an " accusa- 
tive of the more remote object," on which 
see our Note EcL, i. 55, or ^n. i. 228. Those 
who admit the commas take umbrosa cacu- 
mina as an example of " parenthetic appo- 
sition, " Avliich is equal to another affirmation, 
and may be explained by supplying a rela- 
tive pron. and a verb: "the beech trees, 
which had shady tops." Of. EcL ix. 9. 

4. Incondita — " carelessly composed. " 
The whole line and half express despon- 
dency, and consequent remissness. Studio 
innni, i.e.,/rmtra. 



7. Observe deniguc, which is not here 
used to denote the last of a series of parti- 
culars, nor to signify "in sliort " or "in 
fine:" but to express that Avhich happens 
in the last place, or which is about to come 
to pass. 

8. This and the following lines are meant 
to express the great eagerness and devotion 
of Corydon, who braves the noonday heat 
in search of his favourite, while men and 
beasts are taking means of escaping fi-om 
the sun's scorching rays. Umbras etfrigora 
is called a hendiadys for umbras frigidas; 
hut see our Note on ^n. L 2. 

9. Lacertos. This word is sometimes 
fern. The "green lizard" is said by The- 
ocritus, (vii. 22) from whom this passage is 
taken, to mark the noontime by its sleep- 
ing in the hedges. This species of lizard is 
now found only in certain parts of S. 
Europe. There is also a kind of fish called 
lacertus, or lacerta. 

10. A woodcut is here introduced of a 
reaper hi the act of cutting down the grain. 




This was done sometimes, particidarly in 
Umbria, as among ourselves, by cropping 



ECL. II. 12-20. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



ECL. II. 21-29. 



the stalk close to the ground ; sometimes 
again by cutting the straw about middle 
height ;" and in the case of a peculiar kind 
of bearded corn, they shore off the head at 
the junction with the stalk. " Thestylis 
(a female slave), bruises (and mixes) to- 
gether garlic and wild thyme, strong smell- 
ing herbs, for the reaper, wearied by the 
excessive heat." As rapidity of motion 
produces excitement and heat, the adj. 
rapidus is transferred in use from the cause 
to the effect, and so is here applied to aestus. 
Hence, too, it is used of the sun, in Geo. L 
92, as if his great heat were coimected with 
the speed of his movement. Hej-ne. 

SerpyUum, "pTuXXov, from sp'z-M to creep, 
from its creeping runners, which send up 
new stalks. The Roman rustics, as well as 
the soldiers and sailors, were in the habit 
of mixing such herbs as those here men- 
tioned with cheese, oil, and vinegai-, to 
make a cooling and refreshing compomid ; 
tlie effect was to stimulate the digestive 
powers. 

12. JIecum,i.e., the cicadse chirruping, and 
I singing at the same time. The cicada is 
an insect something like a large fly in shape ; 
it emits a clear and piercing sound, and 
sings in the hottest weather, and most 
especially dming the wai-mest horn- of the 
day. 

14. AmaryUis—a. female flame. Menal- 
cas — a boy loved as Alexis was. On the forai 
an in the accus. see our Epitome of Wagn., 
Quaest. Virg. iiL 

17. Colori — "complexion." Corydon 
hints that the only fault of Menalcas (a 
country bred slave), was his swarthy com- 
plexion ; and he shows, by the example of 
the privet and the hyacinth that sometimes 
the dark colour is preferred to the ichite, 
and that therefore Alexis should not pride 
himself too much on this slight superiority 
over Menalcas. 

IS The Ligustrum is stated by botanists 
xo he. the. privet, and vacciniuni is said (by 
Voss and others) to be a corruption of 
oiiaxtv^iov, or oliaxivvtcv, the dimmutive of 
evxxiv^o;, which is the Aeolic form of 

Cadunt " are allowed to fall neglected." 
Leguntur "are objects of fancy, and are 
plucked." 

19. Qui sim. Some copies, but these not 
the best, read quis. The present, however, 
seems an excellent example to prove the 
correctness of the distinction between qui 
and quJs, afready laid down in Note on Eel. 
L 19, which see. 

In the following lines Coiydon sets forth 
his recommendations : his wealth (19-22) ; 
his skill in singmg (23, 24) ; his personal 
appearance (25-27). 

20. Pecoris is the gen., though the abl. is 
often put after the adj. dives. liivei is by 
some jomed to pecoris, but it is readily seen 
that it is the number of the flocks and not 
their colour, that here forms the recom- 



mendation. Besides, Mveus is a constant 
epithet of lac. 

21. Obseiwe the pronoun meae joined to 
the numeral adj., and acting as a partitive 
genitive. Wagner. But this woifld imply 
that there were other lambs unaccounted 
for. And as no hint is given how or where 
the others were disposed, we prefer to take 
niille as an apposition toagnae, "my lambs, 
a thousand in number." Forb. 

Anthou remarks that the mention of 
SicUy in this line refutes the notion that 
Corydon represents Virgil (see Introductoiy 
Eemai'ks) and Alexis the boy Alexander. 
But we do not see what this has to do with 
the matter: it is sm-ely quite competent for 
the poet to lay the scene of his pastoral in 
Sicily, so famed for pastoral pm-suits and 
pastoral songs, and to introduce Greek 
names and characters into his composi- 
tion. 

22. Novum lac means milk from animals 
which have recently borne yoimg. Frigore 
=hieme. 

24. Arapliion and Zethus were sons of Ju- 
piter and Antiope ; the former cultivated 
music most successfully, and was said to 
have buUt the walls of Thebes by compel- 
ling the stones to assume then- places to the 
tunes of his lyre. He is called Dfrcaeus, 
i.e., Thebau, from Duxe, a Boeotian foun- 
tain, near Thebes. Aracynthus was a 
mountain of Boeotia, on the confines of 
Attica, so close, indeed, as to be here called 
Actaian, i.e., Atheniim, from Acte, an old 
name for Attica. 

The scansion of this line is peculiar in 
admittmg a hiatus, and in terminating with 
a word of four syllables. But both anomalies 
are excused on the ground that it is a 
Greek verse tm-ned into Latin letters, 
Afz.(picuv AipKaTo? Iv ' Aktuim ' Apcix,vv 

25. Placidum ventis — " calm by the winds 
having ceased to blow." Stare is often 
applied to steady and mialtered position. 
Cf. niaria dant venti placaia, JEn. iiL 69. 
Daphnis was sou of Apollo, mid was famed 
in Sicilian legends as the most handsome of 
shepherds. 

27. Si is here in the sense of quum, 
"since"; and of the readings fallat and 
fallit the latter is to be preferred, as the 
idea of doubt is foreign to this phrase. 

28. So?'dida is applied to ru?-a, only in 
comparison with the town, i.e., he does not 
mean that the country is in itself so?'didum, 
but that it wants the refinement of city 
elegance. 

29. Casas — Casa was the name for cot- 
tages generally, in our fullest extent of that 
term ; but it is particularly applied to that 
special kind of dwelling which was common 
in the pastoral ages, and was adopted 
among the vUlage population. Such was 
the thatched cottage of Romulus on the 
Capitoline ; and such, too, was the fonn of 
hut used by the early inhabitants of La- 
tium, as shown in the foUo^ving woodcut. 

y 



EcL. II. 30-38. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. II. 40-47 




Figere cervos — "to piei'ce the stags," 
scil.,jiacM?o. Heyiie, arguing that hunting 
is not a pastoral operation, understands 
cervos to mean a kind of forked stake, or 
upright, used in forming the casa. But 
all will readily admit that hunting is a 
very natm-al and even necessary part of 
the'shepherd's emplojTnent or amusement, 
(cf. Eel. iii. 12, 75 ; Geo. iii. 404); and that 
Corydon would not be so impolitic as to 
invite his young friend, by way of coaxing 
him, to a lahorious task such as Heyne sup- 
poses ; and, farther, Corydon speaks of his 
casa as already erected. 

30. Hibisco—a species of mallotcs. Ob- 
serve the dative case a?tcv compel/ere instead 
of the accusative with ad. This very often 
occurs in Virgil after verbs of motion, espe- 
ciallj"^ in such phrases as caelo for ad caelum. 
Heyne proposed to take hibisco as the abla- 
tive of tiie instrument, but the objection to 
this is, as Voss remarks, tliat compellere 
never means the same as simple agere or 
ducere, but it is always equal to agere aliquo, 
"to drive to some place." 

32. On Pan, as the inventor of the Pan- 
dean pipe (fistula, syrinx, or calamus,) see 
Smith's Dicty. of Biog. and Mythol. : and 
for a woodcut of the pipe itself see Eel. i. 2. 

33. Observe oviurn repeated after oves, 
and serving for the pronoun eorum. Com- 
pare the repetition of Italia m in ^n. i. 554. 

34. Trivisse labellum calamo — "to have 
rubbed your lip with the reed," i.e., to have 
rubbed your lip along the i-eeds of the Pan- 
dean pipe while you were practising on it. 
Corydon here praises his oavu skill in the 
use of the instrument, and hints at his su- 
periority to his neighbour and rival Amjm- 
tas; who, it seems, left no stone unturned 
to sui'pass our hero in playing. Nee poeni- 
teat — " Let it not be irksome to you." " Be 
not loth" 

37. The Fistula was generally made of 
seven stalks of unequal length and diameter 
(disparibus). But we find one mentioned 
by Theocritus consisting of three only, while 
eleven, fifteen, and twenty-one are, also given; 
and to Polyphemus 0%id assigns a syrinx 
of one hundred reeds. See Eel. L 2, and 
woodcut there. 

Damoetas was a shepherd, and a fa- 
mous performer on the syrinx, which at 
his death he left to Corydon. 

38. Secundum — This means, according to 
Voss, that the second possessor of the pipe 
was as good a musician as the first: " when 

10 



blown by you it will not feel the want of 
its former owner." 

40. Two kills were also to be given by 
Corydon; their value is enhanced by the 
fact that they were caught in a valley 
where the life of the donor was endangered 
by wild beasts. They were spotted white 
{albo), as kids were said to be for six months 
after birth. The etiam nunc seems to imply 
that the spots of infancy remained with this 
particular pair even longer than was usual 

42. Die, i.e., quotidie. Siccant, "drain," 
" exhaust"; so Horace says, siccare ubera, 
and siccare calices. 

43. Orat abducere, i.e., orat ut sibi liceat 
abducere. The infinitive after verbs of 
longing, desi^'ing, asking, and such like, 
usually refers to him who is requested to 
do something, but here and in ^n. vi. 313, 
(or antes transmittere, i. e. , or an tes u t s ibi licea t 
transmittere), it applies to him who begs to 
be allowed to do something. Examples of 
this construction are rare. 

44. Et, as we have seen in Quaest. Virg. 
XXXV. sometimes has the effect of threaten- 
ing, as here ; so also of expressing indigna- 
tion or encouragement, and anxious inquiry. 
All these and other special cases, Hand. 
Tursell, ii. p. 488, would embrace under one 
law; That "when any idea or word is to 
be brought out with particularly strong 
emphasis, and holds the first place in the 
sentence, et is put before as a kind of 
anacrusis. The word occupies the first 
place, because it expresses a strong assevera- 
tion. Et acts merely as the necessary bond 
of connection. By this means are often 
introduced words which lend confirmation 
to a preceding assertion." 

Faciei — "she will do it," Le., she will at 
last force me to yield. Observe that he 
does not say dabo, which would admit too 
much Avillingness on his part, and might 
give offence to his fiame. 

Sordent — "are vile in your eyes," "are 
worthless." So Hor. Epist. i. 11, 4. 

45. Ades. Observe how much additional 
\ividness is added to the sentence by using 
this word of instantaneous presence for ac- 
cede, which would imply gradual progress 
and delayed arrival. 

The poet now promises bouquets of lilies 
culled by the nymphs themselves as likely 
to influence the youthful mind of Alexis. 

46. Calaihus, a basket of wicker work, 
gradually widening upwards, as seen in tht 
accompanying Avoodcut. It was used as a 
work, flower, or fii'uit basket. Na'is, a water 
nymph. 




47. Pallentes violas. This is said to be 
om- wall flower, which, though yellow to 
us, would be rather of a pale colour to our 
more swarthy brethren farther south. Pa- 



ECL. ir. 48-56. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. II. 57-6(5. 



caltha, 
pin git, 



hoary 



pavera — The common red poppy ^v•hich 
grows among corn is here meant. 

48. Narcissum — the "datfodil;" and 
anethi, " dill,'' a yellow flowei-, said to be 
deti-imeutal to the sight, and the physical 
powers generally. 

49. Casta. This is not the Eastern and 
fragrant bark, but a European production, 
known by the n;ime of tliymelaea, or 
''spurge flower," or "widow-wail," ac- 
cording to Martyn. 

50. Vaccinia, ' " hyacinths ; " 
" marigold, " as is supposed ; 
" varies." 

51. Tenera inala — " Quinces 
with soft down." This fruit is what is 
called malum Cydonium, so named from 
Cydon or Cydonia, a town of Crete, its 
native place. 

52. Castaneas nuces, "chestnuts;" these 
are extensively used in the S. of Europe by 
the common people as food, both raw and 
prepared. 

53. Cerea ^rwwa— "waxen plums," i.e., 
like wax in colour. Cf. Ovid Met. xiii. 817. 
Prunaque non solum nigro liven fia succo, 
Verum etiam generosa novasque itnitantia 
ceras. Honos erit, &c., i.e., you will regard 
with admi);ation and approval this fruit 
also. 

Pruna Iionos— This hiatus, though m 
thesis, is excused, as in JEn. i. 405, because 
of the pause in the sense, and the heavy 
punctuation mark : and, indeed, as has been 
elsewhere remarked, there are examples 
where the hiatus is admitted in thesis with- 
out any similar pause in the sense, the 
vowel being shortened but not elided. (See 
line 65 below; also Eel. iii. 79.) In other 
places it is excused when there is a heavy 
punctuation mark, and a caesura or arsis 
besides, especially since it is for the most 
part found in Greek proper names, or in 
verses made on the Greek model, i.e., 
verses ending with a four-syllable word, 
or havhig a spondaic cadence. Of such 
there are four kinds : First, when the hia- 
tus is admitted in the first place of the 
fifth foot, and in Greek names (Eel. ii. 
24; .^n. i. 617) and even in Latin words 
(Eel. vii. 53.) Secondly, in the first place of 
the third foot, (Eel. iii. 6). Thirdly, in the 
first place of the fourth foot (Eel. vi. 44). 
Fourthly, in the first place of the second 
foot (Geo. L 4; Mn. iii. 606). 

54. Proxiiaa seems to mean "next," 
" nearest," in the basket, as sic posiia of the 
following line clearly shows. Voss, how- 
ever, understands it to signify " next to the 
laurel in the garden of Corydon." Spohn, 
"next in degree, in its sweetness of flavour." 
Wagner would write all superlatives of 
three syllables with the —umus termina- 
tion, but those with more than three with 
—imiis. The Lauras is om- " bay tree,'' not, 
laurel. It was brought from Trebizonde 
to Constantinople (and thence was spread 
over Europe), about the end of the 16th 
century. 

56. Rusticvs es. Corydon confesses his 
" clownishness " and folly in supposing that 
Alexis can be enticed from the city by such 



gifts. On the repetition of munere, mu- 
neribus, see Note 33 above. 

57. lollas, the master of Alexis, is supposed 
to be PoUio; see Introduction. Concedat. 
Some books read concedet, but it Avill be 
readily seen that Corydon has not given up 
hope of succeeding, and that the subjunc- 
tive (of dubiety) is therefore the more ap- 
propriate lection. The meaning is, " even 
should you offer gifts which a city lover 
would delight in, will the rich lollas be less 
liberal hi his presents?" 

58. Corydon here accuses himself of the 
utmost folly in following a hopeless object 
to his own hurt, equal to that of the man 
who would admit a blasting wind to nip 
his flowers, or a wild boar to pollute his 
fountaius. Perditus, scil., amore is equal to 
amens. Amter, voro?, the baleful south 
wind with its Sirocco blast. 

60. The sense is, "Why do you shun and 
despise me and the country? Have not the 
gods selected the country as the place of 
their habitation, and have not heroes done 
the same? Let Pallas then inhabit by her- 
self alone the cities which she has taught 
men to found, but do you conceive an at- 
tachment for the country." 

63. Seqwitur. This word is applied in a 
slightly different sense to the several accu- 
satives which it governs, but still there is 
the idea of the same earnest pursuit of a 
desired object, Corydon means to show 
that in the vehemence of his love, he is 
simply following the same natural instinct 
which operates upon all animals. Lupus 
ipse, "the wolf, on his part," or, "the wolf 
again," Xvh.o? H'u.u. On the cyiisus, see 
Eel. i. 78. 

Qb. Alexi. This is the single example 
in Virgil of a hiatus being admitted with 
an hiterjection; for tu, o geniior in ^n. 
viii. 72, should be read tuo; and heu, heu (58 
above) is of a somewhat different character. 

&6. Adspice, &c. These words are to be 
considered as spoken by Corydon, and not 
by Alexis; and he means by them to show 
that as formerly during the heat of the day 
he i-ested not while men and animals were 
retiring from the scorching rays of the sun, 
so now, when they are abandoning their 
labours entirely, he, unwearied by his in- 
cessant toils, continues still to press on to 
his desired object. All get rest— his love 
allows no rest to him. 

Suspensajugo aratra. Heyne interprets, 
" the plough hung upon the yoke, with the 
share inverted, so that it might not cut the 
earth;" he thus makes suspensa j ugo=sus- 
pensa ex Jugo. But Voss, Wagner, and 
Forb. prefer to take jugo as governed by 
referunt, and suspensa -ds meaning "slightly 
raised from the ground." " The steers 
bring home upon the yoke (or by the yoke) 
the plough, shghtly elevated above the 
ground." For this sense of suspendere they 
quote the phrases suspendere gressum : sus- 
penso gradu ire. We confess we are not 
satisfied with either of these explanations, 
but we are not in a position to offer a better 
with confidence. 

11 



EcL. II. 67-71; III. 1-5. KOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. EcL. II. 72, 73; III. 6. 



67. Sol dupUcat umbras. Palladius says 
that during the longest days, at the eleventh 
hour (5 o'clock p.m.) the shade cast by a 
body is twice as long as it is at the tenth 
(4 o'clock), or nearly so at least. The rus- 
tics used thus to count the hour, for at the 
tenth hour they had 12 feet shadow, and at 
the eleventh 23. 

70. Semiputata — "half pruned." In his 
distraction of love, Oorydou neglects his 
necessary labours. Forbiger alleges that 
this is the only place vrhere the adj. semi- 
putatus is found. Vinas Avere pruned twice 
in the year, before the vernal equinox, and 
again after the Ides of October. 

In ulmo. Elms and poplars were the fa- 
vourite trees for training vuies upon; and 
the pruning required to be performed not 
only to the vine, but also to its support. 

71. Aliquid saltern, i.e., quaniumvis exi- 
guum — "Something at least," "anything, 
however small ;" any basket or other smaU 
implement such as is required about a farm. 

(.luorum. Note the peculiarity of this 



relative, which is in the plur., while its ante- 
cedent aliquid is in the singular. Aliquid, 
being a partitive word, implies a plural, 
and this is therefore another instance of the 
synesis, or ad inteUectum construction, the 
poet making the relative agree with the 
idea of plurality, uppermost in his own 
mind, instead of putting it in the gender 
and number required by strict grammatical 
rule. We have two examples similar to 
this in Mw. xi. 81, Manus quos, and 172, 
tropaea quos, on which see Notes. See also 
^u. i. 7 •,Jides -And quern, Mn.iv. 597. Some 
explain these phrases by putting in eorum 
or eju^, but such expletives are unnecessary. 
Certain editors punctuate after saltern, .so 
as to join potius to tne next clause, but this 
is not to be approved of. 

72. Detexere — " to finish the weaving, 
(plaiting; of." J/oto'— "pliant." 

73. ^7i«»i Alexin, i.e., another boy equally 
beautiful as Alexis, implying that there are 
many such. Alter in such a phrase means 
equal ; alius means like, similar. So in 2En. 
vi. 89, our poet says alius Achilles. 



ECLOGUE III. 

This Eclogue was written, according to the critics, in the beginning of the summer of 
A.u.c. 712; it is foi-med on the model of Theocritus, Idyll, iv. and v. Two shepherds 
Slenalcas and Damoetas contend, after the manner of Sicilian and Arcadian swains, about 
their excellence in the poetic art, Palaemon being appointed umpire. The object of the 
Eclogue is to exalt Virgil's friend, Pollio, as a good poet, and as the patron of good poets, 
and to satirise the worthless pretenders, Bavius and Maevius, the detractors of Virgil. 

The poet has chosen the Amoebaean (i.e., "Responding") couplet as best suited to his 
purpose; because (1.), by this means two are made to speak, and Virgil's individuality is 
the better concealed ; (2.) Our author is better able to attack with A'cheraence his detrac- 
tors, since he speaks by others; and (3.), in Amoebaeany&x&e,, it is not necessary to adhere 
closely to the same subject, but the rival poets may vary their discourse and its topic in- 
definitely: thus it is competent for Virgil not only to expose the insipidities of Maevius 
and Bavius, but also to extol the merits of Pollio. 

The rules of Amoebaean verse wgxq— First, that the respondent should reply in the 
same verses and metre as his rival ; and Secondly, that he should say something either 
the contrary of his predecessor's statement, or more pretty, or what should in some way 
surpass it. Such improvisatori are still men of note in Italy. See " The Improvisatore," 
by Hans Christian Andersen. 



1. Cujum. This adj. cujus, — a, — um, used 
for the gen. of the pron. qui, quae, quod, 
had become obsolete in Virgil's time, and 
was employed principally and almost solely 
by the lower orders and the rural popula- 
tion. A7i expresses considerable doubt, — 
" It is not that of Meliboeus, is it?" 

2. Aegon was a shepherd, and Damoetas 
seems to have been, not a slave, but a friend 
to whom Aegon had for a short time en- 
trusted his flock. 

3. /»/eto—" luckless flock." Ipse, Aogon 
himself; Neaera, his flame. 

4. i^oref—" fondles," "caresses." .Ac is 
used for the more common, but less em- 
phatic atque. This conjunction (ac) has 
been banished from the light and trivial 
Eclogue, and figures only in what is staid 
and sedate. In the BucoUcs ac is found only 
twice, here and at iv. 9. See our Epitome 
of Wagner's Quaest. Virg. xxxv. 4. 

5. AlienvLS is used, because Damoetas was 
not the owner of the sheep, nor had he that 
interest iu them which even a rciiular ser- 

12 



vant would have had. Eic puts the sub- 
stitute, Damoetas, strongly in contrast with 
the proprietor, Aegon. The cut represents 
a sliepherd with liis goats, dog, and hut. 




6. Sucus is most properly spelled with 
one c, as beuig derived from Sugere. Note 



ECL. III. 7-11. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. III. 12-17. 



the hiatus, pecori et, and see Note Eel. ii. 
•53. The hiatus is admitted in the dat. sing. 
oftheSdDecl. in Geo. i. 4; iii. 155; .^n. 
iiL 74. etc. 

7. Damoetas replies to the insults of Men- 
alcas, by hinting at certain breaches of 
morality which the latter was guilty of; 
and by reminding him that "people who 
liveinglass houses shoiildnot throw stones." 

Viris is emphatic, — "to men" and not 
effeminate scamps like you. The plural of 
nouns is often used to denote him who is of 
the Jiumber, or in the condition of those who 
are called by that particular name. Wag-u. 
Cf. ^n. iii. 488 ; vii. 359. 

8. The verb (probably corruperif) to which 
qui is subject, is intentionally omitted, the 
unwillingness on the part of Damoetas to 
express the full enormity of the offence 
making the sting of the taunt still more 
keen and galling. 

Wagner interprets transversa tuentibus, 
" looking away. " When we consider, how- 
ever, (1), the peculiar propensity of he- 
goats, (2), the literal meaning of i;ran.5?;er.?<7, 
"aslant," " askance;" and (3), the circum- 
stance that transversa is the plur. number, 
and not the adverb transverse, which we 
might expect, we seem to be confined to 
the translation ''the very he-goats looked 
askance:" " When the very he-goats (were 
ashamed to look straight and steadily at 
you, and in consequence) cast stolen glances 
askance," (for they did not like to be de- 
prived of the sight altogether). Obseiwe 
the peculiar force of transvej'sa (sidelong 
glances) as opposed to transverse, which 
would imply merely the manner of looking, 
without any reference to repetition or the 
number of looks. 

9. Sacello,\.e., a cave sacred to the Nymphs 
as their shrine. See JEn. L 168. Faciles, 
We use "easy" in a similar sense, "not 
strict In morality." 

10. Menalcas replies in that common 
ironical form of attributing to himself a 
crime which the other has committed: 
"Oh! that was just at the time, I suppose, 
when they (the Nymphs) saw me hacking 
the gi'ove of Micon," &c. By arbmtum 
would seem to be meant the trees on Avhicli 
the \ines were trained, so that the full- 
grown vines would be injm-ed at the same 
time. The malice of Damoetas is farther 
shown by his cutting the smaller and 
younger ones also, (the novellas.) On Turn 
and Tunc, see our Epitome of Wagner's 
Quaest. Virg. sxv. 

11. The Falx was of different shapes, ac- 
cording to the purposes for which it was 
intended. The first fig-ure in the woodcut 
represents the corn sickle; the second the 
common hedge-bill, or bill-hook, for trees 
and hedges; the third, the vine-dresser's 
pruning hook, which was the most compli- 
cated of all. Vine pruning was a nice ope - 
ration, and required a perfect and multiform 
instrument on account of the different posi- 
tions into which a vine shoot might throw 
itself or be trained. Hence this last form 
of the /a?:r exhibits many edges; that "im- 
mediately above the handle was termed 



cuUer, the coulter; the cui-ved one beyond, 
sin us, the bend or hollow ; the edge between 
the hollow and the point, scalprum, the 
knife ; the hook itself, rostrum, the beak : 
the projecting spike beyond, mv^ro, the 
point; and the lunated edge at the back, 
securis, the axe." Rich. The malice of the 
man is transferred to the knife {mala falce). 





12. Damoetas does not stay to contradict 
the statement of Menalcas, but goes on to 
bring an accusation of a similar character 
against him, in that he broke the bow (ar- 
cum, see ^n. v. 501,) and arrows (calamos, 
which the shepherds used in hunting, or 
in defending then' flocks) of Daplinis out of 
envy. 

13. Ob.serve quae in the neut. gender, 
though its antecedents arcum and calamus 
are both masc: The translation, "which 
things" will readily suggest the explana- 
tion of the irregularity. Puero, Le., Daphnis. 
Et, "both." Perverse, "malignant," "un- 
natural," Le., turned out of the common 
way. 

15. Aliqua, scil., via or ratione, as is vul- 
garly said. But caution should be observed 
in filling out phrases apparently defective; 
and in this case such an expletive is unne- 
cessary, since, as is well known, in Greek 
and Latin fem. adjectives are constantly 
used for substantives denoting way or man- 
ner. 

16. Quid domini faciant, &c. According 
to Spohn and Voss, the meaning is, " when 
this thieving hireling dares to utter such 
things against me, Avhat will not his mas- 
ter, my rival for the charms of Neaera, do?" 
Wagner interprets, " when thieving slaves 
attempt such barefaced robberies upon 
others, what are then- own masters to ex- 
pect, whose property is more hi their 
power?" From this Forbiger disagrees in 
two respects. First, in taking domini as 
'■'■ oicners of flocks and farms," and not of 
slaves; and Secondly, in considering /«re 5 
as thieves in general, not "thieving hire- 
lings." Fures is certainly often put for 
slaves, but we have supposed, in Note on 
line 2 above, that Damoetas was not a slave. 
The meaning woiild then be, " what are 
the owners of flocks to do, when thievish 
men make such daring robberies," i.e., what 
are the possessors of property to do, if they 
are not safe even from their neighbours, 
possessors like themselves?" 

17. Non is stronger in this kind of inter- 

13 



ECL. Ill 19-27. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. III. 28-40. 



rogation than nonne. Lycisca, the name of 
the Tvatcli-do?. 

19. Ille — " that fellow," strongly calling 
attention to him. Tityi'us was the slave of 
Damon, or at least a person in charge of 
liis flock. Cogepecus, " collect your flock," 
(which had been straggling, it seems.) and 
thus have it all under your eye. "And when 
I cried out, Where is that scoundrel taking 
himself off" to ? Tityrus collect your flock, 
you skulked behincl the reeds," (proper I3', 
the "forest of reeds," or "reed grove." 

21. The first part of the reply is sup- 
pressed. It would be something like this : 
"Don't accuse me of theft; I was merely 
taking my own — for why did he not pay 
me," &a 

22. On^siwZa, see EcL i. 2. Fistula mer- 
uisset carminibus, i.e., " my song, in which 
I accompanied myself with the fistula." 
They were wont to play on the fistula be- 
tween tlie several parts or stanzas of the 
song. The phrase is simQar, therefore, to 
that in Eel. viii. 21, (where see Note). 
Incipe Maenalios mecum., mea tibia, versus. 
Spohn. 

•23. Sinescis. "If you don't really know 
it, (I must tell you) that goat was mine." 
How similar is our own phrase ! 

24. Eedde?'e posse negabat, " He said he 
could not pay it to me," for if he had, it 
would have been a public acknowledgement 
that he was defeated. The private confes- 
sion was a sufficient humiliation. 

25. Cantando tu ilium (vicisse te ais, or 
vicisti, taken from the preceding victis) 
'■'■you conquer Mm in singing, forsooth!" 
" Now (just tell me) had you ever in your 
possession a pipe cemented with Avax? 
Were not you Avont, you ignoramus, stand- 
ing in the cross-ways, shockingly to murder 
a wretched tune on a squeaking straw?" 

27. Stridenti is here in an adjectival and 
not in a participial sense, and therefore ter- 
minates in i, not e ; it is equal to stridula, 
that is, it means that the general character 
of the straw is squeaky, and not that the 
stipula was in the act of squecdcing ^nst then. 
Stipula is used with contempt, meaning a 
^stula of only one stalk, as compared with 
the Pandean pipe, composed of many. See 
Eel. i. 2. 

Disperdere means to scatter and mangle 
an object in such a way that it shall not be 
known, or that none of it shall be left; 
" shockingly to murder" the tune, as we 
say. 

Miserum Spohn is inclined to take as 
equal to i»/e//.r, ^'■luckless." "unfortunate" 
in having so bad a performer, and not as 
meaning "wretchedly bad" in itself But 
we submit that very much of the point is 
lost if we suppose the tune a good one; and 
moreover the poet is made inconsistent 
with himself; whereas the tauut is ren- 
dered much more severe by stating that 
the would-be musician knows nothing but 
wretched tunes, and that he ''murders" 
even these ; and besides, the term indoctus 
used in the preceding line, would imply 
that good tunes were unknown to this cross- 
roads performer. 

14 



28. Vicissim, "in turn," meaning here 
amoebaean verse, as we see ; but in Eel. v. 
50, the same word means simply one co?«irt(/ 
after the other, without any restriction such 
as amoebaean verse imposed. See intro- 
ductory remarks to this Eclogue. 

29. Vitula, i.e., juvenca, as the next line 
shows. So puer for jut enis; and virgo for 
mat7'ona. The vi'.ulus or vitula was a young 
animal of the ox breed, still under a year 
old; after a year the tQvmjuvencus ox juvenca 
was employed. 

Ne forte recuses, i.e., to prevent the chance 
of your refusing the contest on any excuse 
as to the smallness and worthlessness of 
the stake. 

30. Bines fetus — it is a great rarity among 
cattle to have t^vins, and therefore tlie 
stake was the more valuable. Deponere or 
ponere, "put doAvn," to "stake." So 
y.a.'ra.Tif-.Ma.i, or Ipit^uv (Theocr. v. 24). 

32. 7'eram- "like you," "asyoudo." In 
the next line, injusta {harsh, severe, unrea- 
sonable,) is ro be predicated oi pater asi well 
as oinoverca. 

34. Bisque, i.e., once in the morning, and 
again in the evening, Que is here an ex- 
pletive, and when as such it connects sen- 
tences, it is equal to et praeterea, et sic, or 
et ita ; Avhen it couples single words, it is 
equal to id est. 

Alter — •' one or other of them." 

35. Jd quod — " a stake which ;" this is 
in apposition to pocula. Id is rather super- 
fluous here. 

06. Insanire — "to play the fool," the 
speaker hinting that he himself is sure to 
come off Aictorious. 

Pocula is in the plural, because two cups 
ai'c doubtless meant, it being a customaiy 
thing for such drinking vessels to go in 
pau's, one to be used for the water, and an- 
other for the Avine. The pair here spoken 
of AA'ere of beech, as suited the poA-erty of 
the owner; and were ornamented Avith 
raised work to enhance their value. Who 
Alcimedon Avas is not knoAvn ; the name is 
probably coined for the occasion. 

38. Lenta, &c.— "To Avhich (cups) a- 
pliant Adne being superadded by the easily 
moving lathe, clothes (with its foliage) the 
clustering berries, put forth cA-crywhere in 
profusion by the pale ivy." The meaning 
is, that on each cup there Avas carved in rc- 
Z/e/ a A-ine entwining its branches AAith an 
ivy, and covering with its foliage the ivy 
benies which grew in rich profusion. The 
epithet pallens means, as Martjii thinks, 
the yellow-berried Iap^, used for garlands to 
croAA-n poets, &c., the edges of whose leaA'es 
are almost a Avhite colour. 

40. In medio— an open space over which 
the ivy and vine do not creep, is left on the 
cup for the two figures here mentioned. 
Conon was a famous mathematician and 
astronomer about the time of Ptolemy 
Philadelphus: he Avas the intimate friend 
of Archimedes, who often makes mention 
of him. Quis fuit alter — most probably 
Eudoxus of Cnidus, the astronomer, wlio 
liA-ed about 3C6 e.g. 



ECL. III. 41-53. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. III. 54-02. 



41. Radio— the geometrician's rod, with 
which he traced figures on the sand- 
covered table. Obsen'e tlie construction 
(lescripsit orbem, quae tempora, <fcc., i.e., 
the change of object from a simple accus. to 
an hidefiiiite clause. The device of the 
reaper and ploughman was entirely suitable 
for the cups of such an owner. The bend- 
ing attitude of the ploughman gives rise to 
the epithet curvus, — 

"Incumbent o'er the shining share." — 
Thomson, 

45. Damoetas boasts that lie possesses 
two cups also, the work of the same artist ; 
they, however, are ornamented with the 
acanthus leaves, which sm-round and em- 
brace the handles. There were two kinds 
of acanthus, the prickly and the smooth ; 
the latter seems to be here meant. "It 
grows to about two feet in height, and is 
covered from the middle of the stem to the 
top with fine large white flowers, slightly 
tinged witli yellow. The leaves are large, 
soft, deeply cut, hairy, and shming, and 
surround the lower part only of the stalk. ' 
Circum is an adverb. 

Ansa is used in a great many senses, like 
our own word "handle," but here to such 
a handle as is represented in the illustration. 




46. Orphea, &c. This has reference to 
the well-known fable, that Orpheus drew 
after him the woods by the power of his 
music. 

48. Si spectas, &c.— " If you look to (Le., 
reflect on the value of) the heifer, you have 
no gromid for praising your cups," in com- 
parison to her. 

49. Numquam effugieshodie. These words 
are uttered by Menalcas on the supposition 
that Damoetas, by midervaluing the cups, 
wishes to avoid the contest. Obsei-ve nun- 
quam used for non, but with a much stronger 
force. You will on no pretence whatever. 
Never is vulgarly used in this sense. See 
Mn. IL 670. Nunqnum omnes hodie morie- 
mur inulti. 

Quocunque — "on whatever stake you 
please ;" only, he adds, let an umpn-e be 
appomted, " even him who comes, lol it is 
Palaemon." Ecce (compounded of en and 
ce. See Hand. Tui-sell ii. p. 343 sqq.) does 
not require to have a punctuation mark 
before and after it, as some editors point. 

52. Siqiiidhabes — "if you have a song 
in you." Necfugio quemquam, Le., I do not 
shun a contest either with you or any one 
else. 

53. V'icine Palaemon. Damoetas "speaks 
fair" to Palaemon, to enlist his favour. Cf. 
Ter. Heaut. L 1 , 5, vicinitas Quod ego in pro- 
pinqna parte amicitiae puto. 



54. Res non est parva — "The reward of 
victory (Le., the vitula) is by no means 
small." Damoetas must here have pointed 
to the heifer, for Palaemon could not other- 
wise have understood what the res was, as 
he shows he does in 109. 

55. Dicite, i.e., canite, for dicere is often 
used in this sense. 

Quandoquidem consedimus. "Now that 
we have sat do-\vn (are seated) on the soft 
grass. 

56. Cf. Bion, Idyll, vi. 17. il!^pt Tuvroc 
y^vii, -TTo.'j'T liapos a^icc. (hXccffnT. Ob- 
sen-e arbos, the antique form. 

59. Alternis, i.e., in amoebaean verses. 
See Note on vicissim, line 28. With amant 
cdterna Camenae, comp. Horn. IL i. 604: 
and Odyss. sxiv. 60. 

Camenae (or Camoenae) quasi Canenae, 
from canere, m and n being exchanged as 
frequently. So say Ser^'ius, Festus, &c. 
Doederlein thinks it is deriv^ed by Syncope 
fi'om caninwenae (canere), as amoenusirova 
animoenus. AndVoss thinks it syncopated 
from carmenae. 

60. The praises of Jove were a favourite 
subject for the ancients. See the phaeno- 
mena of Aratus at beginning. Theocr. v. 
80-83, and xviL 1 ; also, Pind. Nem. iL at 
beginning.— Heyne. See also OAad Met. 
X. 148. Observe ab and not a before Jove, 
and see Epitome of Wagu. Quaest. Virg. i. 

Some commentators think they discover 
in these lines the germs of certain subtle 
stoical doctrines as to the nature of the 
Deity and the mundus, but we consider 
such philosophical abstruseness altogether 
foreign to the nature of a light and playful 
Idyll such as this, and incompatible with 
the character of an ignorant shepherd; and 
we believe, therefore, that the meaning 
simply is, that in nature there are proofs of 
a superintending power ; that as that power 
seems to take especial pleasure m mani- 
festing himself in rural objects, so he will 
not disregard the song of a humble rustic. 

62. Et me Phoebus aurat — As Damoetas 
had saidnothmg of Phoebus loving him, we, 
cannot suppose that et is meant to imply 
that Menalcas so understood his rival. Et 
me is therefore to be translated : " and me, 
on my part;" or "well, (if Jove loves you,) 
Phoebus favom's me." We ought not to 
say "me also," unless, indeed, we consider 
that the phrase is a shortened one for " Et 
me Lii curaM, nam Phoebus (me) amat;"' 
"I also am not neglected by the gods, for 
Phoebus favours and helps me. This gains 
confirmation from the parallel passage of 
Theocritus, v. SO, which see. 

Sua munera — "his favourite gifts;" the 
laurel, on account of Daphne, and the 
hyacinth, on account of Hyacinthus. Da- 
phne, the daughter of Peneus, was beloved 
by Apollo, and was metamoi-phosed into a 
lam-el, the change being made at her own re- 
quest. Hyacinthus was a beautiful boy, of 
whom Zephyrus and Apollo were at the 
same time enamoured: he was -slain by a 
quoit, and from his blood the flower hva- 
1-5 



ECL. III. S4-7 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. III. 77-S 



cinth was said to have sprung. See Clas- 
sical Dicty. 

64. This and the next nine couplets of an 
amatory strain are not supposed to refer to 
the love affairs of the rivals themselves; 
but they are fictions, either invented for 
the occasion, or borro%yed from some un- 
known source. MaJo petit — The apple was 
sacred to Venus, and consequently had 
much to do with love matters. To present 
an apple to one was a mark of affection ; 
so, also, to partake of an apple with a per- 
son, or to strike him with it. 

65. Ante, i.e., before she be concealed by 
the shrubbery. 

66. As Damoetas had boasted of a lady 
love, so Menalcas, to outstrip him, claims 
the affection of two loves : the boy Arayn- 
tas, and the girl Delia. Mens ignis— ''my 
flame." 

Sese offert ulti'0—T\\is is again to outdo 
Damoetas, who spoke of Galatea running 
away, though she, nevertheless, gave him 
an opportunity of knowing her whereabouts. 
So, in the next line, he hints that Delia's 
visits to his hut are so frequent, as that she 
is now quite well known to his dogs, as is 
Amyntas also. 

68. Damoetas, to exalt Galatea, calls her 
Venus. Ipse — " with my own hand." Sec 
Wagn. Quoest. Virg. xviii. Aeriae — "high 
building." Congessere — "made their nests." 
The palumbes were sacred to Venus: the 
word is usually raasc, except with the 
poets. 

71. Aurea mala — These are the common 
apple, but choice specimens, selected witli 
care. They were not quinces, for these 
grow in gardens, and on low trees. They 
were not citrons, wliich were of Median 
growth, and not to be found wild in Italy. 
Oranges were not Imown to the ancients. 
Besides, the passage of Theocritus, which 
is here imitated, has f^^>^c6 only, without 
ad adj. Aurea is therefore merely ornativc. 

Altera, sciL decern. 

73. Referatis. Ye winds, bear part of 
these her sweet words to the gods, i.e., her 
words were so delightfid as to be suited for 
the ears of the gods. 

74. Ipse is strongly restrictive, applying 
to somethmg looked at by itself The 
meaning is — as far as j-our mind is con- 
cerned, I knoAv I am loved by you ; but I 
fail to discover that practical proof of affec- 
tion which I desire, for you can be without 
me — you can go away and hunt, and allow 
me to remain and watch the nets and prey. 
The person who thus abode by the nets 
was called X/voctt?;? in Greek. 

76. On one's birth-day it was lawful to 
indulge the genius and the passions; but 
the ambarvalia to which he invites lollas 
was a sacred and pure festival ; — to pollute it 
was unholy. In the private ambarvalia 
here spoken of, the victim was led three 
times romid the fields befoi'e the sickle was 
put into the crops, tlie husbandmen and 
their servants following with dancing and 
singing, and the offering of libations in 
honour of Ceres, Bacchus, the Lares, or 

16 



some rural deities. See Eamsay's, or other 
Text Book of Antiquities. 

77. Observe /a cfam in the sense of " offer 
sacrifice." So tf^nv, and f>iZ,iiv are used, 
par excellence, in Greek. 

78. Since in amoebaean verse the respond- 
ing couplet must be somewhat similar (see 
introductory remarks) to the preceding 
couplet, Menalcas here speaks, not in his 
own name, but for lollas. 

79. Longum vale, "a long-drawn fare- 
well," referring to the tone in which it was 
uttered, and not to apprehensions as to the 
duration of his absence, though longum vale 
may bear this meaning. On the shortening 
of the final syllable of the first vale, and on 
the hiatus, see Eel. ii. 53, Note. 

30. Triste lupus stahulis. This construc- 
tion is veiy common in Greek, as the 
Homeric ohx, aya,6ov •proXuxoipavt'/j will 
remind all. Virgil's varium et mutabile 
semper femina, and his nee sopor illud erat 
are similar, but not exactly the same. These, 
however, are not violations of the rule that 
" an adjective agrees with its substantive," 
but the neut. adj. is used as a substantive 
in apposition. Such phrases are common 
in aU languages, and it will readily be per- 
ceived that much force is lent to the expres- 
sion, by adopting the apparent anomaly. 

THstis, like our '■'sad," or "sorry, "is often 
employed to mean "noxious," "detrimen- 
tal," "bad." 

82. Observe duke humor, and see fore- 
going note. 

Z)e//2<?*/5— "weaned," i.e., driven from the 
milk and from the dam. Arbutus — Called 
the "wild strawberry" by some. Its fruit 
is like the strawberry. On feto, see Note, 
Eel. i. 50. 

84. PoUio, i.e., Asinius Pollio, the states- 
man, orator, and poet, the patron of Horace 
and Virgil. For est, some books read sit, 
but quamvis, though joined to the subj. 
mood by Cicero, is frequently found with 
the indie, in other writers of the Augustan 
age. 

85. Pierides—T'hG Muses were so called 
from Pieria, a distiict of Macedonia, near 
Mt. Olympus, where (Hesiod, Theog. 53^ 
they were brought forth by Mnemosyne, 
and where they first received divine hon- 
ours. 

Pascite vitulam lectori, i.e., prepare a heifer, 
to be sacrificed in honour of the safe return 
of PoUio from his Dalmatic campaign. 

86. iVbi'd— "new," "strange," "extraor- 
dinary," "unrivalled," i.e., such as we have 
not known before. Voss and Wagner in- 
terpret nova carmina as those in which 
new subjects are handled. 

88. Qui te, dr. — This line may be inter- 
preted in two waj's: first, as referrhig to 
the general happiness and prosperity of 
PolUo, which the next verse more particu- 
larly sets forth : secondly, as applying solely 
to poetic inspiration and success. 

90. This is, of course, said in contrast to 
the speech of Damoetas, and means, "let 
him wlio has so little taste as to admire the 
poetry of Bavins, be condemned to listen to 



Ecu in. 91-105. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



ECL. III. 106-111. 



a Maevius." These two individuals were 
obscure and absurd poets, who showed 
their enmity to Horace, Virgil, PoUio, &c. 

91. Jungere vuJpes — "to yoke foxes to 
the plough," and mulgere hircos — "to milk 
he-goats," were proverbial expressions to 
denote any very foolish thing, and are here 
put in opposition to the good luck and pros- 
perity indicated in hue 89. The proverbs 
are borrowed from the Greek. 

92. The following couplets are sung at 
random, and have no coimection viiiii the 
foregoing parts. 

94. Parcite procedere, i.e., cavete ne pro- 
cedatis. As Damoetas warns the youths of 
danger, so, in reply, Menalcas guards his 
sheep against the risk of approaching ♦'oo 
near the mouldering and undermined brV..k 
of the river. 

96. Reice, contracted for rejice, as eicit for 
ejicit. This synaeresis is less offensive when 
we remember that the ancients wrote these 
compounds oijacere with one t. Voss thinks 
that rejicere is used because the crvok was 
flung at the sheep to drive them back. But 
this is niniia subtilitas. 

98. Praeceperit—" shall have anticipated, " 
Le., dried up the dregs before the shepherd 
milk his flock. 

102. Menalcas, in reply to Damoetas, al- 
leges that his flock too are becoming lean, 
but as it cannot be love that is the cause 
with lambs, he hints that an evil eye has 
"blinked" them. 

105. The contest concludes by two enig- 
mas, the interpretation of which has given 
great trouble to the learned. The first is 
t;aid, on the evidence of Asconius Pediauus, 
and Coniificius (who had it from Virgil 
himself,) quoted by Servius and Philargy- 
rius, to mean the grave of a certain Man- 
tuan, called Coelius, who, after squander- 
ing all his property, reserved to himself 
only the spot where he was to be buried. 
This, it seems, was not more than tliree 
ells. The v^hole point of the enigma turns 
on the identity in form of the gen. otcoeliini, 
"heaven," and the contracted form of the 
genitive of Coelius, which is Coeli. The 
joke wa« likely a common one in Mantua 
at the time. This explanation will, for 
many reasons, recommend itself to our fa- 
vour. Of the "thousand and one " others, 
it is unnecessary to speak at length. Some 
say the grotto of Posilipo, near Naples ; 
others, a well at Syene; others, any deep 
well whence only three ells of the sky could 



be seen; others, a Sicilian cave; others, a 
pit in the heart of Rome, called Mundus ; 
others, a gold mine ; but we need not pro- 
ceed. 

Observe that quam is omitted after c?«- 
plius. 

106. Inscripti nomina—A. beautiful hoy, 
Hyacinthus, having been accidentally slain 
by Apollo, was by that deity turned into a 
hyacinth, on which the letters AI were in- 
scribed as the permanent emblems of the 
god's lamentation. From the blood of 
Ajax, too, when he had slain himself, the 
same flower sprung up: hence, as both 
were the sons of kings, we have them 
called princes, regum. Thus A< is the 
interjection, and also forms the two first 
letters of the name Ai«j. On the syn- 
tax of this "accusative of reference or 
limitation," see Notes on EcL i. 55, and ^u. 
i. 228. Remark, however, that in this case 
this, passive participle is used, in a middle 
sense, [of a person (or thing) who has done 
something to himself,'] as an active verb with 
an accusative; "having inscribed themselves 
with the names of princes." 

109. This and the next line have caused 
much disputation among learned men ; but 
we need not follow out their verbose explan- 
ations. The simple meaning seems to be, 
" Thou, Menalcas, art not only worthy of 
the heifer as thy reward, but he, Damoetas, 
deserves to retain it as his property for his 
superior skilL" 

110. This line seems hopelessly without 
sense or connection, and many attempts 
have been made to give it some appearance 
of meaning. With the reading aut, aut, 
the interpretation of Servius is in our opi- 
nion to be preferred; "Both you are 
worthy of the heifer, and he — and [all per- 
sons similarly situated] every one who shall 
either fear sweet love [Uke Damoetas, see 
lines 64, 68, 72, 76], or experience bitter 
love " [like Menalcas, see lines 66, 70, 74, 
78, 106]. Wagner reads haud — aut; and 
Forbiger (from a conjecture of Graser's), 
Haud— Haud ; but both these modes afford 
a very harsh meaning, and fail to establish 
a direct connection with the foregoing 
clauses. Heyne considers the lines spuri- 
ous, and would delete them altogether. 

111. Claudite may either be taken liter- 
ally, as applied to the closing of the sluices, 
to prevent further irrigation, or it may be 
used figuratively, signifying to stop the 
fountains of song. 



ECLOGUE IV. 

Italy had been afflicted with many and great calamities from the following causes: — 
the division of the lands (see EcL i.) ; the enmity between the partizans of Antony and 
Octavianus; the war of Perusia, arising from that enmity; and the famine which was 
brought on in consequence of provisions being intercepted by the fleet of Antony. This 
being the case, the treaty of Brundusium, u.c. 714, which made peace between Antony 
and Octavianus, was all the more joyfully hailed by the country, now tired of civil broils. 
In arranging the terms of this treaty, Antony had employed Asinius PoUio, who shortly 
afterwards returned to Rome, and entered on his consulship, a son being born to him 
B 17 



EcL. IV. 1-5. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. IV. 6-10. 



about the same time. For a considerable period, people had been expecting a new age 
of the world to begin, and of this idea Virgil takes advantage, in order to laud his friend 
Pollio, and to represent him as ushering in the joyous era, by being the means of reliev- 
ing Italy from her long-continued misfortunes. 

We cannot agree with those commentators who wish to find in this Eclogue a prophecy 
of the coming of Christ. The arguments against such a supposition are too strong to be 
resisted ; and we know that the Roman poets introduced Jewish subjects merely to ridi- 
cule them. See Horace, Juvenal, &c. It cannot be denied that many expressions in 
the Eclogue present a remarkable similarity to scriptural phrases and prophetical 
announcements, but we are not justified in going farther than a supposition that Virgil 
may [or even mu^t] have heard of the expectations of the Jews, as to the changes to be 
brought about by the appearance of the Messiah, and that he borrowed some of the 
beautiful ideas ind imagery of the prophets to glorify his friend and patron, Pollio. But 
even this supposition is unnecessary, as we know that in almost all ancient nations there 
were anticipations of a "good time coming," when the land should bring forth spontane- 
ously, when the serpent'should cease to be noxious, and when all violence and wickedness 
should disappear from earth. 

The view we have given in the first paragraph is that of SerAius, Wagner, and others. 
There is, however, another individual besides the son of Pollio, to whom it has been thought 
the Eclogue is more applicable, viz., Marcellus, son of Octavia, the sister of Octavianus, 
and wife of Antony. In the year 714, Marcellus was born, and so long as he lived, was 
the great hope and favourite of the Roman people. It is not, then, very likely, it is said, 
that a court poet of so consummate tact as Virgil, would have praised any child but a 
Cffisar, in the manner in which he here does. If, therefore, we take the person intended to 
be Marcellus, there is a compliment paid to Oclavianus and Antony, Octavia and Pollio. 
But Marcellus would appear to have been born nearly two years before tlie date of the 
Eclogue, which is almost a fatal objection to the hypothesis. The subject is beset on all 
s'des wdth difficulties and inconsistencies ; and in such a case, we must be content with 
the theory which presents the fewest objections ; that we believe to be the cue first 
mentioned. 



1. The Muses invoked are called Sicelides, 
as Bucolic poetry is said to have had its 
origin in Sicily. Theocritus, the great ni as- 
ter in this kind of composition was a Sici- 
lian. Sicelis, which is properly a substan- 
tive is, as an equivalent for Sicula, confined 
to the poets. Similar are, Libysiis ursa, 
Dardanides maires, &c. 

Paulo majora canamus. So Pope in his 
" Messiah," which was written in imitation 
of this Eclogue, says : 

To heavenly themes subhmer strains 
belong. 

3. Silvae sint conmie dignae, i.e., If we 
sing of woodland subjects let it be in such 
strains as shall be worthy of a Consul's ear. 

4. Ultima aetas, i.e., the tenth age or 
period of the world's duration, as sung by 
the Sybil, after which a golden age was 
again to be ushered in, and all things to be 
glorious and happy as at first. There were 
ten Sybils, according to ancient legends, 
but the most famous of them was she of 
Cumae. This one came from the east, and 
she it was who presented the prophetic 
books to Tarquhiius Superbus. See Smith's 
Dicty. of Antiq. on '■'■ SibyUini LiOri," and 
our Note on ^n. vi. 10. 

o. Magnuxord-o. This is the great -4??ra?« 
Mundanus of the astrologers, which was to 
embrace many thousands of years, and was 
to be completed when the sun, moon, and 
constellations returned to their first posi- 
tions. This notion was received among 
the Greeks by the Platonic and Stoic philo- 
sophers, and was from them spread among 
the Romans; and even in the Sybilline 
books, the idea was reproduced, and the 
year divided into ten menses (or saecula) of 
unequal length, each of which was marked 
by some remarkable portents. "" 

18 



of these was now running, as they believed, 
and was near its close, so that they ex- 
pected a new order of things to begin im- 
mediatdy. Ab integro — so in the same 
sense de integro and e.r integro. Note that 
the middle syllable of integro is lengthened, 
though in thesis. 

6. Virgo, i.e., A/x>) or Justitia, also called 
Astraea. See Ovid, Met. L 150; Ultima 
coelestuin terras Astraea reliquit. Cf. Geo. 
ii. 474. 

In the reign of Saturn, according to an- 
cient Italian fables, the golden age was en- 
joyed with all its pleasures, and even in later 
days the memory of those happy times was 
preserved by the Saturnalia. Observe the 
repetition of the verb redire (redeunt) instead 
of the conjunction. The poets are fond of 
this vivid mode of expression when the 
same verb applies to two subjects or objects, 
the same adjective to two substs., or the 
same adverb to two verbs. 

7. Nova progenies seems to apply, not to 
the boy to be born, or lately bom., but to the 
new race which is now to people the earth. 

8. NascentimiXY mean either "just now 
born," or "recently born;" but nascendus 
or nasciturus, " about to be born " Taken, 
however, with fare, Lucina, it may here 
mean dum nascitur, and thus apply to 
what is about to take place immediately. 
The puer we prefer to consider the son of 
Pollio, Asinius Gallus; but see introduction. 
Quo, i.e., cvjus ortu. Gens aurea, i.e., the 
race of the golden age. 

10. Ludna,\.G.,^i^^'i^vicx,, thegoddesswho 
presided over births. She is confounded 
with Juno and Diana. The name is by 
some derived from lux, "the bringer to 
light ;" and by others, from Lucus, because 
The tenth her worship was anciently celebrated hi a 



EcL. IV. 11-18. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. IV. 20-30. 



grove at Rome, Tuvs Apollo, i.e., Thy own 
brother. Apollo, is the presiding deity in 
this the tenth saeculum. Each of the ten 
menses was, by the Sybil's arrangement, 
under the will of its own especial divinity. 
Some have thought that by Apollo, 
Augustus is here meant, for he was some 
times called Apollo, or the son of Apollo. 
But the objection to this is, that these 
honours had not yet been conferred on 
hjm. 

11. Hoc decus aevi, i.e., hoc decorum 
aevum. Deem does not refer to the puer, 
but is used like our word beauty in such a 
vulgarism as, "a beauty of a horse," i.e., a 
beautiful horse ; "this beauty of an age," 
i.e., this beautiful, glorious age. 

Adeo Wagner here reckons as equal to 
iam. adeo, or nunc adeo. But Hand, Tur- 
sell, i., p. 145, shows that this case is one of 
those iu which adeo is nearly equal to autetn, 
and in which it is used with a personal 
])ronoun to pass from one character to an- 
other, calling especial attention to the 
latter. 

Inibit is used absolutely, for incipiet, or 
some such word. 

12. Magni menses, i.e , not long months, 
but "grand," "noble," "memorable," as 
belonging- to the aurea aetas. 

1-3. Te duce — Those who object here that 
Pollio is too much lauded, when compared 
with Octavianus, will remember that at the 
date of this Eclogue the Roman people had 
not the slightest notion that the Roman 
world was to be ruled by one man, and that, 
too, Octavianus; and also, that the consul- 
ship was not then a "mockery, a snare, 
and a delusion," but a bona fide office of 
honour and of power. The scelus referred 
to is the enormity of the civil wars, of which 
there remains some trace in the doings of the 
yet unconquered Sextus Pompey, who was 
scouring the sea, and intercepting provi- 
sions. 

15. nie, the boy, viz., Gallus. Vitam 
deum — This refers to Hesiod's verses, ^? 
<rs ho) s^Mov, uscnVia 6v[A.h £_;^9vt£?, 
Noci^/x a.Tif T£ -Trovajv — "He will be seen 
by them," i.e., he wUl mix among theoi as 
one of themselves. 

16. Heroas — These were the sons of 
deities and human beings, who were sup- 
posed to be elevated to heaven, not merely 
in virtue of their genealogy, but more espe- 
cially for their deeds of bravery. 

17. Patriis virtutibus — "with aU his fa- 
ther's excellencies." The reference is, of 
course, to Pollio being instrumental in 
bringing about the foedus Brundusinum, 
and to the natural expectation that the son 
of such a benefactor to the state will one 
day be consul, and manage the Roman af- 
fairs with all his father's uprightness and 
abihty. Pacatum implies that the world 
had been otherwise than peaceful. Virtu- 
tibus may be governed by pacatum, but it is 
better to make it depend on r-eget. Cf. Pope's 
Messiah, line 19. 

18. Munuscula — "little gifts," as the first 
fruits of an incipient age, and as suitable 



for a child. Here floicers are the produce ; 
in line 28, fruits are assigned to his more 
manly age ; and lastly, line 39, the varied 
productions of earth, when he has reached 
full growth. 

Nullo cultu — Comp. Hesiod, "Works and 
Days, 118, x-ocpTov d 'i^ipi ^ttdupos apovpa 
ocuTo^oLT'/i, <^oXXov Ti HO.) a.(p9ovov. 

20. The bacchar is generally supposed to 
be the plant called "lady's glove." The 
coZocasta was a land of Egj'ptian bean, newly 
introduced into Italy; it was a great rarity, 
and its growth was a token of some happier 
age. The acanthus is what is now called 
the acacia, an Egyptian tree, from which 
gum-Arahic is obtained. 

21. Ipsae — "of their own accord." So 
ahrU is used for a.lrof/.cx.ro$ in Greek. 
This line seems to be in close connection 
with the follo\%'ing one, and to imply not 
only that the goats will come to the milk- 
ing unbidden, but that there will be no ne- 
cessity for herds to guard them agamst wild 
beasts, which will be all innocuous. 

23. Ipsa cunabula — "the very cradle." 
Blandos—^' soothing." 

24. Herba veneni, for herba venenata. So 
crateras olivi. Eel. v. 68. Ubera lactis, 
sanguinis paterae, &c. &c. 

25. ylmom?(m— This was a kind of Indian 
shrub, whose fruit was grape-like in shape, 
and of a most delightful scent. The valu- 
able spikenard ointment was made from it. 
The best species was found in Armenia, 
and the most worthless in Media and Pon- 
tus. Assyria is here used in a wide sense, 
for we have already seen (Eel. i. 66) that 
the poets are not very strict in their geo- 
graphical boundaries and appellations. 

26. Siniul-—simul atque. Parentis, i.e., 
Pollio; see Note on 17. Some books read 
parentum, which is a mere accommodation, 
to correspond with heroum^ 

27. Quae sit virtus, i.e., how great is the 
virtue (excellence) heroum et parentis. Ac- 
cording to the vulgar interpretation, this 
means thaf- the youth was now to begin to 
study the works of philosophers, so as to 
learn their precepts, and to familiarize him- 
self with discussions on virtue in the ab- 
stract : but had this been the sense, we 
should have had quid sit virtus. Besides, 
as Wagner remarks, poems and historj' 
were more suitable reading for an adole- 
scentulus than philosophical treatises. 

28. When the boy shall have advanced 
to incipient manhood, then the earth will, 
without cultivation, send forth the more 
solid productions of corn crops, the vine, 
and honey. Cf. Hor. Epod. xvi. 43. Molli 
is by some considered equal to tenera,flexili; 
by others to matura; but we agree >vith 
Voss, Wagner, &c., in taking it to mean 
"free from awns, or prickles;" there is to 
be no more "bearded grain," to remind one 
of spears and bristling battlements. 

Wagner considers that the position of 
MoUi, ns the first word of the line, is a proof 
that Virgil meant to express einphati:ally 
some new idea. 

30, "And abundance of honey (mella, 
19 



ECL. IV. 31-44. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. IV. 45-50. 



phir.) will distil from the bard oaks in dewy 
globules'' (roscida); i.e., will collect on the 
leaves like dew-drops, iiw^ens —" redden- 
ing." These indications of happiness and 
plenty, and of the favour of Heaven, have 
been common in all ages; and a "land flow- 
ing with milk and honey," where "a little 
honey" could be taken from the trees with 
"the tip of the rod" in one's hand, was re- 
presented as the peculiar blessing of God to 
his chosen people. 

31. It was the wickedness of man's heart 
that was supposed to lead him to brave the 
sea, and w-e learn from Horace (Od. i. 3, 9.) 
Avhat his opinion was of the desperado who 
first tempted its dangers. Thetis is put for 
tlie ocean, as Jupiter for heaven and the air, 
Ceres for corn and bread, Vulcan and Vesta 
for fire, &c., &c. 

33. Observe the infin. act. after jubeo, 
Avithout an accus. of the object. Cf. Eel. \i. 
85. 

34. The onward course of events in the 
new cycle is proceeded w-ith. Tiphy.?, the 
pilot of the ship Argo, in the Argonautic 
expedition. Heroas, viz., Hercules, Jason, 
Peleus, Telamon, Lj-nceus, &a 

37. Now when the boy has reached man's 
full estate, the golden age will be ushered 
in with aU its perfection, bliss, and happi- 
ness. All lands will produce even the 
luxuries of life, and thus men will 7io longer 
need to tempt the dangers of the ocean. 
The implements and operations of agricul- 
ture and othef occupations will be rendered 
unnecessary, and, in fine, all the miseries 
and hardships to wiiich our flesh is heir, 
will be banished from life. 

oS. Vector, i.e., nauta ; ipse, i.e, sua sponte. 
Pinit, put for a ship of pine wood. 

40. On the rostrum, see Geo. i. 164. This 
subst. is one of the abundantia nouns, hav- 
ing in the plur. both rastri and rastra. On 
falx consult Note, Eel. iii. 11. Ohsei've 
that Virgil here joins two substs. of different 
numbers, rastros, falcem, and see Epitome 
of Wagn. Quaest. Virg. ix. iL 2. 

41. Robustus as applied to arator in this 
connection seems an idle epithet, though it 
may be defended by similar uses in Lucre- 
tius and elsewhere. Some books read ro- 
bustis to agree with iauris in the dative 
(not the ablat.), and this we should prefer, 
as it brings out emphatically the contrast 
between things in their present state, and 
in the golden age, viz., what now takes the 
labour of even sturdy oxen, wiU then be ac- 
complished by the spontaneous action of the 
earth. Solvere governs the ablative when it 
means to " free from," but when it signifies 
to " take away, by loosing," it is followed 
by a dative. 

43. This is a novel idea — the sheep feed- 
ing on the rich pasture, will naturally as- 
sume in their fleeces those colours which are 
most sought after, and which men are at 
pains to dye into their cloths. 

44. On the murex, see Mn. iv. 262. 
Translate "But the ram will, of his own 
accord, change, (even while) in the meadows, 
the hue of his fleece, now with the sweetly- 

20 



blushing purple, now with the saffron-co- 
loured woold." 

45. Sandyx — "cinnabar," or "vermilion," 
or perhaps "madder." Pascentes, 'i.&., pa^. 
center se. This is an example of a transi- 
tive verb, with the reflexive pronoun omit- 
ted, becoming middle in meaning, (as it is 
caUed in Greek,) or neuter. This use is, 
however, confined to the. participle, and does 
not extend, except, perhaps, in a very rare 
case, to the finite verb. 

46. Talia saecla is made the vocative in 
the vulgai- interpretation, but it wall be seen 
that it is the spindks that are, and ougiit 
to be, addressed, and not the saecla. Make 
saecla, therefore, the accusative of dura- 
tion OF TIME, (or of SPACE THROUGH, if you 

will.) depending on currite, and translate 
"course on through such (glorious) ages."' 
On the Fusis, see Geo. iv. 348. 

47. Parcae— The Destinies were called by 
the Greeks Clothe, Lachesis, Atropos, and 
by the Romans, Nona, Decima, Morta. 
The word Parcae is said by some to be 
derived fi'om parco, on the "■lucits a non 
lucendo " principle, because they spare no 
one. The stem is certainly the same as 
that of parco, and this verb 7nay be the 
original ; but if so, they are called Parcae, 
rather because they are besought by men to 
SPARE life. Others (Van-o, &c.) derive it 
from partus and pario. 

49. Suboles—This, and the line preceding, 
are addressed to the son of Pollio, with en- 
thusiastic impatience, as if the poet, fore- 
seeing all the glorious things about to hap- 
pen, was unable to brook the delay which 
still retards the wished-for era. Deum, i.e., 
aliciijus dei, is put in the plur, for the sing., 
as is often the case when uncertainty is to 
be expressed, or when the meaning is "some 
one ot." So, JE^n. vi. 322; ■siii. 503: i. 4; 
iii. 488, ifec. It has been asked " Of which 
god?" and the replies have been various. 
Some say Jupiter, from the phrase follow- 
ing: but it would seem more likely that, in 
consistency with his usual practice, in seek- 
ing ancient or glorious originals for Roman 
famiUes, Virgil here means to trace a con- 
nection between the names Pollio and 
A-pollo; and Pomponius tells us that the 
Pollios derived their race from Apollo, 
founding on the similarity of name. 

Incrementum Jovis, either equal to alum- 
nus Jovis, i. e., nurtured and favoured by 
Jove ; or to munus Jovis, gift of Jove; or it 
may mean " great addition to the seed or 
descendants of Jupiter." So in Curtius v. 
1, 39, incrementum is used of a reinforcct 
ment or addition of fresh soldiers. Observe 
the peculiarity in metre, by reason of the 
line ending in a four-syllable word, making 
two spondees ; this is never done by Virgil 
except when he means to speak with ex- 
traorduiary force and dignity. See Geo. 
i. 221 ; JEn. iL 68. 

50. The poet now washes to show that by 
the movement and trembling of the earth 
and all things, the joyous change is an- 
nounced. Convexo pondere, "with its 
arched solidity," i e., with all the huge mass 
of earth, water, and sky, contained under 



ECL IV. 51-58, V. 1. NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. EcL. IV. 60-63; V. 2-7. 



the "vaulted (convexus is often used for 
concavus) cauopy of heaven." Nutare is 
sometimes employed to express violent 
movement, but also quiet and peaceful 
motion, Q.s.,niUantem pJatanum in Catullus. 
Terras, tractus, and caelum are inserted to 
explain mundus; and omnia of next line 
repeats the idea of the toius mundus rejoicing 
in the events. 

51. Observe that que is lengthened solely 
by the force of the arsis. Note the poli/- 
sviideton, or frequent recurrence of the con- 
junction. For Laeta7itur, some copies read 
the subj., Laeteniur, v^-hich might be ex- 
pected, as this is a kind of oratio indirecta; 
but since the phrase is parallel to imtantem 
mundum (ut laetantur beiug equal to lae- 
tantia), we seem confined to the indie. Be- 
sides, after viden'ut, adspice ut, the indie, is 
often found, when the writer -nishes to re- 
present an event as not at all doubtful or 
contingent, but as thoroughly certain, and 
therefore as present, and actually occurring 
Hence viden ut vrith the indlc. is admonitory 
and hortatory rather than interrogative. 

54. Spij-itus, Le., power of intellect and 
poetic fire. 

Sat erit dkere. This infinitive of will or 
intention depends on sat, in Greek fashion. 
A prose vsriter of the Augustan age would 
have written ad with the accus. gerund, or 
the dative of the gerund, or ut or qui with 
the subjunctive. 

56. On Orpheus, Linus, &c., see Classical 
Diety. Observe huic, huic, for huic, illi. 

57. Orphei is to be scanned as a spondee 
rather than a dactyl, since the Latin poets 
when thej- use the Greek dative of nouns 
in eus, adopt the Attic form s^ rather than 
the Ionic £'• 

53. Were Pan even to contend with me. 



I his own favourite Arcadia being judge, 
j even Pan would be obliged to acknowledge, 

on the judgment pronounced by his own 
: votaries in Arcadia, that he was surpassed. 
I 60. Risu cognoscere. Heyne, Voss, <fec. 
I understand this to mean that the mother 
i smiles, and the child recognizes its mother 
j by her smile [as if, forsooth, nobody smiles 
j on a cliild but its mother]. Servius, Wagn., 
j Forbiger, <fec. interpret it as referring to the 
I boy knowing his mother from all others. 
I and recognizing her by smiling upon her. 
' This latter mode, besides beiug far more 
I true to nature and common sense, is prefer- 
I able for the following reasons : — 1*'^, That 
1 as the boy has been the principal character 
! on whom our attention has been centred 
i throughout, no other individual should be 
I brought in at the close as the chief actor; 
I '2d, If the child is to be merely passive, the 
i address incipe, parve puer, is absurdly 
j pointed and emphatic, and the repetition of 
I it silly: 3d, If we interpret the words as 
i referring to the mothpr's smile, line 61, 
; rnatri tcc. vrill be wittiout pohut, and the 
' phrase cui nan risere parentes ^vill be parti- 
I cularly languid and insipid. The sense then 
i is, " Show youi- mother, by yom- smile, that 
1 you know her, and thus repay her in some 
' degree for the qualms and tedium of ten 

long months of gestation" [these are, of 

course, lunar months]. 

6i. Tulcrunt. Note that the penult is 

short, as verj^ often in VirgiL See Geo. iii 

2S3; ^n. iL 774; x. 334, <fcc. 

62. Cui non risere, i.e., on whom his 
parents have not smiled in return for his 
smile. 

63. Observe how much greater emphasis 
is put on dea by its beiug placed before »ec-. 
See Juv. xiv, 43, Sed nee Brutus erit, Bruti 
nee avunculus usquam. 



ECLOGUE V. 



This Eclogue is closely imitative of the first Idj-11 of Theocritus, and many consider 
that nothing farther is meant by Vu-gil than to expand and complete the beautiful story 
of that sweet pastoral. According to this view, there is no allegory, and the characters 
represented are plain Sicilian shepherds, Daphnis being the most important one. Yet 
many critics of the highest name believe that something more than this is intended, and 
that the poet composed the piece for the celebration of the natal day of Julius Casar, in 
July, 712 u.c. Daphnis would thus represent Julius Caesar, and ^lenalcas, Vu-gil himself. 



1. Menalcas, supposed to be Virgil him- 
self. Mopsus, a friend. Boni, L e., peinti, 
'• skilled." Observe the construction boni 
iufiare. The infin. is frequently thus used 
after such adjectives as/e/zx, paratus, peri- 
tfis, utilis, aptus, contentus, &c., and must 
be looked on as an accusative case, expres- 
sing that in respect of, or in reference to, 
"Which, some person or thing is felix, para- 
tus, aptus, (tc, &c. Zumpt, § 597-8. makes 
the infin. equal to the dative occasionally, 
but this is unnecessary, as the above ex- 
planation wiU show. The infin. is equal 
either to the nom. or accus., but not to the 
gen. or dat. 



j 2. Calamos leves, i.e., a fistula made of 

I slender reeds. See EcL L 2. 

I 4. Major, sell, natu; for major and maxi- 

mus are often thus used, without natu being 

expressed. 
{ 5. Incertas umbras, "the shifting shades ;" 
! i.e., as the wind moves the trees, so does 
1 the shade change its place. For mutantibus 
j most books read motantibus, which, in such 
! a connection, certainly seems the preferable 
; lection. 
j 7. Labrusca — "the wild vine," which 

beautifies the entrance of the cave by its 
1 clusters hanging from the "wild woven" 

shoots. Raris does not necessarily mean 
21 



EcL. V. 8-16. 



NOTKS ON THE FXL0GUE3. 



EcL. V. li 



" very few," for that would be a fault, but 
rather "at intervals," "here aud there." 
Obsers-e the peculiar appropriateness of 
fparsit, in connection with raris. For a 
beautiful description of a grotto, see Horn. 
Od. V. 68 sqq. 

8. AmjTitas is a favourite name in Bucolic 
poetry. It here rep:-esents some one re- 
markably well skilled, at least in 7iis oirn 
opinion, in playing on the si/7-inx. For cer- 
tet. some books read cc7'tat. The former 
means, in mi/ opinion, he alone can contend; 
the latter states the supeiiority of Amyntas 
to be an indisputable fad. Observe that 
certare is followed by the dative: so we find 
ptignare amori, luctari morti. bellareparenti, 
and in Greek, f/.a,x,'-cr(ai Ttvi, which come 
under the principle of the dativus incommodi. 

9. Quid si certet, dr. — This is said with a 
sneer at Amyntas, in continuation of the 
hint given in the foregoing line, that Amyn- 
tas, in his own estimation, is the first of 
ninsicians, as if he said. "Oh yes, I suppose 
he will beat Phoebus too!" Quid si, with 
the subjunctive, is used, says Wagner, of 
that which is not, or does not usually hap- 
pen, is not supposed likely ever to occur, or 
cannot possibly occur. So, in Ter., Heaut, 
guid si nunc coelum ruat. 

10. As the shepherds are advancing to 
the cave, Menalcas proposes that they should 
employ themselves in singing, and suggests 
subjects for song, such as "The Loves of 
Phyllis," the praise of Alcon, and the quar- 
rels of Codrus, «s:c. These are the names 
of fictitious ciiaracters, as most suppose; 
though Weichert and many others beUeve 
that this Codrus was an ill-natured rhetori- 
cian of the day, who bore enmity to Virgil 
and Horace, and who is satirized by the 
latter, in Epist. L 19, 15, as larbita; Rupit 
Jarbitam Timagenis aemula lingua. In the 
Culex there is an Alcon mentioned, a fam- 
ous statuary and carver, who may be here 
intended. Ovid aud Pliny also praise him. 

13. Immo haec — "nay rather, I shall try 
ifiese verses, which I have lately composed," 
not those, ilia, which you suggest. 

14. Descripsi et modulans ulternanotavi — 
This seems to mean, "When I had written 
down the words, I composed an air for 
tliem, and theu I noted it hi turn." Alterna 
would, m this view, stand for alternatiui ; 
but some translate it "time about," as if it 
meant " I wrote down the words, and then 
after them noted the air," referring merely 
to position. Others, again, think modulans 
alterna applies to the alternate practising 
with the fistula and witli the voice; for he 
would not, of course, do both at once. 

15. Mopsus seems piqued at the compli- 
ment formerly paid to Amyntas, either 
seriously or not, for though in line 9 he 
appeared to understand Menalcas, yet here 
he returns to the subject, and draws out of 
his friend, hi the most distinct terms, the 
avowal, that Amyntas, in his opinion, is 
not for one moment to be compared to Mop- 
sus, and that his former commendation was 
therefore only apparent. 

16. Lenta — "pliant," a term particularly 
22 



applicable to the willow, as pallenti is to the 
olive, whose leaves are of a yellowish green 
colour. 

17. Saliunca — This plant is not accurately 
knowm at present. It is .supposed to l>j a 
kind of French spikenard, Avhich grows in 
great quantity on the mountains between 
Italy and Germany, and around Genoa, and 
is said to be called Seliunk by the modern 
Tyrolese. The meaning then is, As the 
willow has some points of resemblance to 
the olive, and the saliuiica (a low plant of 
sweet smell) to the rose, so Amyntas, in 
some respects, may be compared to Mopsus, 
longo tanif.n iniervallo. 

19. Desine plura — The verb of saying is 
omitted. But, indeed, it is not necessary 
to suppose such an ehipse, as the poei.s, 
and even Cicero, use desinence with an accus. 
of the object. ; e.g., desinere artem, seditior:e/n. 
See EcL vhi. 61. 

20. Daphnin. — Voss and Spohn think that 
reference is here made to the assasshiatimi 
of Julius Cffisar, who is represented under 
the name Daphnis; the Nymphs, in 21. and 
mater, in 23, would then mean the tutelary 
goddesses of the Romans, and Venus, the 
mother of the Juhau race ; the shepherds 
with their flocks, in line 24. would signity 
the Roman magistrates and people; and 
tlie wild beasts, of 27, would denote the 
savage nations conquered by the great 
Triumvir. To this view, we shall find some 
objections as we proceed ; see line 48, and 
Note. 

Daphnim is the readinar of Wag., Forb., 
etc., who say that Virgil never uses the 
accus. in in, except when compelled by the 
metre, as below in line 52. 

21. Observe the word flebant forming a 
whole foot, a spondee, at the beginning of 
aline, with a great pause after it; this, as 
bef re noted, adds greatly to the emphasis. 
See Wagn., Quaest. Virg., xiiL and compare 
naviget m JEn. iv. 237. 

22. On tlie forms, naitis and gnatus, see 
our Epitome of Wagn., Quaest. Virg., 
xxxviii. 

23. Aique — atque, for et — et. Wunderlich 
and Wagner say that this doubling oiatque 
is not Virgilian, and they would, therefore, 
remove the comma after quum, and supply- 
ing est to complera. couple this verb with 
vocat. This, however, is very awkward. 

Vocat astra crudelia, i.e., accuses the 
stars as remorseless. This is to be under- 
stood in a Chaldean point of 'view, having 
reference to good and evil horoscopes, and 
the influence of the stars on one's life. So 
we have such phrases as mala astro natum 
esse ; du7'0 sidere vivere, dee. 

25. The shepherds (see Note 20) are so 
grieved as not to be able to lead out their 
flocks to pasture, or from pasture to the 
water; nor do the beasts even gently taste 
(libare) the streams, — all nature feels tlie 
loss. Observe nulla nee, like ovou; ovts 
in Greek. On nee and its use here, see 
Epitome of Wagu. Quaest. Virg. xxxiL ii. 
3. On quadrupes, which is an adj. of one 
termination aud three genders, and which 



EcL. V. 27-36. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



Eci.. V. 38-56. 



always takes its gender from the subst un- 
derstood, e.g., quadrupes (eq^us), quadrupes 
(f.qtia or bestia). quadrupes (animal), see 
Iluddiman, i. p. 22. Gramims herbam— 
/lerbam as the genus comprehends gramen 
as the species; so in Gea L 134, we find 
fmmenii herha. 

27. Poenos, "Carthaginians," seems to 
have no particular reference here ; though 
some think that the poet intended to call to 
mind Cesar's attempt in u.c. 708 to plant 
a colony at Cartilage. Others think tliis a 
mere transference from Theocritus, and saj' 
that in Sicily there were no lions. But the 
poets use the names of countries freely, and 
often assign animals and objects to regions 
to which they did not properly belong, or 
were not Icjwwn to belong, at the time spoken 
of. We must not therefore criticise them 
coo sharply, since animals have at one peiiod 
existed in wild districts, which, however, 
they afterwards abandoned on the appear- 
ance of man, and the arts of cisdJization. 
So, in our owa island, hyaenas are known 
to have feeen not uncommon in former 
times ; yet a poet, talking of British hyaenas, 
xvould, in all probability, be ridiculed by 
tnany of our critics. 

28. Internum — The accus. after ingemo-e 
is a rare construction, but see JEn, iv. 692, 

29. To CtEsar the poet, in these lines, at- 
tributes wise laws and institutions, such as 
Bacchus and Ceres introduced, all tending 
to bring men from barbarism to civilization, 
€urru, contracted dative for currui. This 
poking of tigers to Ms chariot was an act of 
J^cchus. 

30. [nducere ihiasos does not mean simply 
"to lead the orgies,*' but to introduce them. 
On the thyrsus, described in the next line, see 
J&n. vii. 390, or Dioty. of Greek and Rom. 
AntCq. (Smith). He represents it here as a 
E'-ointed spear, surrounded with tke leaves 
of the ivy and the vine. 

35. Pales was the domestic goddess (or 
srod) <^ the Italians, having a care over 
tlocks and shepherds. This deity is some- 
times described as a male, and sometimes 
us a female. Her festival, the Palilia, was 
celebrated on the 21st of April, the natai day 
of the city of Rome. 

Apollo — This refers to the time when 
Apollo tended the flocks of king Admetus. 
From this circumstance he was worshipped 
hy the shepliei-ds under the name ot Apollo 

36. Grandia hordea, i.e., large and choice 
pickles of grain for seed. Hordeum seems 
to have been used first by Virgil in the 
plur. number. 

Infdix JoUum — "the unproductive (use- 
less for eating) darnel,"" (or cockle, or tares.) 
Some suppose vifeiix has reference to the 
ancient idea that the eating of tares injured 
the eye-sight; or because it caused people 
to tremble and totter on their limbs. 

Avenae—^-wlld oats." This line occurs 
again in Geo. L 154, the single word nas- 
cuntur being replaced by dommantur. Such 
repetitions, with the slight change of one 
or two words, are very common in Virgil: 



in this he seems to have imitated Lucre- 
tius. 

38. Purpurea narcisso — The narcissus 
with a purple calyx is meant. Paliurus is 
what is called christ-thorn. 

40, It was custoreiary to strew flowers on 
the ground at a shepherd's funeral More- 
over, the rustics were in the habit of burying 
their dearest friends near fountains that 
were much frequented, and surrounded witli 
trees, so that all passers-by might, as they 
drank and rested themselves, see the in- 
scription on the stone, and thus keep ahve 
the memory of the deceased; hence the 
phrase, inducite fontibus umbras, i.e., create 
a shade at the fountain where Daphnis is 
buried. 

41. Carmen, the epitaph, which was te 
be couched in verse, consists of the next 
line, ^'■Daphnis, ego," <fcc. 

44. Fonnosior ipse — This, in the opinion 
of Voss, points to Julius Csesar, who, ac- 
cording to tradition, was of a commanding 
stature, clear complexion, well-turned limbs, 
black and lively eyes. He is said, too, to 
have enjoyed excellent health. Venus 
herself was supposed to have imparted to 
him some of her ovni graces. 

47. Resiinguere — We have already re- 
marked that the repetition of a word often 
serves instead of a conjunction, and so the 
second quale acts as the connecting link 
between the two subjects, sojwr and resiin- 
guere. This infin. is the nom. to est under- 
stood, after Greek fashion. The transition 
from subst to infiix is very frequently found 
in VirgiL See JEw. iL 5 ; Geo. L 25. 

48. Magistrum — Most probably some 
shepherd, known to both, who had been 
the trainer of Mopsus. Wagner thuiks that 
Daphnis is meant; but there are strong 
objections to this ^'iew. 

49. Alter abillo — "'second to him." Alter 
ab=alter post ilium. 

52. Daphnin — This seems to be the only- 
place in which Virgil, compelled by the 
necessities of the metre, has admitted the 
in form of the accusative. See Note, EcL 
iv. 32. Ibllemus ad astra (51) may mean 
" raise to the number of the gods;" but we 
rather think it is used in the common sense 
of "extolling very highly," "lauding to the 
skies." Amavit nos quoque refers to Caesar's 
kindness to Hither Gaul, in consequence of 
which the inhabitants of Transpadane 
Gaul were presented with the Roman fran- 
chise, as well as those of Cispadane. 

54. /^s€— "of himself," Le., on his own 
merits. Puer is, of course, Daphnis. Dig- 
nus cantari is a Greek construction occa- 
sionally used by the poets, but not by the 
prose writers, of the Augustan aga 

55. lam i?r«£?e??i— "long ago," when you 
first composed your verses, they were ap- 
proved by the shepherd Stimichon. Now, 
therefore, they must be particularly well 
worth hearing, after having been polished 
during so long a time. 

56. Candidus is equal to benignus, or bo- 
nus, in the opinion of Servius and his fol- 
lowers. Others take it as serenus — "with 



EcL. V. 58-67; YI. 1, 2. NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. EcL. V. 69-89: YI. 5. 



unclouded brow," and they compare such 
phrases as candidi dies, Candida pax, &c. 

58. Ergo, Le., inde factum est, ut: qua ex 
re — "on account of this ckcum stance." 
Alacris voluptas means that kind of plea- 
sure which shows itself by outward acts of 
voice and gesture. 

59. Dry ados — the groye- nymphs; called 
also Eajnadryads, from their living and 
perishing along with their peculiar tree. 
In such nouns Virgil adopts the Greek form 
of the accus. in as : the nom. ends always 
iu short es, as Eel. vii. 21. 

63. Intonsi, i.e., "uncleai-ed of trees," 
"wooded." Jpsi — "the very." 

64. MenaJca is the vocative, but it is not 
used by Mopsus to his friend. It is rather, 
that the groves, seeing the sympathj'' which 
Menalcas feels for their joy in reference to 
Daphnis, address him in their exultation. 

65. Felix is used actively; "propitious," 
"bliss-giving." 

Quatuor aras — When Caesar was placed 
among the number of the gods, annual rites 
were decreed to him ; but since his birtli- 
day, when the festival was to be held, fell 
on the same day as the Lndi ApoUinares, 
which the Sibylline books ordered to be 
kept free from the intrusion of other sacra, 
it was arranged that Caesar's commemora- 
tion should take place on the previous day. 
The poet, quietly and cunningly, joins the 
festival of Daphnis alongwith that of Apollo, 
(which we consider a strong point to prove 
that Caesar is the individual intended by 
Daphnis,) and gives both of them two altars. 
But it will be obser^-ed that those of Daph- 
nis are arae, i.e., altars for incense, as be- 
came one of the Lares, and those of Apollo 
were altaria, intended for sacrifice. The 
second duas does not, of course, agree with 
altaria, but with aras, to which altaria is 
in apposition. 

67. Observe that two offerings annually 
are promised to Daphnis — one in spring- 
time, as indicated by the words novo lacte, 
perhaps about the time of the Ambarvaha ; 
the other in autumn, when oil was to be 
the gift. It is no objection to this view 
that in Eel. ii. we have Lac mihi non aestate 
NOVUM, Twn FKiGOEE defit; for there the 



poet spealvs of the genial Sicily, but here of 
the colder region of Cisalpine Gaul. Om-i- 
oUvum is a poetic word, in the sense of "oil 
expressed from the olive," for oleum. 

69. Convivia, ie., the banquet after tlie 
sacrifice. 

70. Baccho, ie., vino. Frigus — "winter." 
or cold spring-days, Messis — summer and 
heat. Fundam for effundam. 

71. Ariusia, a district of coast in the island 
of Chios, which produced the best Greek 
wine. Novum nectar — "a delicious beve- 
rage newly introduced " to the Romans. 
Calathus is not a "wicker basket " here, as 
we met it before. Eel. ii. 46, but a wine ves- 
sel. 

72. Mihi cantahunt — "will sing for me" 
as I sacrifice. Lyctius, from Lyctus, a Cre- 
tan town near Motmt Dicte. 

75. Solemnia vota nyinphis— Wagner un- 
derstands this to mean the offerings that 
were made to all the rural deities, the 
nymphs included, at the Dionysia, which 
were held after the vintage. On lustrabi- 
mu-s, i.e., the ceremony of the Ambarvalia, 
see Note, Geo. i. 3-38. 

77. It was an ancient notion that the 
cicadae lived on dew. 

80. Damnabis votis, i.e., you will mulct us 
in the amount of our vows. By granthig 
our requests, you will oblige us to fulfil our 
vows and make the necessary offerings. 
The phrase '■'damnatus voti'' is a common 
one. 

82. Sibilus has another form, sibilum, 
but the neuter plural, sibila, is more com- 
mon with the poets than sibili. 

83. As the shepherds are conversing near 
Lake Benacus, Utora must apply to the 
shore of it, and not to the coast of the sea. 

85. Ante, i.e., before you present me with 
a gift, I shall bestow upon you this pipe on 
which I sang Eclogues ii. and iii., begiiming 
Formosum pastor, and Cujum pecus. From 
this it would appear that Menalcas repre- 
sents Virgil himself, as formerly stated. 

89. Non tulit- -'■'■ Aid. not get from me." 
On dignus amari, see Note 54. Turn — "at 
that time," however much he was so when 
young. 



ECLOGUE VI. 

Alfenus Varus, and Cornelius Gallus, the poet, had been appointed by Octavianus to 
apportion to the veterans the lands that had been assigned them in Cisalpine Gaul, and 
in u.c. 714, they were engaged in that duty. In that year this Eclogue was written and 
sent to Vai-us. 



1. Prima — "m her first attempts," "at 
first. ■' It is not to be understood that Vir- 
gil meant to make himself the first of the 
Romans who wrote Bucolic poetry. Syra- 
cosio, the Greek n is retained, for Syra- 
cusio, which would not suit the metre. By 
Syracusan poems are meant Theocritean, 
ie.. Bucolic. 

2. Thalia — Put for any of the Muses; or 
24 



perhaps her name is employed with strict 
propriety, because she presided over comedy 
and merry Idyllic poetry. 

3. Reges et proelia, i.e., an epic poem. It 
is said that Virgil had contemplated a poen) 
on the exploits of Varus. Reges would thu s 
mean the chiefs of the state, and proelia the 
struggles of the civil contest. 

Cynthius, a name of Apollo, from Mount 



EcL. VI. 5-16. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. VI. 17-34. 



Cynthus, in Delos. Apollo, as the prod of 
imisic and poetry, interferes to prevent his 
purpose. With this passage, compare Hor., 
Od. iv. 15, and Anacreon, Od. i. 

5. Observe the contrast between pingues 
and deductum. A shepherd ought to rear 
large and fat sheep, but he ought to spin 
[the metaphor is taken from spinning] a 
humble song. Dedt/ctiim, as applied to 
poems, sometimes means (as in Hon, Ep. ii. 
1, 225) a fnc-spim, i. e., highly-polished 
song; but here it is "drawn out so fine as 
to be vapid and weak." 

6. Super— erunt, separated by Tmesis, for 
supereriint. This line would lead us to be- 
lieve that Virgil wished Varus to think that 
his deeds were the subject of the intended 
Epic. 

8. On tenui, see Eel. i. 2. Non injussa — 
he had been desired by Apollo (see line 4). 

12. Pagina — the page of a book: it is here 
used for carmen. "Nor is any poem more 
jileasing to Phoebus than that "^ which bears 
on its title the name of Varus." Hence 
some critics argue that the title of this 
Eclogue was, and ought to be, Varus, and 
not Silemis. 

13. Pierides — The Muses are so called 
from the district of Pieria, where they were 
born, or, at least, where they were first 
treated as divinities. 

Chromis is Greek in form ; but it is veiy 
unusual for Virgil to depart from Latin ter- 
minations in the names of men. See Wag., 
Qu. Virg., iv. Some books read Mnasylos. 

15. /acc/io— This Greek name of Bacchus 
was used principally in the mysteries, and 
is said to be connected with loc^nv, "to 
shout," as he was the god of noise and 
revelry. 

On the ace, re«rts, after inflatum. see Note, 
Eel. L 55; u4:n. i. 228. 

16. Tanium has caused much diversity of 
opinion among commentators, and many 
interpretations have been offered. The fol- 
lowing are the three most feasible : 1st, 
Only fallen from his head, but not torn in 
pieces and scattered. 2d, Only just then 
fallen from his head. 3d, Tanium capiti 
delapsa is in apposition to /)rocu?— "The 
garlands lay at short distances, having 
merely slipped off his head," i.e., not having 
been thrown off with violence. This last 
we prefer. Capiti tor a capite, in Greek 
fashion. 




ther: it was used for adorning the person ; 
also for the head of animals alwut to be 
sacrificed, and for doorways, as seen in the 
woodcut. 

17. The cantharus, or Greek drinking 
cup, was sacred to Bacchus. The ansae 
are well seen in the following aiustratioii 




Serta — a festoon of flowers sewed toge- 



Gravis applies to the size and masslveness 
of the cup, and to its being full of wine. 
The cantharus is said to have been so 
named from its inventor, Cantharus, aia 
artisan of Sicyon. 

Pendebat, i.e., as he fay in sleep he still 
clutched the cup in one hand, and his posi- 
tion caused it to hang down by his side. 
Attrita—we]! worn by use. 

19. Vincula — Poets or prophets who re- 
fused to shig were, according to ancient 
notions, compelled to do so when bounds. 
So Proteus was forced by Menelaas, Geo. 
iv. 396; Hom., Odyss. iv. 414. 

21. Videnti — "looking up," or "looking- 
on," awake as he was. Tempora — "his 
temples." 

24 Satis est, itc. — "it is enough that yon 
appear to be able to overpower me." Cog- 
wosciYe— "hear," "listen to." 

27, Innumerum, i.e., in a certain rhythmi- 
cal regularity. The Fauns, or rustic gods 
of the Romans, are often confounded with 
the Satyrs and Pans of the Greeks. The 
artists of later times represented them as 
liker the hvmian species than the satyrs, 
and, indeed, they differed from the human 
type only in having a flat nose, pointed 
ears, and a short goat-like tail. 

29. Nee tantum, quantum Fauni gaudent 
The correlative is often omitted in this way. 
Parnasia rupes—Mi. Parnassus in Phocis. 

30. Rhodope — a very high mountain- range 
in Thrace, now called Despoio Dagh by the 
Turks. It was the scene of the lamenta- 
tions of Orpheus for his lost wife, Eurydice. 
Ismarus, or Ismara, another Thracian 
mountain, near the mouth of the Hebrus 
(Maritzaj, and the city Maronea. See Geo. 
iL 37. 

31. Silenus proceeds to set forth the Epi- 
curean doctrine of atoms : how they com- 
bined together in the Great Void, and how 
all things are made from four elements. 
Most of these phrases are Lucretian, e.g., 
Semina terrarmn ("earth"), animae ("air"), 
maris ("water"), ignis ("tire"). Primis^ 
i.e., elementis. 

33. Ut his, d-c.—The Epicurean idea was 
that there were primarily floating about in 
the immense Void, numberless solid and 
indivisible particles, which they called 
atoms: that these gradually combined to 
foj-m bodies of different kinds, amalgama- 
tion taking place, however, only when like 
particles came into contact. Hence the 
world was formed, and all things therein. 

34. Tener—ditrare of the next line proves, 

2a 



pCL VI. 35-48. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. VI. 49-72. 



we think, beyond a doubt, that tenermeans 
the "young^" world, not yet hardened a.nd 
inured to toil. Voss and Forb. understand 
tener orbis to mean the slcy. T'-.e. order of 
creation, as intended by the poet, seems to 
be— first, the atoms combine to form tke 
exordia, or rudiments of the different sub- 
stances; secondly, that these exordia after- 
wards coalesced iu turn to make up the 
orbis. 

35. Nereus, the son of Pontus and Terra, 
the husband of Doris, and the father of t!ie 
Nereids, was the most important sea deity 
after Neptune. 

36. Sumere formas — i.e., to present the 
outlines of objects, such as hills, valleys, 
rivers, <fec., or perhaps even of trees, and 
other productions, though these are more 
specially mentioned afterwards. 

37. Stupeant, cadant. Note these verbs 
in the pres.. thouerh co-ordinate with concre 
rerit, coeperit, and dependent on canebat, an 
imperf. tense. It will be observed that 
stupeant solem lucescere (the amazement at 
the sun shining) is instantaneously conse- 
quent on the action of the preceding verbs, 
and therefore called present in reference to 
their time. 

38. Altius is to be joined to cadant in the 
sense oX ex alto, "from on high," or, "from 
a considerable height." The meaning of 
the whole line is — He sang how the vapours 
being raised to a height on account of their 
lightness, formed themselves into clouds, 
and descended again on the earth in rain. 

Submotis, "raised aloft." 

41. Lnpides Pyrrhae — see 0\-id, Slet. i. 
313, sqq, 348-41-5. Saturnia regna is not 
in apposition to Lapides, but is the second 
particular of a seri.s of three. The want 
of a conjunction before Saturnia regna has 
been fouTid fault with ; but it is not uncom- 
mon for Virgil thus to join by a copulative 
only the two last members of a series of 
three, as in Geo. i. 138 ^ JEn. ix. 270. 

42. Protnetheus, who stole fire from heaven 
and gave it to mortals, was, by the order 
of Jupiter, pinioned to a rock, in Mt. Cau- 
casus, and tortured by vultures {volucres 
Caucasias) eating at his liver. 

43. Hylas was the youthful companion of 
Hercules in the Argonautic expedition. 
Having gone to a fountain to draw water, 
he fell in and was drowned. Hence it was 
said that a Naiad had fallen in love wish 
liim, and carried him off. Annual lamen- 
tations for him were made. Miiller, in his 
"Literature of Greece," explahis the .story 
thus: "Hylas was the type of the tender 
beauty of spring destroyed by tlie intense 
summer heat." Note the remarkable scan- 
sion of the next line, where the last syllable 
of ffyla is long in the first instance, and 
short in the second. See Note, Eel. ii. 53. 

46. Solatur — "he consoles," i. e., repre- 
sents her as consoled : suigs of Pasiphae 
being consoled by the love of the bull. See 
stories of Minos and Pasiphae, Classical 
Dicty. Virgo is not confined to unmarried 
females, as numberless examples show, e.g., 
virgines nuper nuptae, in Horace. 

48. Proetides — the three daughters of 

26 



Proetus, king of Argolis, who, being seized 
with insanity, in consequence of their ridi- 
culing the worship of Juno, wandered 
through Arcadia and Argolis, imagining 
themselves cows, and uttering fancied Cfal- 
sisj lowings, until they were at length cured 
by Melampus. 

49. Secuta est ~ "■ desired," "sought:" 
''icent after,'' as we say. That is, None of 
the daughters of Proetus, though they were 
cows in sliape C^ollo timere aratrum), and 
external marks, (cornua quaesisset frontej, 
sought for the society of bulls; whereas 
Pasiphae, though retaining her human form, 
desired such unnatural companionship. 

52. Erras — "roam," in search of the loved 
bull. 

53. Latus, "the accus. of reference," on 
which see Note, Eel. i. 55. /"w^^ms— Observe 
that the last syllable is lengthened by the 
arsis, and that, too. in the fifth foot, where 
tills lengthening, though very common in 
the third foot, and after a short syllable, is 
rarely found. See Quaest. Virg. xii. 

bQ. CTaMcZte sa;/;«— "close in the glades," 
i.e., guard the passes into, and the exits 
from, the wood that I may discover the 
haunts of my favourite. Dictaeae, from Mt 
Dicte, in Crete. 

CO. Gortijnia, i.e., Cretan, from Gortyne, 
or Gortyna, a city of Crete. 

Gl. The apples of the Hesperides are 
famed in story. See Smith's Dicty. of Biog. 
and Mythol. Pi/ellam, viz., Atalanta. 
Phaethontiadas, tlie sisters of Phaethon, 
who were turned into po])lar or elder trees. 
The word is not necessarily used in the 
sense of " sisters of Phaethon ;" it may 
be daughters; for Phaethon was a name 
applied to Sol by the more recent writers. 

64. Permessus, a river of Boeotia, fiowing 
into Lake Copais. On Gallus, see the argu- 
ment of Eel. X. 

65. Aonas, for Aonios monies, i.e., Boeo- 
tian. The district of Aonia was so called 
from the ancient inhabitants, the Aones. 
It included Helicon, which Milton thence 
calls the "Aonian Mount." (jna sororum 
— "one of the Muses" This passage is 
finely conceived to describe the pursuits 
and success of Gallus. As he was engaged 
in the composition of poetry, one of the 
Muses led him to Helicon, Avhen the whole 
chorus (Phoebi chorus) of her sisters rose to 
do him honour, and Linus presented him 
with the fistula of Hesiod. 

68. Ornatus crines — See Note, Eel. i. 55. 

70. Ascraeo, i.e., from Ascra, in Boeotia, 
the natal place of Hesiod. To Hesiod is at- 
tributed equal success wnth Orpheus, in 
drawhig after him the listening w^oods. 

72. Gryneum, or Grynia, a town of Aeo- 
lis, famed for a shrine of Apollo, which Avas 
situated in a most delightful grove. Ser- 
vius tells us that Gallus had translated 
into Latin a Greek poem by Euphorion, 
Avhich celebrated the oi'igin and beauty of 
the shrine and grove. His (calamis), "with 
this fistula (of Hesiod's) let the origin of 
the Grynean wood be sung by you in such 
strains, that there shall be no grove iu 
which ApoUo will more delight" 



ECL. VI. 74-76; YII. 15. NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. Eci. VI. 78-85; VIL 6. 

Echmades islands, subject to the sway of 
Ulysses, and often coiifuunded with Ithaca. 

78. The next part ot the song of Silenus 
tells of the metamorphosis of Tereus into a 
hoopoo, Philomela into a nightingale, and 
Procne into a swallow. Consult Smith's 
Dicty. of Biog., and MythoL under the seve- 
ral names. 

79. Dapes—\.e., the flesh of Itj-s, which 
was seiwed up to his father, Tereus. Dona, 
a repetition of the same idea, the horrid 
gift of a banquet The Greek version of 
the legend differs from the Latin. See 
Classical Dicty. as above. 

80. Quo cursu — "in what an unusual 
mode of progress," viz., flight by wings. 
Ante, "previously," i.e., before departing 
to lonely haimts (dexerta). Ante is not a 
prep, governing tecta, as some would take 
it. A pathetic touch is given to the 
passage, by representing the mifortunate 
woman thus takhig a last and melancholy 
farewell of her once happy home. 

82. Phoebus is represented as frequenting 
Spartan scenes and rivers (Eurotas) on ac- 
count of his love for the beautiful boy 
Hj^acmthus, the Spartan, son of CEbalus. 

83. Ediscere — "to leara by heart," "to 
treasure in their memory." 

Lauros. Virgd usually writes this word 
of the second decL, but sometimes of the 
fourth. 

84. /77e, sciL Silenus. Referunt, "re-echo." 

85. Cogere. Observe the active infiu. 
after a verb of ordering, without an accus. 
of the object, and see Eel. iv, o-3, Xote. 
The evening star, however, now comes 
forth from Olympus, though un^^•illing to 
interrupt the strains of Silenus, and com- 
pels the shepherds to count their sheep and 
drive them to their folds. 



74. Ut ScyUam—V>''e prefer the reading 
quid Joquaraut Sciilluin—aut -it nan-averit — 
in which remark the change of construction 
from Scyllam. in the accus., to utnarrin-erit, 
in a subjunctive clause, after loqitar: and 
see our Note on yEn. ii. 5. The poet 
seems here to confound the two Scyllas. 
Scylla, the daughter of Nisus, king of Me- 
g-ara, for her treacherous, unfilial conduct 
to her father, was thrown into the sea by 
her lover, Minos, and became a bird, the 
Ciris. The other was the daughter of 
Phorcys, and was transformed by Circe 
into the monster described by Horn. Od. xii. 
265 sqq. 

75. Candida, <t-c.— This Scylla, daughter 
of Phorcys. had been, according to later 
poets, a beautiful maiden, but by the arts 
of Ciice, her lower extremities had been 
changed into those of a fish; and round her 
waist were set the heads of sea-dogs. Com- 
pare Milton, Par. Lost, Bk. iL 

The one seemed woman to the waist, and 

fair; 
But ended foul in many a scaly fold 
Voluminous and vast * * * 

* * About her middle round 
A cry of hell-hounds, never ceasing, barked 
With wide Cerberean mouths fullloud, and 

rung 
A hideous peal; yet, when they list, would 

creep. 
If aught disturbed their noise, intoher womb. 
And kennel there; yet there stUl barked 

and howled 
Within unseen. 

76. Dulichia^ rates, Le., the ship of Ulys- 
ses, from which Circe took six of the crew. 
Dulichium or Dulichia was one of the 



ECLOGUE VII. 



This Eclogue seems to have been written in the spring of 716 u.c. It is an Amoebaean 
contest between two shepherds Corydon and ThjTsis, Daphnis being umpire, and Meli- 
boeus a hearer. It would appear to have been composed ui Cisalpine Gaiil, before Virgil 
went to reside in Naples. 



1. Arguta — "whispering," viz., by the 
gentle blowing of the wind. 

4. Amho — The dual form is used as the 
pair are closely connected in the time of 
arrival, in the circumstances of their life, 
and in their attainments in music. 

^eto<i6M5— Abstract nomis are often used 
in the plur. where the sing, might be ex- 
pected ; as here we might expect florente 
aetate. Arcades umbo — The Arcadians were 
famous for their cultivation of music, which, 
indeed, was by law incumbent on aU. up 
to thirteen years of age. The phrase will 
therefore mean. " both are as skilled as any 
Arcadians." Voss thinks that they may 
have been actually descended from Area 
dians who came into Italy after the destruc- 
tion of Corinth. 

5. Pares cantar-e — a Greek construction 



for pares cantando. For an explanation of 
the principle, see EcL v. 1, Note. Respon- 
dere — In Amoebaean verse the answering 
couplet, or stanza, or strophe, should corres- 
pond in form and meaning to the leading 
couplet. The modem Improvisutori of Italy 
are the representatives of this ancient class 
of extempore poets. 

6. Hue — "in this direction," Le., towards 
the place where they were sitting. Bum 
with the pres. tense, defendo, adds vi^iduess 
to the description. i)e/e/?c/o— "protect," by 
straw, branches of trees, or other means, 
for in the beginning of the year, the night- 
frost often bit the tender plants hi the noitli 
of Italy, as autliorities tell us; and ti^e 
myrtle is very tender. Wakefield would 
read ab frigore ; but see Wagner, Quaest. 
Vu-g. i. 

27 



EcL. YII. 7-25. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. VIL 27-43. 



7. Vir gregis — "the good-man of tlie 
herd" So Theocr., viil 49 says, » rpiiys, 
Tciv Xivx.civ cclyav oiyzp. Ipse, the he- 
goat himself, and therefore the rest of the 
flock, as line 9 shows. Observe that deer- 
raverat is to be scanned as four syllables, 
djen'averat, by synizesis, which is -'The 
running into one syllable, in pronimciation, 
two vowels, which properly constitute two 
separate syllables.'' 

9. Caper saI):i/s—'Da:phins had recognized 
the flock of Meliboeus, and had driven them 
into a safe place. Rue ades, for hue veni — 
This is an example of "■constructio praey- 
vans," which see explained in Note on J£n. 
iL18. 

11. 7p5i—" of their own accord." Juvenci 
— "thy steers," not those of Daphnis. 

13. The Mincius (Mincio) rises in the 
Alps, and near Mantua forms the Lake 
Benacus (Lago di Garda), after which it 
flows on to the Po. through a low-lying 
country, in a sluggish stream, and with 
sedgy banks. 

14. Examina, Le., exagmina, "those led 
out" The term is applied to the young of 
insects, such as bees, wasps, or locusts. I 
The appearance of the young hives was a 
token of spring, as also below, in 15, the 
weaned lamb-, which, being cast in No- 
vember and Dece.uber, were weaued when 
four months old. 

Alcippen. Meliboeus means to say, that 
he had no help-mate like Corydon's Al- 
cippe, or Thyrsis' Phyllis, to take chai-ge 
for him. 

16. It is best to punctuate with commas 
after eral and Thyrside, and thus the names 
of the rivals are made more emphatic, and j 
the phrase is equal to " and there was a 
great contest, such as you might expect when 
Corj-don was matched agamst Thyrsis." 

19. Alternos, &c. "The Muses wished 
that they should remember alternate verses, " 
i.e., "the Muses willed that they sing in 
amoebaean strains." As poets were in- 
spired, theyhave been represented as merely 
calling to mind what had been put into their 
hearts by the inspirmg deity. 

21. Lt'bethrides, "belonging to Libethrus," 
a fountain with a cave in Mt. Hehcon. The 
Muses are, of course, among the number of 
these nymphs, if they alone are intended. 

22. Proximo, scil. carmina. Observe 
that the plur. is here, as often, referred to 
the sing., carmen; so iu ^n. -vmi. 427, ful- 
MEX erat; toio genitor quae plukuia coelo 
dejicit. 

On Codro, see Note, Eel. v. 11. 

24. Pendehit. When a man gave up his 
former occupation, he suspended the imple- 
ments of his art to the gods, and conse- 
crated them. 

25. As Corydon has said that he wishes 
either to equal Codrus, or abandon the art ; 
so ThjTsis', in reply, boastfully declares 
that he himself actually excels Codrus. 

Hedera. The ivy was used to form 
crowns, not only for the Bacchantes, but 
also for poets : the latter class were sup- 
posed to have permanently, perhaps, some 

28 



of that insanity which the former tempo- 
rarily showed. Servius suggests another 
reason, viz., that as the 'xv\ is always fresh 
and green, so poems deserve imperishable 
fame. 

27. Ultra placitum, i.e., beyond what is 
just and deserved. Baccare — "lady's 
glove," a herb which was considered an 
antidote for the " evil eye," or evil tongue. 

29. Delia — "thou Deiian goddess," viz.' 
Diana. Vivacis — ' ' long - lived. ' ' Many 
stories are told about the long life of stags. 

31. Hoc— It is not easy to say what is 
meant by hoc. Some say " continued suc- 
cess in hunting," which is spoken of in the 
line before. Others suppose ca7"me«, of 21, 
to be referred to. 

Tota — "a full-length figure." De levi 
marmore — of "polished marble." 

32. On suras in the accus. after evincta, 
see EcL L 55, Note. For a cut of the co- 
thurnus, or hunting-boots, see JEu. i. 337. 

33. Sinum — a large vessel for recehmig 
whie and milk. As Coiydon pays his vows 
to Diana, so does the poor Thyrsis. 

On Priapus, the monstrous son of Venus 
and Bacchus, see Class. Dicty. 

35. Pro tempore—'- as times will permit," 
"in the meantime." 

37. Nerine Galatea— The nymiili, Galatea, 
daughter of Nereus and Doris, is addressed 
by the shepherd as if she were his own 
flame, and requested to come to meet him 
The poet merelj^ transfers the names and 
characters of Theocr., Idyll. xiL, in which 
Galatea is the love of Polyphemus. Hybla, 
a mountain in Sicily, on which see Eel. L 
5-5. 

38. It is a common, and not unnatural 
thing, for shepherds to compare their sweet- 
hearts to beautiful and fragrant flowers. 
On the hedera alba, see Note, Eel. iii. 38. 

41. Sardoniis herbis—The herb intended 
is thought to be the Ranunculus Sceleratus, 
of Linnaeus, which grew abundantly in 
Sardinia, and at present, even in France 
and Italy. It has a caustic power, so that 
if the fresh-pulled leaves are laid on the 
skin, they produce pustules, as if caused by 
fire. "\Mien eaten it has a contractile power 
on the muscles of the bodj', and particularly 
of the face, so that those affected by it seem 
to laugh. Hence the phrase, " a Sardonic 
laugh," is applied to convulsive, involuntary 
laughter. Homer, and others of the an- 
cients seem to have used it of a laugh which 
concealedsome evil design. See Horn., Odyss. 
XX. 302. 

42. Ru-sco — "butcher's broom," a prickly 
shrub, which is found in our own island. 
Its leaves were supposed to have the effect 
of dri^-ing away mice. 

The alga, sea-weed, when thro'svn out by 
the waves, soon began to rot, so that it was 
useful neither for burning, nor for bedding 
cattle ; and hence it represents what is very 
worthless. 

43. This line is borrowed from Theocr., 
Idyll xiL 2, o' ^^ •^ohvvrii Iv r,fzari yr,- 
pa.(T)cov(Ti. Cf. also Ovid, IHer. xL 29, £t 
nox erat annua nobis. 



EOL. VII. 44-56. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. VII. 57-70. 



44. Si quis pudor — "■ If yon have any 
shame" in you at all, do not delay me so 
long from meetuig with my loved one. 

45. J/MSC05J— "moss-grown," and there- 
fore cool. Somno mollior herba — This idea 
is borrowed from Theocritus, sV** '^'^^V 
Ix-otXa-Kunpa.. Cf. Theoc, Id. xv. 125, and 
viii. 38 sqq. 

46. Rara umbra. The arbutus, or straw- 
berry tree grew plentifully in Italy, and 
})fforded food to the poorer class of peo- 
ple. Its branches are "far-between," 
and its leaves small, so that the term vara 
is entirely applicable as used of the shade 
cast by it. 

47. Sohtitium—"' the summer heat ;" as 
bruma, — " the ^vinter solstice." Gemmae — 
" the buds." Palmite — " the vine shoot." 

49. As Corydon had sung the delights of 
a summer scene, so Thyrsis in reply expa- 
tiates on the winter's comforts — a fireside 
with blazing logs, and the marks of heat 
on the smoky door-posts. It is to be re- 
membered that the Romans had no such 
things as chimneys, in the proper sense of 
the word. There were fumaria, or smoke 
rooms, in the better houses— but in the 
humbler dwellings the smoke made its way 
out by the door, or the fenestra, or by a 
hole in the roof. 

50. Obsei-ve the emphatic position of 
semper in line 50, and see Note Eel. v. '21. 

52. We care as little, he says, for the 
stormy blasts of Boreas, as the wolf does 
for counting the number of the flock on 
which he preys. 

53. StaM is not simply equal to sunt; but 
it has reference to the rotxgh and prickly 
character of the shrubs mentioned, and of 
their fruit Observe the peculiarities of 
scansion in this line; the final i of J unipe.ri 
is not elided before et; the final ae of cas- 
taneae is similarly treated, and the line is 
spondaia See Metrical Index. 

54. For quaque some books read quneque, 
in which case sua would be the abl. sing., 
and must therefore be pronounced, by syni- 
zesis, swa. According to the reading in the 
text, quaque, the ti-anslation will be — 
" Everywhere there lies strewn about under 
each tree its own peculiar fruit." 

56. He gives only one of the many signs 
of grief which would be exhibited were 
Alexis absent ; but that one, as doing much 



more violence to nature than those sug- 
gested, by contrast, in the preceding Ihies, 
may be taken as including all, and sum- 
ming up the whole. 

57. Vitio aeris, i.e , by the excessive heat. 

58. Liber. Bacchus is said to envy the 
hills of the vine tendrils, i.e., the vines are 
burnt up, and the leaves are withered from 
off the tendrils. The verb invidere, like the 
Greek (phvuv, often means "to prevent one 
from ha^ing something," as here. 

Liber is said to be connected, (1,) with 
liber (free), libero, libertas, &c., and the god 
is so called, either (a) because he frees the 
mind from vexing cares; or, (b) because 
he makes people speak freely {verax Bac- 
chus) ; or (c) because Bacchus fought for 
the liberty of Boeotia : or (2,) With the verb 
libare, so that it would signify the ancient 
god of Italy, who, by diffusing the vital 
juice thi-oughout nature, renders all things 
fertile. 

60. Jupiter is constantly used for the 
upper air. as in Geo. ii. 325, which see. 
Plurimus is apphed to the copiousness of 
the rain, as it is used of the abundance of 
nuts, water, <fcc., in the phrases, plurima 
nux, plurima undo, plurimus ami/is, &c. 

61. Popuhts, fern., a poplar tree: but pS- 
puJus, masc, a people. 

The nymph Leuce, daughter of Oceanus, 
was beloved by Pluto, and carried off by 
him. After her death this tree('^ Xiv^fi, 
the white poplar,) was, by his order, gener- 
! ated in the Elysian fields, or according to 
Homer, on the banks of the Acheron, to 
keep alive her name and memory. It was 
from it that Hercules, when returning ti'oni 
the Shades, made for himself a crown. 
Hence it is said to be gratissima to Alcides, 
i.e., Hercules. Bacchus, of course, loved 
the vine ; the myrtle was sacred to Veims, 
for it flourishes best near the shore of the 
sea, from the foam of which this deity was 
sprung, and in it she liid to conceal herself 
at her birth; while Phoebus delighted in 
the laurel, into which his own Daphne had 
been transformed. 

70. " From that time Corydon is to me a 
Corj'don," i.e., is par excellence the poet : 
or, " From that time Corydon, Corydon is 
my man," i.e., he is the standard by which 
I compare, or approve of, poets; Corydon 
is "the man for my money," according to 
our vulgar by-word. 



ECLOGUE VIII. 

This Eclogue was sent to PoUio as he was returning, in u.c. 715, from Dalmatia after 
subduing the Parthini, an Illyrian tribe. It consists of two unconnected songs, sung by 
rival shepherds. The first part takes its complexion from the third Idj'll of Theocritus, 
and the latter from the second. The whole Eclogue is caUed Pharmaceutria— " The 
Sorceress "—from the second portion of it. 



1. Musam, i.e., carn.ina. So Theocr. 
says, ^ovKoXtxa lAuxfa,. In th« first Eel. 
we had the same idea expressed by silves- 
trem mttsatn. 



3. A favourite mode by which the an- 
cients denoted excellence in music was, to 
represent the lower animals, or even trees, 
stones, &c, as captivated by the song. 
29 



EcL. Yin. 4-lS. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. VIII. 19-30, 



Thus Orpheus and Amphion are often laud- 
ed for possessing such a power of charm- 
ing. 

4. Cursiis is construed by some along 
with mvtaia, as an " accus. of the remote 
object," "changed as to their course." Be- 
guie7-unt -mil thus be intransitive, "rested," 
"ceased to flow." But others take regM/ 
erunt as act., governing cursus in the ace. 
"Caused their (course) streams to halt." 
An imitation of Virgil by Calpumius, Eel. 
ii. 15, shows u< that lie at least interpreted 
requiesco here in the latter sense. He says, 
£( tenuere suos propej-antia flumina cursus. 

6. Tu ?n/Af— HejTie would make tu nom. 
to accipe, in line 11, but this is so forced 
and unnatural as to merit instant rejection. 
Tu is evidently subject to superas, and mihi 
is the daiivus' efhiciis. The dative of per- 
sonal pronouns is verj- often used, where, 
so far as the meaning is concerned, it is 
supeiiluous; but it always conveys the ex- 
pression of a lively feeling, and indicates that 
the matter spoken of has some rela ion to, 
and interest for, the speaker, and that the 
speaker has some sympathy with the per- 
son spoken of Hence it is called Dativus 
Ethicus {yJiKO?). See Note on .^n. L 
261; and consult Zumpt, Lat. Gr. § 408; 
Madvig, § 248. 

On superas (which means to pass over, 
whether by land or water: or to pass by) 
saxa Tiinavi, see Note on iEu. L 244. 

10. Dtgna SophocJeo cothumo, Le., worthy 
to be compared with Sophocles, for cothurnus 
is often put for the tragic class of writings. 
For an illustration of the hunting-boot called 
C'-'thurnus, see our Note on ^n. i. 3-37. The 
tragic buskin, however, was diifercnt, more 
especially in the sole, which was very thick 
(made usually of cork), to raise the actor, 
and make him look more iniposmg. 

11. A te principium, tibi desinet. If we 
apply strict principles of granmiar to this 
sentence, we shall find a difficulty in recon- 
cUing it to oar usual rules. But "the phrase 
is a proverbial one, and therefore exempt 
from stringent canons. 

12. Cannina, <fcc., i.e., songs such as you 
desired, viz.. Bucolics, to which kind of 
writing PoUio had urged him ; or perhaps 
it refers to this identical song. 

13. On hedera, see Note, Eel. vii. 25; 
and on lanrus, Note, Eel. vi 83. Observe 
the verbal subst. victrices standing in appo- 
sition to another subst in room of an adj. 
Tills is very common with those nouns 
ending in tor and t}'ix. 

16. Tereti olivae—'' his smooth olive staff, 
or crook." Some interpret, "an olive 
trunk," but tliis is not so good. 

17. Nascere, i.e., surge, orere. Observe 
that praereniens is separated by Tmesis 
Almum—Heyne says, " Proprie sunt alma 
quae alunt, ut lac, nutrix, Ceres, et alia; 
inde quaecunque bona, benejica. utiliu, ju- 
cunda et grata sunt. Hence this adj. is used 
of the cattle and the fields; of the sun and 
the light; of water; of nurses, and of the 
gods. 

18. Conjugis is here used in a prospective 
30 



sense. His betrothed one had proved 
false. 

19. niis testibus, i.e., th-^ gods to whom 
Nisa had appealed in testimony of her alfec- 
tion: "Although I have profited nothing 
by their being witnesses." 

21. Maenalios, i.e., Arcadian, Bucolic, 
for Mt. Maenalus was in the S. of Arcadia. 
2'ibia— for an illustration of this instrument, 
see yEn. v. 871. The Romans used the 
ti'yia only in sacred rites, and in scenic per- 
formances; but the Greek shepherds liad it 
as their common instrument. There was 
the single tibia, and also the double, which 
latter required both hands to play it. The 
former must have been the one here spoken 
of, as we have seen already that Damon 
was leaning on a staff, and" therefore had 
one hand employed. This verse is frequently 
repeated throughout the poem, and intro^ 
duces a new portion of the song, some notes 
of the pipe follo'ning as a prelude to the 
following canto. 

22. Argutum nemos — "the whispering 
grove," see EcL vii. 1. Pinos loquentes. 
Some refer this to the effect of the wind in 
the trees; but as this idea is expressed in 
argutum nemus, others, -with more appear- 
ance of propriety, apply it to the constant 
echoing of shepherds' songs in the wood. 

24. Pana, ie., the songs of shepherds on 
the fistula (see Eel. i 2) which was invented 
by Pan. Pan did not allow the oaten reeds 
to be idle ; he it was who fii-st made them 
vocal. 

26. The shepherd complains that his be- 
trothed wife, Nisa, is given (datur, scil. 
nupium) to his rival, Mopsus; and then 
goes on to remark that in affairs of love 
there is nothing too strange to expect, 
{speremus, "to look for," in a bad sense.J 
even tlie union of griffons with horses, in 
the yoke. 

27. The griffons were mythical monsters. 
ha\ing the face of an eagle, iind the body 
of a lion, with wings; their abode was in 
the Rhipean mountains, where they guarded 
golden treasures from robbers, especially 
from the Arimaspi, against whom and their 
horses they had a peculiar hatred. 

Bamae — Dama and talpa are made masc 
by Virgil, but fem. by other poets, such 
as Horace, Martial, <fec. 

Ad jjocula, le., potum, "to drink," "to 
the water." 

30. Sparge nuces. This scattering of nuts 
was part of the old Roman ceremonj' of 
conducting the bride to the house of her 
husband, and to the thcdamus. Hence, as 
this was done at nightfall, Hesperus is 
usually mentioned in connection with the 
event. This rising of Hesperus, the evening 
star over (Eta, could not have been appro- 
priate in the mouth of an Italian shepherd, 
and must have been taken from some Greek 
poet who either lived in Thessaly, or described 
a scene occurring in Thessaly. Perhaps it 
is borrowed from Catullus, Ixii. 7, Nimirum 
LEtaeos ostendit noctifer ignis. (Eta is now 
called Katuvothra, On the throwing of 
nuts, see the same poem of Catullus. The 
bridegroom threw nuts among the younger 



ECL. Vm. 32-55. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL VIII. 58-69. 



members of the company, to indicate that \ 
he now gave up all childish mdulgences. j 

32. This line is strongly ironical, as verse j 
26 shows. Cf. Tlieocr., xi. 31. The hirsutum \ 
supercilium belongs in the parallel passage 
of Theocritus to Polj-phemus, who alleges , 
tliat it is the cause of Galatea not loving 
him. 

37. Saepibus, dec. — "in our enclosures." ^ 
gardens. Roscida—'' dew>\" Cmtti matre ■ 
— "with my mother," not thy, as is com- i 
monly interpreted. The phrase of Theo- j 
critns is, ^^u-a. ffvv fzciTpi. I 

39. Alter ab undecimo, Le., the twelfth. | 
So iu Eel. V. 49, alter ab illo means not | 
"second from him," but next to him, or after ' 
him. 

41. Ut vidi, ut perii— This again is from 
Theocritus iii 42, ^5 ''^2v, u? ifzavy,, m 
U (ooctw eLXocr ipura, ; or ii 82, X^^ 
'loovy u)$ lf/.xvy,y, &c. The first «i indicates 
time, the second admiration: "When I saw 
how I was undone I " i.e., the first glance 
was a '■'killing one." Observe the hiatus 
between peril and ut— it is excused by the , 
arsis and punctuation mark. See Eel. ii 5-3. ! 
Malus error, Le., the madness [the cagaries] 1 
of love ; the aberration of mind, and ten- | 
dency to absurdities, which are sjinptoma- 
tic of love. 

43. Q7j,id sit Amor— ''yvhat is the nature 
of love ? " For cautibus, some books adopt 
the old form, cotibus. 

44. Tmaros, or Tomarus, a mt ofEpirns, 
haAdng Dodona at the base of it It is now 
called Tomara. Rhodope, in Thrace; see 
EcL v-i 30. Gararnantes — an African tribe; 
they lived beyond Gaetulia, in the district 
which nearly corresponds to the modem 
Fezzan; see^n. iv. 198. Note the hiatus in 
Rhodope, aut. The arsis and pause prevent 
the elision of e. 

45. Wagner is of opinion that edunt is 
pres. tense, because it is equal to parentes 
sixsT. At all events, in vi-^id narrative, the 
pres. is often put for the per£ 

47. The reference here is to Medea, of 
Colchis, wife of Jason, whose story is 
known to aU. But as the innocent and 
pure-minded shepherd is horrified at the 
mm"derous deed, he concludes that none 
but those of naturally savage disposition 
could listen to the bloody suggestions of 
crudelis Amor, and hence he attributes bad- 
ness of heart to Medea herself — crudelis tu 
quoque mater. 

49. The question is asked, whether it was 
the mater, or the boy, Cupid, that was more 
cruel; and in the following line the reply is 
given that Amor is an obstinate, persever- 
ing fellow, but that the mother was at the 
same time a savage. 

52. Ultra — "contrary to what you would 
expect ; " see Note, jEn. ii. 145. On aui^ea 
mala, see Note, EcL ilL 71. 

55. Cycnis — On this dative after certent, 
see EcL v. 8. Among the other unnatural 
changes which will take place, the rustic 
and untutored TitjTUS wiD. become a very 
Orpheus or Anon in music Aiiou was a 



native of Lesbos, and lived for a while at the 
court of Periander, king of Corinth. When 
he was, on one occasion, returnuig to Co- 
rinth, from a sojourn iu Sicily and the south 
of Italy, where he had made a large sum of 
money by his art. he was thrown overboard 
by the sailors, who wished quietly to take 
possession of his gold: but he was conducted 
safely to the shore of Greece by a dolphin 
which, being charmed by his harp, took 
him on its back when he was cast into the 
sea. 

58. Medium mare — "deep sea;" medium 
is not to be interpreted literally: the phrase 
is that of a man regardless of all conse- 
quences and calamities. Vivite is iu the 
sense of valete. 

59. Specula means any high point of view 
from which we can have a long and distant 
prospect. Speculum, " a mirror." 

60. Hoc munus, " the song," says Heyne : 
"the death," say Voss, Wagn. and Wund. 
On desine versus see Note, Eel. v. 19. 

62. The song which follows is taken from 
the Pharmaceutria of Theocritus, IdylL ii. 
A sorceress endeavours, by magic arts, to 
recal the attachment of a former lover who 
had deserted her. Cf. Hor., Serm. i. 8; 
Tibullus, L 2. Pierides, the Muses, so called 
from a district of Macedonia, where they 
were first worshipped. 

64. The preparations for the rites are pro- 
ceeded with — the water for purification— 
the verbena and the frankincense. Verbena 
is said to be a general name for aU those 
herbs and plants, such as the olive, m>Ttle, 
bay, (tc, that were used iu sacred rites. 
Medical writers apply the term to a parti- 
cular herb, which we now caU vervain. 
Douatus is of opinion that verbena is from 
herbena, from herba; and Servius, from 
viridis ; but neither of these derivations is 
satisfactory. 

65. Mascula. This word is applied by 
the ancients to the least and most valuable 
kind of tus. Ser\-ius accounts for the term 
mascula &s follows: Mascula tura, quae in 
modum testiculorum sunt. Forbiger says it 
was " rotundum in guttae speciem." 

Adole. Olere seems to mean primarily to 
emit a flavour, aul its inchoative form 
olescere is equal to augeri, crescere; hence 
the derivatives adolescere, exolescere, inoles- 
cere, obsolescere, and the substs. proles and 
soboles. In this sense we have such phrases 
as altaria donis adolere, Le., cumulare; deos 
adokre, Penates adolere flammis, Ls., au- 
gere, colere, honorare. Hence, as the gods 
were worshipped by sacrifices, and these, 
for the most part, burnt too, it came to 
mean the same as cremare, incendere; so 
that the phrase here would signify "heap 
herbs on the altar for the purpose of burn- 
ing," Le., simply, " bum," " set fire to." 

66. Conjugis, not "husband," but "lover." 
Sanos sensus avertere, to turn away his 
right senses from their proper course, and 
lead them to the insania of love. Carmina, 
" charms," " incantations." The next line 
is frequently repeated throughout the song, 
for the same object as verse 21, which see. 

69. Deducere lunam. This is a phrase 
SI 



EcL. Vm. 70-80. 



XOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. VIIL 82-109. 



often met with in tlie detail of magic 
rites, in which the moon always bears 
a conspicuous pai't The moon and the 
stars were supposed to be at the bidding of 
the sorceress. See Plato, Gorg., p. 513; 
Hon, Epod., V. 45, and xvii 77 ; Ovid, Am., 
ii. 1, 23. 

CoeIoJ.s by most grammarians called da- 
tive here, as capiti in Eel. vi. 16 in Greek 
fashion. For other examples, see Ovid, 
Met vL 592; and 0^•id, Am. iii. 10, 36. 

70. Ulixi, ie., Ulixei, contracted from 
UlixeL Greek nouns in ivs ended m the 
Doric dialect in >IJ, as Tv^svs—Tu^yi. 
Hence arose a gen. in ou, either of the first' 
or of the yEoIic third, decL ; and hence again 
was made the Latin gen. termination in i. 
Accordingly, in such nouns as Achilles, 
Ulixes, the proper termination of the gen. 
is i, and that of the accus. en ; but on the 
contrarj- those which have eus in the nom., 
and have no variety of termination in es 
(as Xeretis, Tereus. Idomeneus), make the 
gen. in ei and the accus. in ea. Virgil, 
however, avoided the forms ^c/ii7/ej, Achillea 
(from Achilleus), Ulixei, L'lixea, which 
Ilorace and others frequently used- See 
Note on ^n. i. 3o. 

61. Cantando, i.e., incantando. Rumpi- 
tur, Le., disrumpitur, 

73. While the sorceress utters these words, 
she is supposed to throw a true-lover's knot, 
by three threads of different colours, over 
the image of Daphnis, which she then 
carries round the altar. The number three 
was a saci-ed and a perfect one, as we see 
by many of the arrangements of husband- 
men, priests, soldiers (in measuring the 
breadth of a fosse), medical men, <fcc &c 

77. Ternos. From this word, and from 
terna in 73, some have supposed th.it there 
were nine threads in all ; but, as distribu- 
tives are frequently used for cardinals, ter- 
nos seems to be employed simply for tres. 

SO. "As this clay hardens, and as this 
wax melts, by one' and the same heat." 
The sorceress is supposed by some to have 
two images on which she is operating; or 
by others, one, part of which is of clay, and 
the other of wax. An image of this latter 
kind would better represent an individual 
and a state: the hardening clay signifying 
the growing dislike of Daphnis to ^1 other 
women, and the softening wax, his re- 



turning and increasing love for his former 
fiame. Perhaps there were no images at all, 
but merely pieces of wax and clay. From 
other writers, however, we know that effigies 
were usual in such rites. 

82. Molam — the ground corn and salt 
which were thrown over the head of the 
victim before sacrifice. Fragiles is said to 
mean '^crackling'" — Le., which crackled as 
it burned. Loud crackling was a good 
omen. Cf. Ovid, Fast i. 3-44, non exigiio 
laurus adnata sono. 

85. Talis amor — "let such love lay hold 
on (tenmt, below, 89) Daphnis, as is that 
when, <fcc. See Geo. iiL 230. 

87. Propter — "near." Observe the poetic 
pleonasm in <T5«ffe rivunu Lira, "sedge," 
is much more expressive than the other 
reading, (herba) of the inditference of the 
heifer to comfort, so long as her pursuit has 
been unsuccessful 

88. Perdita refers to what goes before, 
"lost one," "infatuated." Serae nocti, iu 
the dat, is a much more -\-ivid expression 
than sera node, for it represents night as 
ordering the beast to depait. See Geo. iiL 
498. 

91. Exuvias from e.ruo, means primarily 
"everj-thing cast otf," as clothes, armour, 
(fee. It is commonly employed to denote 
the hide of a beast. 

95. Has herbas, dx. — Pontus was properly 
a division of Asia Minor distinct from Col- 
chis, but it is here made to include it Me- 
dea, the most celebrated of sorceresses, was 
a native of Colchis. See line 47, above. 

97. Moeris is not mentioned elsewhere. 
He is supposed to have been a skilled sor- 
cerer of those days. 

99. Satas masses, Le., the crops sowed for 
^future harvest 

101. The assistant, Amaryllis, is now de- 
sired to bring ashes, and to throw them 
over her head uito the stream flowing past. 
The head was to be turned aside, hence 
trans jace. 

107. Nescio quid certe est, Le., "it is cer- 
tainly something of importance;" and the 
dog, too, barks at his master's return. 

109. Parcite— She prays that the potent 
charms may cease to operate, and that as 
her lover is now coming, he may be allowed 
to come of himself and not run the risk of 
being hurt by the effect of the incantations 
and other rites. 



ECLOGUE IX. 



In the year 714 v. c, when a second time lands were being di^-ided among the veterans, 
Alfenus Varus, whom Octavianus had made governor of Cisalpme Gaul, allowed a part 
of then- territory to be taken away from the people of Mantua. The farm of Virgil was 
given to the centurion Arrius ; and the poet, having with difliculty escaped with his life 
from the enraged veteran, fled to Rome, and there wrote this Eclogue, lea^'ing his i;i7- 
Uctis, or land steward, to humour Arrius, and comply with his orders in the meantime. 
This viUicus is called Moeris ; he meets a neighbouring shepherd called Lycidas, whoHs 
a poet, and who particdarly admires the poetry of Menalcas, by wliich character Virgil 
represents hinaselfl 

■62 



EcL. IX. 1-13. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. IX. 15-30. 



1. Pedes, scil. ducunt, suggested by ducit 
in next clause. 

2. "0 Lycidas, we have lived to see the 
time, when a stranger, the occupant of our 
farm (a thing which we never dreaded) 
should say, This property is mine, depart 
ye former cultivators." Wagner, feeling 
the awkwardness of the ellipsis of hue or eo 
after pervenimus, would read quo instead of 
quod; but pervenimus implies an eo or hue, 
and more especially when it is joined to 
vivi the idea of " the time to ichich" is clearly 
indicated. Observe the force of vivi, which 
contrasts the present mode of dispossessing 
quiet farmers, with the former one of giving 
to the veterans the lands of persons who 
had been killed, or who had been forced out 
of their property by the laws of war. 

5. Vied, i.e., overpowered by the veterans, 
and forced to yield. Virgil himself barely 
escaped the sword of the enraged Arrius. 
Fors, &c., " Fortune turns all things upside 
down." Tristes, "sorrowful," as a conse- 
quence of being vicii, and obhged to bring 
the kids, a part of the farm produce, to 
Mantua, where the new owner seems to 
have resided. 

6. Quod nee bene vertat — This is an old 
proverb — "and may bad luck go with them." 
Nee is often used for non [or rather for et 
«€] in prohibitions, being a much stronger 
negative. A more harmonious order of 
this phrase is, quod nee vertat bene, as we 
thus have an additional caesura. Mit- 
timus haedos, Le., we drive to him, ab- 
sent (in Mantua), these kids. Wagner 
compares the phrase, mittere inferias, i.e., 
"■ferre inferior qua^ per twmulum ad inferos 
deveniani." 

7. Ce?'te adds confirmation to the whole 
sentence, and is to be joined to the verb : 
" r, for my part, had heard for certain " (for 
a fact). Quit se subducere — "where the hills 
begin to sink, and to lower their ridge in a 
gentle slope, even to the river (Mincius), 
and to the aged beech trees with tops now 
broken," literally, "beech trees old as to 
their tops now broken," Le., which show 
that they are aged, by their tops being 
blasted and rotten through long exposure 
to the storm. It is better to make cacumina 
an accus., governed by veteres, on the prin- 
ciple of the "accus. of the remote object," 
on which see Note, Eel. i. 55 ; consult espe- 
cially Note on inter densa umbrosa cacumina 
fagos, Eel. ii. 3. We would therefore re- 
move the commas after veteres and cacu- 
mina. 

10. Vestrum Menalcan — "your master, 
Menalcas," i.e., VirgiL 

11. Audieras — "You have heard it, I have 
no doubt, and (i e., for) there was such a 
report." Such is the force of the pluperf. 
Wagner puts a note of interrogation after 
audieras. 

13. "But our poems have as much power 
amidst (against) the implements of war, as 
the Chaonian doves when the eagle swoops 
upon them." Dodona, a city of Epirus, 
famed for its oracle, which was the most 
ancient in Greece, was at a very early pe- 
riod inhabited by the Chaonians. The wiU 
C 



of the god was indicated by the rustling of 
the wind in the tops of the oaks. These 
sounds were first interpreted by men, but 
afterwards by women, who were called 
TsXiiadi;, I e., pigeons, because pigeons 
were said to have conveyed to Dodona the 
command to found an oracle there. 

15. Comix sinistra — "And had not a crow 
on the left previously warned me, fi'om a 
hollow holm-oak, to put an end to the newly 
risen dispute by any means whatsoever." 
Sinistra, as we have seen in Note on Eel. 
i. 16 (which consult), means sometimes 
"propitious," and sometimes " unpropi- 
tious." In this case, it is of little consp.- 
quence in which sense we take it, smcp, 
while the crow gave notice of evil to come, 
it yet warned Moeris for his benefit and 
safety. The hollow, decayed, tree farther 
indicated danger. 

17. Gadit. This verb is sometimes used 
as equal to eonvenire, locum habere, and 
hence it here means " does such enormous 
wickedness enter into any one's head;" 
" take possession of any one." 

18. Solatia, i.e., his poems. We had 
nearly lost, it seems, the solace of thy poems 
along with thyself, Menalcas. 

19. Quis caneretnyjnphas, &o. Reference 
is made to EcL v. 20, Exstinctum nymphae 
crudeli funere Daphim flebant; and so at 
line 40, Spargite humumfoliis, inducite fon- 
tibus umbras. The meaning, of course, is, 
Who would there, in that case, have been 
to sing of the ground being strewed with 
the flowering herbs, and of the fountains 
being shaded with a green covering ? The 
descriptions of our poet Menalcas were so 
true to nature as to make his hearers al- 
most feel as if they saw before them in 
tangible reality the object named. 

21. " Or those verses which I lately 
picked up from you, though I said nothing 
of it (tacit us), when you were going to visit 
Amaryllis, the deliglit of all of us." This 
Amaryllis is a Theocritean character (Idyll 
iiL 1), and does not seem to be here applied 
to any individual in particular, but to sig- 
nify generally any loved one. 

23. This and the two following lines are 
translated almost word for word from Theo- 
critus, Id. iiL 3-5. 

Bum — "untiL" as often. 

26. Immo—."' nay, rather," "aye, farther," 
sciL, who will sing those songs Avhich he 
had in preparation in honour of Varus. 
The note of the swan before death was said 
to be most beautiful ; hence the poet repre- 
sents these birds as reaching the heavens 
with their notes, and in their dying strains 
sounding the praises of Varus. 

28. Cremona had sided with the party of 
Brutus, and hence had been severely treated 
by the victorious triumvirs. And since its 
territory did not prove sufficiently esten- 
sive for all the claimants, the district of 
Mantua, its next neighbour, was laid hold 
of to make up the deficiency. 

30. Cyrneas, i.e., Corsican, Ky^voj. The 
yew-tree grew abundantly there, and was 
said to be the cause of the honey of that 



EcL IX. 31-44. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. IX. 47-67. 



island being bitter. Sic is often used in be- 
seeching, when he who asks a favour in- 
treats by objects very d«ar. So Hor., Sic 
te diva potens Cypri. 

We learn from Eel. L 54, and vii. 13, that 
the farm of Virgil abounded with bees. 

31 On cytiso, see Eel. i. 79; and on si 
quid habes, iii. 52. On Pierides (33), con- 
sult Eel. viii. 63 ; iiL 85. 

33. Sunt mihi carmina, i.e., szim poeta — 
But the public say I have a little of the mens 
divinior, and that I am a vaies; in this lat- 
terstatement, however, I do not beUeve them. 
There seems to be a distinction between 
poeta and vates here, though we found them 
identical in meaning in Eel. viL 25. 

34. Credulus is found with the dat. in 
Hor. Od., i. 11, 8, Carpe diem, quam mini- 
mum credula postero. It is elsewhere con- 
strued with the gen., and sometimes with 
in and the accus. 

35. The reason of the unbelief of Lycidas 
in his own inspiration is. that his poems do 
not equal those of Varius, or of Helvius 
Cinna. This Varius was the most illustrious 
of the Roman poets of that age in which 
Horace and Virgil began to write. He had 
great influence with Augustus and Maece- 
nas; his name is well knoAvn to all the 
readers of Horace. Helvius Cinna, another 
distinguished poet of the period was the 
author of an Epic poem called Smyrna. 

36. Argutos, i.e., canoros — "melodious," 
"tuncfuL" 

Thei;' was an inferior poet, called Anser, 
who wa.'* patronized by Antony; and to 
whom was granted a portion of land in the 
Fiderniau district, (de Falerno Anseres de- 
pellentur, Cic.) He was a detractor of Vir- 
gil, and hence his name is played upon by 
the poet. 

38. Neque is equal to non enim. The fol- 
lowing song is taken fromTheocr., xi. 42-49, 
63 sq. The subject is, the love of Polyphe- 
mus for the iiymi)h Galatea. 

39. Hue ades for hue veni. This is an 
example of the constructio praegnans, ex- 
j)lained in Note on Mn. ii. 18, and Geo. ii. 
76, which see. Quisestnam, for quisnam est. 

40. Purpureum,\.Q., "beautiful," in which 
general sense this adj. is often used. CjV- 
cum is not to be taken literally ; it often 
means proximity and nothing more. 

43. Insani fluctus— so Hor. says insaniens 
Bosporus. 

44. Quid quae, &c. — " What (of those 



verses) which I heard thee singing by thy- 
self at the approach of the serene night? 
I remember the air (the melody), if I could 
recall the words." 

47. Dionaei Caesaris— of Cassar, descend- 
ant of Dione. The Julian gens was derived 
from lulus, or Ascanius, the son of .ffineas, 
who was son of Venus, daughter of Dione. 
The comet which appeared in B.C. 43, dur- 
ing the celebration of the games instituted 
by Octavianus in honour of Julius Cffisar, 
was supposed to have conveyed the spirit 
of the great Dictator to heaven. This is 
the comet which returned again in 1680, 
and in 1832, as astronomers think, and is 
called " Halley's comet." 

49. Duceret colorem — " might derive 
colour," i.e., might ripen. Observe theim- 
perf. subj. expressing repetition and con- 
tinuance. 

50. Insere — " ingraft your pear trees ;" — 
if you do this now when so propitious a 
star is shining, not only you but your pos- 
terity will enjoy the Wit. 

51. Moeris is supposed to stop suddenly, 
having forgotten what to say. Age, he 
alleges, has taken away from him recollec- 
tion, and musical power. Although he had, 
when a youth, spent the whole day in sing- 
ing, yet now he forgets all his songs. 

52. Con dere soles— '■'to hide the sun," to 
see the sun to bed, as we say, i.e., to close 
the day. Observe oblita used passively, 
though the perf. particip. of a deponent 
verb. 

54. Videre priores—fhe seeing of a man 
by a wolf, before he saw it, was considered 
an evil omen, and usually so atfrighted the 
onlooker as to deprive him of the power of 
speech, 

55. Referet — " will repeat." 

56. Causando — "by pleading excuses." 
Amores—*' anxieties." 

59. Hinc arfeo— "from this very point." 
With the whole passage, cf. Theocr., viL 
10, 12. 

60. Bianor, or Ocnus, was son of tlie 
river-god Tiber, and of Manto, daughter of 
Teiresias. 

65. Fasce, i.e., the kids. But it is pro- 
bable that Moeris had some other burden, 
which Lycidas proposes to relieve him of: 
if, indeed, he was carrying the kids at all. 

67. We shall singsongs better then, wheis 
he himself, viz., Menalcas, shall have re- 
turned to his farm. 



ECLOGUE X. 



In Tj.c. 716 Vh-gil wrote this Eclogue, on the occasion of his friend, Conielius Galium, 
losing his mistress Lycoris, who had proved false to him, and had followed one of the 
soldiers of Agrippa, in an expedition made by that general into Gaul in the said year. 
For the history of Gallus, see Classical Dictionary, (Lempriere, or Smith.) With this 
Eclogue, compare the description of the melancholy youth in Gray's Elegy; see also Spen- 
cer, Faerie Queene, Iv. ; and Milton's Lycidas, 

1. Arethusa, a fountain in the island of 1 of the fountain is here invoked, as if the 
Ortygia, off the coast of Sicily. Tht nymph | inspirer of pastoral poetry, of which, as al- 
34 



EcL. X. 2-15. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. X 16-23. 



ready said, the Sicilians were the chief cul- 
tivators. At the time when this Eclogue 
was written, the poet seems to have been 
at Naples, preparing? for the composition of 
his Georgics, and therefore givuig up Bu- 
colic poetry. Hence he says, supy-emum 
laborem. Concede— -'' grant,'' ■' aUow," i.e., 
favour me in this my last Bucohc strain. 

2. Quae legat Lycoris, L e., such that 
Lycoris may read, and be ashamed of her 
inconstancy, in leaving a lover of so excel- 
lent a character, and so true and faithful a 
heart Some books put a colon after labo- 
rem, and a full stop after Lycoris, making 
pauca depend on concede. This is Wagner's 
idea, adopted by Forb, ifcc. 

4. Sic is, as remarked on EcL ix. 30, 
often thus used in wishes. "When one 
makes a request appealing to something 
very dear to, or valued by, him, the speaker 
usually asks something in turn for himself 
from the person or deity on whom he in- 
vokes some blessing. 

The story of the river Alpheus running 
below the Ionian sea to meet the waters of 
Arethusa is weU known. The poet prays 
that Doris (she was "wife of Nereus), Le., 
the sea, may not mix her bitter (salt) waters 
vrith the beautifully clear and fresh streams 
of Arethusa. Skanos — Yirgil makes the 
first syH of this word short, and the second 
long. SUius makes tlie first long, and the 
second short. 

6. Sollicitos — "anxiety causing," Le., 
"vexatious," "excruciating," "torturing." 

8. Respondent here governs the accus., 
omnia, in the sense of " re-echo," "repeat," 
Le., reply to. 

10. Na'ides. Some (Heyne and Wagner) 
understand the nymphs: but Toss, Wmider., 
and Forb. say, the Muses, on account of the 
mention of Parnassus and Aganippe, in 
Aonia. 

Indigno amore — " an unrequited love," 
literally, "a love which he did not merit," 
viz., an imfaithful attachment. Parnassus, 
usually called a Mt. of Phocis, though 
the range extended farther. Pindus was 
the celebrated range on the confines of 
Thessaly and Epirus. Aganippe was a 
fountain on Helicon, a Mt. of Boeotia, wliich 
was by the poets called Aonia, from the 
ancient tribe o: Aones who inhabited it. 
The epithet Aonius is very often used for 
an matters referring directly or indirectly 
to the Muses; thus Aojiiae sorores, Aonia 
Lyra, Aoniae camoenae, dx. 

12. Aouie is the Greek form 'Acviri. 
On the hiatus see Eel. ii. 53. 

13. Observe the hiatus lain-i, etiam, and 
see Note, Eel. ilL 6. The poet represents 
the objects of nature as indidging in grief, 
and thus rendering themselves personified 
for the time. Much vividness, force, and 
beauty are thus added to the narrative. 

15. Mts. Maenalus (in the S. E.), and 
Lycaeus (in the S. W. of Ai-cadia), and 
hideed Arcadia generally, are now the 
scene of the poem. There GaUus is, by a 
poetic fiction, represented as consoling his 



love, as he reclines at the base of a retired 

and lonely rock. 

Observe tlie two forms of the Sd plur. 
perf. iudic, flevere and fleverunt in close 
proximity. The metre here decides the 
use of each : but Wagner -wishes to prove 
that fleverunt is employed when the perf 
has its full force of "have," flevere be- 
ing the indefinite, aoiist form. This dis- 
tinction, however, is not at aU carried out 
by examples. It would appear that the 
short and light form is used towards the 
end of a line, and the stronger form in the 
beginruug. or where the metre actually re- 
qukes the heavier termination. The poets, 
as also Tacitus, Sallust, and Livj-, prefer the 
light form, while the stronger termination 
is very often found in Cicero. 

16. Xostri nee poenitet — The meaning 
seems to be, The sheep are not ashamed of 
me, though a humble poet; Le., though I 
am a humble poet, the shepherd's life [which 
is a noble and happy one} is stmg by me in 
such a way, as that those celebrated do not 
feel ashamed of then- minstreL Therefore, 
though you are a divinely inspired poet, do 
not be ashamed of being represented in the 
company of sheep and shepherds, for even 
the beautiful Adonis himself was a shep- 
herd. Some interpret nee poenitet, <L-c., 
"nor do they disdain to share our sorrows." 
This view gets some shadow of confirmation 
from Theocr., IdylL L 74, 75, but if adopted, 
there is a want of balance between the 
clauses. 

Yirgil borrows largely, in this Eclogue, 
from the fii'st Idyll of Theocritus, "the 
"Adonis." 

19. Upilio, for dpilio, which would not 
suit the metre. Bubulci — "neat herds," 
wliich are well designated tardi. Some 
read subulci — "swme herds," and this has 
the best MS. authority. Tardi, however, 
wid apply equally weU to both. 

20. L'vidus, gktnde— The acorns were col- 
lected, and preserved in water during the 
winter, to be ser^-ed out, not only to the 
swine, but also to the oxeru Hence uvidus 
refers to the ditty of ilenalcas, in bringing 
forth the acorns from the store, and not to 
his being wet with the morning dew, as he 
drove his herd to the wood to collect the 
"?Ha.?<," which there lay scattered about 
Hiberna would thus mean, not, " gathered 
iu winter," but "the winters food." 

21. At'ter representing the rocks, plants, 
lower animals, and men, as taking an in- 
terest in Gallus, and grie-sing at his distress, 
the poet now introduces the gods likewise, 
as concerned for his state. Unde amor iste, 
Le., what girl inflames you ? 

23. Lycoris— This female had, under the 
name of Cytheris, been beloved by Mark 
Antony and Brutus. She had gone, as 
stated in the introduction, beyond the Alps 
with her new lover. Pe?' nives — From these 
words Wagner argues that the Eclogue 
was wiitteu wiien there was spring in Italy, 
but wliile the snow still lay on the Alps. 
But httle stress nmst be laid on this, as 
some of the Alps are clad -vslth perpetual 
snow, and as the lowlands of Italy are sel- 
3o 



EcL. X. 27-44. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. X. 46-59, 



dom covered with it : if it do fall, it soon 
melts again. 

Silvanus was a very ancient domestic 
deity of the Latins : he presided over agri- 
culture, cattle, boundaries, &c. He is usu- 
ally represented as crowned with a garland 
of the leaves of trees, or of large flowers and 
reeds, and having in his hand a cypress, or 
other wand, or the stalks of the herb fennel 
(ferula). He is often confounded with Pan. 

27. Ebuli — This is what is called dwarf 
elder, or wall-wort, or dane-wort. It has 
black berries, yielding juice of a reddish 
colour. It is like the common elder, and 
grows to the height of about three feet. It 
received the name dane-wort, from^the le- 
gend that it sprung from the blood of the 
Danes, when massacred in England. 

Minio — The minium was what we call 
sulphate of mercury., or native cinnabar, or 
native vermilion. It was largely found in 
the Spanish mines; the name is said to 
be still preserved in the river Minho ; but 
this is perhaps only a fancy. 

28. The god asks if there is to be any 
limit to these lamentations. He consoles 
Gallus, by saying that Amor (the god, Cu- 
pid) cares not for such demonstrations of 
grief, and that he is as difficult to satisfy 
with the flow of lovers' tears, as grass is 
with moisture, bees with cytisus, or goats 
with leaves. 

31. At expresses the refusal of Gallus to 
receive such comfort. He therefore begs 
the Arcadian shepherds, so famed for song, 
to celebrate to future ages his unhappy lot. 
Observe tamen as the first word of its 
clause. This is perhaps to be accounted for 
on the consideration tliat it refers to some- 
tliing suppressed 

•32. On caritare, govemed in the iiifin. by 
the adj. periti, see Note, Eel. v. 1. 

33. Gallus now expresses an optative be- 
lief that liis bones will rest in peace if he be 
Bung by the Arcadian swains ; and he re- 
grets that he is not one of them, in Immble 
life, and away from cares and anxieties. 

38. /^uror is used liere Uke am^r, Jlamina, 
ignis, for "the object of one's attachment." 
Gallus now supposes how much happier 
would have been his lot, had he had some 
Phyllis or Amyntas, some female or some 
boy, who would liave remained faithful to 
him, even though a dusky hue should have 
disfigured the face, (beauty Ues not in col- 
our, he says:) then he might have had 
Phyllis to gather flowers for him, and 
Amyntas to sing. 

40. Inter xalices sub vite. This phrase 
has been censured, on the ground that the 
vine does not grow in those marshy dis- 
tricts where the willow is found. It ap- 
pears, however, that the willow was occa- 
sionally planted in Cisalpine Gaul, to train 
the vines on, in places where other trees 
would not grow. 

44. Virgil has been found fault with for 
representing Gallus as at one time a shep- 
lierd, and agam as a soldier. But a little 
reflection will show that this charge is 
roundless; for the poet merely speaks of 
him as reclining iu au Arcadian cave, sur- 



rounded by sheep, which are participators 
iu his sorrows, along with bay trees, rocks, 
&c. So Pope, in Past. 2— 

Soft as he mourned, the streams forgot to 
flow. 

The flocks around a dumb compassion 
show. 
With as much justice might critics accuse 
Virgil of making his hero a god for the time, 
because he bringsforwardanumber of deities 
to condole with him in his calamity. Me, 
therefore, is the correct reading, and not te^ 
The meaning of the whole passage is: "I 
wish I had been a shepherd, you the daugh- 
ter of a shepherd; then we should have 
lived in happiness and quiet in these se- 
cluded Arcadian glades ; but now I am a 
soldier, and you, too, are following the hard- 
ships of the camp. Such joys are therefore 
not to be hoped for." 

46. Nee sit, <tc. — "nor let it be for me to 
believe so atrocious a thing;" Le., force me 
not to believe, "let me be allowed to disbe- 
lieve." 

50. Chalcidico versu — in Chalcidian verse, 
i.e., in the style of Euphorion, a Greek poet, 
ofChalcis in Euboea, some of whose poems 
Gallus is said to have rendered in Latin, or 
at least to have closely imitated. Eupho- 
rion was librarian to Antiochus the Great, 
of Syria. 

51. Pastoris SicuU, Le., Theocritus. Gal- 
lus now proposes to turn to pastoral poetry 
to assuage his grief. But he immediately 
changes his mind, and thinks of enduring 
his love, and even cherishing it, by wander- 
ing in the groves, and inscribing the name 
of his loved one on the trees, so that, in 
proportion as they grow, his affection may 
increase likewise. So Cowley, iu the 
"Mistress" — 

Notes of my love, thrive here, said I, and 

grow, 
And with ye let my love do so. 
See below, 54. 

52. Spelaea, i. e., ff'rvtXot.ta,, ig used by 
other writers also for spelunca, e.g., Clau- 
dian, and tlie author of Cuis. 

53. Pati, sciL amores. Patior is fre- 
quently used absolutely, meaning to "en- 
dure hardship." See Hor., Serm. iL 6, 91. 
Praerupti nemoris patientem vivere dorso. 

Incidere amores— To inscribe on the bark 
of the trees his love, and the name of his 
inamorata. 

54. Crescent illae, cresceiis, amores — This 
beautifid idea is worthy of the genius of 
VirgiL 

55. Maenala — This is the plur. form, from 
the sing., Maenalon, which is sometime* 
found. The usual term is Maenalus. 

57. Parthenios saltus—'' the glades of Mt. 
Parthenius," which was ou the confines of 
Arcadia and Argolis. 

59. Cydonia, in Crete, (and, indeed, Crete 
generally) was famed for the manufactme 
of bows, arrows, and javelins. The Par- 
thiaus, also, excelled iu archery: hence, a 
Parthian bow and Cretan arrows represent 
the best articles of their kind. Partho — 



ECL. X. Go-ee. 



NOTES ON THE ECLOGUES. 



EcL. X. 67-77. 



The more usual adj. would be Parthico. 
Torquere is a verb properly applied to wield- 
ing' the sling, but is transferred to the hurl- 
ing of the spear, and the shooting of an 
arrow. Cornu, i.e., cornea arcu. 

Sonantes lucos — "the echoing groves," 
i.e., echoing with the winds, and the noise 
of brooks, watei-falls, &c. Some refer it to 
tlie echoes of the hound and the hunter. 

60. But here he checks himself, reflecting 
that such devices would prove quite useless 
to bring about the desu'ed peace of mind. 
Observe that the pron. haec is nom. plur. 
neut., referring to the clauses going before, 
which detail the plans of Gallus. Some 
read est, in which case haec is sing., being 
attracted into the gender of the follow- 
ing subst, medicina. On this corruption of 
number, in verbs, on account of the un- 
derstood subst. being wrongly conceived, 
see Epitome of Wagn., Quaest. Virg., viiL 1. 

61. Deus, scil. Cupid. Ille draws earnest 
attention to the object with which it is 
joined: so here it means ''■that well known 
unmerciful little deity." 

Mitescere, "to soften at;" to be moved to 
compassion. 

62. Hamadryadex. These were properly 
those nymphs which were supposed to come 
into existence, and to perish, along with the 
trees to which they belonged. The deriva- 
tion is a-i^a,, "together with," and ^pvc, 
"an oak-tree." 

6iJ. Observe the repetition of ipsa, ipsae, 
expressive of excellence in the objects, and 
of admiration on the part of the speaker. 
Concedite, ' ' farewell. ' ' 

64. Ilium, i.e. Cupid. Labores, "griefs," 
"misfortunes," "calamities." 

65. Nee si. These lines are imitations 
from Tneocr. vii. 112-114. The Hebrus 
(hodie, Afaritza) was the first fi'ozen river 
which the Romans met with in their expe- 
ditious ; and hence it became proverbial for 
very great cold and hardship. It rose at 
the junction of Mount Scomius with Mount 
Rhodope, and flowed into the JEgean near 
the island of Samothrace. It was by its banks 
that Orpheus was said to have perished. 

66. Silhonia was a division of Thrace, 
and afterwards of Macedonia, being the 
centre of the three promontories which jut 



out into the sea from the large peninsula of 
Chalcidice. 

The adj. aquosae has been found fault 
with here in so close relation to nives. It 
will be observed, however, that aquosae Ls 
a general epithet of winter, and expresses 
its Italian character: the poet's readers, 
therefore, would readily understand the 
phrase, ;md excuse its use. We cannot 
expect even the greatest men to be always 
as lynx-eyed in criticising their own writ- 
ings as are pedantic grammarians whose 
business it is to detect the faults of their 
neighbours. 

67. Liber is properly the inner bark, but 
is here put for the rind generally. The 
heat of summer is the time spoken of. 

68. Versemns, "tend"— literally "drive 
here and there." Aethiopia lay south of 
.^gj^pt, and more sub sidere Cancri, i.e. un- 
der the tropic. 

69. This Une, "omnia vincit," is said bj' 
Gallus with resignation: — In the next the 
poet returns to speak of himself and his task. 
Observe the last syll. of a?nor lengthened 
by the arsis. Cf. Note on Eel. i 39, and 
iv. 51. 

71. Sedet et texit. The presents are re- 
ferred to the time of cecinisse—to have been 
singing during the time that he sits and 
weaves. 

Fiscella — a small basket of wicker work, 
or rushes, which was used for many domes- 
tic purposes, but more especially for holding 
a kind of cheese, made of curdled creain. 

72. Maxima— "of very great value:" 
i. e., grant that Callus may esteem them 
highly. 

73. Cujus amor — "my love /or whom." 
This is an instance of the objective gen., on 
which see Note, Geo. iv. 110, and Mw. i. 462. 

75. Gravis — "unwholesome," "detri- 
mental." So in next line, he says that the 
shade is hurtful to vegetation : it stunts the 
growth of plants, and in like manner it 
damps poetic flre, and deadens poetic energy. 
The juniper was said to be even injurious 
to health, from the noxious exhalations 
which it emitted during the night. 

77. lie saturae — " go home, sated as you 
are." Hesperus, the evening star, is coming 
into sight. On Hesperus, see Eel. viiL 30. 



37 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



The long-continued struggle of the civil war in Italy had paralyzed the eflforts of steady 
industry, had almost put an end to the operations of agriculture, and had, as a natural result 
of these causes, produced famine over the length and breadth of the laud. The strength 
and experience of the rural population had been di-afted off to the wars, Avhere many of 
them perished on the bloody fields of fraternal slaughter, and their places, as husband- 
men, had been supplied by the veterans of the triumvirs, who showed themselves totally 
unfit to imdertake the management of farms, and the rearing of cattle. Maecenas, seeing 
the damage which this ignorance would entail on the new settlers themselves, and ou 
all Italy, requested the poet Virgil to write a didactic poem on the subject of agriculture, 
of such a kind that, wliile the elegance of its versification, and the charms of its style, 
should wn the hearts of the more educated classes, the principles and precepts of hus- 
bandry might be well received by the less polished, as coming from one who hunself had 
had practical knowledge of the farmer's life. With this wish of his patron our author 
complied, and produced the Georgics, one of the most elegant compositions of ancient 
times. Along with rules and directions for the various operations of land culture, cattle 
and bee-reai'ing, and vine-growing, there are interwoven some delightful episodes, on 
mythological, moral, and philosophical subjects, which lend interest and fascination to the 
whole : such, for example, as the Praises of Italy, the deUghts of a country life, the pro- 
digies which preceded the death of Caesar, and the history of Aiistaeus. The Georgics 
were written after the Eclogues, when the poet's taste and judgment were more matured, 
and when he had more leisure and contentment of mind to carry on, Avithout interruption, 
a lengthened poem. Naples and Campania seem to have been his residence during the greater 
part of the period that he was engaged on the work; and, in many respects, the poem seems 
to have been composed with au especial eye to Campania. It is supposed that he began 
the Georgics about 717, and completed them about 724. His chief models were Hesiod 
among the Greeks, and Lucretius among the Romans ; but he borrowed largely also 
from Aristotle, Theophrastus, Aratus, Mago, Varro, Cicero, &c., &c The name Geor- 
gics (Georgica) is Greek, TiupytKa, and means "agricultural affairs," The title* ffeor- 
gicon (Le., yiupytx.Mv) is the gen. plur. of Georgica. Some copies give Georgicorum, l)ut 
the Greek form is to be preferred. The student will find in Thomson's " Seasons," and in 
Gray's "Rural Sports," many passages bearing a remarkable resemblance to portions 
of this poem. 



BOOK I. 

ARGUMENT. 

I. General subject of whole poem; viz.. Agriculture, Book I.; Vines and Trees, Book II. ; 

Cattle, Book III.; Bees, Book IV. (Unes 1-4). 
IL Invocation of Gods, and of Caesar (5-42). 

III. Opening of Subject Proper — Preparations for Sowing: 

(1.) Period at which to commence ploughing (43-49). 

(2.) Nature of climate, character of soil, and most suitable modes of cultivation, to 

be ascertained (50-62). 
(3.) Minute directions as to the manner and time of ploughing particular kinds of 

sou (63-70). 
(4.) Means of refreshing the soil (71-93). 
(5.) Modes of pulverizing the soil (94-99). 

IV. Operations succeeding Sowing: 

(1.) Rendering the soil ^.'ie (100-105). 
(2.) Irrigation of crops (106-110). 
(3.) Checking of luxuriant growth (111-113). 
(4.; Drawing off excessive moisture (114-117). 

(5.) Drawbacks and annoyances to which the husbandman is subject — the meai28 
of preventing or of remedying them (118-159). 



B. I. 1-2. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. I. 4-5. 



V. Agricultural Implements and Appliances (160-186). 

VI. Indications of the yield of the ensuing Hai-vest, and Artificial means of Increasing^ 
Fruitfuhiess of Seed (187-203). 

VII. Proper season for Sowing different Seeds to be decided by Observation of the 
Heavenly Bodies : Explanation of the Seasons (204-256). 

VIII. How the Husbandman is to employ his Leisure Time; what Days are Lucky or 
Unlucky for certain transactions; and what Operations should be done by Night or 
by Day in preference (257-310). 

IX. The Weather: 

(1.) Storms of particular seasons (311-334). 
(2.) Means of guarding against them (335-350). 
(3.) Prognostics of change of weather (35-1-463). 

X. Political Changes even fox-e told by Heavenly Bodies ; the Death of Julius Caesar — 

its Prognostics, its Accompaniments, and its consequences (4ff4-514). 



1. The contents of the Georgics are briefly 
stated in tlie first four lines: Bk. i., Agri- 
culture (quid faciat Icetas segetes); Bk. ii., 
The cnltivation of vines and of trees gene- 
rally {iilmis adjungere vites), Bk. iii., The 
tending of cattle (cura bown, cuUus Jiabendo 
pecori); Bk. iv., The rearing of bees {expe- 
rientia apibus). And here it i^s to be re- 
marked that the poet begins at vegetable 
life in its lowest types, and goes up in 
beautiful gradation to that form of animal 
life which nearly resembles man in the 
political organization adopted by its mem- 
bers. Thus, he treats first of grass and 
herbs, and then passes on to shrubs and 
trees; next he smgs of the lower animals, 
beginning with the more sluggish and 
bestial, till he rises to the bees, which, in 
their sagacity, wisdom, industiy, and social 
economy, resemble and approach the hu- 
man race. — Forbiger. We do not think 
that this arrangement was adopted by \lrgil 
on the grounds indicated by Forb. We 
believe it to be accidental; and we are of 
opinion that he chooses rather to detail 
first those operations which are the foun- 
dation of all riu-al occupations, the culture 
of the soil naturally preceding tl e rearing 
of trees and of cattle; and the care of bees 
coming last, from their less importance in 
an agricultural point of view. 

This first line is an expanded form of 
the title of Hesiod's kindred work, "'E-pym. 
KOA 'Hfi'ipcii, "The Works and Days;" i.e. 
Quid faciat luetas segetes expresses the '^pyu; 
and quo sidere the '/if/Apeci^ days or times, 
when the different operations should be 
conducted. It will be observed that through- 
out the Georgics the poet directs opei'ations 
by the rising aud the setting of the con- 
stellations. 

Laetas, -'joyful;" i.e. "fertile," as applied 
to fields; "abundant," to crops. Our slang 
term, Joffp, has the double meaning of "in 
high spirits," and "excellent" in someway; 
and similarly farmers talk of land being "Vt 
good heart." Segetes sometimes means the 
crops, i e. the harvest, and sometimes the 
corn-fields (as here) viewed as to their soil. 
Quo sidere, i.e. quibus mensibus. 

2. Ver tere te^-ram, scil. aratro, or ferro, 
or vomere, or bidente, for all these words are 
used with this verb; though we often find 
vertere used absolutely for ploughing. 

.40 



Adjungere ulmis— As already remarked 
elsewhere, the Italians trained their vines 
to ti'ees rather than to stakes or walls. 
Vites is used, as the vine was the most 
valuable af their trees; but other trees are 
intended to be included. 

Majcenas (C. Cilnius), the gi-eat friend: 
and dose confident of Augustus, the en- 
lightened patron of literature and art, was 
he who first suggested this poem ; and to> 
him it is naturally inscribed. He died iii 
746 TJ.c, the same year with Horace, and 
eleven years after Virgil. For his life see 
Smith's Diet, of Biog. and Mythol. 

4. Qui cultus habendo pecori — " What kind 
of treatment [attention, care] is necessary 
for the proper rearing [keeping up the stock] 
of cattle." Observe the force of the gerun- 
dive, habendo, expi-essing suitabkness, ov 
fitness, or necessity. By pecori, small cattle, 
such as sheep and goats, are meant. It is 
opposed to bourn. The usual distinction 
made between pecus, pecoris. and pecus, pe- 
cudls, is, that the former means eattte gene- 
rally, in flocks or herds, while the latter 
suggests iadividual heads. 

Quanta, &c. — "how g^eat experience is 
necessary for the proper nurture of the 
thrifty bees;" or, as Wagner and Forb. 
will have it, " the bees scanty in number:" 
i.e., "hoAv great experience is required so 
as to keep up or increase the number of the 
thinly-peopled hive." Tliis is a rare meaning: 
of parens, if indeed the word can bear such 
an interpretation at all. Forb. and Wagn, 
adduce no example of such a use, and ground 
their argument on the sense of the connection, 
which, they say, is all about the breeding 
and keeping up of the race — habendis being 
understood to apibus, from habendo, going 
before. The poet, we believe, used the adj. 
parcis in its plainest sense of "frugal," 
"sparing," "thrifty," — that characteristic 
of the bee which still distinguishes it, and 
which renders it a model worthy of human 
imitation, being uppenuost in his mind, and 
not the idea of difficulty of preservation and 
of propagation. Some copies veadparvis for 
parcis. 

Observe that pecori preserves its final 
vowel, from elision, by reason of the arsis 
and pause. See Eel. ii., 25, 53; and con- 
sult Quaest. Virg. xi. 

5. Hinc, "Henceforward," "now,"" hence- 
fortli." Heyne. Others, however, as Forb. 



B 1.7- 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



E. I. 10-IR 



and Voss, take it to be a modest qualifica- 
tiim of the rather extensive "table of con- 
tents" just laid down, and would interpret 
"in part," " ex his " from these topics, i.e., 
" some subjects from amonp,- these, and some 
parts of said topics, I shall sing of." But 
Heyne's rendering is the most simple, 
natural, and appropriate. 

Vos, clarissima, ti-c. On to Ime 42, we 
have the invocation ; first, of such deities as 
are in any way connected Avith agricultural 
atfairs; and, secondly, of Ca;sar Octavianas 
who was one day to become a god, according 
to the poet. These lines form one of the most 
beautiful portions of the poem. Some con- 
sider clarissima liimina to be in apposition 
to Libev and Ceres, but this is not to be re- 
ceived. The words refer to the sun and 
moon, whose influence was so great in these 
matters, as the sources of heat and light, 
the regulators of seasons, the prime movers 
of vegetation, and the ripeuers of the fruits 
of the earth. Liber and Libera were, it is 
true, sometimes confounded with the sun 
and moon, but that was only in certain 
mysteries: besides, Varro, whom Virgil fre- 
quently imitates, and w^hom he evidently 
had in view here, invokes separately and 
byname, first, Jupiter andTellus; secondly, 
Sol and Luna; and thirdly, Ceres and Bac- 
chus; thus proving that the thii'd pair were 
different from the second. 

Ducitis, (kc, "who conduct down hea- 
ven's slope the gliding [i.e. quickly moving] 
year." Vos is subject to ferte in "line 11, or 
to adeste, which may be supplied, and which 
is suggested by ferte pedem. 

7. After invoking the Sun and Moon, as 
the first and most important powers in all 
matters pertaining to agriculture, the poet 
proceeds to name those deities whose special 
intervention is necessary in the several de- 
partments of rural al¥iurs: thus, for Bk. L, 
Ceres is entreated; for ii., Bacchus, the 
Fauns and Nymphs, Silvanus, and Minei-va, 
the producer of the olive ; for iii., Neptune, 
to whom horses are a delight, Ai-istaeus, 
and Pan, the guardian of sheep ; for iv., 
the same Aristaeus, who was skilled in all 
matters of husbandly, and Avhose know- 
ledge of bees was especially remarkable. 
Note carefully that the hero Triptolemus is 
also invoked (p-.ter monstrator unci aratri), 
and this affords a precedent for introducing 
one who is by and by to be a demigod, viz., 
Octavianus. 

On the name Liber, see Eel. vii. 58 ; and 
on alma. Eel. viii. 17. 

8. Chaoniam glandem — On this phrase, 
see Note, Eel. ix. 13. Glans is applied to 
any kernel-fruit, such as the walnut, date, 
acorn; and is here used of the primitive 
food of man, on which he was said to have 
lived, till he was taught agriculture by 
Ceres. 

9. Miscuit pocula uvis, qualified the 
water by the juice of the grape, i.e., intro- 
duced the vine and gave men wine to mix 
with the water which they formerly drank. 
The word Achelo'ia is said to refer to 
the old legend that the Achelous (in 
-^tolia) was the first river which appeared 



on the face of earth, and that the name thn3 
means water generalhj. Hermann, however, 
thinks that the term is used ta signify /res^ 
icater, either river or spring, from -^X'' 
y^Mti, (kindred to X^'^"^^ and x-'^-'^^'^-' 
i.e,, testa,) the name of one of the River- 
Muses. The ancients seldom drank wine 
witliout mixing it. 

10. On Fauni, see Eel. vi. 27. Praeserttia 
— "propitious;" near at hand, to rendeF 
effectual assistance, in person, whenever \% 
is required. 

11. Fert pedem, scil. hue, i.e., adeste mihi. 
On Drijades, see Eel. x. 62, and v. 59. 

12. Munera. viz., com, wine, herds, flocks, 
&c. Tu, scil. Neptune, who struck the earth 
with his trident, and caused the horse to 
Iwund forth. The story of his contest with 
Minei-va is well known. See Smith's Diet, 
of Brog-. and M\th. under "Neptune." 
Voss and Jahn think another story is re- 
ferred to, viz., that which represented the 
first horse as leaping- forth from a rock in 
Thessaly, which had been struck by Nep- 
tune, but not in any contest with Minerva. 
For equum some books read aqiunn, with a 
reference to that form of the legend which 
said that, in his contest -vvith Minerva, Nep- 
tune produced a fountain, or spring of salt 
water. But with what propriety could /re- 
mentem be applied to aqunni in this sense? 
Cmj— "at whose command." 

Prima tellus is by some interpreted "the 
young earth," i.e., recently created. But it 
is better to take prima tellus fudit as a 
poetic inversion for tellus primwn fudit — 
" the earth gave birth to an animal then 
for the first time seen." Fundere is used 
de partufelici et facili, and is peculiarly ap- 
plicable here, where the action is instan- 
taneous. 

1-S. Tridenti — Some books read tridenie, 
on the prii7<?iple that of words irr ns, substs. 
have e in the abl., and adjs. i. Tlie bes4 
MSS., however, have often the i form in 
the abl. of subts., as here. 

14. CuUor nemorum — This is Ai-fstaens, 
son of Apollo and the nymph Gyrene. He 
was the inventor of the art of clieese-raak- 
ing; he taught the cultivation of the olive; 
and was the guardian of flocks and pastures, 
whence he is called cultornemorum. Cui — ■ 
"by whose kindness," " at whose behest." 
Ceae dumeta, tt-c— After the death of his 
son Aetaeon, Aristaeus retired to Ceos, or 
Cea, (now called Zea, or Zia,) one of the 
Cyclades, not far from Attica, where he 
taught the islanders to appease the wrath 
of Sirius; whereupon the Etesian winds 
began to blow, and so modified the scorch- 
ing heat that vegetation went on, and 
abundant pasture was provided for the 
sheep and cattle. 

15. Dumeta, properly, "pastures where 
there are clumps of trees placed at inter- 
vals." Observe iondent in the pres. tense: 
the poet representing the god as still exer- 
cising his beneficial influence in the island. 

16. Ipse expresses marked emphasis, and 
calls earnest attention: Aye, even Pan, 
too, who is usually so loth to leave his 

41 



B. L 18-24. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. L 25-32. 



own Arcadia, with his favourite haunts on 
Mounts Lycaeus and Maenalus (see Eel. x. 
15 and 55), must be present. Pan was the 
tutelary deity of shepherds and of sheep, and 
of Arcadia where they abounded. In form 
he is ahnost a satjr. His head is orna- 
mented with two short horns ; his nose is 
flat; his tail, feet, legs, and thighs are those 
of a goat. 

18. Tegecse, Le., Pan, who was specially 
worshipped at Tegea, in Arcadia. Oleae 
invenirix — In her contest wth Neptune, 
(see line 12, above,) Minerva is said to have 
made the olive tree spring from the earth 
where her spear alighted. 

19. Puer monstrator arafri —Triptolemus, 
of Eleusis, the son of Celeus. He was 
taught ploughing by Ceres, and this new 
ai-t he propagated over the whole earth, tra- 
versing mid-a'r in a car drawn by dragons. 
On the propriety of the adj. itnci, see 169, 
below. 

20. On Silvanus, see Note, Eel. x. 24. 
Ab radice — "torn up by the root," L e., 
root and all; not, "broken" off at the root" 
Hand makes ab radice depend on teneram, 
in the sense, " tender from the root all the 
way up ;" but apart from considerations of 
syntax, we can see no propriety in the des- 
cription, nor any point gained by stating 
distinctly such a characteristic of the cy- 
press. 

21. After addressing individual deities, 
the poet again invokes all in a body, in case 
he should" seem to slight any, and thus 
bring upon himself the wrath of such. 

22. Notas fruges non ullo semine, i.e., new, 
fresh, hitherto unknovvTi plants, Avhich ger- 
minate Avithout seed being sown by man. 
Fritges is put for the productions of the 
earth generally. Xon ullo semine is opposed 
to sails, "sown crops," in the following 
line. 

24. Tuque adeo. After invoking the as- 
sistance of the recognized gods, our author 
now proceeds to bespeak the favour of Octa- 
vianus ; and in his address he treats him as 
about to be a heros, or demigod, as already 
indeed a god with men, though as yet un- 
decided whether he is to choose the earth, 
the sea, or the air as his sphere. We have 
already seen that Virgil, in Eel. L, antici- 
pates divine honours for Augustus, of which 
Mattering prediction this may be merely a 
more bold avowal It may, however, ha, 
that this invocation of the Emperor was 
inserted here afier the completion of the 
poem in 724 r.c, in which year (or rather 
perhaps in 725,) the Senate decreed that 
libations should be made to Augustus ; and 
at the time when temples had actually been 
dedicatetl to him in Pergamus and Nico- 
media. It may be readily imagined, how- 
ever, that the' proposal to bestow divine 
honours on Octavian was discussed both in 
private circles and in the Senate even be- 
fore 725, so that Virgil's ascription of such 
a dignity to him was not so fulsome or pre- 
mature as might at first sight be supposed. 

Adeo—'' in an especial manner." The 
two indefinites, quern and quae render this 
a veiy awkward sentence to translate. 

42 



25. Uries invisere, Le., inspicere, " to re- 
gard," " take the oversight, or tutelage, of 
cities." 

26. Curam. Instead of an accus. here 
we should have expected an infin., curare, 
to be co-ordinate with invisere, and depen- 
dent on velis; but the writer violently 
changes the construction, as he often does, 
from verb to noun, (sometimes also from 
noun to verb). In this case the change of 
syntax is, after all, one which only pedantic 
exactness in dealing with words would 
speak of, for when logically examined, the 
phrase invisere urbes is no less an accus. 
of the object than cwram. 

Maximus is equal to permagmis, " very 
great;" and the phrase maxim.us orbis 
means the orbis terrarum, of course not in- 
cluding heaven. 

27. Auctorem frugum — "the author, or 
producer, of crops;" and "lord of the wea- 
ther." Tempestatum means the "varying 
condition of the atmosphere," on which the 
w^eather depends. 

28. Materna myrto. The myrtle was sa- 
cred to Venus, who was the mother of 
^ueas, and therefore the parent of the 
Julian gens. 

29. Venias — "you are to appear," i.e., 
whether you wiW. assume authority over 
the sea, when you present yourself in your 
new capacity of deity. It is equal to futu- 
rus sis, 

30. Ultima Thule. Some will have it that 
by Thule the Shetland Islands are meant, 
others that Iceland is intended : but all that 
we can say is, that the ancients understood 
the terra of the most northern land. Serviat 
has peculiar force in representing even the 
most remote island of the known world as 
in abject subjection to Octavianus. 

31. Each of the newly made gods was 
assigned a wife from among the goddesses 
or nymphs, (e.g. Hercules was married to 
Hebe) ; and therefore the poet represents 
Augustus as receiving one of the daughters 
of Oceanus and Tethys, and that, too, with 
the flattering circumstance that Tethys is 
ready to make any sacrifice so as to secure so 
noble a son-in-law : the whole sovereignty 
of the sea will be given rather than that he 
should be lost. The custom of the heroic 
times when parents gave large dowry pre- 
sents along with their daughters is referred 
to. 

32. Novum sidus tardis mensibtis. This 
does not seem to have any reference to the 
opinions of certain phUosophers, that the 
souls of men were, after death, translated 
to an abode in some star; but it is in- 
tended simply to express the confident hope 
that Octavianus will, like other heroes and 
demigods before him, be honoured by being 
placed as a constellation in heaven, among 
the signs of the Zodiac. By tardis mensi- 
bus we are to understand the summer 
months, when the sun passes through the 
constellations Libra, Virgo, Scorpius, and 
when the days are long, and the heat op- 
pressive and tiresome. Astronomers wUl 
bear us out in saying that the four signs, 
Leo, Vhgo, Libra, and Scorpio are " really 



B. I. 33-43. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGTCS. 



B. I. 44-47. 



of much slower ascension than the other 
eight." 

33. Qua locus, &c. The poet is not con- 
tent with placing the star of Octavianus 
among the signs of the Zodiac, but he does 
this in a manner the most flattering, by 
assigning him a position of distinction and 
credit, viz., next to Erigone, which sign is 
otherwise called Justitia, or Astraea, or 
Vu-go. This place was, in the old astrono- 
mical systems, vacant, except that the 
claws (chelaej of the Scorpion extended 
over part of it, till it should be occupied by 
some more important constellation. Now, 
therefore, the Scorpion shows his joy at the 
addition of such a companion, and his ala- 
crity in recei\-ing this new neighbour, by 
contracting his claws even before it was 
necessary to do so. Libra was afterwards 
inserted in the einpty space, and though 
Virgil knew of its insertion, s-till he takes 
advantage of the ancient form of the Zodia- 
cal table to compliment the Emperor, who 
is thus made to appear in that region where 
Justice and Equity hold sway. 

35. Ardens Scorpios — "the blazing Scor- 
pion," the epithet being applied to the con- 
stellation and not to the animal. Plusjusta 
parte, " more than the fair (or necessary) 
share of the heaven." This was a mark of 
the highest respect." 

36. QuuJquid eris — " whatever you will 
become," i.e., whatever kind of a god you 
will decide to be. Tartara (or Tartarus^ 
was properly that part of the infernal re- 
gions where the wicked were punished, but 
it is here put for the netherworld generally. 

ZS. Elysios. SeeyEn.vi.638sqq. "Though 
Greece (i.e., Greek poets) speaks in admi- 
ration of the Elysian fields; and though 
Proserpina, when discovered by her mother, 
Ceres, refuses to follow her to earth agam." 
See Smith's Diet, of Biog. and Mythol. 

40. Dafacilem cursum, a metaphor taken 
from navigation, "grant me an easy (i.e., 
prosperous) course;" in other words, Grant 
that I may run through my task with ease, 
comfort, and success. Atque adnue, ttc. — 
" and smUe with favour on my bold under- 
taking." 

41. "And pitying as I do (mecum) the 
colonists, ignorant of right methods of 
farming, enter on thy duties (as a deity), 
and even now accustom thyself to be en- 
treated (invoked) by prayers." Ignaros— 
referring to the confusion bred by the civil 
wars ; on which see introductory remarks 
at beginning of this Book. 

43. We now enter on the precepts of the 
Georgics ; and, first, we have directions as 
to preparing the ground for the seed. 

Vere novo — " in the newly opened spring." 
Spring began with the Romans when Fav- 
onius or Zephyrns first blew, i.e., between 
the Nones and Ides of February, and con- 
tinued till the middle of May. Ploughing, 
however, was often commenced in the 
middle of January, when the weather grew 
somewhat mild. Canis — " white with snow 
andfrost," "snow-covered." Gelidus humor, 
Ac. This means the first melting of the 
snow, the water from which is called 



gelidus, as opposed to the warmer and more 
genial showers of heaven. 

44. Putris gleba — " the crumbling (moul- 
dering) soil unbinds itself." It is well- 
known that farmers and gardeners turn up 
the soil by the plough or the epade in 
the autumn, in order that exposure to the 
winter's frost may render stiff soil more 
mouldy aud crumbly. Water when frozen 
into ice expands very considerably; and so 
the moisture which is between the particles 
of earth by being subjected to the action of 
frost separates the atoms farther from each 
other than they were before, and thus they 
moulder down more readily when fresh 
toeather returns. This being the case, we 
prefer to take putris in a proleptic sense, 
"the soil is loosened (resolvit se, literally 
unbinds itself) so as to becotne mouldy.'" 
By the proleptic (anticipatory, -rpoX'/iT- 
Ttxos, from "Tpo Xa^^avw) use of an adj. 
a thing is represented as already done, though 
in reality it is to follow as a consequence of 
the action of the verb on which its subst. 
depends, or to which it is subject. Consult 
Note on ^n. ii. 736 ; and see JEn. iii. 237, 
scuta latentia condunt. 

45. Depresso — "pressed deeply in by the 
ploughman," say the commentators. But 
we think that both depresso and splendescere 
refer merely to the "first yoking," without 
any such forced meaning. Nor do we see 
that taurus and ingemere necessarily prove 
that the land referred to by the poet was 
heavy. It is natural that in the first men- 
tion of the operation, Vu-gil should speak of 
a common type of soil, and of the beast 
usually employed in ploughing, more espe- 
cially wlien he does not warn us of any 
special kind of land. The precept is merely 
as to the time of ploughing, (see Note on 
49, below), /nyeniere proves nothing ; for 
the cutting of even light soil would be suffi- 
cient to bring forth groans from the oxen, 
more especially in the first day's work, after 
a long rest. Ingemere, however, does not 
necessarily imply groans, but merely regret 
at, in the sense of " lamenting over the 
yoked plough,'" i.e., that the sprmg labom-s 
have begun. 

Mihi is said to be an instance of the 
Datius Ethicus, explauied on Note on Eel. 
viii. 6; and in that case we might interpret, 
"if you have any regard for my advice.''' 
But we prefer to take mihi taurus in its 
plain common signification, " my bull," and 
that for two reasons : First, It better suits 
Avith the modesty of one taking on him the 
duty of an instructor, to speak of what he 
himself iDoidd do; and besides the fact of 
his avowmg it as his own plan of procedure, 
proves his sincerity; and his advice is there- 
fore the more likely to gain acceptance in 
the eyes of others. Secondly, In line 50 we 
find the same inclusion of self in scindimus, 
suggested, no doubt, by similar considera- 
tions. On the shape of the plough see 
below, 170. 

47. iSeges — "field." Respondet — "answers 
(i.e., comes up to) the expectations." The 
husbandman is very often called avidus or 
43 



B. T. 48-52. 



NOTES ON THK GEORGTCS. 



B. I. 53-58- 



avarijs by the poets, perhaps becaiise he is 
not easily satisfied with acrop, and grumbles 
at small produce, even though the earth is 
Justissima in returning him manifold the 
seed which she has received in charge. 

48. JBis sensit frigora. Columella tells ns 
that land was usually ploughed only three 
times. The first ploughing (proscissio) took 
place in the beginning of spring; the se- 
cond (iteratio), i.e., the cross-ploughing (in 
obliquum verso aratro, line 98, ) in summer; 
and the third (tertiatio), about the end of 
autumn, a short time before the soAviiig of 
the seed. But husbandmen Avho took very 
great pains, and wlio had heavier land to 
deal with, ploughed four times, first in the 
end of autumn, again in the following 
spring, then in summer, and lastly in 
autumn, when the seed-time was at hand. 
To this mode 47 and 48 refer, for by this 
arrangement the soil twice felt the chills of 
autumn (i.e., in the first and last plough- 
ings), and twice the" heat of summer (i.e., 
m the. second and third). PUny, xviii. 20, 
49, con finns this' view, andTheocr., xxv. 25, 
proves that the Greeks likewise followed 
this four- ploughing practice. 

49. lUius,\.e., segetis ''0^ thai (or, "of such 
sl") field;'' not "of that farmer," as some in- 
terpret In ruperunt we have a beautiful in- 
stance of the aoristic use of the perf to ex- 
press what is hal)itual and customary, "are 
wont to burst.'" The meaning may be traced 
thus: They have done so in time past— they 
do burst barns even now, under similar cir- 
cumstances, and therefore we may expect 
that tliey will do so in time to come. 
For other examples, see below, 263, 287, 
391; ii. 24, 499 ; iii. 104, 378 ; iv. 213. We 
cannot agree with Wagner that lines 47, 
48, 49 arc a violent interruptioTi to the 
sense ; we have endeavoured to show tliat 
45 refers, in a very general and introductori/ 
manner, to ploughing, in regard prhicipally 
to its time of commencement ; in tliis view 
we are confirmed by lines 64 and HI), which 
begin the subject anew, and give special 
directions for peculiar cases. These tliree 
lines, therefore, naturally follow 45 and 46, 
to indicate the number of times that the 
operation ought to he repeated, so as to 
give the best liopes of a good yield. 

50. Aequor ignotum — " the plain, (i.e., 
the land) with the nature and character of 
which we are imacquainted," as being lately 
acquired. Scindimus — "break up" or " iw," 
as our farmers say. 

51. Ventos et varium morem. — " the (pre- 
vailing) winds and the varied climate," 
i.e., the climate which diff"ers much in dif- 
ferent, parts. The insular position of Italy, 
its mountains, hills, lakes, and marshes ren- 
dered it peculiarly liable to great variety of 
weather. But may not varium morem 
coeli be taken in close connexion with ventos, 
to signify that kind of weather which dif- 
ferent winds are wont to produce ? 

52. Patrios applies both to cultus and 
habitus, and means "native," "natural to," 
" peculiar to." Cultus signifie? " mode of 
cultivation," and habitus, "character or 
quality of soiL" We might render the sen- 

44 



fence thus, making a kind of zeugma in 
patrios,— '■'• Let care be taken to make our- 
selves acquainted beforehand with the (pre- 
vailing) winds and the variations of climate, 
(or weather); and also with the appropriate 
(patrios) modes of cultivation, and the pecu- 
liar (patrios) character (capabilities) of indi- 
vidual localities." We need not, with 
Wagner and his followers, accuse Virgil of 
perpetrating a piece of careless writing in 
putting habitus after cultus, though it ought 
to be before it, as the mode of cultivation 
is naturally discovered from a knowledge 
of the nature of the ground ; for as we have 
shown elsewhere (^n. ii. 353), this pre- 
post-erous proceeding of putting the cart 
before the horse, is often used by the poets, 
on purpose, and with powerful eft'ect, as in 
the well known phrase, moriamur et in 
media arma ruamus, — "Let us die — aye, 
any coward can do that— nay, rather let us 
court death by rushing to meet him in the 
face." So Wordsworth — 

Whole legions sink — and in one instant 
find 

Burial and death. 
How much more appalling and hon-ible a 
picture does this Hysteron proteron present 
than the plain, every-day phrase, "death 
and burial." loy patrios Yos,?, understands 
"what was customary among our ances- 
tors;" but Virgil derives no precepts from 
his ancestors — he ratlier sneers at old fa- 
shioned plans. 

53. Atter ascertaining the modes of culti- 
vation, and the qualities of soil {habitus}, 
the next inquiry is to be as to what crop is 
best suited for the field, and what will not 
spring at all— whether the vine is calculated 
to yield profitably, or corn crops, or fruit 
trees, or grasses. 

55. Fetus, as derived from the old verb 
feo, should be spelled with single e, and 
not with he diphthong, foetus. Ho fecundus, 
felix, <fec. 

bQ.Nonne vides is in prose followed by a verb 
in the subj. mood, but the poets often take 
the liberty of using the indicative. Tmolws, 
a Mt. of Lydia, close to Sardes, famed for 
its generous wine, its walnuts, chestnuts, 
and citrons ; here, too, by Virgil, for its saf- 
fron. Cilicia was famed for its satfron, 
which grew abundantly on the Corycian 
promontory, and therefore it is probable, 
either that" our author merely copies from 
some Greek poet, who assigned saffron to 
Tmolus, or else that as Cilicia sometimes 
extended her rule over Lydia, Tmolus is 
here put for the whole district, including 
Cilicia. 

57. India supplies ivory from her abund- 
ance of elephants. The Sabaeans, or inha- 
bitants of Arabia Felix Ihodie, Yemen), are 
called effeminate, a term which is constantly 
applied to Asiatics. Sua tura — "the frank- 
incense peculiarly their own." The ancients 
believed that it was found nowhere but 
among the Sabaeans. 

58. The Chalybes are said to have lived 
on the southern and eastern shore of the 
Eaxine, above Armenia, and on the banks 



B. I. 59-64. 



NOTES ON THE GEOBGICS. 



B. I. 66-71. 



of the Thermodou. They were very famous 
for their iron tnauut'acture, and derived 
their name from c7(a/i/65 {x.'^Xv^') "steel;" 
or perhaps steel was called chahjbs from the 
people, or the country'. Ntidi, "lightly 
rfad," as beuig engaged in laborious and 
wann work. 

59. Ponti/s, a well-known district of Asia 
Minor, bordering on the Euxine. Castorea, 
the castoreum, or castor. Tliis is not castor 
oil, which is obtained from the nuts or seeds 
•of a West Indian plant (called Agmis castus) 
by expression or decoction ; but it is the se- 
ci-etion of certain follicles in the groin of the 
animal, castor fiber, i,e., the beaver. It is 
an oily fluid, properly, but the foUicles which 
contain it are cut entire from the beaver, 
and then dried by exposure to heat and 
smoke, so that when imported it is a hea\'j' 
and hard lumpy substance. It is imported 
principally from Russia, and is hard and 
brittle; it is dark brown, and has a very 
strong and disagTeeable smell. It is a 
powerful antispasmodic. 

Palmas equarurn, i. e_, victrices eqtias 
(equarumX, by a Greek construction, like 
«/ (pocvAot ruv Kr,pvKU)v\ "prize mai-es." 
In the Olympic games Con which see Grecian 
Antiquities, Potter or Smith), the prize was 
an olive crown, but the victors also received 
a branch — hence />«//»« means victoria, and 
hence also, victor or vi^trix. "Eplrus sends 
the pride of Elian mares," i.e., mares (.these 
tlie ancients considered swifter than male 
horses.) that will carry off the prizes at 
the Ohiupic games, which were held in 
Elis at the end of every period of four fuU 
years, or, more accurately, every fiftieth 
month. Epirus, as we see from this phrase, 
was famed for its horses in old times; it 
had tine pasturage. 

60. Coutinuo — "at once," ie., "from the 
very first," "originally." Nature imposed 
certaur laws and conditions on individual 
localities, viz., that each land should have 
its OAvu peculiar nature or character— that 
peculiar productions should be confined to 
their own special districts, and that some 
modes of cultivation should suit one place 
better than another. Observe that the adj. 
pron., ha^, agrees with the stibst. nearest 
to it, though it applies to foedera also. 
Jahn and Forb. connect continuo imme- 
diately with quo tempore, "at that very 
time when Deucalion," <fec. The story of 
Deucalion and Pyrrha throwing stones be- 
hind them after the deluge, from which men 
and women sprimg up, is well known. 

63. Durum genus—'' a race born for hard- 
ships ;" or, " a hai'dy," " hard toiled " race, 
as being made from the hard stones. Re- 
ferring to this legend of the stones, the 
Greeks sometimes punned on >-^ag, a 
" stone," and Xao;, a "people." See Find. 
OL ix. 71. 

64. We now have special directions for 
the ploughing of particular kinds of soil, 
and we i\re not left to conjecture, from 
the use of taurus or ingemere, or other 

udefinite phrase, (see above, 45), what 



species of field is meant. This, as we 
have already hinted, is proof sufficient that 
lines 43-9 are a veri/ general introduction, in 
reference merely to the time of beginnhig 
to plough, and to the number of times 
ploughing should be repeated. The com- 
mentators, we think, make a great deal too 
much out of 45 and 46, and needlessly find 
fault with the insertion of 47, 48, and 49. 

66. Pulverulenta, &:c. "And let the dusty 
summer, with its strong (maturis, ripe, Le., 
at their greatest heat) sims prepare (or 
hake) the clods lying exposed." Coquat — 
"bake," Le., dry said pulverise. JSolibus is 
put in the plural to express great intensity 
of heat, or simply the suns of successive 
days. 

67. fSi non fecunda. If the soil be not 
7'ich, heavy, and loamy (pingue), it will be 
sufticient to give it a light ploughmg about, 
and rather before (suh), the rising of Arc- 
turns, viz., in the month tf September, on 
the nones (5th), as Columella says. 

tiS. Suspendere. This word is said to 
govern aratrum understood, and to be op- 
posed to deprimere, as in depresso line 45. 
But by all principles of grammar the accus. 
to suspendere must be tiiken out of the 
clause, sinonfuerit tellus fecunda, and must 
therefore be earn, refemng to tellus, and nut 
aratrum, i^ow, in deep ploughing, part of 
the earth is buried and covered entirely 
from view, whereas in light ploughing the 
furrow is so shallow, as that all the par- 
ticles of soil are, in a manner, seen ; thus, 
as hanging up to view is naturally opposed 
to burying down, it is no stretcli of words 
or of fancy to translate suspendere, " plough 
lightly." But perhaps it has a still more 
significant meaiung, and refers to that kind 
of ploughing in which the fai'mer cuts only 
alternate furrows, thro-ning the loose eaith 
of each furrow on the contiguous strip of 
unploughed land, which is of equal breadth 
with the fuiTOW. In some parts of our o^^^l 
country this is a very common way of 
summer ploughing. It is usually done alter 
a grain crop, so that the stubble may be 
covered, and thus decomposed, thereby 
atfording a rich manure to the soil. 

69. Illic — "in the former case," Le., in 
the rich soil Hie — "in the latter," ie., in 
the light, sandy soil. Herbae—"' noxious 
herbs," "weeds." The hght land is not 
to be ploughed in spring, ni case the great 
heat dry up aU the moisture during sum- 
mer, but it is to be opened up lightly on 
the conclusion of the wai-m weather and 
the approach of winter. Sterilem may be 
another example of the proleptic use of the 
adj., explained in 44 above, but we rather 
think it is to be taken as a common attri- 
butive ; the soil spoken of is evidently 
sterilis as compared with the pingue going 
before. 

71. Idevi. tbc. — "you, like-vvise, win allow 
your fields, when cleared of their crop 
(tonsasj, to lie fallow every second year." 
jVovales — this word means, 1st, Land newly 
"taken in;" 2d, Land left lea, and then 
ploughed afresh;" 3d, Cultivated land 
generally, as opposed to land still "wild." 
46 



B. I. 72-7S 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. L 74-79, 



It is perhaps most suitable to the sense, 
and to cessare, to understand it in the last 
way. The Scotch word " shear " comes 
near the ancient one, tondeo. 

72. Segnem — "sluggish," "devoid of life 
and activity," L e., "exliausted." Situ— 
"by being idle," "by rest." Durescere — 
"to become endurant of another crop," 
'"to rest." WhUe land lies untUled it gets 
firm and hard. By situ, some understand 
that unsightly coating of weeds and rubbish 
which gradually covers neglected land; but 
this is very forced. Durescere would, in 
that case, mean, "to draw over it a tangled 
and firm covering of incipient sward." 

73. Mutato sidere — It wHL be observed 
that in this section the poet speaks of four 
ways of refreshing the land: — 1st, By al- 
lowing it to rest every second year [ 71) ; 
2d, By a rotation, or at least change, of 
crops (73); 3d, By manuring (80); and 4th, 
By bmiiing (84). As the first plan implies 
a year's idleness for the soil, and the second 
gives 7to rest, we cannot here adopt the 
opinion of Jalm, Wagn., Forbiger, &c., 
when they interpret the passage thus: — 
" Changing the season of the year, [i.e., from 
spring (of the one year), when beans were 
planted, to autumn (of the following year), 
when corn crops were put in,] sow the yel- 
low spelt in that field from which you have 
taken oft' r. crop of beans, or vetches, or 
lupines." If we rightly understand the 
critics, this would imply that the land is to 
lie idle from the reaping of the leguminous 
crops m summer of one year, till the sowing 
of the cereal crop in the autumn of the suc- 
ceeding year, that is, a whole year and quar- 
ter. But, as this plan of refreshing the soil 
would coincide with No. 1, above; as Virgil 
uses not mutato anno, but mutato sidere; 
and as he tells us in 210-11, and in 219-21, 
that autumn is the season for sowing corn, 
while leguminous seeds are planted in spring 
(line 25), we are led to think that the pro- 
per mterpietation is; "Let the laud bear pro- 
duce every year, but on alternate years let 
the crop be u leguminous one : then, as the 
sowing time for beans is spring, and for 
grain, autumn, j-ou will put in your com in 
the autumn of that same year in which you 
have gathei-ed your leguminous crops." 
We are tiu'ther confirmed in this view bj^ 
the close connection of lines 73-4, and by 
the use ofprius, which seems to imply ^rc- 
cedence by a short interval. This appears to 
be Martyn's idea, though he does not work 
it out. Translate — "You will likewise per- 
mit your fields, after being reaped, to rest 
everj'- second year, and j'ou vnl\ allow the 
exhausted land to gain heart, by lying idle; 
or else, changing the season of the year, 
[but not the year itself] you will sow the 
golden com on that soil from which 
you have previously (shall have first) ga- 
thered the merry (joyous, hearty, plentiful, 
rich) pulse with rattling pod, or the tiny 
produce (small seeds) of the vetch, and the 
brittle stalks, and rustling forest of the 
bitter lupine." Com following green crops 
is approved of by modern husbandmen; and 
it is said by Columella and other ancient 



writers on agriculture, that lupines, beans, 
and such leguminous plants, act as manure 
to the land. 

74. Legumen (from lego, to gather) is a 
generic term, hicluding the bean (faba), the 
vetch {vicia), the kidney bean {phaselus), 
the lupine, ijupinus), &c. 

75. The vetch is called tenuis, "small," 

" tiny," in comparison with the bean. The . 
lupinus of the ancients is not our "lupine" \ 
(which is the kidney bean), but the lupintis 
albus, or hirsutus of Linnaeus. Silvam, in i 
the next line, is applied to the aggregate of 
bean stalks, which, in mode of growth, in 
number, and in general aspect, resemble a 
forest of trees. 

77. The husbandman is warned against 
alternating. /?«x, oats, or poppies, with other , 
heavy crops, i.e., calling on his farm for a ' 
hea\-j^ crop every year. Enim — Heyne , 
and Wagner suppose an ellipsis before this 
clause, such as — " I should not advise that 
land, when needing to be recruited, be sown 
with flax, <fcc., FOR a crop of fiax ex- 
hausts (burns, i.e., dries up, takes the sap 
out of,) the soil." Hand, Tursell, ii. p. 
387, has shown that enim has very fre- 
quently a strongly affirmative power, like 
quideyn, "indeed," "of a truth," "cer- 
tainly," in which sense Forbiger and others 
take it here. But we would suggest that 
neither of these modes is necessary. The 
connection, from line 71, seems to be as fol- 
lows : — " I should advise that some of your 
fields be permitted to rest every second 
year, but if your farm be not sufticiently 
large to allow of this plan, adopt the system 
of rotation, or at least of change of crop, and 
instead of producing a heavy and exhaust- 
ing crop every year, sow a light and en- 
riching leguminous plant on alternate years. 
And my reason for this advice (enim) is, 
that a crop of flax, or of oats, or of poppies, 
takes all the sap (or strength) out of the 
soil " AVe strongly suspect that as farra, 
in 73, is used for corn generally, so avenae, 
in 77, is likewiseused generally, and is in 
fact employed in reference to, and instead 
of, farra, to avoid sameness of expression, 
the poet going a little more minutely mto 
the detail of particular crops, which are to 
alternate with the leguminous, when he is 
assigning his reasons for the method pro- 
posed. 

78. Perfusa, &c. — " imbued with Lethean 
sleep," i.e., of a strongly narcotic power. 
Lethe, the river of oblivion, in the infernal 
regions. There were three kirds of poppy, 
the red, the black, and the white; the black 
was particularly famed for its sleep-pro- 
ducing power. Ceres is often represented 
in statues with poppies in her hand, and 
these seem to be the same as our common 
garden poppy. 

79. Sed tamen. These words are correla- 
tive to enim, and introduce a restriction on 
the precepts of 73 sqq.; the sense is, "But 
still the plan of growing light and heavy 
crops in alternate years causes but small 
strain on the soil, pro\aded always that you 
are not backward [i.e., modest, pudeat\ in 
suppljing rich manure, Sed tamen— ''hwt 



\ 



B. I. 81-86. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. I. 90-93, 



still," notwithstanding the exhaustive cha- 
racter of such crops, the strain on the land 
is, as I said before (in line 73), light. Labor 
— The toil, straui, drag on the soil, not on 
the husbandman. Alternis, — "in alternate 
years." Some make alternis the dative " for 
alternathig crops." Sola — solum is rai-ely 
used in the plur. as here. 

81. On effetos, see Eel. i. 50, and ^n. y. 
396. Immundum cinerem — " unsightly 
ashes." It was customary, especially in 
Virgil's country— Transpadane Gaul — to 
manure the land with the ashes of wood, 
Avhich were scattered over the fields after 
the seed had been sown. 

82. Sic — "thus," "by these means," 
"on these conditions," viz., if the land is 
saturated with manure, and libei-ally over- 
spread with ashes. Sic — "by these means 
also," as well as by the plan of fallowing 
(71, 72), "the land is refreshed by changing 
the crop." Quoque might be joined with 
mutatis fetibus, "and thus the fields are 
refreshed even by the change of crop." 

83. Nee nulla. These words are not to 
be joined together as equal to aliqua, but 
nee negatives the whole clause, and nulla 
is to be attached to gratia, the two being 
equal to ingratia, " thanklessness," "in- 
gratitude," " want of return." Ti'anslate, 
"And there is not in the meantime (i.e., 
while the pulse crop is growing) the unpro- 
ductiveness (thanklessness) of untilled 
land." There is not the want of return 
which would arise fi'om the land behig un- 
tilled. This line, concluding, as it does, 
the argument in favour of alternate crop- 
ping, as opposed to fallowing (71, 72), con- 
vinces us that we are right in the view we 
have expi-essed in Note 77. 

84. Profuit. Another instance of the 
perf. in the Aoristic sense, on which see 
Note 49 above. 

Steriles agro^— land that is little produc- 
tive, either from exhaustion, or from exces- 
sive moisture, or from being too heavy and 
dense, or too light and porous. 

Incendere. Martyn and others under- 
stand this of the plan adopted in many parts 
of our own countrj^ where the land is 
'■'■poor," viz., that by which the upper part 
of the soil is pared off, put in small heaps, 
(which are arranged in rows,) and then 
burned, or '■'• stoved," as it is technically 
called. The next Hue will then refer to 
the burning of stubble alone. But others, 
Wagn., Forb., &c., think that line 85 is 
merely a more particular detail of the plan 
referred to generally iu 84, and they quote 
in confirmation, Pliny, xviiL 30, 72, who 
would seem to have so understood the pas- 
sage: " Sunt qui accendant in arvo et stipu- 
las, magna Virgilii praeconio. Summa an- 
tem. ejus ratio, ut ?ierharum semen exurant. 

85. Observe the quick dactylic rhythm, 
so well suited to express the quick and 
lively crackling of the flames. We had, on 
the contrary, in 65, the spondaic rhythm 
used to indicate the slow and labouring gait 
of oxen. 

86. Four advantages flow from ihi?, fiery 
ordeal: — 1st, If the land be poor naturally, 



or exhausted by bearing, it will be manured 
(see 81) and refreshed. 2d, If the soil be 
wet and cold, the superabundant moisture 
will exude, and the faultiness (vitium) be 
taken away. 3d, If the clay be too dense 
and heavy, the heat will cause it to relax 
and moulder, and to open pores for the 
conveyance of moisture to the fibrous roots 
of plants. 4th, If the soil be porous and 
light, the heat will render it compact, firm, 
and hard. Some of these results would 
flow more easily and in greater amount 
from Martyn"s plan of " stoving" the upper 
sod (as well as burning the stubble) than 
from the other, of setting fire to the stubble 
only ; but in the silence of ancient authori- 
ties on land-burning, it is difiicnlt to come 
to a satisfactory conclusion on the matter. 
Translate— "Whether (it be) that, by this 
process, the land receives undiscovered 
strength and rich nutriment ; or that every 
noxious quality is extracted by the fire, 
and the unprofitable (Le., baneful) moisture 
exudes ; or that the heat opens more 
channels and undetected pores through 
which the sap may reach the young plants; 
or that it rather hardens the land and 
binds closer the gaping veins, so that the 
insii mating (literally, fine, penetrating 
through every pore to the most remote 
parts, by reason ot the smalluess of the 
particles of Avater) showers may not harm 
it, or the too strong power of the scorching 
sun smite it, or the piercing cold of Boreas 
blast it." 

90. Observe the syntax of vias et spira- 
menta, qua. Qua is frequently thus found 
as the correlative of substs. in the sing, or 
plur. numb. See -^n. v. 590, Mille viis, 
qua falleret. 

92. Tenues we have explained above in 
our translation of this whole passage. Some , 
however (Wagn., &c.), do do agree with 
the interpretation there given, but think that 
reference is made to excessive rains, since 
the other two causes of injury mentioned 
along with this are represented as excessive, 
and that, the poet speaks of land sufliciently 
moist already, which additional rain would 
damage. But the interpretation first given 
is more simple, and more consonant with 
common sense, besides being physically most 
applicable. Martyn takes te?u(es as "small," 
"scanty:" Lest scanty showers, conjoined 
with strong suns, render the ground parched 
and dry. Perhaps mists are meant, which 
are injurious to certahi kinds of crops. 

Rapidi — "swift in motion," therefore 
"heat-exciting," and the<i-efore "hot," 
"scorching." 

93. Penetrahile, "penetrating." Adjs. of 
this termination are rarely active as here, but 
see Mn. x. 481, penetrabile telum. Adurat — 
This verb is properly applicable only to po- 
tentia solis and to frigus, for we cannot speak 
of tenues pluviae pinching or blasting, but to 
pluviae we must supply from udurat a verb of 
kindred meaning [i.e., a verb signifying da- 
mage] of such a kind as will suit the subjecti 
We have, therefore, in the translation given 
above, varied the expression, calling adurat 
" harm," when appUed topluviae — " smite," 

47 



B. 1. 94^102. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. I. 104-114. 



when to the sun's power, and blast when to 
the effect of frost. This union of different 
ideas in one verb having several subjects is 
called Eewgma. "Zeugma (^st'y/tcaj called 
by some syllepsis) is that form of expression 
in which a verb that grammatically belongs 
to two or more nouns is, as to its meaning, 
[strictly] applicable only to one; so that to 
the other noun or nouns another verb, 
sometimes of a quite different meaning, 
must be supplied." Zumpt, Lat. Gr. § 775. 
See our Note on ^n. ii. 258. 

94. We now have directions for preparing 
the ground after ploughing. Occatio, or 
breaking the clods, and reducing the soil 
to fine mould, was effected in two ways — 
either, first, by using with the hand the 
rastrum (on which see 164 below), and by 
drawing the a-ates or hurdle over the field 
afterwards to pulverise still farther the 
shattered clods; or secondly, by frequent 
cross ploughings. The crates, or hurdle, 
was made of rods, and was sometimes ren- 
dered heavier by the driver standing on it, or 
laying stones on it : it thus served the pur- 
pose of a harrow. Besides the hurdle, there 
was also a wooden frame set with teeth, 
which, of course, more nearly corresponded 
to our harrow. But the bush-harrow was 
sufficient in light soil. The clods are called 
inertea, because, as clods, they would pro- 
duce no plants. 

^6. Flava Ceres— 'ixvfh A?j^'/'r;j^_"the 
"yellow Ceres," so called from the golden 
hue of ripening corn. 

97. Et qui proscisso. "He too much assists 
his fields who, with his plough turned in 
a cross direction, a second time breaks up 
the ridges which he raises at the first 
ploughing (proscissio), and constantly works 
his land and lords it over his fields." In 
perrumpere, reference is made to the autunui 
ploughing, not to a second ploughing. To 
break in the land at lii"st was proscindere ; 
to plough it the second time was off ringere; 
and the third, lirare. I taper at.— This verb 
suggests the idea of restraint, strictness, and 
severity, and is therefore peculiarly appli- 
cable here. So, inversely, the fields are said 
parere colono. 

100. We now come to another division of 
the subject in which are detailed those things 
necessary to be attended to after sowing. 
See Analysis at beginning of this Georgic. 
As our " March dust" and " April showers " 
are highly valued by modern farmers, so 
dry winters and moist summers were looked 
upon by an ancient Italian husbandman as 
the precursors of an abundant harvest. 
Solstitium is properly the summer solstice, 
but is here put for the whole summer. 
Biuma {quasi brevima, i.e., brevissima dies,) 
is the term for the winter solstice. 

102. Mysia, a fertile district in the N. W. 
of Asia Muior. Nulla tantuin — " It is not 
of any peculiar excellence in the mode of 
cultivation that Mysia glories, and that even 
Gargara is amazed at her own harvest, so , 
much as of her climate." That is, the far- 
famed crops of Mysia are the effect of I 
climate, and not of 'any superior plans of | 
48 



agriculture. Gargara (or Gargarus), a 
summit in Mysia, and, properly speaking, 
part of Mt. Ida. Wagn. and Forb. interpret 
the passage as meaning that Mysia had most 
admirable modes of tillage, but it was not 
upon these that she relied so much for her 
crops, as on her climate. There seems to be 
no evidence, however, for this supposed ex- 
cellence ; on the contrary, as Voss shows, 
the Romans spoke of Asiatic agriculture as 
particularly light, easy, and simple. 

104. Quid dicam (de eo) qui. Comminus, 
"without delay," "in close succession," 
" immediately after the sowing ot the seed." 
Insequitur— This verb means, to be perse- 
veringly anxious to overtake one's end or 
object, and to conquer difficulties. So here 
it signifies to be constant in one's endea- 
vours to prepare the fields by the most 
untiring and thorough work. 

105. Ruit, fC-c.—" breaks down the clods 
of uselessly rich soil." As male means ex- 
cess or deficiency, male pinyuis is by some 
interpreted "too rich," "loamy;" and by 
others, "not rich," "unfertile." We have 
ventured on a third mode which seems to 
suit the sense best, — "uselessly rich," i.e., 
useless so long as it is in duds, wliich were 
called inertes in line 94, because not as- 
sisting in vegetation while they remahied 
unbroken. For male see Hor., Sat. i. 3, 31 ; 
i. 9. 65. 

106. Satis —^^ in sufficient quantity." It 
may also mean, "on the crops," from 
satum — L 

107. The poet speaks of the field as of a 
man worn out by heat. Exustus ager, <i:c. 
—"the parched land with its dying herb- 
age is scorched. 

lots. Observe the animation which ecce 
adds to the description — the husbandman, 
when everything seems lost, and when a 
stranger sees no hope of remedy, suddenly, 
ere you have time to think, conducts from 
the brow of some sloping track a watering 
rivulet. 

109. Ilia, l-c. — " It wakes a hoarse mur- 
mur as it tumbles over the smooth {levia, 
but levia, " light") stones, and cools the 
parched fields with its bubbling rills." 

111. Quid (dicam de eo) qui — "What 
shall I say of him who, to prevent the stalks 
from 'lodging' (procunibatj by reason of 
heavy ears, eats down (i.e., lets in hia 
cattle to eat down) the luxuriant (or the 
rankest parts of the) crops, while they are 
still in the tender blade." 

113. Aequantsulcos sata — "When the crops 
render the furrows (Le., the ditches between 
the ridges) level,' i.e., when the stalks in 
the trough of the ridge are as high as those 
on the ridge itself, when the whole field 
thus seems level without any appearance of 
height or depression. 

114. Blbula deducit arena. There are 
three interpretations given of this phrase : 
1st, draws off the water from the soaking 
(spongy) sand; 2d, draws down the water 
into some absorbing sandy tract; 3d, draws 
off the water by means of absorbent sand, 
referring to the (alleged) custom of sprink- 
ling sand over marshy ground to dry up 



B. I. 115-123. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. I. 124-138. 



the moisture. Wagn. prefers the second 
mode. But as ground suited for this opera- 
tion could not everywliere be found, and as 
the application of the precept would there- 
fore be very limited, we prefer to adopt the 
first explanation. The object of the opera- 
tion seeuis to be, to keep the furrows free 
from the collection of water, which, by re- 
maining stagnant, would blanch the grain 
and interfere with its growth. Thus, as 
the eating down of the luxuriant crop, when 
in blade, is suggested for the purpose of 
preventing the stalks from getting too rank, 
and from "lodging," so the di'awing off 
the water is ordered, to preclude the chance 
of a blaiiched and stunted stalk and a worth- 
less yield. Paludis would seem to mean the 
wet, marshy furrows between the ridges; 
and arena is used for mould or soil generally, 
as in 105. We would therefore translate, 
"And he who draws off' (i.e., by drains) 
from the spongy soil (of the corn fields) the 
collected moisture of the marshy furrows." 
That Paludis does not refer to a regular 
n)ai'sh, or to pools in the fields used for col- 
lecting the rain, will appear evident from 
praesertim, of line, 115, and its connexion. 

115. Incertis mensibus — "the changeable 
weather " of sprmg. Exit — " overflows." 

117. Sudani — "steam," "smoke." La- 
cunae— ''the. fuiTows" between the ridges, 

118. But notAvithstanding all these pre- 
cautions, still there are other annoyances 
and injuries to be guarded against, whicli 
the poet proceeds to detail. 

Observe how much more animated and 
forcible the expression is rendered by the 
repetition of the copula que, and by the 
similarity of termination in hominwnque 
lioumque. 

119. Tmprobus — "wicked," i.e., "persever- 
ing in mischief," "destructive," "greedy." 
It means, genei-aUy, excessive in anything, 
immoderate, (Geo. iii. 431; ^n. ii. '6bQ); 
and so it does not always imply blame, but 
is sometimes equal to acer, vehemens. 

Anser — the Avild goose, which was so 
voracious as to tear up plants, root and all. 

120. Strymoniaegrues. Cranes frequented 
the Stiymon (Strouma), a river of Thrace; 
and, at the approach of winter, migrated 
from it to Greece in great numbers. 

Intuba — "the succory;" i.e., the intubum 
agreste. The intubum hortense is called 
"endive." 

121. Umbra — "the shade" of trees and of 
useless plants. Pater ipse, i.e., Jupiter him- 
self, who was king during the silver age, 
as Saturn had been in the golden. This 
reference enables Virgil to introduce the 
praises of the golden age, which was so 
lirequent a theme for the poets. 

122. Primus — "first of those who ruled 
the world." See Note on Eel. iv. i. 

123. Afovit agros per arteyn, i.e., caused 
the earth to be tilled— to be moved by the 
art of men. Or it may mean, '■'■ moved \he 
earth to fruitfVness, by the instrumentality 
of skill, Le., of agricultural science," since 
she no longer brought forth spontaneously. 
Corda viortalia—"' the minds of men," or 
" human ingenuity," for many believed the 

D 



seat of intelligence arfd feeling to be in the 
heart. 

124. "Nor did he allow his subjects (sua 
regna) to become torpid by reason of an 
oppressive lethargy." Veternus, when used 
as a subst., is equal to vetustas, and hence 
to lethargus, and hence to torpor, inertia. 

125. Before Jove's time there was no 
tillmg of the land, and no marking of the 
bounds of farms and fields. The Romans 
used as landmarks, stones, or stakes, or 
trees, or ditches, or grassy strips, left un- 
filled. 

127. Fas erat — "was it customary," 
says Forb. But the primary meaning of 
the term is much more appropriate here. 
It Avould have been "impious," "unholy," 
a "heinous crime," to break the happiness 
and harmony of the community by insti- 
tuting divisions, because quaerebant in me- 
dium, i.e., "what they acquired they put into 
a common stock." "Neither said any of 
them that ought of the thhigs which he pos- 
sessed was his own ; but they had all things 
common." Acts of the Apostles. With the 
following passage, Cf. Eel. iv. 21, sqq. 

128. Libei-ius — either " too freely," or 
"more freely" than Avhen cultivated. 

129. Alris, m the sense of diris, of foul 
and horrible aspect, " fell." 

130. Lupjos, put for beasts of prey gene- 
rally. Pontum moveri — " the sea to rage" 
with storms. Moveri does not refer to the 
movement of the sea by oars; for 136 would 
thus be a needless repetition. 

131. Ilella decuss it foliis—'' dashed from. 
the leaves the honey" which formerly 
dropped from them, and was another mark 
of the " good old times" of the golden age, 
when "the land flowed with milk and 
honey." Ignein removit, i.e., hid it in the 
veins of the flint, so that ingemtity was 
required to force it out. 

132. Currentia rivis — It is hardly neces- 
sary to say that this is a mere figurative 
phrase, meaning " great abtindance." 

133. t^sMS — "need,"' "necessity," which 
is the " mother of inventions." Meditando— 
" by study." Observe the omission of the 
Prep, in before sulcis. 

136. Alnos — The alder tree grew abun- 
dantly on the margin of rivers, and in 
marshy places, and hence presented a ready 
material for making canoes : here ships in 
general are of course meant. Pin us was the 
common material for ships, and is often 
used for nacis. 

137. Fecit numeros stellis — This does not 
mean " cotmted all the stars;" bttt " grouped 
the stars" into constellations, and " named 
them,'" fecit noniina. 

138. Pleiadas— Seven stars in the neck 
of Taurus, represented in mythology as the 
daughters of Atlas. They were also called 
Vergihae, because their rising (from 22d 
April to 10th May) indicated spring (ter) 
and clear weather. "Winter followed their 
setting (from 20th October to 11th NoA'em- 
ber). They were thus of the greatest con- 
sequence to mariners, as they marked the 
beginning and the end of the sailing season. 

49 



B. I. 139-142. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. I. 143-146. 



Servius derives the name from ^Xss/v. 
Observe that Pleiadas is a tetrasyllable, 
from Tkyncc^i?, the Ionic form of •rXna.^is. 

Jlyadas, from vnv, "to rain," were seven 
stars in the head of Taurus, whose rising-, 
fi-om 7th to 12th May, was attended with 
daily rains. The Roman rustics called them 
suculae, deriving the name from v?, svs, 
which etymology, though condemned by 
many learned men, is nevertheless defended 
by Nitzsch, on Horn., Od., Vol. ii. p. 42, and 
Schiller on Hor., p. 7. Forb. See ^n. i. 744. 

Arcton, called Ursa major, and Septem- 
trio by the Romans; 'Ea/;s>7, " ApKTos and 
Af^ci^cx, by the Greeks, and by our own 
astronomers, " The Great Bear," " The 
Plough," or " Charles' Wain." The story 
was, that Callisto, daughter of the king of 
Arcadia, Lycaon, being beloved by Jupiter, 
was metamorphosed into a she-bear by Juno 
(or Diana), and, when in this shape, being 
killed in the chase, was transfen-ed by 
Jupiter to the stars. The Greek mariners 
sailed by the Ursa major; the Phoenicians, 
by the Ursa mhior. 

139. Feras mcludes birds as well as beasts. 
Visco — "with bird-lime," which was made 
fj-om the berries of the mistletoe. 

141. Funda — " a casting net." It was of 
a funnel shape, and was armed with pieces 
of lead to make it sink. It was cast from 
behind, and over the right slioulder; the 
\erh, verherat, "lashes," seems to express 
accurately the suddenness and force of the 
blow. Our phrase, "whip the stream," is 
similar. It was otherwise called jacnlum, 
retiaculum, or retejaculum by the Romans, 
and (h'oXog by the Greeks. 

142. The vulgar punctuation is verberat 
ammmaltapetens; and the interpretation, 
"lashes the river seeking the deep parts of 
it." This, however, is repeating what is 
indicated by latum (141), which implies the 
lashing of the whole river, deep places and 
all. The other mode of dividing the sen- 
tence, is to put a comma or colon after 
amnem, and to join alta petens with what 
follows. With this punctuation there are 
two interpretations : 1st, The que after 
pelago is considered as coupling verberat and 
t7^ahit, though projected further tlian usual 
into the sentence, thus,— "And another 
venturing on the ocean, hauls his moist 
{drag) or sweep-net {Una) through the deep." 
Heyne. 2d, The que is said to connect the 
two unequal members, alta petens and pe- 
lago, in this sense: "Another assailing 
(venturing on) the ocean, and (even) in the 
very depths of the sea, {pelagus meanhig 
the sea with reference to depth of plunge), 
liauls his moist drag-net." Wagu. and 
Forb. Heyne objected to the conimon in- 
terpretation, that alta petere always means, 
in the classical writers, " to sail out to sea," 
and could not, therefore, be used of a river. 
But the great objection to his own mode of 
explanation is, that que, when joining two 
sentences is, in Virgil, never found so far 
thrown forward as the third word of the 

50 



(second) sentence, except when it is pre- 
ceded by a preposition, or in the case of 
namque or jamque. The Zi«a may be either 
the drag-net, or, perhaps, lines such as are 
used by modern fishermen, with hooks 
placed at intervals along them and properly 
baited. 

143. Rigor ferri, i.e., rigidum ferrum. 
This inversion of syntax, whereby the ad- 
jeciive idea is expressed by a subst. of Idn- 
dred meaning, is very common in all lan- 
guages, and is frequently used by the poets 
with great effect. We find it very often tu 
Milton, as, e.g., "The virgin majesty of 
Eve;" "The might of Gabriel," i.e., the 
mighty Gabriel ; and in many of our con- 
versational phrases — "Her Majestj%" i.e., 
she the majestic person ; " His reverence ;" 
"Your Grace," i.e., you the gracious one; 
"His holiness;" &c. &c. 

Serra. The saw was said to have been 
suggested to Daedalus (or his grandson) by 
examining the backbone of a fish. The 
saws of the ancients were very similar to 
those of our own day in form, as the fol- 
lowing illustration of a "frame saw" for 
cutting logs into planks, will so far show. 




Argutae — "shrill soundhig," "grating," 
"twanging." See Note on Eel. vii. 1. 

The two other figures represent saws of 
a smaller size, the second being what is now 
called a " bow -sate.'" 




3^ 



144. Primi—'' The ancients " of the gol- 
den age. Fissile—"' easily split ;" it did not 
present the irregularities of grain which 
rendered steel instruments necessary. 

146. /?;2pro6(«— "persevering," "impor- 
tunate," "that Avill not be denied," which 
avoids no trouble, and is overcome by no 
difficulty. See above, 112. With this line 
cf. Theocr. xxi. 1, 'A Tsv/a, A/(9(pavT£, 
[/.ova -as Ti-^va; lyi'tpii. 



B. I. 147-155. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B I. 157-164. 



147 The poet, after his digression, now 
prepares to return by a gradual and natural 
coimexion to the subject proper; and thus 
introduces Ceres as one of those to whom 
is due the credit of a useful invention. The 
whole connexion is — before Jupiter there 
was no tillage (125) ; but under his reign 
various arts and sciences were invented, 
and especially that of agriculture. FerrJ — 
'•with iron instruments," e.g., the plough, 
the haiTow, the spade, hoe, &c. 

148. This line refers to the time when 
men Mved solely on the fruit of trees, and 
especially on acorns. Glandes and arbuta 
are nom. to deficerent. Heyne, with less 
propriety, makes silvae the num. plur. (and 
not the gen. sing.), and subject to deficerent, 
glandes and arbuta being the accus. after 
that verb, "as regards," quod aitinet ad, or 
"in, " being supplied. But deficere,-vf\th th e ac- 
cus., means to "fail," "leave," "abandon." 
Dodona is put for oak groves generallj-, 
ttom the extent and celebrity of these which 
suiTomided that ancient oracle. 

150. Lcdjor is put for "calamity," "dis- 
tress," "loss," "damage," as Tovoi=^'7rrif^a. 
2Ma rohigo — "destructive mildew,'''' that 
reddish and fine dust which collects on com 
and wastes its strength. See Robigalia in 
Smith's Diet, of Antiquities. 

151. Esset — from edere, to eat. See the 
verbs sum and edo in the grammars. Seg- 
vis carduus — "the unproductive thistle;" 
horreret — "bristled up." 

152. Intereunt segetes. Observe the pecu- 
liar force and animation impaired to the 
sentence by the change of construction from 
the subj. mood to the indie, and by the use 
of the pres. tense. We should have ex- 
pected interirent to be co-ordinate with 
horreret, &c. 

153. Lappaeque tribuUque — "Both burrs 
and caltrops;" these form the aspera silva, 
on which {silva) see Note 75 above. Tribuli — 
The Tribulus, (T^^/Sa^'^oj) is a prickly shrub, 
which presents three thorns in whatever 
direction it may be turned. There was 
also an iron instrument of this name, having 
tliree spikes stickmg out of a central baU, 
which was laid down on battle fields to 
annoy the enemy's cavalry, and throw 
them into confusion by perforating the 
horses' feet, and " casting" them. The que 
after lap)pae is lengthened by the arsis. 

154. On lolium, and the reason of its 
being called infelix, see EcL v. 37. On 
avenae, see same place. 

155. Quod is explamed by TVagn., Voss, 
and Heyne, as equal to propter quod, ovquam 
00 rem: they compare Geo. ii., 425, where 
hoc is used for propter hoc. Wunderlich, on 
the other hand, takes quod nisi for quod 
utinam. ^erra??!— another, and we think 
a better, reading is herbam. We have 
already had quite enough about breaking 
clods, to which insectabere terram would 
necessarily refer, and now want rather di- 
rections for rooting out such herbs as the 
lappae and tribuli. Instead of insectabere 
we should have expected insectatus fueris, 
more especially when vocaveris foUows; but 



the futm-e and future perf (fut. Exactum) 
are often confounded by the poets. 

157. Umbras rum— This refers either to 
the shade made by the fi'uit-trees planted 
through the fields, or to the forest-trees 
which formed the border of the fields. For 
umbras Wagn. reads mnbram, disregarding 
the disagreeable sound caused by the 
similarity of ending in imbrem, umbram. 
Indeed he shows that vividness, and 
emphasis, and forcible contrast are often 
gained by this homoioteleuton. 

1 58. If the above advice be not taken, the 
farmer will have reason to repent his neglect, 
when he sees another, who received and 
acted on the injunctions, blessed with an 
abundant yield. 

160. Another division of the subject now 
opens; viz., that which refers to agricultural 
implements, and sundry other matters of 
similar character. Arma, "implements," 
is used of all kinds of tools. 

161. Quis, le, queis— this antique form of 
the dative is often used by VirgiL Observe 
that sine follows the word governed. This 
is very common, more especially in the case 
of the relative. On the aoristic meaning of 
potuere see 49, above. 

162. Vomis; vomer is the more usual 
form. Primum, i.e., first of the enumera- 
tion of implements I name the plough. 
Grave robur — " The ponderous strength " of 
the curved plough. A strong and heavy 
plough was necessary for the generally rich 
and heavy soU of Italy. 

163. Plaustra — Th& plaustrum, orwaggon, 
was a vehicle set on two, and sometimes 
three, or fom* wheels, and used more espe- 
cially in the country for farming operations. 
The macliine was properly a mere platform 
of boards set on a pah- of wheels, which 
were all one solid piece {tympanum), and 
were not made Av^ith spokes. The wheel and 
axle both revolved together; and so the 
cart is represented as a creakhig and slow- 
moving vehicle. The accompanying illus- 
tration wiU. show that the plaustrum is 
very similar, in its wheels at least, to an 
antique kind of car still largely used in the 
less wealthy and little improved parts 




the British islands. Eleusinae ynatris, ie,, 
of Ceres. Eleusis, in Attica, was famed as 
the scene of the mysteries and the worship 
of Ceres. There it was that Ceres was 
supposed to have taught Triptolemus agri- 
cultm-e. Tarda — the use of the adj. appa- 
rently for the adverb is very common ; so 
lenis crepitans auster. 

164. Tribuia—the tribulumTi-as a machine 
for thrashing corn ; it is stiU used by the 
51 



B. I. 165. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. I. 160-170. 



Turks. It consisted, as seen in the wood- 
cat, of a wooden platform, having the under 
side made rough with iron spikes or sharp 
stones. It was drawn over the grain ; and 
stones were often laid on it, or the driver 




sat on it, to increase the weight. The first 
syll. of tribulum is long, because derived 
from the Greek Tpf(6u, to rub. Tribulus, 
of 153, has the first syll. short. Traheae— 
the Traha, or TraMa, was a drag, or sledge, 
without wheels, usually drawn after the 
tribulum, to complete the thrashing process. 
Its form is seen in the illustration. 




Rastri— The raster, ov7'astrus, or rastriim, 
served the purpose of a rake, fork, and hoe 
combined. The head had sometimes tw^o, 
three, or four prongs, arranged like the teeth 
of a modern rake. It was wielded with great 
energy, and its blows upon the earth were 
forcible and heavy. It was made sometimes 
of wood, but mostly of iron, and was used 
(O) for digging and dealing ground, (b) as 
a substitute for the ploughshare, (c) for 
[jrealdug the clods. This word is one of 




the ahundantia nouns, having either rastri 
or rasti'a in the plur., the former more fre- 
quently. Iniquo pondere — "of more than 
Just might;" i.e., of "excessive," "immo- 
derate," "monstrous" weiglit. Tlie word 
iniquus (as ivjustus in Geo. iii. 347) seems 
to have been employed similarly to our 
" wicked," and some other kindred terms, 
in the sense of " very great" 

165. Celeus was father of Triptolemus, 
and was instructed by Ceres in the mode of 
making wicker-work implements, such as 
hurdles, baskets, cheese-strainers, &c., which 
are here called the supellex, or " fittings" of 
Celeus. Supellex is compounded of super 
and the root leg; hence it means that 
which lies on the surface (moveables, furni- 
ture, or garniture), as opposed to that 

i>2 



which is fixed (fixtures). Vilis — "com- 
mon," "cheap," as being easily got from 
one's own farm. 

166. On the crates, see 94 above. The 
vannus, fan, or winnowing basket, was used 
for cleanhig corn in still weather: it is re- 
presented in the foUowhig woodcut. The 




mystic fan used in the ceremonies o 
Bacchus was similar in texture and shape 
to the foregoing, though it appears slightly 
altered in form, in consequence of the way 
in which it was carried on the shoulder, 
and because of its contents, which con- 
sisted of Erst fruits and sacred utensils. 
Miistica vannus is put here for the common 
winnowing fan, thus pro\'ing that both 
were identical, or at least similar, in shape. 

167. Memor, provisa, and reponis are all 
emphatic, and are equal to — "you ydW re- 
member that all these things are necessary ; 
you will prepare them before they are actu- 
ally needed ; and you will lay them up hi 
store, so as to be ready as soon as required. 

169. Divini. The country is so called on 
account of the great number of deities who 
were supposed to live in it, or at least to 
take delight in it. 

169. Continuo — '■'■ at once," "in the be- 
ginning," "as your very first step:" or, 
" at its early growth," (cf. Geo. iii. 75, 
which seems to pronounce for this last in- 
terpretation,) and while the elm is still 
young and flexible, let the husbandman 
" give the inclination to the twig," so that 
it may grow up into the shape of a buris 

170. The buris or bura (/SatJj olpd, ox- 
tail) seems to be here distinct from the temo 
(as in the third woodcut), though often 
made of the same piece of timber (as in 
woodcuts 1 and 2). The first woodcut re- 




B. I. 171-172. 



NOTES ON THE GE0RG1C3. 



B. 1. 172. 



presents a very antique kind of plough of 
sunple construction; an elm tree is bent 
into a crook (buris) at the one end, and this, 
when pointed and shod with h'on, serves as 
a vomer (share). The branch which ex- 
tends in the opposite direction, and on 
which the ploughman's hand rests, is the 
stim, or handle, for directing the course of 
the plough, and regulating tlie depth of the 
furrow. The temo passes up between the 
oxen, and is attached to the jugum, which 
rests on their necks. The next woodcut 
represents a plough of more complicated 
bmld; a a is the buris (^yvvis') elongated 
into the temo {Iffrof^oivi); b, the dentale 
i^i'kvfJLCt) or share beam; c, the vomer 
(Jjvvi;\ the ploug?is7iare ; d, a support to 
render the buris and temo more firm and 
steady ; e e, aures (^TTipa.), the earth- 
boards (mould-boards) ; F, stiva (I;^stX.>j) 
he handle for directing the plough. 




In the third woodcut, we have a sketch 
of the plough stiU used about Mantua and 
Venice: it has a wheel (see cur?'us, 174) 
and a culter (coulter), with the stiva and 
buris projecting upwards like the handles 
of a modem plough. This will come near- 




est to the description given by Yirgil. The 
subject, however, is beset with difficulties, 
and will still afford room for the discussions 
of the learned. 

As the buris gave the characteristic bend to 
the plough, it is here caUed by the plough's 
name, aratri. 

171. Huic ab stirpe— ''to this (buris) at 
the base," or "to the lowerpart of this buris 
let the temo be attached, and let it extend 
to eight feet in length." 

172. Aures--The mould boards, which 
were attached to the dentale (shai-e-beam; 
or to the lower part of the buris, and served 
to widen the furrow, and throw the earth 
up higher. These aures were not necessary 
in many soils, but Vii'gil seems to be des- 
cribmg the complete plough, and not that 
which was called sijiiplex, and was without 
earth-boards. 

Dentalia duplici dorso. The following il- 
lustration of a plough, still commonly used 
by the rustic population on the bay of Ta- 
ranto, will ser\^e to render clear the most 
generally accepted explanation of this ob- 
scure phrase. The share-beam, as wiU be 
seen, though single at the front, and covered 



with the iron ro?ner, divides, as it recedes, 
into two a.rms,vrhich.foYmth.e duplex dorsum, 
or '-double back,'' according to critics. 




But it is not at all satisfactoiy thus to 
employ dorsum. With dorsum we associate 
rather the idea of the sloping ridge of a hill 
or the elevated part of the animal body, 
fi-om the neck to the hind quarters, i.e., the 
back bone, both of these implying a central 
height, with sloping sides. Now, looking at 
the share (vomer), and the share-beam, den- 
tale, in the above woodcuts, and especially 
in that which follows, we see that both 
are thicker in the centre, i.e., have a central 
ridge, and are bevelled, or slopmg, in the 
■uings, or flaps, which descend from this 
centre, Le., that the dentale gi-adually grows 
thinner, on each side, towards the edge 




We would therefore venture to throw it out 
as a question for the consideration of the 
learned^ whether dentalia may not refer 
to the two flaps, or ears, or flukes, of the 
share and share beam, as seen in the second 
and third woodcuts of line 170, and in that 
immediately preceding, (i,e., those two point- 
ed extremities which terminate the dentale, 
and its iron shoeing, the vomer, at their 
greatest breadth. ) Duplici dorso would thus 
be used with strict propriety as meaning 
''two sloping ridges joined in one,'' and we 
might translate, " Shai'e-flukes ai-e fitted in 
(or, -sAath) a twofold sloping ridge," Le., in a 
slope desceudmg from the dorsum on either 
side. On the other hand, it may perhaps 
be argued that Virgil is here speakmg ouly 
of the icooden parts of the plough, and that 
therefore we have no right to make men- 
tion of the h-on vomer: but we introduce 
it merely to render our meaning plauier: 
for if the vomer, which covers the share- 
beam, be fluked, it behoves the shai-e-beam, 
which is covered, to be fluked also. 

Since writing the foregoing obsei-vations, 
we have found in Houldsworth's remarks on 
Virgil the toUowmg notice, remarkably con- 
firmatory of the view now advanced: In 
the- kingdom of Naples, the share is (now) 
called gomere, and is made with two cor- 
ners jutting out, and rising in the 7niddle, 
^^■ith a back called schiena," i.e., chine, dor- 
sum. Jlartyn ^-rites thus : " Sendus tells 
us that most of the ploughshai-es in Italy 
have a wing on each side, ' ciijus utrumque 
eminet latus : nam fere hujusmodi sunt omnes 
vomer es in Italia.' On this account Virgil 
might have called the share double, but 
why the board should be said to have a 
double back, I do not readily comprehend." 
o3 



B. I. 173-175. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. T. 178-180. 



173. Jugo, for the jugum, or beam, into 
Avhich the temo was fitted, and whose ends 
rested ou the necks of the team, see first 
woodcut, 170, above, and also ^n. x. 575, 
with illustration. 

174. Stivaque. This reading presents a 
very serious difficulty in the interpretation; 
for, 1st, Though the tilia (linden tree) is 
said to be for the yoke, yet no hint is given 
as to the purpose for which the fagus is to 
be used; and, 2d, no direction is offered as 
to what material the stiva is to be of. Those 
who retain this reading, e.g., Wagn., explain 
the phrase as an epexegesis, or Hendiadys 
(see below) — "and the lofty beech, even the 
handle." But the great objection to this is, 
that there are two conjunctions (yet we 
meet two in ^n. i. 61), altaque, stivaque, 
whereas, in all Wagner's examples there is 
only one, as Eel. ii. 8 ; Geo. i. 335 ; ii. 192. 
Martyn conjectured stivae, which perfectly 
balances the clauses, (tilia caeditur jugo), 

fagus caeditur stivae, and besides removes 
the disagreeable sound caused by the juxta- 
position of que and quae. This reading, 
stivae, though devoid of MS. authority, is 
adopted by Forbiger, Voss, Wunderl, &c. 
&c. Wagner, however, opposes a rhyth- 
mical objection, viz., that a line composed 
of dactyls, as 173, should not be followed 
by one consisting of spondees; but the 
change suggested by Martyn is so beauti- 
fully simple and effective, that we should 
be loth not to approve of it. By stiva some 
understand a kind of foot-board on which 
the ploughman stood to help to turn the 
plough at the end of the furrow. 

By epe.regesis is meant the subjoining of 
a limited and restricted notion to a more 
general one, so that the latter (the general) 
is more closely defined by the former; and 
the conjunction coimecting the two is (iqual 
to even. To this figure may be referred the 
very common and well known one called 
Hendiadys ^cy g<^ }uoiv)., as, imposuit mol- 
emque et monies, Mw. i. 61, where the latter, 
mantes, explains and limits the former, 
molem, indicating, as it does, of what the 
moles is made up. So 'm. pateris et atiro, the 
auro restricts pateris to the material, gold: 
" In goblets, even in gold" It will be ob- 
served that description is often heightened 
by such an epexegesis (i'Ti'^nyAin;^. 

Currus—'' the machine." Sendus tells 
us that Virgil used this word referring to 
the make of the plough in his native pro- 
vince, where, it seems, wheels were usually 
added to secure steadiness, and evenness of 
depth in the furrows. Imos seems to refer 
to the lower surface of the share-beam, 
which ploughmen now-a-days call tlie sole; 
and thus, of course to the depth of the fur- 
row. Perhaps, however, Virgil here refers 
to the tm-ning of the plough at the end of 
the furrow, to which a tergo would be pro- 
perly applied, indicating pressui-e on the 
hindmost part of the plough, so as to raise 
the point of the share out of the ground. 

175. Explorat, either "permeates," passes 
through every pore; or "proves," "tests." 
XWi^Tprobat. Tliis second mode we prefer. 

5i 



So&ora— "the cut wood," viz., the mate- 
rials for these implements. On the whole 
subject, see Heyne's Excursus on this place, 
with Wagner's remarks. 

178. We now have directions as to some 
of the less common appliances of agricul- 
ture. And, first, the area, or thrashing-floor 
was a place in the open field, somewhat 
elevated, so that it might not be sheltered 
in the slightest degree from the wind. A t 
the time of the thrashing (the autumn), the 
weather was so steady that the farmer 
could calculate on it for a length of tune 
together. In some parts, however, where ' 
continued drought could not be expected, 
the husbandman had sheds erected near his 
area, or he thrashed in a covered barn as 
we do. The area was usually round, high 
in the centre, and sloping somewhat to- 
Avards the circumference ; it was made hard 
and firm. 




Cum primis — among your first operations. 
The ajlindrus was a roller, either a stone 
shaped for the purpose, or the fragment of 
a pillar, or a grinding stone. The woodcut 
represents a cylindrus. The clay was first 




to be worked with the hand to render it 
tough; then argilla, or creta, "potter's 
earth," was mixed along with it to make it 
harden and bake ; and, lastly, the compound 
was to be rolled with the cylindrus. The 
poet, however, is not very minute as to the 
order in which he mentions the difterent 
processes. 

180. Ne subeant herhae, &c. These pre- 
cautions are to prevent weeds from growing 
up; the floor from crumbling into dust; 
and vermin from encroaching (pestes illu- 
dant). Fatiscere means " to faU for want o f 



181-191. 



NOTES ON THE GEOEGICS. 



B. I. 193-203. 



strength," hence, to be harassed, relaxed, 
broken up, made loose. 

181. niudant, i.e., ne illudant, " and more- 
over, lest various annoyances plag-ue you" 
— " baffle your efforts." Observe the mono- 
syllabic tennination of this line, which, 
though objectionable in a rhythmical point 
()f view, has yet a remarkable force. Such 
an ending is 'often made by the poets, to 
call attention (1,) to something s<ril-i«9' and 
grand (Geo. i. 247; Geo. ii. 321; Mxi. ii. 
250; iEn. i. 65); or (2,) to something of 
importance and moment, though not elevated 
or sublime (JEn. iii. 390; v. 481); or (3,) 
to what is small and ridiculous, as in this 
place, and in Hor., Art. Poet. 139. See 
also Quinctilian, ^iii. 3, 20. 

182. Posuit andi fecit are Aoristic perfects, 
on which see Note 49, above. Que and 
atque, like '^'^■< — ■««'> combine ideas very 
closely together, atque adding something of 
more moment than what has preceded, 
thus ; " Has both fixed its abode, aye, and 
made its granaries too." 

183. Talpae — "moles." Capti oculis — 
"blind." This is the ancient idea; but 
more careful observation has discovered 
that moles have eyes, and good ones too, 
though small and much covered over. It is 
to be remarked that Vkgil makes talpa 
masc. here, though it is fern, elsewhere. 
Similarly he treats dama, in Eel. viii. 28, 
and Geo. iii. 539. 

184. Bu/o— ''the toad." This word is 
said to be found nowhere but here. Quae 
plurima — " and the unsightly creatures 
which the earth produces in great numbers." 

186. Curculio, or gurgulio, the "weevil." 
Formica is connected in stem with f^upf^ti^. 
Senectae — ants live but for a short time 
(for one year only, it is said), so that senectae 
is equal to hiemi, which is the old age of 
their brief existence. Cf Hor., Sat. i. 1, 33. 

187. Contemplator, ri}cf/.a.ipov, "obser^'e," 
"take omen." Nux is by Martyn called 
the walnut; but other commentators con- 
sider it the almond. The almond tree flour- 
ished, according to Pliny, in the earliest 
part of spring, or even in Jany., and would 
therefore be weU suited to give an eai-ly 
indication. 

Plurima is used, as in 184, to mean abun- 
dantly. Induct in florem, literally, " en- 
velopes itself in blossoms," i.a, retires, as 
it were, beneath its covering of blossoms: 
Translate, "And when in the woods the 
almond tree arrays itself in an abundant 
show of blossoms." Some make silvis de- 
pend on plurima, " (which is) abundant in 
the woods." Curvabit — "will bend {by 
anticipation) the fragrant branches," for if 
the poet uses/eiMS of the blossoms, or em- 
bryo fruit, he may likewise speak of these 
bending the branches. 

189. Fetus, i.e., the embryo fruit in the 
blossoms. Pariter — " in equal abundance." 

190. Magna, either "a thrashing of plen- 
tiful yield," or "a laborious thrashing." 

191. Luxuria, t&c— "but if by reason of 
the large display of leaves the shade is 



abundimt (dense), the floor will to no pur- 
pose brttise the ears rich (only) in chaff." 
Some join nequidquam with pingues, "use- 
lessly rich." 

193. Semina— The seeds of leguminous 
plants are meant, as siliquisfallacihus shows. 
Medicare, "to prepare," by steeping, or 
maceration. The deponent form, medicari, 
is not used in this sense. 

194. JS'itro. This is not our nitre, or 
saltpetre, bitt rather natron (soda), or pot- 
ash. Amurca — " The scum of ohve-oil." 
This is the Greek cc[/,opy'/i, and though the 
Romans wTrote it with a c, they pronotmced 
it in Greek fashion, with a g. In fact the 
letter g was not introduced into the Latin 
language till about the beginning of the 
second Punic war (218 B.C.), and thus c 
stands in the alphabet to represent the 
Greek gamma — a,, /S, y, a, b, c. Consttlt 
Smith's Latin Diet, on the letters C and G. 

195. " That there might be a larger yield 
from the deceptive pods":" — the pods though 
large often contain very small seeds. 

196. This passage has been variously 
punctuated and explained. The most 
rational mode is to put a full stop after 
maderent, couphng this verb to esset, and 
makuig it depend on perfundere through ut. 
Properata — "being hastened;" i.e., "when 
hastened." Translate, "and that they 
might be quickly cooked (boiled) though 
onasmallfire" — "on a fire, however small." 
The Greeks assert, sayPalladius and others, 
that when beans were thus macerated before 
sowing, then- produce was more easUy 
cooked than it would otherwise have been. 
The reading which puts a stop after esset, 
and a comma after maderent, is so palpably 
absurd that we do not tlihik it worth dis- 
cussion. 

197. Vidi, repeated from 193, renders the 
sentence more animated than a conjunction 
would do. Lecta diu—Le., " I have seen 
those seeds on whose selection much time 
and labour had been spent, degenerating 
in spite of such care, if men (literally 
"human power," or "energy," or "instru- 
mentahty") did not every j'ear separate 
with the hand all the largest specimens." 

200. On this hue see our full note at 
JEn. iL 169, where it is repeated. 

201. Observe the spondees, which express 
difficulty; for as our own poet says, " The 
line, too, labours, and the words move slow." 
Remigiis — The plural of this word is very 
seldom used as equal to remis. The sing., 
is the number employed. 

203. It is unnecessary for us to discuss 
here the many interpretations which have 
been offered of this passage. The great 
difficulty fies in atque,— yfh-At is its mean- 
ing, and what it connects. The older com- 
mentators, as Servius, Gellius, <tc., made 
atque=statim, "immediately," as it is found 
in early Latinit}', e.g., in the Laws of the 
Twelve Tables,' si in jus vocat, atque eat. 
To tills Hand (Tursell.) agi-ees. Others 
make atque a simple copulative, and supply 
an ellipsis. Thus Heyne, ff'on aliier, quam 

is KETKO SXIBLAPSUS EEFEETUR qm VOVi- 

65 



B I. 203. 



NOTES ON THE GEOEGICS. 



B. I. 2C:4-2r.S. 



glum agit . . atque ilium in pj^aeceps. (Lx.; 
or, Non aliter, quam si is qui . . subigit, 
remisit fo-rte brachia. atque alveus rap it 
ilium (lembum). Wagn., Jahn, and Forb. 
supply retro sublapsus refertur, after brachia 
rejni-sit, and connect this refen^tur to rapit by 
atque, so that the sense will be — "Not 
other-nise than he who is stniggling with 
all his might to force his boat against the 
stream, as soon as he has bat momentarily 
slackened his exertions, losing his ground, 
is carried backward, and is hmried with 
headlong speed down the river." 

To all these explanations, however, our 
great objection is, that the words fi-om ?io?i 
aliter to amni are put m comparison to sic 
omnia . . sublapsa referi'i. It wiU. be 
seen that in the words sic omnia, dx. there 
is only one idea, viz., that of deterioration; 
Avhilein non aliter . . to amni there are three, 
— (a) uni'emitting exei^tion {subigit lembum); 

(b) temporary cessation (brachia remisit) ; 

(c) injurious result (alveus rapit in praeceps); 
and thus the members of the comparison 
are not balanced, and the simile is a faulty 
one. "Whereas, if we consider vidi lecta to 
manu legeret as containing the sentiment 
illustrated by non aliter, dc, we have the 
balance of comparison complete— Ca; unre- 
mitting exertion (diu lecta - multo spec- 
tata, and quotannis in the negative hypo- 
thesis) ; (6) temporary cessation suggested 
by yi legeret quotannis; (c) injurious result 
(degenerare). Besides the greater suitable- 
ness of the explanation just given, we may 
urge against opposmg ones, that it seems 
absm-d to illustrate by simile so trite a re- 
mark and so self-e\adent a proposition as 
omnia fatis in pejus ruere ac retro sublapsa 
referri. We are therefore of opuiion that the 
words last quoted {sic omnia, dx.J are par- 
enthetic, and that instead of a full stop after 
legeret, as Wagn. and Forb. have punctuated, 
we should place a semicolon, with brackets 
before sic and after referri, if thought ne- 
cessary. We would not, then, follow Wag- 
ner in supplymg sublapsus rejertur, but 
we would connect and explain as follows: 
The man who devotes much time and la- 
bour to the selection of his seeds will find 
them degenerating, if he do not rigorously 
continue his exertion year after year; just 
as he who is toiling to force his boat against 
the stream by rowing, will find himself 
diiven headlong down the river, if he but 
for a moment slacken his exertions. Atque 
■will, in this %iew, couple subigit and rapit, 
the second verb having a different subject 
from the first. It may be lu-ged against 
our plan, that it represents atque as coup- 
ling a verb whose subject is the relative 
pronoun, to another verb, whose subject 
not only is a diflerent word, but denotes a 
diilerent object. We admit there is force in 
the objection. It must be allowed, however 
that had we quern instead ot illum,the diffi- 
culty would vanish. But it is well known 
that, in double relative clauses, even Cicero 
not unfrequently abandons the relative 
construction in the second member, and 
uses the demonstrative pronoun instead 
of the relative. Thus, m Brutus, 7i, we 

56 



find the sentence, ornnes turn fere, qui 
nee extrahanc urbem vixerant, nee eos (where 
we should expect nee quos) aliqua bar- 
baries domestica infuscavei-at, recte loque- 
bantur. Here we have an exainple as if 
composed for our special sendee, where 
qui vixerant corresponds to qui subigit;— nee 
EOS to atque illuji, and barbaries infuscc- 
verat, to alveus rapit. See Zumpt. Lat. Gr. 
§. 806. The more close translation of the 
latter part will be, " Just as is the case wuh 
him, who is with difliculty forcing his boat 
against the stream by rowing, and the cur- 
rent (channel, alveus) hm-ries him down 
the river in headlong speed, if he happen to 
have slackened his exertions." 

204. From this to line 310, we have de- 
tailed the times at which the various agTi- 
cultural operations should be performed: 
and to enable them to decide on the exact 
period, husbandmen are warned to pay 
especial attention to the rismg and setting 
of the constellations. To impress this pre- 
cept the more strongly, it is hinted that, in 
the difficult and doubtful processes of hus- 
bandly, their success depends as much upon 
this, as does the safety of mariners who at- 
tempt the dangerous voyage of the Euxine 
and Hellespont, 

Arcturus— A star of the first magnitude 
in Bootes, or Arctophylax, whose rishig 
(commencing on the 5th Sept. and 13th 
Feb.) and settuig (on the 22d May and 29th 
Oct.) were attended by violent storms. 

205. Hoedorum — The Kids are two stars 
in the arm of Auriga, which, at their i-ising 
on the 25th April, and 27th and 29th of Sept., 
were likewise accompanied with tempestu- 
ous weather. Anguis was a constellation 
near the North Pole, also indicative of 
storms, and therefore equally desen-ing of 
the notice of the farmer. 

206. Vectis, i.e., qui vehuntur — For it is 
evident, as Forb. remarks, that the perf 
particip. (pass. ) is often used, especially hi 
poetry, for the present pass., which does 
not exist in Latin. Hence it happens that 
the poets write peifects, even in those cases, 
%-iz., in deponents, in which no necessity 
but that of metre compels them. See -^n. 
i. 481 ; ii. 277. Also, as to deponents, Geo. 
i. 293; iEn. v. 70S. These perf particips. 
are sometimes mere adjectives, e.g., ^n. 
iii. 275, formidatus=formidabilis ; viiL 588, 
conspectus=conspicuus. 

207. Pontus, par excellence, the Euxinus 
Pontus. Abydos was a town on the 
Asiatic side of the Hellespont, over against 
the European Sestos. It was famed for 
its oysters, and is stUl more celebrated 
by the story of Hero and Leander. Ten- 
tantur, "are risked," or "braved," is ex- 
pressive of the danger attending a voyage 
in parts then so little kno\^•n. 

208. Libra, dx. The sun was in Libra 
at the time of the autumnal equinox, when 
the days and nights were of equal duration, 
and wiien the Roman hours were, of course, 
equal too. For the Eomans divided the 
period of light into twelve hours, and of 
darkness into twelve, all the j^ear round, 
so that Avhen the night was longer than the 



B. I. 209-212. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. I. 213-218 



day, the nocturnal hours were longer than 
the diurnal, and vice versa. The sowing 
time, then, began at the autumnal equinox, 
and ended at the winter solstice, or shortest 
daj^ which were in Virgil's time the 24th 
Sept., and 25th Dec, respectively. 

Die is an old form of the gen. for diet 
See Ruddiman, i. p. 105; and OrelL, on Hon, 
Od. iil 7, 4. Aulus Gellius alleges that in 
his copy of Virgil, which he says was the 
poet's own manuscript, dies was written. 
Wagner thinks this probable, and supposes 
that the s was lost in consequence of the 
next word soinni begmning with that letter, 
but he would then consider dips the accus. 
pirn'., and not the old form of the gen. sing. 

209. " And divides the globe equally for 
light and darkness," i.e., remains on the 
equinoctial Ihie, and goes neither to the 
north nor to the south, but gives both 
northern and southern hemispheres an equal 
amount of day and night. 

211. Sub extremum imbrem, &c. — "Even 
immediately before the last shower of the 
severe winter:" i.e., while the weather is 
only showery, and not regularly frosty and 
wintry. Voss mterprets, of the "unman- 
ageable vnnter," i.e., the season when no 
operations can be conducted, on account of 
the uninterrupted severity of the weather. 
Columella and Varro state that for fifteen 
days before and fifteen days after the win- 
ter solstice, agricultural operations were 
almost at a stand. Bruma (\.q., brevima, 
brevissima dies) means the shortest day, or 
solstice, which terminates the first half of 
the winter, and the rainy or mild weather, 
the latter half being frequently frosty. The 
injunction, therefoi-e, is, "Sow barley (and 
grain crops generally) close up to the time 
when frost may be expected to set in." 
We sow barley in spring, but in warmer 
climates they were in the habit of putting 
in the seed in the latter end of the year. 
At the present day, however, barley is 
sown in Italy in spring. From this earlier 
sowing of the barley and flax, Martyn ex- 
plains Exodus ix. 31, 32, where it is stated 
that the flax and barley were destroyed by 
the ha'l, because the barley was in the ear, 
and the flax was in seed, but tlie wheat 
and the spelt escaped because they were 
not yet come up. 

Eordea. This plur. is used here and else- 
where by Virgil, as also by Pliny, but it is 
condemned by Quinctilian, and it formed 
a subject for the ridicule of Virgil's detrac- 
tors, Ba^^us and Maevius (on whom see 
Eel. iii 90) as in the line said to be CDm- 
posed by one of them — 

'■'■Eordea'''' qui dixit, superest ut tritica 
dicat. 

212. Flax was sown from the beginning 
of October till the beginning of December, 
and poppies in September and October. In 
our own countries flax is always sown in 
spring. Cereale jMpaver. — The poppy sacred 
to Ceres: it was the symbolical ornament 
of Ceres, who, in statues, appeared holding 
a few heads in her hand. It is alleged that 
by eating some of its seeds, when in search 



of her daughter Proserpine, she was made 
somewhat forgetful of her loss ; and again, 
that it was with poppies that Ceres fed 
Triptolemus, to prepare him for his divine 
mission. 

213. On Tempus tegere, see Note 305 be- 
low, and ^n. ii. 350 ; v. 638. 

lamdudum seems to be here equal to 
statim, "at once," "immediately." Wagn. 
interprets '■'■per omne illud tempus " through 
all this time," "long since." 

214. Sicca tellure. — This shows that 
though farmers were to sow durmg showery 
weather, they were to select dry days, dum 
nubila pendent (stiW overhang, and do not 
discharge themselves in showers), and a dry 
soil. 

215. In the southern part of Italy, the 
bean was sown in autumn ; but Vu-gil here 
speaks, according to Pliny, of the practice 
in the colder regions of his Mantuan home. 
Vere fabis satio (est) — The sowing time for 
beans is in spring. Medica (Ji Mrihiich 'ttoo,^, 
a kind of clover, so called from its being 
introduced into Greece from Media during 
the Persian wars. It is now cdXleA Lucerne, 
or Burgundy trefoil. Pliny says it should 
be sown in May — Columella, in the end ot 
April. 

216. Putres — "mouldering," "crumbling," 
from the frequent ploughing, and the effect 
of the winter's frost. Milio. — The milium, 
"millet," or "panic," the Kiyx,?^^ of the 
Greeks, was a kind of sturdy grass, the 
heads of which bore a round seed, which 
was made into bread for feeding poultry, 
horses, and cattle. Annua cura is used in 
contrast to the Medica, which required to 
be sown only once in ten years. 

217. The Sun enters into Taurus on or 
about the 17th April, according to Columella. 
[Now it is the 20th April.] He is called 
Candidus, i.e., fulgens, "a bright constella- 
tion ;" and his horns auratis, because there 
were some very bright stars in his head, 
especially those representing the tips of the 
horns. Aperit, "opens up the year," well 
expresses the idea intended to be conveyed 
by the attitude of the bull, which, with 
lowered head, and threatening hom, seemed 
ready to rip and tear, as if to open a way 
for himself through the heaven. Hence 
Varro derives Apr His, "the month which 
opens the year," when flowers bloom from 
the "opening earth," and "the larch hath 
hung all her tassels forth." 

218. Canis, i.e., Suius. This is a star of 
the first magnitude in Canis Ma,ior. It set 
a short time after the rising of Taurus, op- 
posite which it was placed (adverso astro). 
When the Sun entered Taurus, his bright- 
ness became too great to allow the constel- 
lation Canis to be seen. This is what astro- 
nomers call '' setting heliacally." So when a 
star emerges from the brightness of the 
sun, it is said to '■'rise heliacally;'" and thus 
its actual rising or setting occurs some time 
before or after its heliacal rlsuig or setting. 
The bull is thiis represented as driving the 
dog before him, the dog, however, keeping 
his face to the bull. Another reading is 

57 



B I. 219-222. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. I. 224-233. 



averso astro, but this cannot be satisfactorily 
explained. 

219. The seedtime for wheat and spelt is 
after the cosmical setting of the Pleiades in 
the morning. 

Triticeam in messem — "for a wheat crop." 
Martyn has the following note: " The triti- 
cum of the ancients was not our common, 
or lammas wheat, but a bearded sort. Hence 
arista, which signifies the beard, is often 
used by the poets for wheat; but it would 
be too violent a figure to put the beard for 
corn, which has no beard at all. I shall 
add another proof that the triticum was 
bearded: All the statues and medals of 
Ceres, that ever I saw, have no other corn 
represented on them than that which is 
bearded." Far, "spelt," is called robustum 
because it bears wind, rain, and cold, better 
than other grain. 

220. Solis aristis does not mean "ears 
only," i. e., large heads without a good 
yield of grain, like vanis aristis, of 226: but 
it is opposed to the leguminous crops of 227, 
and the sense is, '• If you wish to cultivate 
only the bearded kinds of grain, do not be- 
gin to sow before the middle of Nov. ; but 
if you desu-e to plant leguminous crops be- 
sides, you must commence m the beginning 
of Nov. * 

221. Atlantides — The daughters of Atlas 
(consult Class. Dicty.), otiierwise called 
Pleiades, or Vergiliae, on which see Note 
1-3S, abova Eoae does not mean "in 
t)ie East," but "in the morning," i.e., let 
them be set in the morning, in the West, 
while the sun is rising in the East: this is 
called cosmical setting. Their setting oc- 
curred between the 20th Oct. and the ISth 
Nov. On the scansion of this line consult 
the Metrical Index. The first sylL of eous 
is properly short, but here, and in several 
other places it is long. 

222. Gnosia, &,c. " Let the Gnosian con- 
steUdtion of the Blazing Crown depart." 
This is the " Corona Ariadnes," which was 
placed among the stars by Bacchus, after 
his marriage to Ariadne. It consists of 
nine stars, and is now called Corona Bore- 
alis — The Northern Crown. For the story 
of Ariadne, see Class. Dicty. Gnosia, i.e., 
Cretan, from Gnossus, a town of Crete, of 
which island Minos, father of Ariadne, was 
king. 

Decedat, depart, i.e., from the heavens: 
" set." To avoid the difficulty of this line. 
decedat is by some interpreted " depart from 
the sun," i.e., rise heliacaUij, because the 
rising of the constellation took place at the 
time evidently intended here. But this is so 
Aiolent a use of decedere, that we cannot 
adopt it, even to get Virgil out of a " scrape;" 
and we therefore accept the explanation of 
Voss, who tells us that according to Ptole- 
maeus, Democritus, and other great astro- 
nomers, the setting of the Crown v,-as 
erroneously fixed in the latter part of No- 
vember or first part of December. On the 
ground, therefore, that the poet was led 
astray by his authorities, we reheve him 
from the charge of " nodding." SeeQuaest., 
Virg. xxxvil 



224. Invitae terrae. As the earth has the 
reputation of being justissima, rendering to 
men "in some thirty, in some sixty, and in 
some an hundredfold," she is here poetically 
represented as loth to take charge of the 
seed till the fields 'have been properly 
ploughed, manured, and otherwise worked, 
and till the proper tune for sowing has 
aiTived. Semina debita — " the seed which 
is due to the earth." Spem a«7u— "the 
h pe of the year;" Le., the hope of pro- 
duce for the year. 

225. This and the next verse are paren- 
thetic, assigning a reason why wheat and 
spelt should not be sown earUer. Maiae — 
Maia was one of the Pleiades, and here 
stands for the group. See above, 221. 

226. Vanis aristis — " with unpieldy ears." 
Grain is often deceptive, and from rank 
stalks, and apparently heavy ears, very 
little 7jield is got. The other reading, 
avenis, has MS. authority, and finds sup- 
porters among the critics ; nor does it make 
a sense by any means exceptionable. A venis 
would mean "wild oats." 

227. For leguminous plants the sowing 
time extends from the beginning of Novem- 
ber till far on in the whiter. We must 
remember that this is in a mild Itahan 
climate. 

Phaselum — "the kidney bean" (i^«<r»>.s5, - 
or <pce,(T'/io\o$, phaseolus) was sown in the 
end of October; or in September, if it was 
intended to be eaten when green along 
with the pods. Vilem — "common and 
cheap." 

228. Lentis — Egypt was famed for the 
abundance and the excellent quality of its 
lentils ; and so Pelusium, an Egyptian town 
built on one of the mouths of the Nile, is 
selected as the place which shall give name 
to the pulse. 

229. Bootes or Arctophylax, with its 
bright star, Arcturus, set in the very end 
of October, from which time vetch sowing 
began. 

230. Ad medias pruinas. As we had 
medium mare in the jEneid denoting " fairly 
out at sea," without signifying the actual 
middle of the sea, so here we have in medias 
pruinas used to mean " clean (or fakly) 
into the frost," as we say. 

231. Idcirco — "for this very reason it is," 
viz., that the seasons for particular opera- 
tions should be clearly marked. We have 
now a beautiful description of the sun, the 
heavenly zones, and the zodiac; its inser- 
tion here is, of course, owing to the fact, 
that rusiics learned from this source when 
each agricultural operation was to be per- 
formed ; and that. Indeed, the stars were the 
only "Farmer's Almanac" published ui 
those days. Or^^ewi— "the yearly circle 
portioned off in fixed allotments." 

232. Duodena astra — The twelve signs 
of the zodiac. Duodena may here retain its 
full distributive force, implying the idea of 
revolution each year. Muridi is put for the 
celestial sphere, in which the sun seems to 
move. 

233. Quinque zonae. The division of the 



B. I 234-241. 



NOTES ON THE GEOKGICS. 



B. I. 242-247. 



■worldinto five zones by the old philosophers, 
is too weU known to require explanation. 
24° on each side of the equator foi'ined the 
torrid zone ; from 25'^ to 54'^ on N. and S. 
formed the north and south temperate zones 
respectively; and from 55'^ to the poles, 
the two frigid zones. 

234. The torrid zone is called semper 
riibens, and the Mgid caeritlea, by Virgil 
and Eratosthenes, either on account of the 
natiu-al colour of fire and ice, or, as Voss 
thinks, with reference to the rubrum et 
caeruleum pigmentum. by which these zones 
■were respectively indicated in the ancient 
geographical charts. The first explanation, 
however, is the more natural one. 

235. Quam circum. — These words refer 
not to immediate proximity, for the temper- 
ate zones "lay between the torrid and Mgid, 
but simply to position on either side. Tra- 
huntur "are extended," or "placed." As 
this verb is quite appropriately used in re- 
ference to the putting on and proper ad- 
justment of a real zone or belt, so, in 2. figu- 
rative sense, it is equally applicable to the 
figurative zones of the heavenly sphere. We 
see no reason for binding down a poet so 
strictly to mere words, as to suppose that 
he employs trahuntur vaerelj to the "■draw- 
ing'' of Unes on a globe or chart. 

236. Concretae, strictly speaking, applies 
to glacie, but by zeugma is transferred also 
to imbribus; so say the commentators. But 
showers are often either concretae them- 
selves, or are freezing in their character and 
effects, and are frequently accompanied, too, 
with freezing winds. 

237. Has — the frigid zone. Mediam — 
the ton-id zone. Duae, i.e., the N. and the 
S. temperate zones. Mortalihus aegris;— 
This is the Homeric, "^tiXoij-i (ipo-roia-i, 

238. Via secta, i.e., the ecliptic, or sun's 
course. Per ambas does not mean '•'■through 
the space of both temperate zones," but joer 
applies here, as frequently, to what is ex- 
tended between two other things; and is 
therefore equal to inter. It is unnecessary 
to remark that the sun's com-se lies solely 
in the torrid zone, and that his limits are 
the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, wliieh 
form the boundaries of the N. and S. tem- 
perate zones, respectively. 

239. Obliquus ordo — The zodiac, because 
the constellations of which it consists are 
arranged along the ecliptic, and this cuts 
the equator obliquely, at an angle of 23^ 
degrees. 

240. Mundus, i.e., the heavenly sphere. 
Arduus ad Scythiam, dr. This refers to 
the elevation of the North Pole, and the 
depression of the South, as illustrated by a 
globe. " Scythia " is put for the northern 
parts of Europe and Asia generally; and 
the "Rhipean heights" for all the mts. 
north of the Euxine. These cold regions 
were said to be inhabited by the Hyperbo- 



241. Libyae- in Austros. The phrase — 
" south winds of Libya," signifies the 
southern parts of Africa,' and thus the South 



I 242. Hie vertex, i.e., the North Pole is 
I always elevated in reference to ns, i.e., is 
I above our heads, and therefore the north 
I Polar star is visible to us. But the South 
I Pole, which is beneath our feet (ilium sub 
\pedibus), the inhabitants of the Nether 
"World see. It is thereby implied that we 
I do not see it Forb. joins the words ilium 
sub pedibus; Wagn. prefers the combina- 
tion, Styx sub pedibus, but the order of the 
words opposes this junction. Martyn, Voss, 
and Jahn make sub pedibus depend' on videt, 
which woidd mean that, as we see the 
North Pole above us, so the Manes see the 
Soiith below them. To this Forb. offers 
two objections: 1st, It has to be proved 
that the Manes were placed by the ancients 
in the heart of the Earth; and 2d, Suppose 
we do allow that they were placed there, 
how could they from the centre of the earth 
see the Pole. We think it very e%ident, 
however, from the descriptions given of 
descents to the infernal regions ; from the 
j notions about certam rivers ot earth joining 
the Styx ; from the stories of punished 
I giants laid under burniiig mountains, and a 
I thousand other considerations, that a place 
deep down in earth was deemed the abode ot 
departed spirits. The custom of burial sug- 
gests an CA-ident reason for the rise and 
general prevalence of such a notion as to 
the habitations of the Manes. Forb.'s second 
objection is very trivial indeed: we camiot 
restrict a poet to such accuracv, in matters 
of this kuid. See Keightley, MythoL p. 83, 
3d ed. 

Profundi, ie., the IManes, whose abode 
was deep in the earth. 

244. Hie — in the region of the North Pole. 
Anguis, dx. The Scorpion was represented 
as sweeping with his tail along the back of 
the Great Bear, while he almost inclosed in 
one of his folds the Little Bear. Hence he 
is said to glide with tortuous winding, cir- 
cum perque duas Arctos. Observe the force 
of elabitur, as expressing difliculty in steer- 
ing clear of both Bears. 

245. On Arctos, see Note 138 above. In 
morem fluminis, Le., in a winding manner. 
The conclusion of one verse and the com- 
mencement of the foUoTv-ing with the same 
word, is called Anadiplosis. See IE.n. x. 
691, and EcL vL 20. 

246. Metuentes fingui, i.e., nan tinguntur 
— nunquam occidunt. So Horace, Od. iL 2, 
7, penna metuente soJvi, Le., non solvenda. 
Those constellations near the Polar star do 
not set to us, as is well known. 

247. Illic, "there," at the South Pole, 
either the stillness of night unseasonable 
for w^ork ["the night when no man can 
work"] (iiitempesia), reigns; or Am-ora 
visits them when she leaves us. and gives 
them hght. On the monosyllabic termina- 
tion of the line, see above, 181. The com- 
ma after nox is by some editors removed, 
and placed after semper, so that this adverb 
may be joined to the preceding, and not to 
the followmg clause. But in opposition to 
this punctuation, Wagner argues that there 
must be a pause at the end of a verse, when 
that verse admits caesura in the sixth foot, 

59 



B, I. 248-256. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. I. 257-267. 



as here ; and he adds, moreover, that sem- 
per [and other words] is sometimes placed 
at the beginning of a line, between two 
similar clauses, when in position it belongs 
properly to the second only, but when in 
force it applies to both, this its force being 
much increased by the very peculiarity of 
its position. See Tibull., iii. 6, 1 sq. 

248. Densantur—Th&xQ is a various read- 
ing, densentur, from densere of the 2d conj. 
On these two forms Wagner, from a careful 
examination of MSS., remarks that that of 
the 1st conj. is used by Virgil in the Geor- 
gics, while in the ^neid he has preferred 
that of the 2d, except in xii. 264. 

250. Primus Oriens, either "the early 
dawn," Le., the rising sun, or primus may 
be taken for primum. Anhelis equis—The 
breezes of the early morning (i.e., the set- 
ting in of the "sea breeze"), are poetically 
ascribed to the panting of the Sun's horses, 
which are "put to their wind" at the first 
start. 

251. Sera lumina has had four principal 
interpretations : 1st, The evening star rises, 
i.e., kindles up her own light, when the sun 
sets. 2nd, The evening star, by her rising, 
indicates the time for lighting up torches, 
candles, <fcc., in the habitations of men. 
This is so silly an idea, that we have hesi- 
tated much in taking notice of it. "When 
put in juxtaposition with equis Oriens adfla- 
vit anhelis, it forms as remarkable an anti- 
climax as that famed couplet. 

And thou, Dalhousie, Great God ofWab, 
Lieutenant Colonel to the Earl of Mar. 

3d, The evenuig star (as rising first) lights 
up the luminaries of the night, i. e., the 
other stars. 4th, The evening star, by its 
appearance, and the simultaneous de- 
parture of the sea, lights up, i.e., produces, 
or accompanies, the blushing glow and red- 
ness of the sunlight. This last mode is 
favoured by the word ruhens, and by the 
contrast with Aurora going before. We are 
rather inclined, however, to prefer the thhd 
explanation, as containing a beautifully 
poetic and animated picture, and as being 
more applicable to lumina. 

252. Tempestates, i.e., seasons, and the 
changes of weather. Bubio coelo, in the sky 
Avhose prognostics are of doubtful import, 
in consequence of their being partially con- 
cealed by clouds. Hinc, " from this" pas- 
sage of the sun through the signs of the 
zodiac. 

253. Diem messis, i.e., the summer: tem- 
pus serendi, the autumn, and early part of 
winter. 

254. The commencement of navigation 
and the felling of timber indicate the sprhig 
time. Murmor, "the marble surface of 
ocean" was a favourite idea with the poets. 
Infidum, "treacherous." 

255. Deducere. — Ships were drawn up 
(subductae) on shore during the winter, and 
rested on logs ; in the spring they were run 
down by machinery. Cf. Hor., Od. i. 4, 2. 
Trahuntque siccas machinae carinas. 

256. Tempestivum — "in due season," 
60 



which, according to Palladius, was the 
month of February. 

257. There are now detailed to us some 
further advantages of observing the constel- 
lations, and the signs which they give. An- 
VMmparem, Le., the year equally portioned 
out into four seasons, spring, summer, au- 
tumn, winter. Eudoxus, Meton, and others, 
had drawn out, for the benefit of rustics not 
skilled in the stars, astronomical tables, or 
what we might call " Farmers' Almanacs," 
which gave the periods of the rising and 
setting of the constellations, the storms 
that might be expected, and other informa- 
tion useful to husbandmen. 

260. Properanda is opposed to maturare, 
the former signifymg haste and insufficient 
care— the latter leisure, diligence, full finish, 
and fitness of time. Coelo sereno "under 
a clear sky," i.e., in good weather. Dare, 
used with the infin., for sinere, permittere, is 
very common with the poets, and is fre- 
quently found in later prose writers, e.g., 
Pliny the younger. 

261. Procudit — "sharpens by hammer- 
ing." Dentem vomeris — "the point of the 
share," or poetically, the share. See above, 
172, and Note. 

Lintres — "troughs," "bowls, "and wooden 
vessels generally, such as were used in the 
house or hi the vineyard. Some commen- 
tators take it to mean " small boats," such 
as farmers in the vicinity of the Po might 
require ; but this is not to be approved of. 

262. Signum impressit, &c. In January 
and April, Itahan shepherds were in the 
habit of markuig their sheep with the name 
of the owner, or other stamp; the "cipher" 
was put on with pitch. 

iVumeros— Either "tickets," or "labels," 
placed upon the heaps of corn, to tell the 
quantity which each contains; or acervis 
may apply to "sacks," or "bins," of corn, 
which the owner tickets to denote the 
amount of their contents. Observe the 
zeugma in impressit, as applied to signum 
and numeros. On this aoristic use of the 
perf, see Note 49, above. 

264. Vallos — "stakes." Furcas bicornes — 
" two pronged props " for the vines. 

265. AmeriJia retinacula—'''' Amevisin wil- 
lows for fastening the vuies." Ameria 
was a town in Umbria where this species 
of wiUow grew abundantly. There was 
also the Grecian willow, and the Gallic. 

266. Fiscina — A basket, or other wicker 
vessel. It is called /aci7is as being made ot 
flexible material. Rubea from rubus, a 
"bramble bush." TransL, "with bramble 
twigs." Servius derives the adj. rubeus from 
RuBi, a town mentioned by Hor., in Serm. 
i. 5, 94 ; Inde Rubos fessi pervenimus ; he 
would thus make the phrase similar to the 
Amerina retinacula of fine 265, " the rods 
of Rubi," i e., that abound near RubL 
Heyne observes that were the idea of Ser- 
vius coiTect, the word should be written 
Rubia; and indeed it is so in one MS. 

267. Torrete igni. This process of kiln- 
drying was gone through to render the corn 
more easily ^'■shelled,'" i.e., separated from 
the husks ; which was the more necessary 



B.I. 



-273. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. 1.274-281. 



as hand mills were piiiicipally used. The 
Romans had, however, mills driven by cat- 
tle, and also by water. The right hand 
figure of the woodcut represents the two 




millstones fitted together and ready for use, 
while that on the left is a section ot the 
outer stone, the better to exhibit the pecu- 
liarity of form. The lower millstone (vieta) 
was a cone rising about two feet from the 
circular pediment : the outer one is in form 
like a dice bos or hour glass, the lower half 
fitting on the under stone like a cap. For 
mode of working, see Rich's Companion, or 
Smith's Diet, of Antiq. Frangite saxo, Le., 
molere — •' grind." 

268. Quippe etiam. The sense is : do not 
be surprised, rustics, that I ad^^se you to 
attend to domestic occupations dm'uig the 
wet weather. Nay, more, I allow that 
certain works be performed even on holy 
days. On the Roman Feriae generally, 
consult Ramsay, Antiq., p. 36-5 sqq. 

269. Fas et' jura — "divine and human 
laws." Deducere vivos, i.e., either to 
"Avater the crops" by letting water from 
tlie reservoirs flow along the shallow 
tracks that intersected the fields; or it may 
also mean, "to draw oft" suberabundant 
moistm-e." See above, 114. Some MSS. 
read diducere, which would be more suitable 
to the first iuteriDretatiou. 

270. i?e/iV20—"rehgious scruple." Vetuit— 
Another aoristic perf See above, 49, Note. 
Praetendere sepem — Columella says that 
whUe husbandmen might on holy days re- 
pair old fences, yet the Pontifical law for- 
bade them to make new ones. 

271. Birds of prey and such as were in- 
jurious to the crops might be snared on 
holy days, but fowling (aucupium) generally 
was forbidden. 

272. Balantum is often used for "sheep," 
without any j>ariifi^?ar reference to bleating; 
but here there is perhaps a peculiar pro- 
priety in the terra, as they bleat much dur- 
ing the time of washing. 

Salubri has particular force, because the 
Pontifical law torbade the dipping of sheep 
on holy days, if the object was merely to 
preseiwe the icool; but if it was to correct 
a disease, as the scabies, the bathing was, 
in that case, lawful. Salubri might then 
be translated/ree^y, "/cr health." 

273. The persons here referred to were 
the poorer sort of farmers, who could not 
afford time on any but holy days to carry 
their oil and fruit to town, and to procure 
in return such necessaries as they wanted. 



Agitator aselli—A rustic who uses his don- 
key for a time, not a regular "asinarius." 

274. F;7/a — common, and plenty, and 
therefore valueless and cheap. 

Tncusum lapidem — an "indented," or 
"chiselled" stone, Le., a mill-stone. Mas- 
sampicis — The pitch was used for smearuig 
wooden vessels, so as to make them water 
(liquid) tight; and for certain other pur- 
poses such as plasters for cattle, stampmg 
sheep, <fec. Urbe, i.e.. ex urbe. 

276. "The moon herself fixes days suit- 
able (favourable), in different degrees, for 
different kinds of work." Ipsa is emphatic, 
and signifies, "But you need not beenth-ely 
dependent on the stai-s, which are difficult 
to know and to read; watch the moon, 
which is a much more distinct and observ- 
able guide." 

Yoss would wi-ite alias dies, (because the 
adjs. qnintam, &c., referrmg to dies, are fem.,) 
and despise the rule of the grammarians, 
that dies in the plur. is always masc. Wund. 
quotes a very conclusive example in aid 
of the grammarians, from Tibull , iii. 6, 32. 
Venitpost multos una serena dies. On dedit 
as the aoristic perf., see above, 49. 

277. Felices operum — This genitive con- 
struction is a Greek one, like ivhatf/^uv tou 
TpoTov, of Plato. Quintam — The fifth day 
after new moon was, as we see, considered 
unlucky, fi-om the old belief that Orcus, 
the Fin-ies, and other evil powers, were on 
that day brought into existence. Orcus, 
i.e., the god of Orcus, viz., Pluto, is called 
pale, pallor enim. mortis est color. On these 
proper names, consult Smith's Dicty. of 
Biog. and Mythol., or Keightley's MythoL 

278. Eumenides— "The Furies." This 
principle of euphemism, or "bespeakuig 
well," is verj' frequently manifested by 
Greeks and Romans, and is not unknowTi 
in om- own countries. These e-\dl powers 
are thus called "the gracious deities;" and 
the fairies, those mischievous little elves 
are dubbed ''good people." Observe the 
absence of the causal particle nam before 
pallidus. 

279. Coeus and lapetus were two of the 
Titans, sons of Heaven and Earth: see 
Hesiod, Theog. 133. Typhoea, to be scanned 
as three syllables. Typhoeus was son of 
Earth and Tartarus; he was a monster 
with one hundred dragon heads, and was 
confined by Jupiter under iEtna, because 
he challenged him to a contest for the 
sovereignty of the world He is the type 
of the volcanic power in natm-e. 

280. Fratres, viz., Otus and Ephialtes, 
the giant sons of Aloeus, who attempted to 
scale heavens height, and detlirone Jupi- 
ter. 

Eescindere has the force of exscindere, cum 
notione perrumpendi. Wakefield. On the 
syntax conjuratos rescindere, see EcL iv. 34; 
V. 1 ; vii. 5. 

281. For the source of this fable, seeHom., 
Odyss. xi. 314, ''quae inde nota," says Heyne, 
" quod motu terrae graviore Ossa ab Olympo 
revulsa fuerat." The great labour of the 
giants is beautifully depicted by the num- 

61 



B. I. 282-291. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. I. 292-295. 



bers of this line, which are slow in move- 
ment, rough in character, and interrupted 
by the double recurrence of hiatus. The 
final i of conati is not elided, as being m 
arsis ; while the final o of Felio, which is 
in thesis, and is not elided, loses one of its 
"times," and becomes short. 

282. Scilicet is not here nonical; but 
rather calls the attention forcibly to some- 
tiiing great and miespected, and is almost 
equal to ecce. Yoss and Forb. 

283. For disjecii, some books read dejecit, 
but the complete scattering expressed by the 
former is here much more forcible than the 
mere tumbling down on earth indicated by 
the latter. 

284. Septuma post decumam may mean 
either the 17th; or, "next to the tenth, the 
seventh is lucky, " &c. On the syntax fe lix 
ponere, see above, 280, on covjuratos rescin- 
dere. 

285. Prensos hoves. Voss says that the 
oxen were let roam at pleasure till their 
third year. Licia telae addere — "to put in 
the leashes " of the web ; for a full explana- 
tion of which see Rich, or Smith's Diet of 
Antiq. 

286. Nona fugae melior. But what, it 
may be asked, has the husbandman to do 
witli this? To be on guard against his 
slaves runnmg away. The ninth day is un- 
favourable to thieves who love the dark- 
ness. 

287. MuUa adeo, -roXXa, yt, "many 
things, in truth." On the aoristic perf. 
dedere, see 49, above ; and on the form ere?, 
consult Note, Eel. x. 13. Gelida is a general 
epithet of the night, which is colder than 
the day. 

288. Eoiis, i.e., Lucifer. Avho "bedews the 
earth, under the newly risen sun." 

289. The Eomans usually cut their grain 
onlj' halfway down the stalk, (see Eel. ii. 
10,) leaving the long stubble to enrich the 
ground, either by rotting, or by being 
burned (as in 85). Instead of burning this 
stubble, they sometimesmowedit in August, 
about thirty days after the grain had been 
cut, and took it home for fodder, or for bed- 
ding to their beasts. This second cutthig 
was best performed at night when the 
dewj'- moisture made the scythe catch the 
better eveiy stalk. Sometimes hay was 
thus cut at night, where the meadow was 
so situated that the usual practice of irri- 
gating previous to mo\\'ing was impos- 
sible. 

290. Nodes is the accus. governed by de- 
ficit; or deficit may be taken absolutely, and 
7ioctes be the " accus. of dm-ation of time." 
Lentus humor — '' i\\& clammy moisture." 
Forb. says that lentus is applied to humor 
because the moisture makes the dry grass 
(gramina) lentu, and therefore more easUy 
cut. But we do not approve of this idea. 

291. Quidam—'' m3iny a one," like ti;, 
for sunt qui. Ad seros ignes— In the huts 
of the Italian husbandmen, there was gene- 
rally a spacious kitchen, around the fire of 
which the rustics sat and worked by the 
light of torches or lamps, at such occupa- 



tions as those enmnerated. We would take 
ignes as meaning, literally, the fire which 
afforded all the hght necessary. In some 
parts of our own country the practice is 
entirely similar. 

292. Faces — " torches," which were 
smeared with wax or sulphur, and used by 
the poorer classes for lamps or candles. A 
torch of a more finished Mnd is seen in the 
woodcut. Such a one was usually made 
"of a piece of resinous wood cut into a 
point, and dipped mto oil or pitch, or of 
tow impregnated with wax, taUow, pitch, 
rosin, or any Inflammable materials en- 
closed in a tube of metal, or m a bundle of 
wattled laths, as below. See Rich, sub voc 
Inspicat "points." This word seems to be 
wholly a Yirgilian one. 



293. It is well kno-\\Ti that Greek and Ro- 
man females, not only of the poorest, but 
even of the highest, rank, engaged in the 
arts of wea^■ing and spinning; and it is 
stated that Augustus seldom wore a robe 
which was not made by his wife, sister, or 
daughter. A usual method for both men 
and women to beguile the time of work 
was either to sing or to tell stories. 

Solata, on this per£ pait. for a present, 
see above, Note 206. 

294. Arguto pectine, " the shrill sounding 
(whistling) reed or "lay." The following 
woodcut represents the pecten, "reed," or 
"lay," the teeth of which were inserted 
between the threads of the "warp," and 
thus used to drive up the threads of the 
woof together, so as to make firm and 
close grained cloth. 




295. "Or boils down over the fire the 
liquor of the sweet must." Musi was new 
wine, unfermented. The ancients were in 
the habit of boiling it down during the 
month of October, either on a moonless 
night, or by day at the time of full moon. 
When reduced one-third by boiling, it was 
called sapa, and when one-half, defrutum. 
It was mixed with other wines, and was 
supposed to have the eftect of keeping them 
sweet for a greater length of time than they 



B. I. 296-299. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. I. soo-soa 



■would <)thenvise have endured. It -vras 
sometimes mixed -with milk, and drunk on 
holidays. 

Vulcano is used for igni ; so Ceres for com, 
Bacchus for wine, &c. See JEn. iL 311. 

Humor em — The final syllable of this word 
is hypermetrical, and is joined to the next 
line by synapheia, Le., continuous scansion. 
Virgil is said (by A. Gellius) to have inti'o- 
duced such hypermetres into his poetry 
merely to please the admirers of Ennius, 
who had admitted them abmidantly. It is 
to be remarked, however, that in Virgil 
and the Latin poets generally, these lines 
are not hypermetrical, in the strict sense of 
the term, but are rather examples of simple 
elision, for it will be foimd that the hyper- 
fnetre syllable ends either in a vowel, or in 
the letter m, while the next line begins with a 
vowel. A verse thus burdened with a re- 
dimdant syllable is in most cases closely 
connected with the succeeding one, with 
only a small punctuation mark, if any at 
all,' between them. Some verses of this 
kind, however, are found without any close 
connexion subsisting between them and the 
following one, and with a heavy punctua- 
tion sign after them, e.g., Geo. ii. 443 ; ^n. 
iv. 629. It is to be noticed farther, that the 
syllable preceding the elided one must be long, 
so that the voice may be supported, and the 
reciter be enabled to touch slightly on the 
hjTpermetre syllable, and to make that 
pause which is necessary at the end of a 
verse. 

296. Foliis. — Must was skimmed with 
leaves, usually those of the vine, as it was 
thought that wooden ladles or spoons gave it 
a smoky taste. The peculiar force ofundam, 
"the wavy boil," and of trepidi, "quiver- 
ing," as applied to the caldron, need not be 
pointed out to any one who has seen a pot 
or kettle full of water at a brisk boU, hang- 
ing on a rustic '■'■crook,"' or crane. The 
description is far more true to nature if we 
retain trepidi as qualifying aeni, and if we 
do not transfer it to undam, as Forb. pro- 
poses. 

Despumat — throws off the scum on the 
ground. 

297. As opposed to the tasks of the night, 
we have now some labom-s of the day enu- 
merated: First, those of summer; secondly, 
those of winter (300) ; thirdly, those of 
spring and autumn (311 sqq.). Succiditur, 
— this verb is used in reference to the 
mode of cutting the stalks of com off a 
short way below the ear. On Ceres, see 
295, Vulcano. 

298. Medio aestu. Either "the noon- 
tide heat," or "the heat of the day" gene- 
rally, or the "middle of summer;" for then" 
thrashing time was Jime. The phrase is 
opposed to gelida node, of 287. We pre- 
fer the second rendering. On the area, see 
above, 192. 

299. iVMc?M5— "lightly clad;" i.e., plough 
and sow in the autumn in such good time as 
that the warmth of the air will admit light 
clothes. i^«ai-a— "a time of leisui-e." So 
Hor. says, iners glacies, and iners bruma. 
The time referred to, was about four weeks 



altogether, two before and two after the 
shortest day, when the rains were almost 
incessant. 

300. i^r/g^oW&M^— "in the cold weather," 
Le., in winter. Parto— "what has been 
acquu-ed," viz., iir the summer and autumn. 
Plerumque means " durmg the greater part 
of the winter," according to Forb. But we 
think the common meaning of " generally," 
"commonly," "for the most part," much 
more natural and simple. 

302. Genialis. Every man had, in ancient 
notions, his Genius, or guardian spirit, who, 
they believed, delighted in pleasmres, more 
particularly those of a social character, as 
feasting. Hence whatever hUarous or fes- 
tive pleasure refreshed both mind and body 
Avas called genialis. So likewise we have 
the phrases Genio indulgere, Geniiimdefrau- 
dare, dx. The month of December, as the 
season of festive enjoyment and relaxation 
after the year's labom's, was held specially 
sacred to each person's Genius. 

303. Pressae — "heavily laden." The 
sailors were in the habit of crowning the 
stems of their ships (for there the tutelary 
gods were kept) with garlands as they 
neared the harbour. As sailors are justified 
in rejoicings after bringing their cargoes 
safe to shore through the dangers and toils 
of the sea, so the husbandmen may, in like 
manner, give way to gladness and mu'th 
after they have completed their labours, and 
safely stored the produce of their fields. 

305. Sedtamen — " but although " Avinter 
is the time for relaxation and sociality, yet 
there are certain things that must not be 
neglected. Glans is a general term, indica- 
ting the nut of the beech, oak, &c. Quernas 
is therefore not uimecessaiy here, the 
meaning being "acorns." The time for 
gathering them was the beginning of No- 
vember. Stringere—''' to strip off," "to 
pluck." The verb means, primarily, that 
kind of strippmg which is done by drawing 
anything through the closed hand, or be^ 
tween the thumb and fore finger pressed 
closely together. 

Tempus stringere — Many grammarians 
lay down the principle that the infin. mood 
here, and in similar expressions, is equal to 
the gemnd, and that it depends on the 
subst., which is apparently the subject of 
the clause. The meaning of the infin. and 
of the gerund in this construction is, how- 
ever, very different, as has been well de- 
monstrated by Ramshorn, Kritz, Forb., and 
others, quoted in our Note on ^n. iL 350. 
In the former mode of expression, the infin. 
itself becomes the subject, and the subst. 
the predicate — the verb esse, d'c, being a 
mere copula. In the latter (the gerund) 
the subst. is the subject of the sentence, 
and on it the gen. of the object expressed 
by the gerund depends, the verb esse con- 
tain-ng the predicate; thus, tempus est 
stringere=stringere est tempestivum ; but 
tempus stringendi est=suppefit tempus ad 
stringendum. See om* fuller Notes on Mn. 
iL 350, and v. 638. 

306. Lauri baccas, ttc. "Bay berries," 
and "myrtle berries" were used for fla- 
63 



B. I. 307-319 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. I. 320-329. 



souring wine. Cruenta refers to the blood- 
led colour of the juice. 

307. G^"wi6z(s— Cranes were a luxury with 
the Romans. They were caught by setting 
i;ins, or spring-traps, in the waters and 
marshy i^laces which thej^ frequented durhig 
their winter's sojouni in Italy. On the rete, 
see M\\. iv. 131. 

308. Auritos — "long eared." This adj. 
is often applied to the ass. On damas, see 
above, 183 ; and Eel. viii. 27. 

309. "Whirling the hempen thongs of 
the Balearic sling." Torquentem agrees 
with colonum, wliich is to be supplied as 
the accus. before stringere, and all the fol- 
lowing infinitives. As we have had the 
epithet Cretan applied as a general one to 
bows, on accomit of the skill of the Cretans 
in archerj' and in bow making; so here Ave 
liave Balearic applied to the sling as a 
general epithet, on account of the excel- 
lence of the Balearians as marksmen with 
the sling. The Balearic isles (Majorca and 
Minorca) are said to have derived then- 
name from (^aXXu), but it is more likely 
that the word is of Phoenician or of Cartha- 
ginian origin. For an illustration of the 
funda, see ^n. viL 686. 

311. The author now speaks of storms. 

(1) Their period of occurrence (311-334); 

(2) How Iheu- evil effects may be guarded 
against (335-350); (3) Their prognostics 
(351-463). The seasons when they are most 
usual are in the beginning of auttimn, uhi 
hrevior dies, et mollior aestas (311-313), and 
the end of spring, cum ruit imbrifei^um ver 
(313-315), for at these times there are more 
sudden changes in the atmosphere. Sidera 
is added because it was from the rising and 
setting of the constellations that the skilled 
judged of the weather. The storms of au- 
tumn were supposed to be brought on bj"^ 
Arcturus, Centaurus, Hoedi, and Corona. 
The setting of Lyra on the i2th August 
ushered in the Eoman autumn, as the dis- 
appearance of Orion's Sword on the 9th 
November mtroduced the winter. 

313. i^wiY— "hastens to its conclitsion." 
Wagner believes ruit to have reference to 
the rushing and heavy showers of spring; 
but this is nimia suhtilitas. 

314. Spicea messis — "the bearded har- 
vest." Inhorruit is vividly expressive of 
the appearance of a field of bearded grain 
when nearly ripe. 

315. Lactentia — "full of milky juice." 
The Romans worshipped a deity, Lactens, 
Avho was supposed to instil this fluid into 
tlie corn. 

317. Even in summer storms are frequent. 
Stringeret—t\\m verb is applied properly to 
the catching of the barley firmly in the hand 
(see 305) previous to cutting, and thence to 
cutting and cropping generally. The barley 
was the first corn-crop cut. Its harvest 
was in June. 

319. "I have seen all the winds rush 
together m fierce conflict ; and these, in all 
directions, tore up the heavy crop from the 
very roots, and whirled it on high." Sub- 
limem agrees with segetem, and is used ad- 

64 



verbiallj'-. For a fine imitation of Virgil 
and Ills storm pieces see Thoinson's Seasons 
— Autuixin, lines 311-343. Also Milton, 
P. R. Bk. iv., as quoted at Mn. i. 85. 

320. Expulsam eruerent, i.e., eruendo ex- 
pellerent — ita eruerent ut expulsa sit. On 
this Proleptic (anticipatory) use of the adj. 
see above, 44, Note; and Cf. ^n. ii. 736. 

Heyne, followed by Wunderl, understands 
ita as a particle of comparison, setting this 
summer blast in opposition to even a winter's 
storm: — "Just so would the winter (storm) 
in a bleak whirlwind carry away both the 
light straw and flying stubble." Wagn. 
and Forb., on the other hand, make the 
subjunctive, ferret, depend (but not of 
course for its subject) on quae, of 319, 
which must be supplied along with ut, in 
the sense of tanta quidem ut (hiems ferret) ; 
ita will thtts mean "then," turn, iWoc, 
and the phrase will be equal to erutamque 
ferret. Hiems will then mean the stormy 
seasons in the beginning of autumn and the 
end of spring. 

322. Agmen aquarum is strongly expres- 
sive of heavy and constant rains : "an im- 
mense body of water." In the next line 
Wakefield, on Liter. \i. 258, proposes to 
read fetam for foedam,. This would make 
a most appropriate sense, and has counte- 
nance from yEn. L 51. 

324. Ex aZilo— "from the high heaven." 
But Wagn. and Voss, looking to physical 
facts, that the sea vapours cause, or at least 
increase, the clouds, and to the circitmstance 
that ia Italy rain is usually brought by 
the south wind from the TyiThenian sea, 
interpret, "from the deep," and with them 
we agree. Ruit arduus aether, "the high 
heaven itself pours do^vn." 

325. Bourn labores, ipyx (iouv. Cf Horn., 
II. xvL 392, and Odyss, vi. 259, and Virg., 
^n. iL 305. 

326. Fossae — The drains of which men- 
tion was made in line 114, above. Cava 
_tiumina, Le., the channels of deep mountain 
guUeys. 

328. Ipse Pater, i.e., Jupiter; see Eel. 
viii. 96. Nocte is not to be taken literally, 
as signifying night, but rather darkness and 
gloom. Forb., Wagn., &c. But it seems 
to us that the hoiTor of the scene is much 
Increased, and the poetic effect immensely 
lieightened, if we suppose the storm to have 
actually occurred at night, when the fuJ- 
mina being seen in all their fearful vivid- 
ness, would render the dextra of Jupiter 
still more awfully corwsca ,• we would there- 
fore translate, "In the midst of that night 
of storms," and thus we have the ideas of 
wind, rain, and lightning again presented 
before us. With cornsca dextra, cf. Hor., 
Od. i. 2, 2, ruhenti dextera. 

329. Molitur—This, verb (from moles) is 
applied to what is done (1) with labour and 
(hfliciflty, as here, "■heave his thunderbolts;" 
or (2), with pains, care, and patience, as 
nosti mores mulierum, dum moliuntuk, dum 
comuntur, annus est. Qtio motu, i.e., quibus 
coitimota, "by which things the vast earth 
being shaken, trembles to her centre," A 



B I. 330-335. 



^TOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. I. 336-340. 



demon St r. or relat pron. is often joined by 
H kind of attraction to a following subst., 
in such a way that the notion expressed by 
this snhst is considered as already implied 
ill the forearoing part of the sentence, though 
not explicitly put down in words. So Sail. 
Cat. 43. 2, 'Statilius et Gabinius opportuna 
locaurbis incetalerent, Qco ttslxtltx} facilior 
(iditus ad Consulem fieret. Forbiger. 

330. Observe the difference of tense in 
(i'oait, on the one hand, and fugere and 
strtivit, on the other. These two latter 
are not to be taken as the aoristic perf., 
explained above, at verse 49, but tliey in- 
dicate the itutaittaneous effect produced on | 
beasts and men by the awful phenomenon j 
just mentioned. The rain pours down in • 
t')rrents, filling the ditches and the chan- | 
nels of the uiountahi-streams, and causing 
even the sea to buil in eddying pools ; the 
lightning flashes from pole to pole; the 
earth rocks, and at once the beasts have 
fled, and men liave been humbled (or pros- 
trated) in the dust, their '-hearts failing 
them for fear.'* Hamilis is in an active 
sense "humility causing."' Forb. But we 
diminish the beauty of poetic conceptions 
by a too literal and prosaic intei-pretatiou 
like this. When ourown poets say, " Pale 
Melancholy," or " Wan Despair," we un- 
derstand that a personification of the feel- 
ing is intended, and not that the adj. is 
t^keu in an active sense, " paleness caus- 
ing." 

332. This line is translated from Theocr. 
viL 77. Atho—Qi\\tv books read Athon, 
Aiho is the Greek accus., the long o losing 
one of its ''times,"' or 7norae, because it is in 
tliesis and is followed by another voweL 
Athos was a famous promontory of Mace- 
donia, running out into the sea between the 
Strymonian and Singitic gulfs. It is now 
ceilled "Ayiov Opo;, or 3fonte Santo, on 
account of the great number of monasteries 
which ai-e upon it. On Rhodope, see Eel 
vi. 30. Ceraunia, or Acrocerimnia (i.e., 
Thunder Peaks), now called Khimava. is 
tlie name of a range of mounlauis in Epirus, 
projected into the Ionian, sea. See Hor., 
Od. i. 3, 20. 

333. Dejicit, i.e., strikes with violence. 
Ingeminard, sciL se. i.e., ingeminantur. 

334. Plangunt. — Heyne and Wagn. take 
this verb as intransitive, in the sense of 
'• moan " or " wail," words which are accur- 
ately descripiive of the howling of the 
wind on an occasion, and in places like 
th(>se mentioned; but Jahn and Foi-b. in- 
terpret the word in its primary transitive 
sense of "strike," having au^tri and imbe?- 
as its subject, with nemora and litora as its 
object. 

335. Coeli menses et sidera. Sidera is 
epexegetical of menses coeli, the words, 
though ditferent in meaning, being con- 
nected by the copula so closely as that the 
two ideas expressed by them coalesce in 
one. Wagn. therefore understands the ex- 
pression to refer to the signs of the zodiac, 
while HejTie and Wunderl. take menses 
cveli as " the signs of the zodiac," and sidera 



as " the constellations," whose rising and 
setting produce a change of weather. 

336. FrigiJa Stella Saturni. — Saturn is 
called cold, as being one of the planets most 
distant from the sun. Quo sese receptet — 
" into what sign of the zodiac Saturn may 
withdraw;" or, "what star he may have 
in conjunction." For, as Servius remarks, 
" Satuni when in Capricorn brought heavy 
rains, especially in Italy: in Scorpio, hail; 
in another, thunder; and in another, wind." 
But WuuderL and Forb. understand sese 
receptet in its most literal acceptation of 
" returning to the place whence he had just 
started." The planet Saturn follows regu- 
larly the same course, and meets with many 
stars of one constellation, fi'om all which 
conjunctions the ancients were in the habit 
of drawmg conclusions as to the weather. 
The "transit of Saturn" was carefully ob- 
served and noted by the astronomers of 
old 

337. Cyllenius ignis — " Mercury's flaming 
star." Mercury, as nearest the sun, was 
very bright, « fn/.jhttiv, and from his proxi- 
mity to the centre of heat, was supposed to 
be very warm, as Saturn, from his extreme 
distance and pale colour, was called cold. 
Mercurj' is called Cyllenius. from Mount 
Cj-Uene in Arcadia, the reputed birth-place 
of tlie god. These two planets are given as 
examples of the whole, the one being al- 
most the farthest from the sun, the other 
the nearest. 

For coeli most recent editions read coelo. 
With coeli we translate— "into what cir- 
cuits of the sky Mercury^ may be wander- 
ing." With coelo— "\ato what circuits 
Mercury may be wandering in the sky." 
In orbes errare refers to the many revolu- 
tions which Mercury, as nearest the sun, 
and therefore haraig the smallest orbit, 
will perform in comparison with the more 
remote planets, eg., Saturn. Mercury's 
periodic time is S7 days, 23 hours; while 
Saturn's is 2d years, 1G6 daj-s, 19 hours. 

339. Annua sacra reftr Cereri. As a 
means of wai'ding off the violence of the 
storms above referred to, Virgil recommends 
piety, and the worship of the gods, espe- 
cially of Ceres. In her honour, too, festi- 
vals are to be held — the first in the begin- 
ning of spring (338 sqq.), the second in the 
end of summer, and at t'ne beginning of 
harvest (347 sqq.). The first was the Am- 
barvalia (i.e., the purification of the fields 
by the Fratres arvales, on which see Ram- 
say's Antiq., or Smith's Diet of Antiq. sub. 
voc), or the suovetaurilia [-ius, ovis, tauvus, 
the victims on the occasion], held in honour 
of Bacchus and Ceres, in the end of April, 
and after the rising of the Pleiades, on a 
day appointed by the pries s. or by the head 
of each familj', as suited his convenience. 
For the other festival, see 348, Note. Oper- 
atus—axioxhex perf. part, for present. Refer 
implies " pay, as a thing due.'' 

340. Extremae sub casum. This would 
appear to mean the very beginning of 
spring; but the sequel shows that the time 
meant must be far on in the season. 

65 



E. I. 342-356. 



NOTES ON THE GEOEGICS. 



B. I. 357-371. 



342. Somni dulces. The sleep of the 
shepherds who now drove their flocks to 
the hiUs -would be pleasant, all the more so 
as they had the shady groves to protect them. 

344. Cui — "in honour of whom." The 
libation of wine raid honey was poured 
either on the altar fire, or 'on the victim 
about to be offered. 

345. Felix 'kostia—''''i^e propitiating vic- 
tim," "the fertilizing victim." Ter eat 
circum fi^uges— The victim was led round 
the fields three times (according to Virgil) 
before it was offered. 

346. Omnis chorus et socii, i.e., " the whole 
company of your companions in full chorus." 

348. The second festival in honour of 
Ceres is now spoken of; it was held about 
Die longest day, and, consequently, a very 
short time before the beginning of liarvest. 
Tlie victim was a sow (called porca prae- 
cidanea). whose entrails, together with 
wine, were offered to Ceres, after Janus, 
Juno, and Jupiter had been invoked. On 
the/a?.r, see Eel. ii. 10. 

349. "Having his temples bound with 
oak leaves in wreaths." On tenipoi-a as the 
accus. of reference or limitation after re- 
dimitus, see Note, Eel. L 55. The oak 
crown was to keep them in mind of how 
much they owed to Ceres in having intro- 
duced corn, instead of the acorns, their for- 
mer diet. 

350. Det incompositos motus — "dance in 
micouth measure;" cf. Hor., Od. iiL 6, 21, 
and Livy, viL 2, 4, for dare motus in this 
sense. 

351. Haec, i.c., the following things, 
aesius, plurias, tix. Heyne refers it to the 
seasons and changes of weather spoken of 
in tlie foregoing verses, from 311. 

Possinim. This prcs. teuse signifies "so 
that we can learn," 6zc. ; that is, it indicates 
the effect of Jupiter's arrangement. Fosse- 
mvs, the other reading, would denote merely 
Jupiter's intention; " in order t/tat we may 
be able to learn." For a fine imitation, see 
Thomson's Seasons, Summer, line 118, sqq. 

352. Observe that que in aestusque is long 
hj arsis. Acjentes frigora — "■bringing with 
them the cold weather." 

353. Ipse Pater— Sec 328, above. StMuit, 
" has fixed" as an unchangeable regulation. 
Menstrua Zwna— "the monthly moon;" 
propter menstruas motHs vices. Heyne. 

351. Caderent—'' fall " "be lulled;" its 
opposite is surgere, in 356. Quid saepe 
mdentes, " at tlie sight of what frequently 
recurring sign." 

355. Propius. As ^w-ope governs either 
the dative or the accus., without a preposi- 
tion, so, in like manner, its compar. and 
superl. are followed by either the dat. or 
acc.is. See Zumpt, Lat. Gr., § 411, and 
Ruddiman, voL ii. p. 97. 

356. Co»<j«««o— "atonce," "immediately," 
on the rising of the breeze, ahr'nca. ; cf. 
Thomson, Summer, line, 1116 sqq. Trans- 
late: "Straightway, when the wind is on 
the point of rising, either the waters of the 
ocean begin to be agitated into a swell ; or 
a di-y crackling noise to be heard on the 



lofty mountains; or the shores re-echoing 
in the far distance, to be disturbed, and the 
moaning of the woods to wax louder." 

357. Agitata tu7nescere we have trans- 
lated, " agitated into a swell," as we ima- 
gine that the poet refers to the fact of the 
sweU reaching the shore before the wind 
which has raised it has been felt by persons 
on the land. Aridus fragor means the dry, 
hard sound caused by the contact of dry 
branches and trees when driven by the 
wind. With this phrase, cf. Homer's "(.vav 
civa-iv, and Ka,(>(paXiov at/Vav. 

359. Misceri resonantia, i.e., ita miscentur, 
ut resonent. Observe the appropriateness 
of the number and rhythm of these Ihies. 

360. Male,\.Q., vix or non — "with diffi- 
culty," " scarcely." Most recent editions 
express the prep, a before curvis carinis, 
and it must be confessed that not only Vir- 
gilian usage, but the practice of Latin 
authors generally, favours this construction, 
more especially when a dative of the person 
is expressed, as here, sibi. See ^u. it 8 ; 
and Hor., Od. ii. 3, 3. 

361. The words celeres, revolant, clam- 
or em ferunt ad Htora, picture to the life a 
scene which most persons must have wit- 
nessed, and the description of which many 
will therefore heartily relish. The dehber- 
ate wheel of the sea birds, and then their im- 
petuous return flight to shore, with the ever 
increasing noise of their notes, is beautifully 
brought out by these most expressive Unes. 
A/a-gi is usually translated "cormorants,' 
though we are ratlier doubtfid whether 
our " cormorant " be the Latin 7nergus. 
It was at least one of the " divers," as the 
name implies. 

oQ&. Fulicae — the "sea-coots," or "water- 
hens." Sicco — "tlie dry ground." See 
JEn. X. 301. 

365. Most of the weather symptoms here 
given are still firmly believed in by the 
rustics of some parts, at least, of our OAvn 
country; the noisy and uneasy flight of 
sea-birds — the high soaring of the heron — 
the "falling stars," and the train of sparks 
lighting up the heaven in their wake [iongos 
tractus flammarum a iergo] — the drifting 
about of straw and leaves — and the sport- 
ing of feathers on the x>ools, are by many 
considered sure indications of the coming 
storm. Some of these, however, are sup- 
posed, now-a-days, to prognosticate not 
only whid, but rain also. 

366. Observe the position of umbram and 
flammarum, which, according to the prac- 
tice of Latin writers, are placed in juxta- 
position, so that they may be the more 
forcibly contrasted. 

370. Be parte. — On this mode of expres- 
sing a point in space, by words implying 
motion from, see our Note on Eel. L 54; and 
^n. vii. 106. 

371. Eurique — the final e is long by arsis : 
see above, 352. Domus — The ancient 
mythological story made the wind gods 
reside on the exti-eme confines of earth, and 
this version of the legend Virgil here fol- 



R I. 372- 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. L 382-385. 



lows, though in ^n. i. 56, he adopts the 
more recent fiction of ^^olus and the cave. 

372. Natant. — So we say, "every place 
is swimming," after very heavy ram, or 
long-continued wet weather. 

37-3. Iirtprudentibus, "unwarned," is the 
emphatic word of the sentence; wliatever 
the violence or nature of the storm, men 
have always Avarning of its approach if they 
will but observe the signs. 

375. Aeriae gr ues—thehigh soaring cranes. 
The perfects, fugere, captavit, &c. are used 
in the aoristic sense, explained in Note on 
line 49, above. 

Vallibus imis is by some considered the 
dative, which, according to poetic usage, is 
frequently put for the accus., with ad or in 
(see Note on Eel. ii. 30; and^n. i. 181). But 
we prefer to call vallibus the ablative, and to 
look upon it as an instance of the constructio 
praegnans. Aitev fugere (a verb of motion), 
we should expect a case and a preposition 
implyhig motion towards, but we have 
merely a word in the ablative, denoting 
rest (vallibus). This apparent blemish, 
however, turns out to be a de\ice to secure' 
emphatic expressiveness, for by ushig the 
verb of motion with the abl. of rest, two 
ideas are strongly brought out, — First, 
endeavour to escape; and secondly, actual 
escape and safety. From thus containing 
the two ideas of moiion toward, and rest in, 
the form of syntax has received the name 
of constructio praegnatis. Similar is the 
Scottish vulgarism which employs into for 
in,as in the phrases, "you will find it into 
the cupboard;" "he lives into a close." 
See Note on ZEu. ii. 18. 

377. The descent of the crane from her 
usual high flying to the valleys— the snuff- 
ing of the breeze by the heifer Avith her 
distended nostrils — the uneasy flight of the 
twittering swallow — the more than usually 
loud croaking of the frog — the "diving'' 
and flapping of the crows on their way 
home to the rookery, and, of course, the 
rainbow,— all these are stUl to the obser- 
vant countiyman of our own kingdoms 
certain indications of approaching rain. It 
was the descent of the crane and not her 
high flight that denoted rain. 

378. Veterem querelam — " their old com- 
plaint," that is, either the complaint which 
the Lycian peasants uttered at the time of 
their transformation into frogs (see Ovid, 
Met. vi. 316 sqq.); or that croaking noise 
which they have made from time immemo- 
rial, the continuance and monotony of which 
make it seem a lamentation. Some find an 
onomatopoea in the words Icekinere (for the 
Romans pronounced c like A") querelam. 

380. Angustum «;er— the "narrow path- 
way," which ants soon make, as all keep 
to the same track (see ^n. iv. 405, calle 
angusto). The word ierens is peculiarly ap- 
phcable'to the constant tread of the ants, 
as they in their fret and uneasiness about 
the impending rain, frequently carry their 
eggs from their narrow cells out to the open 
air, and in again to then- dens. Arcus bibit 
— the rainbow was supposed to take up a 



supply of water for the rain clouds, as it 
appeared to dip its ends in the ocean. 

382. This demonstration of the rooks is a 
never-faihng proof to the farmer that rain 
is iuipendmg. So Hor., Od. iii. 27, 9, speak- 
ing of the corwz'x, says, " Antequam stantes 
repeiat paludes imbrium divina avis im- 
minentum. 

383. This and the following verses are 
an imitation of Hom., 11. ii. 459, which see. 
Varias volucres—In the recent editions of 
Wagn., Forb., and others, the reading is 
variae volucres, an example of the so-called 
nom. absolute. "W e dislike the names " nom. 
absolute," "ablative absolute, "and "accus- 
ative absolute," as the term "absolute," so 
used, implies a contradiction; and as the 
majority of students are too much inclined 
to get rid of a difficulty by applying to it 
a learned word, or an ill defined term. In- 
stances such as the one before us are very 
common in Greek, but they may always be 
readily explained, and their connection in 
syntax traced by a little care. The nom. 
or accus. is very frequently placed at the 
beginning of a sentence to introduce the 
subject, and to call special attention to it ; 
and the so-called absolute case is either in 
apposition to something going before, or is 
the subject or object of some verbal notion 
expressed before or after, or readily supplied 
from the context. So here, if we read variae 
volucres, it will be the nom. to infundunt, 
suppUed from infundere. In Sail., Cat. 
(Kritz) 37, 7 (Praeterea juventus, d'c), we 
have a notable instance of this construction. 
Juventus in that passage is not subject to 
praetulerat, as the sentence is usually read, 
but quae toleraverat and (quae) praetulerat 
are co-ordinate, being both relative clauses, 
and the idea of juventus is repeated in eos, 
which is governed by alebat; juventus is put 
in the nom., balancing with hi and 7nuUi of 
tlie two preceding sentences. See fuller 
Note on this subject, Mn. i. 573. If we 
read variae, we may consider infundere the 
" historic infinitive,'" as it is called. 

384. The Cayster (now called ^ara Su, 
or Kutschuk Meinder, i.e.. Little Maeander) 
was a river of Asia Minor, emptying itself 
into the sea near Ephesus; its frequent 
overflowing formed mai-shy and meadowy 
ground, which Avas frequented by great 
numbers of birds, more especially swans. 
Take care not to confound Asia, the name 
of the continent, which has the first syll. 
short, with this Asia, (the marshy tract of 
Lydia, by the banks of the Cayster, and 
near Mount Tmolus,) whose antepenult is 
long. Rimantur — "search," "probe," 
"ransack for food," "grub up." The verb 
properly means to search every chinh (rima), 
nook, and cranny: the term is peculiarly 
suitable in reference to aquatic birds prob- 
ing with their bills the ground which is 
covered AA'ith water. 

385. iJores— "dews," "dew-drops." The 
oil which aquatic birds smear on their fea- 
thers, from the well-known gland near the 
tail, causes water, Avhen sprinlded on them, 
to assume the globular, dew-di-op shape ; 
hence the term rores. 

67 



B. I. 386-396. 



NOTES ON THE GE0RGIC3. 



B. I. 397-402. 



38fi. Objectare caput fretis —These words 
require no explanation j any one must have 
observed similar scenes. Cf. ^n. ii. 751, 
Caput objectare periclis 

387. Incassum, i.e., temere, frustra, "in 
vain," "fruitlessly." It is not easy to de- 
cide the proper meaning of this word: some 
say, "all to no purpose," for the water can't 
get to the skin on account of the oiliness 
referred to above: others "uselessly," i.e., 
unnecessarily often: others, "needlessly," 
because to them, as always in the water, 
bathing or washing is an unnecessary pro- 
cess. But may not incassum have reference 
to the rain, which is about to come so plen- 
tifully, and which will be to the birds in the 
place of baths innumerable? "Needlessly," 
for they will soon get enough of water on 
their backs from another quarter. 

388. /w/)?'o6a— "importunate," "perse- 
vering," "indefatigable," "not to be done,'" 
"that will receive no denial." Cf. line 119, 
above, and Note. Plena voce seems to refer 
to the hoarse, harsh, buss, "full-mouthed,'' 
note of the comix. 

389. This line is a remarkable instance of 
successful alliteration, the frequent i-epeti- 
tion of 5 rendering quick pronunciation im- 
possible, and thus making tlie words more 
evidently expressive of the slow gait of the 
crow. The spondee, too, predominates, and 
adds to the measured and staid character 
of the rhythm. We have taken some trou- 
ble to imitate the alliteration in the follow- 
ing translation, which, like its model, pre- 
sents a large supply of the letter 5: — 

And stalks in solitary state along the sapless 
sand. 
Or thus, 

And single stalks in saucy state along the 
Sapless sand. 
The self-important, consequential air of the 
black-coated biped is admirably expressed 
by tlie Virgilian line: the so/n and srcum 
suggest his solitary habits, and his regard- 
lessness of society, while spatiatur pictures 
to a nicety the deliberate stride, indicative 
of pride and haughtiness. See Note on 
^n. iv. 594. 

390. Even women at the spinning-wheel 
have indications of the weather from their 
lamps, for tiie oil sputters, and the fungus, 
which disappears in powder to the touch 
(putres), grows on the wick of their earthen 
lamp (testa). 

393. From this to 400 we have the nega- 
tive signs of good weather ; and from 400 
tlie positive tokens. 

Ex imbri — "after rain." Soles — "clear 
sunshine." Serena stands for coelum sere- 
num, and aperta means free from clouds. 

395. Acies obtusa. i.e., the clear, distinct 
outline of the stars is not blunted and dim- 
med by floating vapours, but the atmos- 
phere is dry and traiisparent. 

396. "Nor does the moon seem to rise 
dependent on (or indebted to) her brother s 
(i.e., the sun's) rays." This line has much 
puzzled commentators; nor is it evident 
what obnoxia means. As the lines pre- 
ceding and following this one undoubtedly 

68 



refer to the clearness of the atmospl.ei'e, 
and the distinctness with which the heavenly 
bodies may be seen, we are inclined to de- 
cide for that interpretation which explains 
thus : — The moon at her rising is so 
bright and clear in her appearance, as that 
she herself seems to be a self-luminous body, 
and does not shine as if her light were 
merely the reflection of the sun's rays, as 
is really the case. Wagner would explain 
the phrase with reference to the red ap- 
pearance sometimes presented by the moon, 
as the reflection of the sun's setting rays ; 
i.e., nor does the moon rise with that red, 
fiery appearance which the setting sun 
might naturally be expected to impart to her. 

397. The "fleecy clouds" (vellera lanne) 
of this line are supposed to be what modern 
meteorologists call ci'/TMs; but thecjrr«s is an 
indication of fine weather, whereas the poet 
intends the woolly cloud as a prognostic of 
rain. Pliny, however, xviii. 35, 82, says. 
Si nubes, ut vellera lanae, spargentur mul- 
tae (lb oriente, aquam in triduum prae- 
sagient. 

Tenuia is to be pronounced tenvia, for the 
vowel u is often changed into v, as the 
consonant v is often changed into u (e.g., 
siluae for silvae,—dissoluere for dissolvere) ; 
in like manner i is often altered to j, as 
abjete for abieie, &c. See Note in Me- 
trical Index, on JEn. 1. 2. 

399. ^let/ones. — When Halcyone plunged 
into the sea in despair after the shipwreck 
and death of her husband, king Ceyx, both 
were transformed by Tlietis into the birds 
called kiug-fisliers. See vid Met. xi. 268 sqq. 
The ancient idea Avas, that the Halcyons 
brought forth in nests floating on the sur- 
face of the sea, in the calm weather, before 
and after the shortest day, when the gods, 
and especially Thetis, were said to keep 
the waters calm for their particular benefit. 
Tins accounts for the words dilectae Th tidi, 
and gives origin to the phrase, " Halcyon 
days," meaning a period of rest, quietness, 
and comfort. To the ancient legend the 
poet refers when he says — 

All nature seemed 
Fond of tranquillity : the glassy sea 
Scarce ripi)led— the Halcyon slept upon 

the wave ; 
The winds were all at rest. 

The Storm. 
There is only one native British species 
of Halcyon (though there are about thirty 
varieties in other regions of the world), but 
it is the first of British birds, as far as pluin'- 
age is concerned: in this regard, it vies witti 
tropical kinds. They build their nests in 
banks or rocks overlianging the water. 

400. This is a token of approaclnng storm, 
known to the moderns as well as to the 
ancients. (Observe the syncope of innni- 
plos for mantpulos -so sneclum, pericl'ini, 
poclam. On the proleptic use of the adj. 
solntos, see Note 320 above. 

401. We now come to positive sisms of 
good weather, those that preceded being 
jiegative. And first, the settlmg of the 
mists on the low grounds. 

402. " Tlie owl, watching the setting of 



B. I. 404-415. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. I. 416-442. 



the sun from the top of the roof, in vain 
continues her late strains." Neqiddqua>n, 
"to no purpose," for thouf^h an ili-oinencd 
bird, all her hootiuij will not succeed in 
bringing foul weather. Martyn and others 
take the word as equal to non, " not at all," 
i.e., she does not hoot, for even she sees 
there is no use. 

401. Nisus was king of Megara, and on 
his head there grew a purple lock which 
was the safeguard of his life and of his city. 
But when his daughter Scylla had fallen in 
love with Minos, king of Crete, who was 
besieging Megara, she cut off the lock from 
her father's liead as he slept, and thus be- 
trayed both him and his city into the hands 
of tlie enemy. Minos, however, did not 
reward her as she expected, but allowed 
her to perish miserably. After death Nisus 
was changed into a sea-eagle, oxosprey, and 
Scylla into the ciris, a kind of lark, or ac- 
cording to others, a hawk. These birds are 
represented as at incessant enmity. This 
story of the Ciris is the subject of a poem 
which is printed among Virgil's works, and 
usually assigned to him, though the author- 
ship is doubtful. The four lines, 406-409 
form the concluding verses of the poem 
CiV'is.just referred to. 

410. As the hoarse full tone of the rook 
betokens foul weather, so the clear shrill 
note is indicative of fine days. Presso — the 
throat being compressed so as to make 
a clear shrill sound. 

412. Nescioqua, (kc. — " delighted by some 
unwonted pleasure or other." Strep Itant 
inter se foliis is a phrase not easily trans- 
lated ; even by a circumlocution we could 
not readily describe tha.t fluttering, bustling, 
rustling, and cawing which are often seen 
and heard by those who have an oppor- 
tunity of visiting a rookery. It is best to 
express the prep, in before /o^m; it has not 
been inserted in the text which accom- 
panies these Notes. 

414. It is said that rooks abandon their 
young for whole days together. Imbribus 
actis — " The rain showers being dispelled." 

415. Divinitus — "by divine providence." 
Some books read divinius. It was the no- 
tion of Che Platonists, Stoics, and Pytha- 
goreans, that there were in these birds, as 
in other animals, pars divinae mentis, et 
haustus aetherii, and thus they accounted for 
their power of divination and their prophetic 
knowledge. Translate: " I for my part do 
not believe that it is [i.e., that they know 
future events] because an intelligent prin- 
ciple is given them by the kindness of the 
Deity, or that, accordmg to the disposals of 
fate, they are possessed of a more than 
common knowledge of (future) events; but 
when the season, and heaven's fluctuating 
vapours have changed their courses [or as 
Forb. will have it, " their character or qua- 
lities"], and the air [Jupiter, the king of 
the air— the upper air] saturated with mois- 
ture by the south winds, condenses what 
was recently rare, and rariftes what was 
dense, the nature [or character, or temper, 
or tone'] of their minds is changed, and 
theu' bosoms now conceive widely different 



emotions ; (they received very different ones 
while the wind drove away the clouds). 
Hence arises that i-emarkable concert of 
birds in the fields, and the delight of the 
cattle, and the exulting croak of the rook." 

416, Major may govern fato in ti;e sense 
of "more powerful than," as knowing and 
being able to foretell the arrangements of 
fate ; but we prefer to take the passage as 
in the above translation. 

419. Et is adversative, "but." Densat — 
" collects the clouds and renders them firm." 
Relaxat — " dispells." 

420 Species, i.e., habitus, indoles. Alios 
dum * * agebat of next line is parenthetic. 

424. We have now the signs which the 
moon offers. Sequentes lunas does not seem 
to mean the "phases " of one moon, as some 
interpret, but rather the order in which 
successive moons follow one another, and 
what is observable in the different periods 
of each moon ; the mode of their union and 
connexion; of one month dovetailing into 
another, and so on. 

426. Insidiis— "■by the deceitful appear- 
ance." 

428. Si comprendeint, ttc. That is, "if 
the new moon and the space between her 
horns be dimmed by a murky (or hazy) 
darkness." 

429 AgricoUs pelagoque, i.e., agricolis nau- 
tisque. Ore, i.e., in ore. 

4."51. Phoebe, i.e., Diana, or Luna. Vento, 
i.e., at the approach of wind. 

432. Auctor — "indication." Quartoortu — 
If on the fourth day after new moon, Phoebe 
rides in heaven in pure splendour, and with 
clear unblunted horns [i.e., horns termina- 
ting in a distinct point], tine weather may 
be expected throughout all the month. 

437. The scansion of this verse is, Glauco 
I et Pdno\peae et \ Ino.d Meli\<:ertae. In the 
first foot, the remarkable peculiarity is, that 
the final o in Glauco ought to be short, one 
of the limes of a long syllable being, in such 
cases, looked upon as elided. For other 
peculiarities, see Metrical Index. Wagner 
would edit Glaucoque, arguing that, when 
such a long syllable is in thesis, with a 
hiatus, it is never lengthened by Virgil; 
and that que was, in the MSS., written as a 
simple q, and might therefore be readily 
omitted, especially when it was preceded by 
the two letters c and o, so like it in form. 
Of this conjecture Jahn approves. See Eel. 
i. 53. 

Glaucus — A Boeotian shepherd, who 
threw himself into the sea, from the effects 
of an herb which he had eaten: he after- 
wards became a deity. Panope, one of the 
Nereids. Melicerta, or Melicertes, was sou 
of Athamas and Ino. He fell into the sea 
along with his mother, and both became sea 
deities; they were called by theGreelcs Leu- 
cothea and Palaemon, and by the Latins, 
Albunea and Portumuus, or Portimus. 

439. Condet in undas — On this instance 
of Constructio Praegnans, see Note, 375, 
above. 

442. This and the preceding line seem to 
refer to the same prognostic, viz., the partial 



B. I. 443-458. 



NOTES OX THE GEORGICS. 



E. I 460-474, 



obscuration of the sun's disk by clouds. In 
the foregoing verse tlie sun is spolcen of as 
spotted, but'here as covered with clouds in 
the centre of his disk, while the external 
edge is visible. 

Medio refugerit, <&c.— "has retired from 
view in the centre of his disk," i.e., has 
■withdrawn his light from the middle of his 
orb." 

Conditus in nubem. is another example of 
the constructio praegnans. See above, 439. 

443. Urget is here intransitive, and is 
equal to instat. Ab alio, "from on high," 
i.e., "from the high heaven"— not from the 
ocean, as we found it in 324 above. 

445. But when, at the approach of dawn, 
the rays of the sun burst forth separately 
among the dense clouds, or when the light 
of the early morning is pale, then hail 
storms may be expected. 

447. Aurora carried off Tithonus, son of 
Laomedon, king of Troy, and bore to him 
Memnon and Emathion. Croceum — This 
epithet has, as Voss thinks, no reference to 
the ruddy colour of the morning, or of the ris- 
ing sun, but is simply borrowed from Homer, 
who uses it of the garments of all the god- 
desses, which he describes as either saffron 
or purple, the two most valuable and expen- 
sive colours known to the ancients. The 
term x.poKO'Ti'rkos is more frequently used 
by Homer. 

449. This line is onomatapoeic, the words 
crepitans salit horrida grando being admir- 
ably adapted to express the jumping, pat- 
tering character of hail. Cf. the remark- 
able verse in ^n. viii. 596, Quadrupedante 
putrem, &c., where see Note. Malta, "in 
great quantity" — agreeing with grando. 

453. The signs of the setting sun are also 
of use — observe the various colours of cloud 
that flit aci'oss his disk— for a dark cloud 
denotes rain, while a reddish one betokens 
wind. But if the two begin to combine, 
wind and rain may both be expected. 

454. On the antique Infinitive form im- 
miscerier, see ^n. iv. 493; and consult 
Donaldson's Varronianus, p. 360 (2d ed.) ; 
also Ruddiman's Lat. Gr. 1. 284. 

456. Fervere — This form of the verb /^rwo 
is more antique than that with the long- 
penult. We find many verbs of the second 
conjugation so used by Virgil— e.g., /«/^(^re, 
scatere, stridere. See below 471 ; also JEn. 
iv. 409, vi. 827. Mon quisquam moneat — 
The poet elegantly refers to himself what 
he wishes to dissuade others from. 

457. Moneat convellere— Some gramma- 
rians lay it down that when monere is fol- 
lowed by ut or ne, it means "to exhort," 
or "warn;" but when by the infin., "to 
remind." This is, however, rather much of 
a refinement. The usage of the best period 
of Roman literature, in the case of such 
verbs, is, ut or ne with the subjunctive ; but 
poets and later prose writers useil the sub- 
junctive and infinitive almost indiscrimi- 
nately — Tacitus, especially, is fond of the 
infin. See Zumpt. Lat. Gr. §§ 615, 616. 

458. On referetque condetque, see Note 
118 above. If the sun is bright, clear, and 

70 



serene, both morning and evening, fine 
weather may confidently be counted on. 

460. Claro aguilone, " the serenizing 
north wind." The north wind drove away 
the clouds, and rendered the sky clear and 
the weather serene. 

462. Cogitet Ausfer—the personality as- 
signed to the S. wind renders the passage 
much more animated and beautiful. This 
device of personification is very often had re- 
course to by the poets, as in Hor., Od. L 7, 
5;. i. 28, 25, &c. 

463. Falsum, i.e., fallentem, decipientem. 
— Other adjs., as ignotus and ignarus, are 
found in both an active and a passive sense. 
The weather prognostics given by the sun 
are introduced last of all, in order that there 
may be a ready and easy transition to the 
delightful episode about the portents that 
followed the death of Julius Gsesar on the 
15th March, 44 b. c. 

465. Tuinidtus and ^^^mescere were applied 
to sudden risings of the hordes of Gauls, or 
other barbarous tribes, and so here of that 
secret swelling and heaving of revolutionary 
feelings and parties which were going on at 
the time referred to. 

466. Not only poets (see Hor., Od. L 2 ; 
Ovid, Met. xv. 782; Tibull., ii. 5, 71) but 
historians also enumerate many prodigies 
which accompanied or followed the assassi- 
nation of Ca;sar, e.g., an eclipse of the sun 
in the following Nov. [this the calculations 
of modern astronomers confirm]; and a re- 
markable paleness of the sun throughout 
the whole year, accompanied with a clouded 
sky and a dim Ught. On exstincto Caesare, 
see Eel. v. 20. With the following pas- 
sage compare Shakspere's Julius Cassar, 
passim. 

470, Obscoenae and importunae seem to 
convey the same idea of disagreeable aspect 
and ill omen. The etymology and primary 
meaning of obscoenvs are doubtful, but it 
most usually signifies what is disgusting and 
filthy in aspect, and hence ill omened. Im- 
portunae, " unseasonable," and therefore 
unlucky also; "hateful," "troublesome," 
according to Heyne. Servius understands 
it to mean "coming at an improper and 
inconvenient time," as, e.g., night bkds ap- 
pearing by day. 

471, On the quantity of effervere, see 
above, 456. There were several eruptions 
of Mt. ^tna during the year of Caesar's 
death. In 1783, a.d., there were many 
volcanic eruptions and many earthquakes 
in the S. part of Italy, which caused great 
damage to property, and rendered the at- 
mosphere over a great part of Europe dark 
and sombre for many months. Something 
similar may have occurred in 44 B.C. Homer 
repi-esented the Cyclopes as dwelling in the 
eastern part of Sicily ; but writers of later 
times placed them in the caverns of JEtna, 
or in those of the IJpari islands. 

474. Germania, &c. The Roman garri- 
sons stationed on the banks of the Rhine 
were said to have seen armies of horse and 
foot fighting in the air, and to have heard 
the sound of trumpets summoning to the 
battle. This portent is explained by some 



B. I. 475-492. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. I. 493-500. 



as an exaggerated report of the appearance 
of the aurora boreal is, 

475. The movements which Pliny says 
occurred in the Alps are not now reported 
of them, tliough the Apennines are said to be 
still occasionally influenced by eartliquakes. 
The fall of avalanches, with their great 
noise, may have given rise to the story. 

476. Vox audita. — The gods too were 
heard in many a grove (per lucos vulgo, Le., 
per muUos lucos) threatening to abandon 
their temples on account of the wickedness 
of the times. 

477. On the remarkably emphatic posi- 
tion otingens, see Eel. vii. 50. 

47S. Obscurumnociis, for obscuram noctera, 
on the well-known principle of the neut. of 
an adj. becoming a subst in meaning and 
use. 

480. The stopping of rivers— tl\e rending 
of the earth — the weeping of ivory in tlie 
temples, and the sweating of brazen statues, 
ai'e portents often mentioned by Latin 
writers. 

482. EiHdanui, theTo, "princeof streams;" 
so called from its being the largest of Ita- 
lian rivers, and from its receiving so many 
tributaries. Cf JEn. viii. 77; Geo. ii. 98. 
Fluviorum is to be pronounced in three 
syllables, Fluvjorum. See Metrical Index. 

484. Exta — the heart, lungs, and espe- 
cially the liver of slain animals never failed 
on this occasion to give evil omens. Fibrae 
— there were, according to Servius, certain 
veins, whose appearance in the entrails was 
a bad omen. The infinitives, apparere, 
manare, and resonare depend, of course, on 
cessavit. Observe that cessavit agrees with 
the subject uearest to it, cruor. 

486. When wolves dared to approach so 
near a city as that their cries were heard 
in it, the omen was a bad one ; on tlus oc- 
casion they were seen even in the Forum. 
AUae urbes — high pitched cities, i.e., built 
on heights; reference is made toRomepar- 
ticulaiiy, which sat on her seven hills. 

488. Fulgura — Lightning from a clear 
sky was another remarkable phenomenon, 
and one which, in the opmiou of the an- 
cients, betokened some uncommon display 
of divine power. See Hor., Od. i, 2, 3, and 
i. 34, 5. Non alias, " at no other time." 

Comeiae — We must suppose that Virgil 
means by this word, not comets propei'ly, 
but meteors; he can hardly refer to the 
Astrum Dionaeum which appeared in A-U.c. 
71h 

489. Ergo — "therefore," Le., as a natural 
consequence from these omens, civil war 
broke out, and brother met brother on the 
plains of Philippi (in 42 B.C.). Iterum is to 
be joined with concurrere rather than with 
videre. 

491. Nee fuU indignunL, tfrc— "nor did it 
appear to the gods a punishment unde- 
served by our crimes." Voss and Forb. 

492. Emathia does not, strictly speaking, 
comprehend the territory where the battles 
of PharsaUa and Philippi were fought, but 
only a small portion of Macedonia; the 
poets, however, use the term in an extended 
sense, to include Thessaly, Macedonia, and 



Thrace : besides, they were in the habit of 
confounding the three regions just named. 

Haemi — Haemus, now Balkan, at the base 
of which the poet represents Philippi to be, 
though it lies far from the x'oot of this 
range. 

493. Scilicet refers to what follows, not 
to what precedes; "Doubtless the time 
will come when," <fcc. 

494. Molitus is for moliens., on the principle 
explained on 206 above. But as the tUUng 
of the earth necessarily preceded the dis- 
covery of bones, &c., Forb. takes molitus as 
a common perfect tensa 

496. Inanes is not an idle epithet, but 
serves to increase the horror of the scene 
by contrasting the endurance of the helmet 
with the short-lived glory of the warrior ; 
and by accounting for the clearer sound 
which would thus be made, than if the head 
still filled its metal cover. 

497. Grandia ossa— "the huge bones;" 
the poet countenances the vulgar opinion 
that the "human race was degenerating 
physically, intellectually, and morally," and 
that all things were in a much M'^orse con- 
dition than in the "good old times." Some 
thhik reference is made to the gigantic 
Gauls, many of whom feU in the battle; but 
this is not to be approved of, for obvious 
reasons. 

Sooth, too, the time ^vill come, when in 

these regions 
The swain, when lie hath stirred with beaked 

plough 
The ground, shall come on javelins honey- 
combed 
With scabrous rust ; or, with his ponderous 

harrow 
Shall strike on helms now empty, and shall 

marvel 
At giant bones in sepulchres exhumed. 

Sewell's Transl. 
Ay, too, the time will come when in these 

bourns 
The farmer, worlang earth with his bent 

plough. 
On javelins, gnawed away with rugged rust, 
Shall Hght, or mth his weighty harrow strike 
On morions empty, and at giant bones 
Shall marvel, in their sepulchres unearthed. 
Singleton's TransL 

495. Di patrii, Le., gods of the country 
(ly;)^Mpioi), the Lares and Penates, as op- 
posed to those mtroduced from foreign 
nations. Indigetes — Those Italian heroes 
who were deified after death, as Picas, 
Janus, jEneas, &c. Of the former class 
Vesta is given as an example, and, of the 
latter Romulus. 

499. Tuscum — The Tiber is so called, be- 
cause rising in the Apennines, in the district 
of Etruria or Tuscia. 

Romana Pcdatia — On the Palatine hill 
Evander had fortified his citadel; there, too, 
Romulus fixed his habitation; and after- 
wards Augustus took up his residence. 
The mention of the Palatine brings us by 
an easy and natural transition to Octavianus. 

500. Hunc saltern — "this youth at least," 
for the gods envied us of Julius Ctesar. 

71 



B. I. 502-509. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. I. 510-513. 



Everxo saeclo—^' This lost and ruined age." 
Cf. Hor., Od, i. 2, 25. 

502. It was a prevailing notion that the 
" sins of the fathers were visited on the 
children" for many generations, and that 
thus the two acts of perjury of Laoinedon. 
in defrauding Neptune and Apollo of their 
stipulated reward for building a wall round 
Troy; and agrxin, in cheating Hercules of 
the pay which he promised him for releas- 
ing Hesione, were atoned for by the mis- 
haps which befell the Romans in theii" civil 
wars. See Class. Diet. 

50-3. With this line compare Hor. Od. i. 
2, 25, sq., and 4i. In his tiattery, the poet 
represents the great end and occupation of 
Octavianus' life to be the celebration of 
triumphs. At the time this Georgic was 
written, however, Augustus had not been 
decreed a^iy triumph, but only an ovation 
after the defeat of Sextus Pompey. 

505.— 
With them are right and wrongtransformed : 
So many battles [rage] throughout the globe; 
So numerous the phases be of crimes, 
Not any worthy honour to the plough ; 
Waste lie the tilths, the tillers drafted off, 
And bending sickles into the stiff swords 
Are forged. 

Singleton. 

l/M, i.e., apud quos. scil, homines: ad- 
verbs of place are often so used for a pron. 
with a pripos., even when reference is 
made to persons. Cf. Sail, lug. 14, 22; 
and Cat. 5, ibiquei Caes., B. G. ii. 5; Geo. 
iv. 449. 

Fas atque ne/as, i.e.. Eight and Wrong 
are confounded, and have exchanged places. 
7'ot billa — Heyne's opinion is, that this 
refers to the year 37 b.c. (717 a. u. c), 
when war had again broken out between 
Octavianus and Sextus Pompey ; when 
Antony was on his inarch against the Par- 
thians; and when Agiippa had just cro.^sed 
the Uliine, and concluded the German war. 
But Forb. believes that a year later, 36 B.C., 
is intended, when, after the subjugation of 
Sextus Pompey, and the quelling of the 
Etruri:m insurrection, Augustus was making 
preparations for setting out against the 
Salassi, Taurisci, Liburni, and Japydes; and 
when all things foreb -ded a new civil war, 
on account of the bre;:king upof the trium- 
virate, by the removiil of Lepidus; and on 
account of the distrust and ill feeling which 
had sprung up between Antony and Octa- 
vian. B-sides the greater suitableness of this 
year to the description here given, he argues 
fartiier, that Virgil, who took seven years 
to the composition <>f the four Georgics, 
was not at all likely to finish this first one 
in that very year (37 b.c.) hi which he be- 
gan tlie work. 

Co;<^ar,Ywr— This verb properly applies 
to smelting of iron, bat here it seems to sig- 
nify forging. 

509. Euphrates is used in a wide sense for 
the nations in that region, e.g., tbe Par- 
thians against whom Antony was engaged 
in war. Li 38 B.C., Gaul and Germany had 

72 



risen in most formidable rebellion, but were 
overcome by Agrippa. 

510. Vicinae urbes. — Some Etrurian cities 
having disputed among themselves, had re- 
course to the sword, and caused serious dis- 
turbances for a time, but they Avere reduced 
to peace and quietness by Octavianus in 
718 u.c. (36 B.C.). 

512. Caixeres — the starting place or 
" barriers" in the Circus, for an illustration 
of which see Note on iEn. v. 145. They 
were vaults, with gates made of upright 
spars, so as to be seen through ; they were 
aU o; eied simultaneously as the signal to 
start. 

As when from out the barriers four-horse 

cars 
Have flung them, spring they on the 

courses, and in vain 
Straining the thongs is hurried by his 

steeds 
The charioteer, nor heeds the car the 

reins. 

Singleton. 

Effudere well expresses the mad and reck- 
less speed of the chariot race ; and, by com- 
parison, the equally mad and reckless ca- 
reer which many men were then running in 
their wild pursuit of honours and power. 

513. AdJuntinspatia. We shall indicate 
briefly the differeut interpretations of this 
loeus vexatus : 1st, Run course after course, 
i.e., addwit spatia in spati'a, in reference to 
the seven spatia or '■'■rounds,'' as we say, of 
the race-course, which completed the race. 
Voss and Ladewig. 2d, Supply se, and 
make addunt equal to dant (as in dare se in 
fugam), '-They are borne on with impetu- 
osity into the spatia of the course." Hejme. 
3d, Wagner seems inclined to adopt the 
reading addunt in spatio, in the sense, they 
add to their speed as they nm; each 
new spatium hicreasing their anxiety and 
their swiftness. We agree with Wagner, 
so far, but would suggest that neither se 
nor spatia, nor vi?'es, is to be supplied as 
the object to addunt. It seems to us that 
we have here an instance of the Synesis 
construction, the verb effudere containing a 
verba] and a siibsta^ntive notion, which sub- 
stantive notion is to be repeated as the ob- 
ject of addunt. Thus effudere is equal to 
the verb, have gone forth, and the subst., 
speed, or impetuosity, " Have rushed fortli 
with speed,' and the whole will be trans- 
lated thus— "As the four horse chariots, 
when they have dashed forth from the bar- 
riers wWh speed, increase that speed thvoagh- 
out the several roimds (spatia), and the 
charioteer," &c. This view will suit the 
comparison better, we think, than any of 
the others proposed, and the points of re- 
semblance will stand thus : As the horses, 
when at ^^st incited by the charioteers, 
press forward, but soon acquire a danger- 
ous velocity by their own impetus, and 
finally refuse all control; so war, when at 
first encouraged, even in a small degree, 
gradually spreads its influence and increases 



B. I. 513. 



NOTES ON TUE GEORGICS. 



B. I. 514. 



its horrors, till at length it rages uncon- 
trolled, and refuses to be allayed at the 
bidding of him who first kindled it. For 
an e.xaniple of a similar combination of the 
verbal and substantive notions in one word, 
see Corn. Nepos, Life of Hannibal, chap. vi. 
Numidae insidiati sunt ei, quas (scil. insi- 



dias) non solum effugit. Here insidiati sunt 
equals tetenderunt insidias. See Note, Geo. 
ii. 73. 

514. Audit currus Jiahenas. — 1l\iq team 
(currus) does not obey the rein. The same 
idea is brought out by Hor., Epist. i. 15, 13, 
when he says, equifrenato est aui'is in ore. 



73 



B. II. 1, 2 



XOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. II. 



BOOK II. 



ARGUMENT. 



I. Subject of Second Book; and Invocation of Bacchus, god of the vine and of fruit 

trees generally (lines 1-S). 

II. Trees and plants — their modes of propagation : 

(1.) Natural mode (10-21), viz., spontaneous growth (10-13); by seed (14-16); 

from root of parent trunk (17-19). 
(2.) Artificial mode (22-34), viz., by suckers (22, 23); by stocks or settings (24,25); 

by layers (2G, 27) ; by cuttings (28, 29) ; by the trunk cut into "lengths" 

(30, 31) ; by engrafting (32-34). 

III. Invocation, and detailed directions as to peculiar kinds of treatment necessary for 
different trees and plants (35-82) : 

(1.) Introductory address to husbandmen, and Invocation of Maecenas (35-46). 
(2.) Means of improving trees of natural growth (47-60). 
(3.) How to employ artificial means of propagating (61-82.) 

IV. The differences in trees and plants : 

(1.) Variety of species (83- 1 OS). 

(2.) Soils suited for ditferent khids (109-113). 

(3.) Trees peculiar to certain countries (114-135). 

V. Episode in praise of Italy (136-176). 

VI. Soils— their nature, capabilities, and indices (177-258): 

(1.) Soils suited for the olive (179-183); for the vine (184-194); for cattle rearing 

(195-202); for corn crops (203-211); for almost no production (212-216) ; for 

any purpose (217-225). 
(2.) Index to loose or close soil (226-237) ; to salt and bitter ( 238-247) ; to the rich 

and fat (248-250); to the moist (251-253); to the heavy and light (254, 255); 

to the black (255) ; to the cold (256-258). 

VII. The vine: 

(1.) Directions for the preparation of the ground and for planting (259-353) ; 
trenches (259-264); nursery (265-268); setting of slips (269-287); depth of 
trenches (288-297); miscellaneous cautions (298-314); time for planting 
(315-322); praises of spring (323-345); manuring and airing of young plants 
(346-353). 

(2.) General cidture and treatment after planting (354-419) ; soil at roots to be 
kept open, fine, and fresh {S54.-So7); props (358 361); prum'ng (362-370) ; 
hedges (371-396); ploughing of vineyard, and other operations (397-419). 

VIII. Various other trees and plants— the olive (420-425) ; fruit trees (426-428) ; wild 
forest trees (429-457). 

IX. Blessings and happiness of a country life (458-542). 



1. JIactenus — "Heretofore," "thus far," 
i.e., in the former Book. We are to supply 
cecini from the following canam. In the 
first Book, says the poet, I have treated of 
agriculture, now I shall speak of trees 
generally, and of the vine, (fee, in particular. 

2. Bacche. Bacchus is naturally invoked, 
as he was the reputed introducer of the 
vine into Greece; and, moreover, had the 
charge of fruit trees generally, whence he is 
called Kaf^tjuo? and ^iv^/xV'/jj, and there- 
fore it was that trees were carried round 
in the festivals of Bacchus, Oiv^poipopla). 
By silvestria virguUa are meant those 
barren trees, such as the elm, poplar, 
&c., which were planted to act as props 

74 



whereon to train the vine shoots. Vir- 
gultum, Le., virguletum, from virgula (a 
small rod or twig) means properly a shrub- 
bery, or thicket of brushwood — but here it 
signifies the virgulae, or rods, or ^'■settings," 
grown up to maturity. All kinds of trees 
are thus indicated — the fruit-bearing by the 
vine and the olive; the non-fruit bearing 
by virguUa. 

3. Prokm olivae, Le., oleam. Tarde cre- 
scentis — The olive was naturally slow in 
growth, whether propagated from seed or 
from slips. Pliny quotes a saying of Hesiod, 
to the effect, that no man who planted an 
oUve lived to reap the fruit. 

4. The invocation. Bacchus is called 
Lenaeus, A'/jvaios, Le., the "wine-man," 



B II. 5-13. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. II. 14-13. 



from >.r,fo:, a wine press. The term pater 
is applied to liim as being the god of fertilitij, 
and because he conferred benefits on man 
with the kindness and generosity of a father. 
Hue, soil, veni, from line 7. Hie — "here," 
" in this my subject." 

5. y/it— "By thy gift;" or "In honour 
of thy power." Gravidas has its last sjdla- 
ble lengthened by arsis — on which see Eel. 
iv. 51. Observe the spondaic cadence of 
the verse, which, says Forb., '■'■bene expri- 
mit gravitatem auctumni.'" 

6. Floret refers, according to Voss and 
Forb., to the various colours of the fruit 
trees, and not merely to the richness and 
abundance of the crop. Vindemia properly 
means the ingathering of the grapes, but 
here it signifies the produce of the vine- 
yard when pulled. 

7. Observe the repetition of Hue pater, 
<fec., and note the beautiful fancy of the poet 
by which he introduces Bacchus as his com- 
panion in the treading out of the grapes. 

8. Coihurnis dei'eptis—'Ba.ccXwxs, is usually 
represented with buskins, as Diana and 
some other deities ; these it would be ne- 
cessary, of course, to strip olf before the 
treading of the whie begaiL This primitive 
mode of grape pressing is stiU practised in 
Spain, Portugal, Italy, &c. 

9. Trees are propagated in two ways — by 
the original plans of ■nature (9-21) ; ' by ar- 
tificial means (22-31:). Of the natm-al me- 
thod there are three varieties — (1), Spon- 
taneous growth, i.e., when trees spring up 
without our being able to trace the deposit 
of any seed (10-13) ; (2), The dropping of 
the seed bv the trees themselves (14-16); 
and (3), The growth oisurMrs (17-19). Ar- 
horibus creandis, Le., trees growing by na- 
tm-e : these words are in the dative on the 
same principle as 7(a6ei(Zoj9eco?'t' in Geo. i. 
3, where i^ee our Note. Natura, "mode," 
or " plan." 

10. Observ^e nullis governing the genitive ; 
we should expect part of nemo in this con- 
struction. Of. Tac. Germ. 43, Mullo hostium 
sustinente. Forb. 

11. Sua sponte, i.e., without any apparent 
effective cause— with no seed which man 
can detect Voss remarks that when ipse 
and sua sponte are both used, the former is 
negative, the latter affirmative. As for ex- 
ample, ipsae hei-e=sine semine, — sua sponte 
=sua vL 

12. (S/fer— "the osier," which was soft 
(molle) and pliant. Genesia — " the broom, " 
or " Spanish broom," which was much used 
for hedges ; its blossoms were especial fa- 
vourites with bees. Lentae means tough, 
rather than " pliant," as any one will readily 
agree who has tried to break a green broom 
twig. 

13. Observe the quantity and gender of 
Populus (fern.), the poplar tree, as distin- 
guished from PSpulus (masc), a people. 
Glauca canentia fronde, the willow with 
leaves bluish-green above, and whitish (can- 
en'.ia) beneath, was considered the most 
beautiful In a slight breeze such a tree 
reminds one forcibly of Virgil's description. 



Salicta (i.e., Saliceta), for Salices. Salictuin 
(like other words of this kind in — etuni), 
means a willoic ground, and hence a grove. 

14. Paj-s replies to aliae of 10. Observe 
surgunt in the plur. with pars in the sing. : 
this is an example of the synesis construc- 
tion explained in Note on Eel. ii. 71 ; M\i. 
i. 70, and especially iiL 676. 

Posito semine — "from dropped seed," i.e., 
either grains, nuts, berries, or other germ. 
Posito does not refer, as Burmann will have 
it, to the sowing of seed by man, because the 
poet is here speaking of the primitive me- 
thods by which xatube works. This is For- 
biger's opinion; which has been opposed 
in a recent edition of Virgil's Georgics by 
j\Ir Sheridan, whose explanation is, " that, 
amongst the natural modes of propagating 
trees, the poet liere enumerates their growth 
from seed; but he does this in a general 
way, without making any reference what- 
ever to the manner in which the seed is 
conveyed to the soil." We cannot, how- 
ever, at all agree ANith this idea ; it appears 
from the mention of the posito semine me- 
thod between the sua sponte (line 11), and 
the puUulat ab radice (17) modes; and 
also still more manifestly from hos natura 
modos PRiiimi dedit, of line 20, that the 
poet was thinking solely of those means by 
which trees may be produced by nature 
without the assistance of man. OV course, 
Virgil does not mean to say that man is 
excluded from imitating nature in the sow- 
ing of seed, and Forbiger is not so absurd 
as to think he does; but it would be silly of 
the poet to repeat this method among those 
called artificial, as one which mankind niiyht 
adopt. We see, however, from lines 47 
and 48, from 53, and from 57 to 60, that 
natiu'e's method is not recommended, teas 
seldom followed, and if adopted, was not 
attended with good results. We are, there- 
fore led to conclude that in posito semine, 
Virgil makes no reference to man's sowing 
of seed, but solely to the shedding of it by 
trees themselves. See Notes on lines 20 and 
•57. 

18. J/a.n>nanemorum--''- greatest of forest 
trees:" WunderL Heyne says, "greatest 
tree in the grove." Cf. the similar phrase, 
Albunea maxima neniorum, in JEn. \-ii. 83, 
and see our Note there. Aesculus, the tallest 
of the oak kind; some call it the Miuter 
oak; others, " the moitntain oak." Tenore 
(quoted by Keightles*) says it is the variety 
latifolia of the Quercus robur of Linuieus. 
It is distinguished from all others, he says, 
by its colossal bulk, and by the character of 
its very broad leaves, so well expressed by 
the phrase, quae maxima frondet. 

16. Habitae oracula — Referring to the 
oaks of Dodona, the noise of whose tops 
was the only uidication by which the priest 
read the volume of futurity. 

17. PuUulat (from pullus, the young of 
anything, or its diminutive, pullulus) is a 
remarkably expressive word. Suckers, or 
shoots, called viviradices, are referred to. 
Cherries are still notorious for this mode of 
spreading. 

18. Parnasia laurus—ThQ laurel was sa- 

75 



B. 11. 19-26. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. 11. 27-34. 



cred to Apollo, and the finest specimens of it 
are said by Pliny to be found on Parnassus, 
near that deity's temple of Delphi. Cerasus 
is said to have been given as a name to the 
cherry tree, from Cerasus, a town of Pontus, 
whence Lucullus is alleged to have brought 
it after the Mithridatic war. But the word is 
merely a transference of the Greek fapoctroi, 
which is used by Theophrastus, who flour- 
ished nearly three centuries before Lucullus. 
Voss thinks that it must have been the cul- 
tivated cherry which Lucullus introduced, 
and not the wild cherry here spoken of. 

19. Observe the position of par va close to 
its contrast ingenti, and see Geo. i. 366. 
Farva — " when small." Snbjicii .se—" raises 
itself;" "shoots upwards." Observes the 
force of sub in composition. 

20. As we have remarked above, on line 
14, this verse seems to restrict us to nature's 
own primary modes of propagating, and 
does not allow us to take posito semine of 
man's sowing. The next line, which enu- 
merates only non-fruit hearing trees, on the 
culture of vvhich there was no need for 
trouble to be spent, lends additional confir- 
mation to the view we have advocated. 

22. Alii, scil. modi — Other and artificial 
modes of producing trees, which experience 
(usus) has discovered in progress of cultiva- 
tion (via). These are six in number: 1st, 
Avulsio (23, 24), i.e., tearing off suckers, and 
planting them in trenches ; 2d, Infossio ^24, 
25), i.e., covering in the earth thick scions, 
with the ends either slit across in four Cquad- 
rifidas) or pointed; 3d, Propagatio (26, 27), 
Lft., by layers; 4th, Surculatio (28, 29), i.e., 
planting in the earth a twig or sprout taken 
from the topmost boughs ; 5th, Consitio (30, 
31), i. e., cutting up the stem itself into 
"lengths," and so planting the parts, either 
whole or subdivided; 6th, Insitio (32-34), 
i.e., engrafting. 

23. Plantas, le., "suckers." Some books 
read ahscidens, but this would mean cutting 
off, whereas abscindens, tearing off, is far 
more appropriate in the description of such 
a process, since a rough and fibrous end 
would be better calculated to receive mois- 
ture and aliment (forming as it would a 
kind of sp07igeole), than a smooth one. On 
tlie aoristic perf. deposuit, see Geo. i. 49, 
Note. 

25. The stirpes, truncheons, or thick bran- 
ches, were either sharpened to a point, or 
slit transversely, so as to form a cross 
(quadrlfldas), and thus placed in the earth, 
like stakes. 

26. Silvarum aliae, i.e., other forest trees. 
Pressos areas propaginis. — This is propa- 
gatio by layers. A trench was dug and a 
branch from the parent tree was bent 
down in such a way that some of the buds 
(those on the lower part of the branch) 
were in the best possible position to send 
up shoots. The buds on the lower side 
were chosen that the new plants might 
have sufficient depth of root. After three 
years they might be separated from ttie 
parent stem, by cuttuig off the layer, or 
branch that had' been bent down. Pressos, 

76 



i.e., depressos in terram. — The bramble is 
said to have suggested this mode, by the 
way hi which its flexible stalks hang down, 
and attaching themselves to the earth, send 
forth new suckers. 

27. Viva, "native," or "natural" shoots 
{plxntaria). Sua terra — "Intheirown soil." 
i.e., in the soil of the mother tree, which 
was most suitable for them, as being most 
congenial to their nature. 

29. This is the surculatio process, i.e., 
the cutting of a slip or set from the top of 
the tree or branch— in other words, taking 
down a twig — and planting it in the ground. 
On the special meaning of referens there 
has been much discussion and a great deal 
of learned trifling, undeserving of repeti- 
tion ; e.g., that re-ferens indicates the bring- 
ing back of the twig to the earth whence its 
parent stem arose ! Wagner's e>iplaaation 
is in our opinion the only sensible one ; he 
shows by examples, e.g., JEn. x. 234, that 
re in composition denotes change generally, 
and that thus referens merely indicates al- 
teration in theposition of the twig, i.e., "tak- 
ing down." Compare the many hundred 
examples of referre and reportare m the 
sense of narrate, report, where the proper 
meaning of 7-e has been entirely lost. 

30. Caudicibus sectis, "the stocks being 
cut." The stem of the tree was separated 
from the root, and bemg pruned of its 
branches, was cut across into pieces or 
"lengths," which were sometimes planted 
whole, or sometimes farther split up " with 
the grain" of the wood before planting. 

31. Truditur, "bursts forth," "pushes 
itself forth." Sicco ligno, " from the dry 
or sapless timber." The phrase, niirabile 
dictu, is used with reference to this extra- 
ordinary growth from siccum lignum. S.ane 
will have sicco to be merely an epitheion 
ornans, as expressive of the saplessness of 
any trunk relatively to the root ; but in this 
view the exclamation of mirabile dictu will 
appear a very uncalled for expression of as- 
tonishment. 

32. Iinpune, "without detriment to the 
tree." This is the insitio or engrafting pro- 
cess of which the poet speaks. Vertere, 
scil. se. 

34. Pyrum ferre insita mala. — The pear 
tree bears the apples which have been pro- 
duced by engrafting, and the plum stock 
reddens with its load of the stony cornel 
berry ; i.e., the cornel berry reddens to ripe- 
ness on the plum stocks. Some will have 
it that the poet means directly the opposite, 
but we think a very little thought and re- 
flection wfll convince the student that we 
have adopted the right interpretation. 
About the first clause, insita mala, &c., we 
cannot see that there can be a shadow of 
doubt ; and when we know that tlie cornel 
berry was of a beautiful red colour we 
can have httle hesitation, with the aid of 
the verb ruhescere, in coining to a conclu- 
sion on the second. Besides, as Martyn 
remarks, the epithet lapidosa is suitable to 
the fruit but not to the tree. Prunis may 
be either from prunus, the tree; or from 
prunum, the fruit: we have taken it as the 



B. II. 35-39. 



XOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. II. 40-5-5. 



al)L plur. of the former, " upon the plum 
trees." 

3-=i. Quare — "wherefore," "well then," 
.^iiice this is the case, since such results can 
be accomplished. Generatim — "accordhipr 
to tlieir kinds." This is a Lucretian word. I 
DLscitf, <fec.— "learn the mode of cultivation 
peculiar to each kind." 

37. iV'eM— Observe that this negative (= 
etrie, and therefore=e? ut non) comes after 
a simple imperative, and not after ne, as we 
should expect. For similar cases, see ^n. 
ix. 234. vii. 265 : Hon, Od. i. 2, 50. Segues 
may be either the predicate, "let not your 
lands lie idle;" or a simple attribute, "let 
not your worthless (segnes) land He unoccu- 
pied" (jaceant). And an encouragement is 
added by the examples of the Mountahis, 
Ismarus and Taburnus, whose soil, though 
unfit for agricultural pm-poses, yet produces 
the best wine and the best olives. Ismarus 
(Plnr. Ismara) was a mountain of Thrace, 
near the town of Maronea. whence its 
wine, so famous in ancient times, and even 
in Homer's day (Odyss., ix. 196), was called 
Maronean. Bacrfio, i.e., vino=vitibm. 

38. Taburnus was a hill on the confines 
of Samniura, Apulia, and Campania, famed 
for its olives. 

39. Some, judging from the plan which 
VLi-gil pursued in the Fu-st Book, of puttuig 
Augustus immediately after the gods in 
the invocation, say that this and the follow- 
ing lines should be inserted after verse 8. 
But it is to be remembered— (i), That, in 
the case referred to. Octavianus was repre- 
sented as a ''present deity," and, therefore, 
was naturally ranked with deities; but here 
Maecenas is a mere man, without any claims 
to divine honom-s. and is, therefore, properly 
separated from Bacchus, an old and recog- 
nised divinity; (2), That no MS. exhibits 
the lines in the order suggested. We do not, 
however, approve of Voss's remark, that 
Ykgil here addresses a mortal, because he 
comes to speak of the artificicd modes of 
culture, put hi practice by mortals, and 
wholly due to their uigenuity; but that he 
rightly invoked a god previously, when he 
was about to speak of the natural method 
of production, which did not require man's 
help. An obvious objection to Voss is, 
that, m the foregoing lines, mention has 
been made of hoih processes, and that, in the 
succeeding verses, the natural modes are 
also referred to. We are rather mcliued to 
agree with Bothe, in taking from Jurat to 
laburnum, as parenthetic. In this view, 
we would connect tuque ades immediately 
with agricolae agite, and suggest that the 
name of Maecenas is mentioned along with 
that of the agricolae, either (1) to render 
tlie poem more acceptable in the eyes of 
those for whom it was written, by deli- 
cately referring to the original proposer of 
the work, and by hinting that he, the good 
friend and adviser of Cnesar, takes an inte- 
rest in it; or (2) to pay a merited compli- 
nent to his patron and friend, on the ground 
of his anxiety for the good of the subjects of 
the emperor, who dwelt remote from the 
capiiaL 



Decurre.— This, metaphor is taken from 
nautical affairs ; and so also is verse 41, Pe- 
lade volans da vela patenti. 

40. decus. Cf Hor. Od. i. 1, 2 ; and Oi 
ii. 17, 4. Famae mei-ito pars maxima nos- 
trae—ls this merely a general compliment 
referring to past favours? or has it any 
special applicability to the connexion of 
Maecenas with the Georgics? The latter 
we think is the right idea ; and, if so, this 
phrase adds an argument to confirm the 
view we have taken of iuque ades in 39. 

42. A'o/i ego opto, i.e., non is sum qui op- 
tem — " I am not the man to expect that," 
&c. The following passage is closely trans- 
lated from Hom. II. ii. 488, which see ; cf. 
^n. vi. 625 ; and Ovid. Trist. L 5, 53. 

44. Lege oram — " cruise along the coast," 
Le., do not dip too deeply into these matters. 
In manibus terrae, i.e., the land is close at 
hand; a repetition of the same idea of C7'i»'5- 
ing along the coast. The meaning is—" we 
are quite safe m entering on the subject, 
because we do not intend to write a learned 
and exhaustive treatise, and if we do find 
ourselves beyond our depth, we can at once 
return to firm and well known ground." 
This seems to be at variance with patenti 
pelago da vela of 41, but the words just 
quoted seem to refer to the extent of the 
subject mej'ely, and not to the lengths to 
which the poet is to follow it out. 

46. Ficto carmine — "a mythical poem." 
This, according to Forb., is opposed to in 
manibus terrae, the meaning being— "The 
argument of this didactic poem, which has 
reference to the earth itself and the fields. 
is founded on what is near at hand, and 
placed plainly before om- eyes, and does mt 
require, as in an epic poem, to be come at by 
long "round about means." There is there- 
fore no necessity for a tedious preamble. 

47. Sponte sua — see verses 10-13. In 
luminis oras — "into the regions of light." 
This phrase is never used, says Forbiger, 
except in reference to the birth of animals, 
or the bursting forth of plants. The other 
reading- is luminis au7'as. 

46. Laeta et fortia — "luxuriant and 
stm'dy." Infecunda — '■'■quia semen, quod 
in oculos incurrat, non proferunt." Forb. 

49. JVatura subest, i.e., there is latent in 
the soil a natural element, which exactly 
suits the trees, and forces them up strong 
ami large. 

50. Engrafting (si quis inserat), however, 
and transplanting (mutata mandet) will im- 
prove these too. so that they will speedily 
divest themselves of their wild character, 
and will become amenable to whatever 
kinds of cultivation {quascunque artes) you 
see fit to employ. 

Scrobibus subactis — " trenches being care- 
fully prepared." 

53. ,S7e?'i7;s— This adj. refers to that tree 
which, being produced from a sucker, brings 
forth either a very inferior kmd of fruit, or 
none at all. See verses 17-19. Hoc, faciei — 
"will do this," i.e., willdivestitself of itswild 
nature. Z>/5res<a—" planted out in regxdar 
order," oj^dine disposita. 

55. Adimunt fetus, le.,fructus. Urvnt— 
77 



B. II. 57-G2 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



E. II. 64-70. 



"blast," "dry up," for air and the sun's 
rays are as necessary to plants for their 
growth and health as they are to animals, 

57. Seminibus jactis — We agree with 
Ileyne in thinking that this phrase means 
either the accidental dropping of seed from 
the tree, or the intentional sowing of it by 
man. Forbiger's idea is, that it refers only 
to the latter. Whether Heyne or Forbiger 
be right, it is difficult to decide ; but that 
jactis semimhus is not the same as posito 
semine of 14 appears very evident. It will 
be remembered that in stating the three 
methods by wiiich nature works (9-21), 
VhgU followed the following order,— 1st, 
The spontaneous growth from undetected 
seed; 2d, Tlie chance falling of seed from 
the tree (posito semine) ; 3d, The springhig 
up of suckers from the parent stem. And 
it must be for some reason that in recapitu- 
lating these modes, the arrangement is al- 
tered. The reason, we think, is this: In 
line 9 sqq., the poet was speaking (as we 
have said in Note 14) solely of nature's me- 
thods, whereas here, as we think with Heyne, 
he mentions the sowing of seed as the only 
one of her plans which man may adopt; 
and he thus isolates it, lest any shoidd think 
that by placing it between the other two 
natural methods, he meant to exclude it 
from the list of artilicial modes. This 
argument, founded on the arrangement of 
the clauses and methods tends to confirm 
us the more in the opinion expressed in 
Note 14. We agree with Heyne rather 
than Forbiger, tliat jactis refers either to 
natural or artificial deposit of seed, because 
our author has been previously speaking of 
the ways by which nature nuiy be assL-^ted, 
and he goes on, in Gl, tourge the necessity 
of a like help in regard to not only tliis, Init 
all the other operations of nature. The 
matter, liowever, has received more dis- 
cussion than it perhaps deserves. 

59. Ponia degenerant — " the fruit deteri- 
orates." This remark, taken in connection 
with lines 48 and 53, would seeni to show 
that in verses 9-2 i, the poet spoke solely of 
nature's plans, which arc very different, both 
in process and result, from the artificial 
means afterwards mentioned, 22-34. We 
sec no necessity for saying th^X poma is for 
pomi, and uvaforvitis; translate /er/, "pre- 
sents," "offers," and there is no need for the 
change proposed. Moreover, as Keightley 
remarks, tl>e whole bunch was called nva, 
and the minor clusters of which it con- 
sisted, racenii. 

61. ^ci72ce< contains a general reference to 
•what has preceded: "thus, you see;" or 
"in fact." This applies to all the modes of 
cultivation, whether natural or artificial, 
a)id to all kinds of trees. 

62. Cogendae may apply simply to the 
necessity for constant watchfulness hi cor- 
recting those trees which show an inclina- 
tion to grow crooked ; but it may be merely 
a metaphor from the taming of cattle. Mer- 
ce(/e— "hire," "pay," i.e., toil, and its co.st. 

63. Truncis — Olives are best suited for 
tlie consitio process, on which see Notes 22 
(5th mode), and 30, 31. But truncis may 

78 



also refer to the infossio (2d method), Note 
22. Propagine, i.e., by propagatio. Ses 
Notes 22 (3d mode) and 26. 

64. Respondent scil. exspectationi agrtco- 
laruyn, Forb. But as respondeo is some- 
times used absolutely, in the sense of " to 
answer," i.e., "be suitable," may we not 
rather thus interpret than siipply such a 
violent ellipse, which is not suggested by 
any words in this whole connection ? Pa- 
phias— The myrtle was sacred to Venus, 
who was specially worshipped at Paphos in 
Cyprus. Observe that inyrtus is here 4th 
decl. Solido de robore, i.e., growing out of 
the solid timber, by infossio (2d mode, 
Note 22) or consitio (5th mode). 

65. Plantis — By suckers or sets, i.e., by 
avulsio (1st mode) or surculatio (4th). See 
Note 22. 

66. Arhos Hei'culeae cororme, viz., the 
poplar, which the hero brought up from 
Acheron. 

67. Chaonii patris, le., Jupiter, whose 
oracle of Dodona was in Chaonia ; see 
Ueorg. i. 8. Palma — The palm, whose 
tallness (ardua) is rather that of appear- 
ance, on account of its leafless stem, than 
of reality. It was planted in Italy, not for 
its fruit, but for its shade, and for its 
small twigs, Avhich were extensively used 
to make baskets and other agricultui-al 
vessels. 

Abies is what is called the yew-leaved fir. 
It was much used in shijpbuilding, hence 
visum casus niarivos. Nascitur, i.e., plantis 
nascitur, "is generated by suckers or set- 
tings." 

69. The walnut is engrafted on the arbu- 
tus, tiie apple on the plane-tree, the chestnut 
on the beech, the pear on tlie mountain asli, 
and the oak on the elm. Some botanists, 
however, deny tliat trees of dissimilar 
kind can thus be conjoined with advan- 
tage. Fetu is the abl., not the dative. 
Inserere, like most verbs compounded with 
in, admits a double construction, arbori 
inserere nucem, and arborem inserei'e nuce, 
or porno. Nux means the walnut here, 
according to Voss, which was called nux, 
Kccr l^o^nv; but it also includes hazelnuts, 
{nux Avellana, from Avella, a town in 
Campania), chestnuts, almonds, &c. The 
arbutus is called horrida, either from its 
fi-uit, which is uneven and prickly, or more 
probably from the bark, which is rough and 
bristly. 

As this line stands in the text, it is a 
hypermeter (see Note on Geo. i. 295) ; but 
Wagn., Jahn., and Forb. have, on the 
authority of some MSS., altered the order 
of the words thus, Inseritur iMro et nucis 
arbutus horrida fetu, which avoids the awk- 
wardness, noted ui Geo. L 295, of having 
the eUded syllable preceded by a short. 

70. The plane-trees are called steriles, as 
not producing any esculent frait. They 
were well suited, and much used, for the 
purposes of engrafting; and were largely 
cultivated by the Romans, even solely on 
account of their straight growth, and their 
broad shady leaves. 



B. II. 71-84. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. II. 86-97. 



71. Castaneaefagus—Castaneae is the gen. 
sing, depending on flore, and fagus is the 
noin. to incanuit, or fagus may be the nom. 
plur. (for names of trees are often decUned, 
both according to the 'id and the 4th decl. ; 
see Eel. vi. 83, and Culex. 139), and subject 
to incanuerunt, which is to be taken out of 
incanuit, i,e., in other words, the verb in- 
canuit has two subjects, but agrees with the 
one nearest to it. This avoids the necessity 
ot saying that the last syll. of fagus is long 
by arsis. The various punctuations and 
readings, which are legion, axe more re- 
markable for ingenuity than for common 
sense. We have all varieties of stops after 
valentes and fagus; the follo\viug are a 
few of the contending versions: — Castaneae 
fagos (ace. Plur.) : Castaneae fagos (Greek 
nom. sing.); Casianeas fagus : and that in 
the text, which appears to us the most 
simple and sensible. Observe the aoristlc 
pertects, gessere, incanuit, and fregere, and 
consult Note, Geo. i. 49. 

73. Nee modus, &c. — " nor are the modes of 
engrafting and of inoculation identical." 
Furbiger, following Heyue, thinks that the 
poet's meanuig is, "There are several ways 
of performmg each operation— but of these 
I give only one of each, the simple inocula- 
tion or ''budding," and the sunple cleft- 
grafting." We prefer the interpretation first 
given. On the syntax of modus inserere, 
see Note on Geo. i. 305. Besides the ex- 
planation there given, Forb. thinks that 
this case might be accounted for on the syne- 
sis principle (see Note, EcL iL 71), modus est 
being equal to solemus. 

76. The inoculiition process is very simple. 
When a bud is seen to be coming out, it is 
rubbed oflP, and a small slit beuig made in 
the inner coatings of the bark, a bud 
from another tree is inserted, and thus in- 
corporates and grows up along with (inole- 
scit) the adopted tree. On hue includunt, as 
an instance of the Constructio Praegnans, 
see Geo. i. 375, and JEn. ii 18. 

78. We now come to the engrafting. 
Enodes trunci, Le., the stem, where there is 
no knot, ui opposition to the knot which is 
required for inoculation. 

79. Finditur — This is our common cleft- 
grafting, yyhioh. is performed by slitting down 
tiie top of a stump a short way, and m- 
serting therem a cutting or "sprig." In 
solidum— Into the sound wood. 

80. Hec longum tempus, sciL est. Feraces 
plantae, Le., shoots from a fruit-bearing 
tree. 

83. This begins another division of the 
subject, viz., the different kinds of trees. 

84. Loto. — This is supposed to be the 
Ehamnus Lotus of modern botanists, which 
grows plentifully in some parts of the north 
of Africa, where it is called jujube, and is 
highly prized, and even celebrated in song, 
by the Arabs. From eating this the Afri- 
cans were called Lotophagi by Homer, Od. 
ix. 92, sqq. See LiddeU and Scott, Gk. 
Lexicon, under Xwra,. On que for ne see 
below, 87. 

Cypurissis the Greek form ('^y^ra^/T-trar) 



for the Latin cupressis. Idaea — from the 
Cretan Ida— not the Phrygian. The cypress 
was introduced into Italy from Crete. 

86. Of oUves there are different kinds — 
the orchades, or slightly oblong, from opp(;i;, 
testis; the radii, longer shaped, like the 
radius, or weaver's shuttle. The Pausia, 
which being pulled before it was ripe, was 
called amara. 

87. Alcinous was king of Phaacia (Cor- 
cjTa, Cortu), and is celebrated by Homer 
in the Odyssey fi^r the beauty of his gar- 
dens, (which have become proverbial) and 
the variety and exceDenoe of their frtut. 
For que we should expect ve, but in ex- 
cited or emphatic narrative the copula- 
tive conj. is often put tor the disjunctive. 
See a remarkable example of this in Geo. 
ill. 120-123. 

88. Crustumiis — from Crustumerium, or 
Crustumeri, a town of the Subines, not far 
from the junction of the Allia and Tiber. 
It was called also Crustumium, whence this 
rare form of the adj. 

Volemis — " hand fillers," from vo 
palm. 

90. Afethymnaeo—'Methjmna. was a town 
on the north shore of the island of Lesbos; 
its ruins remaui near the village now caUed 
Nopia. 

91. Thasos, an island off the coast of 
Thrace, celebrated for its com, wine, and 
mines. Mareotides, from Lake Mareotis, 
near Alexandria, m Egypt. See Hor., Od. 
L 37, 14. 

93. Passo (from pando) — " and the 
Psithian better adapted for raisin wine," 
le., made ex uvispassis. Lageos, "Lagean'," 
but we have no certainty as to the "oriaiu 
or meaning of these two terms. They were 
both Grecian wines. Tenuis—'-' light," i.e. 
" spirituous," such as wid soon "■'flu to the 
head." Some refer tenuis to the light body 
of the wine, and others to the small clusters 
of the grape. But we prefer the first, which 
gams confirmation from the next line, where 
the effects of the liquor are detailed. 

95. Purpureae—-' those having purple 
grapes." Prcciae (precoquae), "the eariy 
ripe." Wagner says that preciae means 
subnigrae. 

96 Rhaetica—R'h&ei\2in wine, from Rhae- 
tia (the modem Grisons and Tt/rol), was a 
favourite beverage with Augustus, which 
accounts for the admiration expressed. 
Falernis—from the far-famed /^aZernys ager 
m Campania. This was the best Itahan 
wine, next after the Caecuban. 

97. Aminaeae.— These vines are said (by 
Aristotle) to have been introduced into 
Italy by a Thessalian tribe caUed Aminaei 
They were cultivated chiefly in the neigh- 
bom-hood of Naples. Observe the pecuhar 
apposition of vites, vina; and for a similar 
one see ^n. 1. 339, fines-genus, with 
Note thereon. Firmissima—a very dm-ing 
wine, i.e., one which keeps good for a long 
time. But when we consider that this 
power of endurance is expressed in Ime 100 
hjdurare per annos, we are inclined to agree 
rather with those who iuterpret " a very 
strong bodied wine." 

7& 



B. II. 98-108. 



NOTES ON THE GE0RGIC3. 



B. II. 109-121. 



98. Tmolus et. — Most copies read Tmolius, 
and this we sliould much prefer, as it ren- 
ders the syntax easy. If Tmolius be read, 
vinum cannot be meant, else we should 
have Tmolium. It must either be moiis 
tliat is understood; or Virgil speaks in 
Greek fashion, like Aiirfsioi, Upaf^no;, 
&.C., o'tvo; behig implied. Wagner, Forbiger, 
&c. But as (icca-iXihg oivog is a common 
Greek expression, it is probable that Virgil's 
phrase is a mere imitation, and that 7'ex be- 
longs to Tmolius as well as to Phanaeus. 
"Those royal (princely) wines of Tmolus 
and Phanae [those kings of wine] do homage 
{adsw'git) to the Aminaean." This is the 
opinion of Voss and Jahn, and it appears the 
simplest, though perhaps the order of the 
words and the position of ipse after rex offer 
some objection to it. If we retahi Tmolus, 
it must refer to the mountain, and thus to 
the wine. Mt. Tmolus even does homage to 
the Amhiaean vine, and thus acknowledges 
that he is unable to produce its equal. But 
the et makes a very awkward syntax, and 
an extraordinary inversion of words, even 
though we treat it as an adverb. 

Phanaeus, from the promontory Phanae, 
iii the island of Chios. A rocky, bare part 
of the coast of Chios, called Arvisia or 
Arimia, produced the Ariusian wine, which 
was considered the best of all the Greek 
vintages. 

99. A rgUis— either from ocpyo;, "white," 
on account of the colour of the wine, or from 
the town Argos. There Avere two kinds, 
Ai'gitis major, and minor. Que connects 
this to sunt et Amiuaeae, &c. 

100. Ftuere ianium, "yield so much li- 
quid." Durure — see Note 97 onjin/iissima. 

102. Rhodia (vitis).— The vine of Rhodes, 
a famous island oflf the coast of Caria. This 
yielded a highly prized wine, as is seen by 
the circumstance that it was used at the 
second course, when libations were offered 
to the gods, and when none but the best 
wines were employed. On transieriui (and 
certaverit, above), consult Zunipt., Lat. Gr., 
§ 527. Bumaste (f^ouf^ocffTos, from f^oug 
and (Jt-occTOi) — "cow's udder" — because 
the clusters swelled like the udder of a cow 
in size. Bow is used as a Greek prefix, to 
mean very great, as (^ovXiy^ia., ravenous 
hunger, bulimy. Bumaste may thus mean 
" big as a breast." 

104. Sed neque est numerus, i.e., but one 
cannot enumerate how many kinds of wines 
there are ; nor is it of any consequence (re- 
fertj to embrace them hi (.a particular) num- 
ber. 

105. Libvci aequoris — not the "Libyan 
sea," but the Libyan plains, Le., desert 

108. lonii fluctus.— Ihe term "Ionian" 
is employed by Polybius and those who 
fallowed "hhn, to signify the sea S. of the Ad- 
riatic gulf, and along the coast of Italy as 
far as the Mare Siculutn. But Herodotus, 
Thucydides, and others of the earlier 
writers, use the term to denote the Adriatic 
SL-fl as welL Plhiy, again, at a later date, 

80 



uses the name Ionium Mare in a very wide 
sense, including the lower part of the Ad- 
riatic, the Mare Siculum, and Mare Creti- 
cum. Such seems to have been the idea of 
it in his day; and this the Latin poets 
generally adopt. The derivations which 
have been given for the name, such as lo, 
the daughter of Inachus, who swam across 
it, ai.d lones, the louiaus, are mere conjec- 
ture. 

109. Different trees are suited to differ- 
ent soils; thus willows and alders thrive by 
the banks of rivers and in slimy marshes. 

112. Liiora myrtetis laetissima, a more 
elegant expression than myrti solent esse 
laetissimae in litoribus. Observe the termi- 
nation etum in myrtetum, as before, frutice- 
tum, siilic(e)tum, &c., meaning ''place of 
myrtles," and thus grove. 

113. Bacchus, i.e., vitissee Note, Geo. 
1. 295. On taxi, see Eel. ix. 30. 

1 14. Adspice. " Behold the world brought 
under subjection to the husbandmen dwel- 
ling in its remotest regions," i.e., The re- 
motest part of the world subject to the hus- 
bandman. 

115. On Eoas domos Arabum, cf. Hor. 
Ep. i. 6, 6 ; and Od. ii. 12, 24. Pictos Ge- 
lonos, " The tatooed Geloni," who lived 
beyond the Borysthenes (Dnieper), in the 
district now called Ukraine. Claudian, re- 
ferrhig to this practice of tatooing, says 
(Rufin. I Z\Z) — Membraque qui ferro gaudet 
pinxisse Gelonus. 

116. Patriae. — " Their several native 
countries are allotted to trees." India is 
often used in a wide sense by the poets, as 
here it seems to include Ethiopia, to which 
the ebony tree more properly belonged. 
There was great confusion in the minds of 
the ancients with regard to the geography 
of the East. Ebenus (fem.), ebenum (neut.), 
both forms behig found. On the Sabaeans, 
see Geo. i. 57. 

119. Bahama — " the balsam exuding 
from the fragrant wood." This gum (Balm 
of Gilead) was confined to Arabia and Ju- 
daea, to which latter country it was brought, 
according to Josephus, by the Queen of 
Siicba. Ancient writers vary as to its 
original locality and subsequent spread. 

Acauthi.— In EcL iii. 45 and elsewhere, 
we had the /)/a«< acanthus mentioned, but 
this is a ttre, generally supposed to be the 
acacia {Mimosa Nilotica), which is the 
Shiltim of the Bible: from it gum arabic is 
procured. Baccas, " the pods," rather than 
the " gum globules," as some interpret 

120. Nemora canentia land. This is the 
cotton (Arabic Kotu) tree, Gossypium ar- 
boreum of Linnaeus. The Greeks called it 
fiva-ffos, and the cloth trivtav. It is now 
grown in Sicily, Greece, Malta, &c., but 
our principal suppUes come from India and 
the United States. 

121. Observe the change of construction 
from the accus., nemora, after referam, to 
the subjunctive with ut. and see JE.n. ii. 5. 

Vellera, <f,T.— "and how the Seres [a na- 
tion supposed to be the Chinese, or at least 
to include them] comb the downy fleeces 



B. II. 12 1- 133. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. II. 134-145. 



from the leaves." This -was the ancient 
aotion for a long time. Pausanias, how- 
ever, seems to have known the true nature 
and habits of the silk worm. The story of 
the two Persian monks conveying some 
eggs of the silk worm from China to Em'ope 
in their hollow walking sticks is well known. 
This was about the middle of the sixth cen- 
tury, while Justinian was reigning at Con- 
stantinople. See Keightley's Georgics, p. 
368 sqq. 

124. India —'' nearer the ocean," Le., 
India proper, or Hindostan. It is called a 
sinus, "fold," "bay," "nook," a "comer," 
a term applied to it on account of the in- 
dentations of the sea. 

With regard to the height of the trees, 
PUny says, " arhores quidem tantaepj'oceri- 
tatis traduntur, utsagittis superari nequeant. " 
On the aoristic perf potuere, see Geo. L 49. 

125. Xon tarda — " by no means inex- 
pert," is used bythe figure litotes, forstrenua, 
fortis, peritus. 

127. Fdicis mall, i.e., the lemon, which 
is bitter {tristes succosj, and the taste of 
which, on account of its acidity and pun- 
gency, remains long in the mouth (tardiim 
sapo)'em). Some make malt feUcis the 
orange. The repetition of the adj. tardus j 
in this verse made some critics suspect the 
genuineness of the precedmg. But such a 
repetition is not objectionable, as Wagner 
shows, if both words have not the same 
ending, and do not occupy the same posi- 
tion in the lines. 

Praesentiiis— " more efficacious" — " more 
immediately relieving." This property of 
the lemon accounts for the epithet felix. 
Lemon juice is an effectual remedj- for cer- 
taui complaints, and is pretty extensively 
used by medical men of our own day. 

128. Infecere, scU., veneno. Saevae — 
"cruel," "heartless." 

129. This verse is found only in the -mar- 
gin of the hest Yhgilian 31S.,"'and is sup- 
posed to have been transferred by some 
scribe from Geo. iii. 2S3. where it occurs 
with entire propriety. Here, however, it 
interrupts the connexion between prae- 
sentius uUum and avxilium venit, and be- 
sides, in the case of a stepmother making 
away with a cliild to leave room for her ovn\ 
in the inheritance, there was no need for 
incantation Cnon innoxia verba) : the plain 
poison was quite sufficient. Bnmck. But 
the reader of Yii-gil need take no offence at 
a repeated verse. Observe the short ^en- 
vli oi miscuerunt, avii. see EcL iv. 61. So 
steterunt, tuJtrunt, nieruni, &c. <fcc. 

131. Faciem depends on simillima, on the 
principle laid do'wn in Note, EcL L 55, which 
see. So Mn. L 589, os humerosque deo simi- 
lis. 

133. £'rai— Observe this imperf. indie in 
the primary clause after an imperf. snbj. 
in the conditional clause, and consult Zimipt. 
Lat. Gr. § 519. "And it icas (in all other 
respects) a lay; did it not emit a far dif- 
ferent scent?" Instead of labentia we 
should expect Jdbuntur; but the poets 
sometimes, in description, use participles or 
adjs. for finite verbs—a device which is 
P 



occasionally adopted in our own language 
with sreat effect. See Geo. iiL 505 f .En. 
vii. 782. 

1-34. Ad prima — "To the first degree," 
(but we say "to the last degree"), Le., "in 
the first degree," ;/? primis. 

135. Olentia applies both to animas and 
ora. "Wirh this (apple) the Medes (Le., 
the Panhians, as they were more recently 
called) sweeten (Le., curant, "heal." or 
" improve") their breath and fetid mouths, 
and apply it as a remedy to their asthmatic 
old men." Medicantur — this verb governs 
sometimes the dative, as here -, and some- 
times the accusative, as in .^n. viL 756. 
See Ruddiman IL p. 145. 

136. The poet now launches forth in 
praise of Italy, in one of the most beautiful 
episodes to be found in any Latin writer. 

Sihae is the gen. dependuig on diiissima 
— there should therefore be no comma after 
it. 

137. Pulcher Ganges, atque Hernms— that 
is, the fair basin of comitry drained by the 
Ganges, and that of the Hennus. This lat- 
ter was ariverof Lydia, recei%iug the Pacto- 
lus, both of which were " turbid " with the 
gold dust that came down them in great 
quantities. Atque is said to be equal 
to neque; but is not the meaning rather, 
"though you put together the beauty of 
the plain of the Ganges, and the riches 
of that of the Hermus, yet you cannot find 
an equal for Italy?' 

138. Bactra was the capital of Bactria or 
Bactriana, which lies east of the Caspian, 
and is watered by the Oxus. Indi must 
refer to pans of Asia west of India proper, 
which has been already represented by the 
Ganges. See 116. 

139. Panchaia — Arabia: or rather the 
fabulous island of Euemerus. oft' the east 
coast of Arabia, which produced mjixh, 
frankincense, &c. 

140. These lines refer to the story of Ja- 
son ploughing the field -with the fire-breath- 
ing horses of ^etes, and sowing in it 
dragons" teeth, whence warriors in ar- 
mom- sprung up. The idea conveyed is — 
Italy is not inferior to Colchis in fertility, 
and she is, at the same time, free fi-om 
those monsters which afiiictedthat country. 

141. Satis dentibus — " for sowing the 
teeth." This is a remarkably good example 
of inverse syntax; the adj". "satis, though, 
dependent in syntax on dentibus, and, 
therefore, inferior to it, being yet more 
important in the meaning. If a comma be 
put after inveHere, satis dentibus -wfil be 
the so-called abl. absolute. 

143. Bacchi Classic us hiunor — "theMas- 
sic produce (juice) of the grape." Mount 
ilassicus (Monte Massico, or Dragone) was 
in Campania, near Sinuessa, and was famed 
for its wine. 

144. Implevere — Aoristic pert, "are wont 
to fiH" See Geo. L 49. The last syU. of 
oleae is not elided, but remains long by the 
arsis. See EcL iL 53. 

145. Bellator equus — " the warrior horse." 
Substs. in tor and trix are very frequently 
used for adja, espedallv by the pcetg. 

I ' 81 



B. II. 146-159. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. II. 160-168. 



Campo, the dative for in or ad campum^ 
"to the field of battle." Ardutis, "with head 
erect." Infert se, "carries himself," i.e., 
rushes, advances. 

146. Clitumnus (hodie, Clitumno), a river 
of Umbria, flowing into the Tiber. Its 
watei's were supposed to have a powerfully 
purifying effect, so that the flocks became 
albi. The country all round its banks was, 
and still is, crowded with cattle. 

Maxima victima, tauriis — White bulls, 
from this locality, were selected to be sacri- 
ficed at the celebration of triumphs ; and as 
the victims were led foremost, sometimes, 
though usually, in the second place, they 
are represented by the poet as heading 
(duxere) the procession. Templa deum, 
i.e., the Capitol. For the description of a 
triumph, see Roman Antiquities, Ramsay 
or Adam (Boyd). 

149. Ve?^ assiduum — This is, of course, 
not to be taken in its literal acceptation, but 
means simply that the climate of Italy is so 
mild, that vegetation may go on at all sea- 
sons. And so, indeed, we learned in Bk. i. 
that it does, and that many crops are sown 
in autumn for the purpose of maldng pro- 
gress even thi'ough the winter. Alienis 
mensibus, "in months not its own," i.e., 
in months which, in other countries, are 
not allotted to summer, but belong to 
spring or autumn. The cattle and the 
trees are fruitful twice in the year. 

151. At — " but," " aye, moreover, the 
ravenous tigresses are wanting, and the 
savage brood of lions." 

152. Aconita—-' wolfsbane," a deadly 
poison. Virgil does not mean to assert 
that no poisonous herbs exist in Italy, but 
simply that, compared loith Colchis, there 
may be said to be none. They are so few, 
that the wretched poor who go out to the 
fields to gather esculent herbs, run no risk 
of mistaking the poisonous for the safe 
ones. 

153. The words immensos and tanto show 
that the poet does not deny that venomous 
reptiles do exist ; but he merely alleges that 
they are comparatively small and harmless. 
The serpent's coil is not so immense, nor his 
trail so fearful, as in other lands. 

155. Tot urbes egregias — " so many noble 
cities." Italy was quite remarkable for the 
number of her towns; ^lian counts up 
1197. Operum laborem — "magnificent, or 
stupendous buildings." See ^n. i. 455. 

156. Congesta manu, &c. — " Piled up 
(built) by manual labour on precipitous 
rocks." 

158. Subterlahentia—"' flowing close by." 
Jl/ar«, quod alliiit supra, Le., the 7?iare su- 
peruni, or Adriatic ; guod infra means the 
mare infej'um, or Tyrrhenian sea. 

159. Lari — Lake Larius (Lago di Como), 
in the Milanese territory. It is not, how- 
ever, the largest, for Verbanus (Lago Mag- 
giore) exceeds it. Some feeling this objec- 
tion, put a comma after Lari, and write 
Maxime with a capital, making it mean 
Lake Maggiore. But this is taking too 
much liberty both with "Virgil and his 
poetry. We are entitled to seek accuracy 

82 



from a writer, even a poet, but we cannot 
prescribe to him what places he is to insert 
in his geographical list. 

160. Menace — Benacus (Lago di Gar da) 
was in the territory of Verona, and was of 
very large area, hence it was much exposed 
to storms, and when under the influence of 
wind rose in billows with a roar like that of 
the sea (marinofremitu, etmarinisfluctibus). 
See Eel. vii. 13. The Mincius flowed 
through it. 

161. Portum — The Portus Julius is meant, 
which by the advice of Vipsanius Agrippa, 
and during his consulship in u.c. 717, Octavi- 
anus formed, as a safe place where his fleet, 
which had been defeated by Sextus Pom- 
pey, might be repaired. A communication 
v,as made between the Lucrine lake and 
Avernus, and the two were thus thrown 
into one; the mound which separated the 
Lucrine from the sea was strengthened, so 
as to form a strong breakwater (claustra), 
a passage being of course left for the ad- 
mission of vessels. The harbour thus made 
was called Julius, in honour of Caesar and 
the Julian family. 

162. Indignatum — "expressing, or giving 
vent to its indignation by loud roarings." 

1 63. Longe may be joined either with sonat 
or refuso. Ponto refuso — This phrase is 
usually understood to mean "the sea being 
driven back," i.e., from the breakwater, 
which, when formerly a mere mound, it 
used to flow over. Wagner, urging the 
same view of re as that previously given, 
(29 above), viz., that it indicates change of 
place generally, interprets, " which being 
diverted from its course, flows into the 
Lucrine, and thus forms a bay and harbour." 
As there was an opening for ships at each 
end of the outermost mole or pier, two cur- 
rents would set in from the sea to the Lu- 
crine, and so again from the Lucrine to 
Avernus, causing great disturbance of the 
waters, and consequently much noise. 
Translate, "When the Julian harbour re- 
sounds afar, as the waters of the deep pour 
in, and the Tyrrhenian tide is let into the 
pools of Avernus." 

165. The mineral wealth of Italy now 
forms the subject of praise. Wagner thinks 
\\\Atfluxit is put in the perf tense, because 
a decree of the Senate had forbidden the 
working of mines ; and, thus, though the 
country once yielded a plentiful supply {plu- 
rimafluxit), it did so no longer. 

167. The nations of Italy are now brought 
under review, on which see Niebuhr's Rom. 
Hist, and Donaldson's Varronianus. The 
Marsi, a warlike and hardy race, dwelt N.E. 
of Latium. "The Sabellian youth," i.e., the 
Samnites — though the name applies in 
strictness to all the descendants of the old 
Sabine stock. 

168. Llgurem parvo assuetum— The Li- 
gures lived along what is now called the 
Gulf of Genoa, and cultivated a poor and 
stony soil which afforded none of the luxu- 
ries of life, but on the contrary required 
hard labour to make it produce the bare 
necessaries of existence. Volscos verutos — 
the Volsci, who use the spear called veru 



B. IL 169-192. 



NOTES OX THE GE0RGIC3. 



B. II. 193-159. 



(see JEn. viL 665), which was three and a- 
half feet long, with a point of five inches 
in length. 

169. Decios. i.e., the three DeciL father, 
son, and grandson, who devoted themselves 
for their countrv. Marios — either the great 
Marias and his son : or else Marios and 
Camillos are generic terms, as plur. nouns 
often are, meaning "men of the kind of 
Marius and Camillias." On all these char- 
acters let the student consult, carefully, his 
Roman History. 

170. Duros beU.o, Le., "hardened," "in- 
ured to war,"' beUo being the dat. Maxirne 
Caesar, ttc. This "flourish of trumpets"' 
refers to the journey of Octavianus through 
Egypt and Syria into Asia, where he spent 
the winter near the Euphrates, and ar- 
ranged the affairs of Asia. This was almost 
immediately after the battle of Actium. 

172. Arcibus — citadels generally, and 
Rome in particular. Inibellem — ^rendered 
harmless and submissive, defeat having 
broken their spirits. 

173. On Saturnia tellus. see EcL iv. 6. 
174^ Tibi, "in thy honour." Res laudis, 

tLx., La, agriculture which was by our an- 
cestors held in honour {laudis) and practised 
(artis). 

176. Carmen Ascraeum — Hesiod, who 
was bom in Ascra, a town of Boeotia, wrote 
the "Works and Days," an agricultural 
poem. Hence Yirgil caUs his Georgics "an 
Ascraean poem." 

177. Xunc locus— 'SoviT is the proper oc- 
casion for explaining the different kinds of 
soil— what is the peculiar excellence of 
each — what is the colour by which each 
can be known — and what are the produc- 
tions which each will yield most abun- 
dantly. 

jRoSora— the peculiar power, or excellence. 
Quis co?or— what judgment may be formed 
of the character of a soO. from its colour. 

179. i>(z^cj7es— "Stubborn," " /iarcZ to get 
anything out of." J/aZicr/n— "niggardly," 
"ungenerous," Le., for com crops. Such 
^lills where there is a light clay soil, or a 
gravelly mould, are well suited for olives. 
Palladia— sacred to Minerva. 

182. This soU may be known by the ole- 
aster (wild olive) springing up abundantly. 
Baecis, sciL oleasiri. 

184. A rich soil on the other hand, is 
suited for vines. Uligine, that natural mois- 
lure which belongs to the earth. 

185. Quique does not represent a second 
kind, but this and the following quique, in 
188, form an apposition to 1S4. 

186. CavacontaUe — "from the hollow val- 
ley." The term includes not only the lowest 
part of the valley, but also the sides of the 
hilU which form' the basin. 

188. Felicem — ' • fertilizing. " Editus — 
" exposed to;" "lying to," as we say. Filix 
is the "fern," whose roots are tangly, and 
intertwined with one another, as well as 
firmly fixed in the earth. 

192. Pateris et auro, Le,, aureis pateris, 
by the figure called Hendiadys ; see EcL iL 
S, and ^n. L 2, Xotes. 

Laticis — quakm — "of wine such, as we 



i offer in libation," Le., of the best wuies 
i Chian and Falemian were more especially 
j used for this purpose. 

I 193. Pinguis Tyrrhenus — " the fat, or 
1 bloated Tuscan." This is a joke on the 
' personal appearance of the Etrarian Tibi- 
I cines, who were admitted (see Livy ix. 30, 
I 5) to the sacrificial feasts, and fattened on 
j the rich fare. Hence " to live like a 
I piper," became a proverb applied to those 
' fed at their neighbour's expense. So Cat- 
i ullus, 39, 11, says, Aut pastus Umber, aut 
' obesus Etruscus. Some refer pinguis to the 
cheel:s only of the iibicen, which were blown 
out by his exertions in playing his instru- 
ment." but this seems a very strange limita- 
tion oi pinguis; and besides, the other inter- 
pretation is supported by many references 
in Latin writers to the Etrurian peculiarity 
already stated- For woodcuts of the tibia, 
see T^n. v. 871 : Lx 618 : consult also EcL 
viiL 21. Ebur, La, tibia eburnea. So in Geo. 
L 480, we have ebur and aera for signa ex 
ebore et ae re facta. 

194. Pandis lancibus — "on bending 

' dishes," referring rather to the hollow 

shape (ilartial caUs them cavae) than to 

actual bending beneath the weight: yet it 

' is possible that the phrase is a figurative 

one, to express such an idea, like onr 

. "groaning tables." 

The lanx was a large circular dish, of 
; silver or other metal, employed especially 
I at splendid banquets. The woodcut repre- 
I sents one such vriih. a boar brought in upon 
' it entire, as described bv Horace, Sat iL 4, 
I4L 
I 



j Reddimus — "pay," as a debt due to the 
i gods. Onex^a, see Geo. 1.484 Furnantiamay 
' refer either to the natural heat of the exta, 
: as taken fresh from the body of the victim, 
I or to the heat acquired in'cooldag. ^n. 
■■ xiL 215, viscera tivis eripiunt, cumulantque 
j oneraiis lancibus aras, would seem to con- 
j firm the former interpretation. 
[ 195. On the syntax of studium tueri, see 
I Note, Geo. L 305. Tueri, " to assume the 
i care of," Le., to rear, or "keep." 

196. Capellas urentes culta — The saliva of 
; goats was said to be hurtful to trees ; and 
; besides, they "nipped them in the bud, "and 

blasted their grovrth by their bites. On 
i were, see Geo. L 77. 

j 197. Saltus et longinqua — " the glades 
i and far distant (remote, retired) pasture 
I fields of the fruittnl Tarentum" Tarentum 
j (Taranto) at the head of the bay of the 

same name, in Calabria, was famed for the 
I beautv of the neighbourhood and the ferti- 
i lity of the soiL Cf. Geo. iv. 126. 
! 198. Mantua amisit— On this subject, see 

EcL L, Introduction and Notes; cf. also 

EcL ix. 27 sq. 
199. Herboso flumine, Le., the Mincias 

(Mincio;, which rises in the Alps, flows 

through Lake Benacas (Lago di Garda), 

and. passing the Mantaan territorj-, empties 
S3 



B. II. 200-211. 



NOTES ON THE GEOEGICS. 



B. II. 212-21? 



itself into the Padus (Po). See Eel. vii. 13, 
and i. 49. 

200. Deerunt to be pronounced as two 
syllables by synlzesis. See Eel. vii. 7 ; and 
consult Metrical Index. 

202. Ros reponet noc^e— Tliis is, perhaps, 
somewhat of a poetic exaggeration. Yet 
Van'o tells us, that " Caesar Vopiscus 
affirmed that at Rosea (near Lake Yelinus), 
a vine pole being stuck in the ground would 
be lost in the grass the next day." Martyn. 
Pliny, in Lib. 17, chap. 4, makes a similar 
statement. 

203. For com crops, the best land is, 
generally speaking, that which is black, fat, 
and friable {loose, crumbling), or mouldering 
— for this mouldering vfe endeavour to effect 
by ploughing, L.e, one of the objects of our 
ploughing land is to render it crumbly and 
free from clods. Pinguis expresses that 
oily, loamy appearance, which every one 
•who has seen rich land ploughed {presto 
aratro) must have observed. Virgil guards 
himself by /ere, "for the most part," "ge- 
nerally speaking," against the objections of 
some agricultural winters, who said that a 
black colour did not necessarily betoken rich 
soU. 

206. No field (aequore). he says, will 
load more waggons by its produce. On 
plaustra, see Geo. i. 163, -with cut. 

Juvencis is the dat. plur. by a Greek con- 
struction, and the phrase is equal to devehi 
a juvencis. The oxen are called tardis; (1), 
because tliey themselves are naturally slow 
in their movements; (2), because it is implied 
that the loads are heavy with the rich 
headed grain; and (3), because the plaus- 
trum was a heavy lumbering vehicle, the 
wheels being usually aU of one piece of 
wood, and the axle turning round along 
with them, as is the case in tlie old High- 
land and Irish car. 

207. New land, never before cultivated, 
is recommended for corn crops, as having a 
natural richness and freshness. Iratus lias 
reference, we think, to the process of "clear- 
ing" or "stubbing," as one calculated to try 
the patience of the husbandman by reason of 
its difficulties and tediousness, and the an- 
noyances which roots afford to one who is 
engaged in lifting them. This is a more 
natural idea, we think, than that which is 
given by Martyn and others, \'iz., that the 
anger arises from seeing that land over- 
grown with weeds, which otherwise might 
have been bearing rich crops of corn. If 
trees and bushes were growing up year 
after year in spite of the farmer's exertions 
to keep them down, we might coincide with 
this idea, but as they were the antiquae 
domus avium there would be no ground 
for such wrathful feelings. 

Observe the verbs devexit, et evertif, (ef) 
emit, for devexit, evertens, eruens. So Eel. 
vi. 20, addit—supervenit, for addit, superve- 
niens. Aut unde— the connexion is ullo ex 
aequore, aut (ex illo) unde. 

211. Rudis, i.e., now for the first time 
broken up. Observe the force of the perf. 
tense, eniiuit, expressmg suddenness of 
change, "has (even already) assumed a 

84 



glossy hue," a token of its richness. Voss 
prefers the interpretation, " assumes a neat, 
becoming appearance," as opposed to the 
rough and unsightly aspect of mitilled land; 
and certainly arva nitent is a common ex- 
pression to suggest this idea. But those 
who have ever watched the operation of 
ploughing new land for the first time, or of 
breaking up "lea" land after some years' 
idleness, will at once coincide with the view 
first given. The quickness of action indi- 
cated by illae petiere altum, at enituit is 
brought so vividly before us, and the whole 
scene is so natural that it pictures, to our 
mind, the ploughman in the very act of 
turning up the fm-rows and giving that 
glistening appearance to the field, while the 
birds yet hover over him, uncertain where 
to fly to, now that they have been de- 
prived of their former resting place. The 
term impulso is nearly decisive of the point, 
as indicatmg the recent and even present 
character of the process. 

212. Glarea — " gravel" A hungry, dry, 
sapless, gi-aveUy soil is rendered still more 
objectionable by the addition of clivosi ruris, 
"a sloping hill side," "field;" for thus all 
moisture would be easily drained off. 

213. Castas— ^'The low growing Casia," 
a kind of lavender, according to some, or 
as Martyn thinks (see his learned discus- 
sion), our mountain widow-wail. 

Rorem, scil. marinum, the rosemary, 
"sea-dew" or foam, literally; "so called, 
because it was used in sprinkling, and grew 
in places near the sea coast"— Martyn. It 
is sometimes written rosmarinus, rosmar- 
■inum, ros marinus, ros maris, and occa- 
sionally even ros simply. 

214. Tophus scaber — "the rough rotten 
stone;" or that porous stone called tufa, 
which is found near calcareous springs. 
"The rough tufa and the chalky (potter's) 
clay, hollowed out by the black chelydri, 
declare that no other soil supplies, to an 
equal extent, food agreeable to serpents, 
and affords them (in such abundance) 
winding retreats (dens)." Observe the 
personification. The meaning is — such 
ground is good for the food and for the 
abodes of serpents, but is of no utiUty hi 
producing crops. Chehjdris is not the sea- 
tortoise, as the name {x't^v; v^up) -would 
at first sight seem to indicate, but a venom- 
ous and noisome serpent (with a hard skin 
Uke a tortoise), which is amphibious in na- 
ture. 

217. Exhalat, <frc.—Houlds worth, in his 
" Observations" on Virgil, states that the 
"Campania Felix generally has a thin mist 
hanging over it some part of the day, which 
preserves it from being dry, though conti- 
nually cultivated. And though there is 
scarce any running water over so large a 
tract, j-et its o-vvn natural moisture (and 
that without dampness) stUl maintains it 
rich and fertUe. This thin mist, flying like 
smoke from the foot of Mt. Vesuvius and 
the Sun-entine hills over the Campania, is 
so frequent, that it has often put me hi 
mind of this description." The poet seems 



B. II. 218-235. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. II. 237-244- 



to have taken this district as the tj-pe of a 
rich and fertile soiL 

218. Ex se — On the use of ex before con- 
sonants, see our Epitome ofWagn., Quaest., 
Virg. ii., "That land which exhales the thin 
mist and unsubstantial (flying; vapours, and 
imbibes moisture, and of its o-^vn accord (or, 
by its own power) sends it forth from itself 
at pleasure {cum vuU), and which clothes 
itself in its own ever verdant grass, and 
which injures not the steel either with 
scurf or with salt rust, that land wiU en- 
twine," <fec. 

220. Salsa, Le., quae ex salsedine nascitur. 

222. Ferax, and similar adjs., may be 
followed by the dative. The inferior SiSS. 
give oleae for oka. Facilem pecori, ifcc, 
"easj%" i.e., affording a ready and plentiful 
subsistence for cattle; "suitable." Fati- 
entem vomeris, i.e., "suited for agricultm-e." 

224. Capua, the chief to^vn of Campania. 
Vesevo is here used adjectively, agreeing 
vfith. jugo— it is the same name as Vesuvius, 
but a poetic form. 

22.5. Ora— .-Vulus Gellius relates the fol- 
lowing anecdoteof this passage: — "The first 
reading for ora was Xola ; but the people 
of this city having refused to allovr the poet 
to turn a stream of water into his grounds, 
from a contiguous farm, he, to punish them 
for their ill-natm-e, blotted out the name of 
their city from his poem, to deny it and 
them immortality." Clanius was a river of 
Campania, wliich frequently overflowed its 
banks, and did much mischief to the terri- 
tory of Acerrae and the neighbouring coun- 
try. Hence it is said to be "not kind'' to 
Acerrae. Vacuis, "thinly peopled," and, 
therefore, quiet and retired as a residence. 
It was devastated by Hannibal, but rebuilt 
bv Augustus. 

"226. Of the ways by which different kinds 
of soil may be kno-\vn — whether they be 
loose or porous fraraj, or close (densa), or 
salt (salsa), or fat (pinguis), or moist (humi- 
da), or heavy (gravis), or light (levisj, or 
black {nigra/, or cold (frigida). 

227. The order is. Si requiras (wish to 
know) vara sit, an densa supra morem (ex- 
traordinary-), ante locum copies, lines 28 and 
29 being parenthetic Ante capies locum, 
"You win select a place beforehand, and 
order a pit to be sunk {clemitti) deep where 
the soil is unbroken, and you wiU restore to 
its place again all the clay, and with your 
feet will tread the mould tiU it be level on 
the top." 

233. Si deerunt (two syllables, by sj-nez- 
esis), sciL arenae, i.e., if the eai'th thrown 
out whUe digguig the pit is not sufiicient to 
fill it up again. " If the mould shall prove 
deficient, the soil wLU be loose (porous), 
and better suited for (feedhig) cattle, and 
for (rearing) tiie bounteous vine." 

235. Sin, dx. But if the mould refuses 
to be compressed within the space it for- 
merly occupied, this wUl be a sign that the 
soil is close, or dense ; and you may accord- 
ingly expect to be delayed and annoyed in 
your tUlage by stubborn {cunctantes) clods, 
and stiff (coarse) ridges. In other words, 
the SOU will prove to be a stiff clay, not 



easily pulverised, and presenting ridges 
which shall be '■•hask" and rugged. Uher 
means properly the udder of an animal, 
but is transferred to land, and means (1) a 
rich land, or (2) great richness of a particular 
piece of land, or (3) simply land, soil, as here. 

237. Prose inde — on the proscissio, or "first 
ploughing," see Geo. i. 97. Validisjuvencis, 
"with sturdy oxen,-" see Geo. L 65. Ju~ 
vends, which properly means "young bul- 
locks," is here put for tauris; see EcL iiL 
29. 

238. Salsa — Salt land, which is also called 
"bitter," or as our farmers say, "sowr," is 
unproductive (infelix) of corn crops; for it 
is not rendered mild by ploughing, Le., by- 
being ploughed — but, on the contrary, the 
best ^•ines and truit trees degenerate when 
planted m it 

241. Specimen tale, " the following indica- 
tion," or "proof," "token." Qualos, "bas- 
kets." or " strainers." They were made of 
wicker work, and were used for various pur- 
poses, viz,, for holding wool, for strainers at 
the \-uitage, for fowl coops, ice They were 
of a conical shape. Spisso, "thickly," (le., 
" closely) woven." Wagner would join the 
word qualos to cola by hendiadys, meaning 
" the Mickersti-atners," equal to vimineacola; 
for the colum (or colander) was also a 
strainer, made of basket-work, buU-rushea, 
osiers, Spanish broom, or other material, 
and was put under the spout of the -n-ine 
press, so that the newly pressed juice might 
percolate through it, and be freed from 
foreign particles of any kind. 

242. P/-e/orMm— An idea of the wine-press 
wUl be got from the two examples m the 




woodcut; the former a rude attempt, the 
latter more finished, and approaching more 
to those of modern days. For a full de- 
scription, see Smith's Dicty. of Antiq., or 
Rich's Companion. 




Deripe fumosis ?ec^/5— "take down from 
the smoky roof," where they were hung 
after the vintage was over, to preserve them 
from the effects of damp or worms. 

244. Hue cafce«^«/'— another example of 
85 



B. II. 245-260. 



NOTES OX THE GEORGICS. 



B II. 262-275. 



the construcfio Praegnans, explained in our 
Note on Geo. 1. 375; and ^n. ii. 18. 
Similar phrases are esse in potestatem—in 
custodiam habere, <kc. See Eel. ii. 45. 

245. Ad plenum — " to the full," i.e., to 
the brim; or simply " abundantly," in suffi- 
cient quantity." 

Eluctabitur, Le., per angustias atque ob- 
siacula aegre evadet. 

247. Sapor, " the taste " of the strained 
■water being " unmistakable," palpable, 
(manifestus) wiU prove (be) your sign. 
Some put a comma after faciet, joining 
manifestus to amaror. Translate thus— 
"The bitterness will, by the sensation it 
produces (sensu), twist (distort — render wry) 
the tasters' faces, expressive of their pain " 
(tristia). This adj. (jtristia) might be ex- 
pected to be joined to sensu rather than to 
ora, but we have translated the sentence 
so as to make the author's phrase signifi- 
cant in its present form. 

250. Rich land is known by the manner in 
which it '■'■stands'" to be handled. Although 
worked with the hands {jactata) it does 
not become crumbly and dry, but, like 
pitch, it adheres to the fingers in handling ; 
this phrase {in handling, for while being 
handled) is exactly similar to the use of the 
active gerund habendo, in a passive sense. 

252. The moist soil {humida) betrays it- 
self by tlie excessive luxuriance of its gi-ass, 
and by its not requiring manure — ipsa 
laetior justo, "it of itself (without manure 
or irrigation) is richer than is proper" (pro- 
fitable), and produces too rich ci'ops. Mihi 
implies anxiety and concern. Cf Eel. viii. 6. 

253. Primis arisiis. " In the first ap- 
pearance of the blade " of corn. 

254. Tacitam, " silently," " unostenta- 
tiously," i.e., without needing any external 
token, such as the crops produced by it, or 
the plants which naturally grow on it. 

255. Fraediscere, " to learn before culti- 
vation." Cui for cuique, "to each." 

256. Sceleratum, " the pernicious cold 
(land)." Our participle, " cursec/, " is used 
in a similar sense. The spruce fir (piceae) 
and the yews are tokens of such soil. On 
the noxious eifects of the yew to men, as 
weU as to cattle, see Eel. ix. 30. Cattle 
often die from eating the shoots of the yew. 

258. Hederae — the common ivy. The epi- 
thet nigrae applies to the berries. Pandunt 
vestigia — "exhibit traces of it." 

259. The special pi'ecepts for the cultiva- 
tion of the vine are now given. And first. 
Let all care be taken to prepare the land 
thoroughly, by "ploughing, trenching, expo- 
sure to the sun, winds, and frost, and by 
other means necessary to i-ender the mould 
fine and genial. The phrase multo ante is 
to be connected with quam infodias of 262 : 
the ante of 261 reminds us of the connec- 
tion. 

260. Excoquere — " thoroughly to pre- 
pare," as explained above. Concidere, &c., 
"To intersect the broad hill (sides) with 
trenches." Martyn suggested magnis ; but 
it is evident that the idea is not that of huge 
ditches, for why should such be made on a 
hill side? but of incessant and unsparing 

86 



labour : Spare no toil, but trench the hills, 
how big soever they be. 

262. Putri—TYiQ land is to be exposed to 
the north wind, for it, and the frost together, 
render the soil loose and cxxxmbYmg (putri — 
id cur ant), and the best fields (for the vine) 
are those of such a friable and crumbling 
mould (putri solo). The words putri solo 
are the ablative of quality. 

264. Fossor, &c. — " The sturdy digger, 
loosening and turning up the fields, "literally, 
" the acres." For the measurement of the 
Roman jugerum, (which extended 240 feet 
by 120,) see Antiquities. In labefacto we 
have an instance of the proleptic use of the 
adj., explained in our Note on Geo. i. 44 ; 
Eel. i. 60 ; and Mn. ii. 736. The term ro- 
bustus perhaps hints at the necessity for 



266. Very skilled and attentive husband- 
men strive to select similar plots of ground 
for the nursery and the vineyard. Si quos 
— "Avhatsoever men no vigilance (precau- 
tion) escapes, (hi) they seek out," &c. Si 
quos is the indefinite, followed by the de- 
monstrative {hi), Avhich is often suppressed, 
as here. 

Ubi prima paretur seges, et quo, i.e., dili- 
gent cultivators seek for similarity of soil, 
in that place in which a young growth is to 
be prepared for the vine trees, and in that 
in which the young plants are to be taken 
and set at a proper distance — set sparsely, 
{digesta feratur — Another instance of pro- 
lepsis, see above, 264). Some recent com- 
mentators have raised a very unnecessary 
ado about this passage, and the syntax of 
et quo, forgetting that the word similem of 
itself suggests two or more places. 

268. The object of the above precaution 
is that the young vines may not all at once 
{subito) feel the want of their native soil, 
which they would do if a complete change 
of ground were made. 

'270. Another precaution is to mark the 
point of the compass on the young tree be- 
fore transplanting, so that it may be set in 
the vineyard in exactly the same position, 
with regard to north, south, east, and west, 
as that in which it stood in the nursery. 

271. Axi, Le., to the north pole, which, 
as being the only part of the axis visible to 
us, is called axis, ^kt' I'^o^'/iv. 

272. In teneris {rebus) — '■'in things of ten- 
der age, so powerful is habit." 

273. ColUbus an piano— The, poet is not 
about to give directions for choosing hilly 
ground or level, but he merely desires the 
husbandman to make this his first question, 
regard being had to the nature of the cli- 
mate, the character of the soil, the different 
kinds of vines, and so forth; and having 
decided this matter for himself, he is to 
plant his vines close, should the ground be 
rich, but widely apart, if it be light and 
hilly. 

275. In denso has been interpreted in four 
ways: 1st, The vine is not less pi'oductive 
in a thickly planted rich soil; 2d, The vine 
is not less productive in a dense soil (above 
229; ; 3d, The vine is not less productive 



B. ir. 276, 277. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. II. 279-284. 



[m pinguibta agris] when planted closely. 
This is the idea of Wund., Wagner, and 
Forb., and is, in our opinion, most Avorthy 
of approval. Wagner remarks that it would 
have been sufficient for the poet to have 
said in denso "closely" — but since the close- 
ness of planting necessarily presupposes a 
richness of soil, and fertility, he expresses 
ubere fully; 4th, The ^iae is not inferior 
(segnior) in fertility or productiveness 
{ubere), when planted closely (m denso ). 

276. Sin scil. metabere, " But should you 
measure oif (for your vineyard) ground 
gently ascending in (or with) hills and 
sloping ridges, give abundant room (indulge) 
to your rows," i e., between each two rows 
of trees. 

277. ^ec secius— The discussions on this 
vexed passage are so voluminous that we 
cannot transfer them to these pages ; but 
the student may with profit consult 
Wagner, Forb., and other commentators 
referred to by them. We shall content 
ourselves with explaining the reading and 
punctuation which are adopted in the text 
attached to these notes. The meaning is, 
If you plant j^our vines in a rich soil, you 
may set them closely without very rigor- 
ous attention to orderly arrangement, and 
equidistant rows; but if you choose hills 
for your trees (i.e., ^•ines) be careful to give 
abundance of room between the rows; and 
be not less careful [than j'ou are in giving 
abimdance of t^oom] to plant your vines 
■ssith scrupulous accm-acy (in ungueni) as to 
inten'al, so that each passage (between the 
rows) may be at right angles (peiipendicu- 
lar) to the path which crosses it : that is, 
plant with such I'igorous exactness that 
there shall be an equal distance between 
each pair of contiguous trees, whether you 
measure the straight (longitudmal) paths, 
or those that cross at right angles, or those 
that run diagonally. Our meaning will be 
best understood by the figure of the quin- 
cunx, which was so an-anged that no matter 
in what position a spectator stood, he saw 
along between the rows in (at least two) 
different directions without obstniction. 



Quadret has no reference therefore to a 
square figure, as Martpi and others suppose, 
but simply to harmony or symmetry of ar- 
rangement of the two main paths, the via 
and limes. We use the verb square in a 
similar loose sense. 

Tnunguem, "to the nail" (like Horace's 
homo /actus ad unguem), i.e.. rigorously ex- 
act. It is a phrase talven fi-om the custom 
of statuaries, who rubbed the nail over their 
work in trying the polish of the marble and 
the perfection of the joints. 

For secius, Wagner writes setius, on the 
authority of some MSS., and because the 
long e of the first sjilable of secius shows 
that it is not the comparative of secus. Via 
is the main road or division running from 



north to south. (See article Agrimensores, 
in Smith's Diet, of Antiq.), and limes, the 
narrower path that crossed it alright angles. 
On Limitatio and Agrimensores consult Ap- 
pendices to Niebuhr's Eom. Hist., vol. ii. 

279. Ut explicuit, <tc. In the punctua- 
tion adopted in the text, we have a full 
stop after quadret, so that an entirely new 
sentence begins with ut, the protasis ex- 
tending from t(t to in armis, and the apo- 
dosis commencing at omnia, line 2Si. Some, 
however, have only a comma after quadret, 
and connect ut with non secius, or with 
positis in unguem ; but these modes are open 
to strong objections, which, however, we 
have not space to urge. 

To make this matter of the quincuncial 
arrangement of trees more intelligible to 
the veteran soldiers (now turned fanners;, 
for whom he was writing, the poet compares 
it to the mode of di-awing up an army by 
maniples, which was done in the following 
form, each parallelogram representing a 
maniple. Tlie legion is called longa hjpj'o- 
lepsis, for it is only after the cohorts have 
been divided into maniples, and these mani- 
ples have been extended, as in the figure, 
that the legion becomes longa. See Eam- 
say's or Adam's Rom. Antiq. 

Hastati □ □ □ □ 
Principes □□da 
Triarii d □ □ d 

281. We are not to understand every part 
of this description as uecessaiy to the illus- 
tration of the quincmicial arrangement, for 
the poet, as poets usually do in such cases, 
adds certain objects and pictures which 
lend grandeur and magnificence to the 
scene. For an example of such embel- 
lishment seethe description of Satan's shield 
in i\Iilton,-.F. L. Bk. i., beginning at, " The 
superior fiend was moving towards the 
shore," <fec., &c. Translate, "as when 
oftentimes (or as often happens, when) in a 
great Avar a long legion has deployed its 
cohorts, and the host has taken up its 
position [or, the host has halted] on the open 
plain, and the array of battle has been duly 
marshalled, and the whole countrj- far and 
near emits a fiery gleam from the sheen- 
reflecting bronze ; nor as yet do the war- 
riors engage in the dreadful conflict, but 
Mars ranges undecided between the ar- 
mies ; (So) let all the intervals {omnia 
viarum for omnes viae) be marked off at 
equal distances (Avith an equal number of 
feet ), not only that the prospect may gratify 
the imthinking mind, but because in no 
other Avay will the earth supply equal 
nourishment to all, and because the bran- 
ches will not otherwise be able to extend 
themselves into an unoccupied space, or 
into air." 

282. Geo. ilL 220, ilU miscent proelia, 
shows that mi7iYes understood, and not ^roe- 
lia, is subject to miscent. 

283. Dubius — "undecided," because it is 
still uncertain which party is to begin the 
fight, and when it is to be begun, and to 
which side victory will incline. 

284. Viarum may depend on numeris, 

87 



B. II. 285-297. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. II. 298-312. 



i.e., paribus intervalUs viarum inter vites. 
Forb. But this seems a very awkward mode, 
the words omnia and numeris both present- 
ing difficulties. Compare Note on exhausti, 
398, below. Having a view to the pecu- 
liarity there explained, may we not take 
dimensa as the neut. participle used sub- 
stantively, and governing viarum, as the 
gen. of apposition (see Geo. iii. 423). Thus 
the meaning would be, "let all the inter- 
vals of the viae be of an equal number of 
feet." The use of the neut. participle for 
a subst. is of constant occurrence in Taci- 
tus, and is occasionally found in Virgil him- 
Belf. See 398, below; also Geo. iii. 348; 
iv. 303. 

We might remove the colon from viarum 
to dimensa, making viarum depend on pro- 
specttis; but this is perhaps unnecessary. 

285. Inanem animum — the mind of those 
who do not think of the solid advantage 
gained by such an arrangement. On the 
Roman legion, its component parts, and 
other matters connected therewith, cf 
Adam's, Ramsay's, or Smith's Antiquities. 

288. As to the depth (fastigia) of the 
trenches, the poet is of opinion that vines 
may be planted in shallow beds. The depth 
geems to have varied from one-and-a-half 
feet to four. 

290. The trees (arhos), however, to which 
the vines are trahied, are planted more 
deeply, especially the aesculus, on which 
see line 16 above. Defigere teiTae, Le., in 
terra; cf ^n. xi. 205. 

291. On the difference between ad auras 
and in auras, see Wagn., Quaest. Virg. x., 
and our Note on ^n. ii. 759. 

295. Multos nepotes durando, dx. The 
order is, Durando vincit (i e., vita superat) 
multos iiepotes, mulla saecula virUm, volvens 
(ea saecula) ; i.e.. In its endurance (length 
of life), it surpasses many generations, 
many ages of men, running the cycle (vol- 
vens) of these ages. Volvens, Le., transigens 
alterum ex altero. Saecula virum, i.e., 
aetates virum. 

296. Turn, &c. The three preceding 
verses are parenthetic in character, or at 
least they are a digression from the line of 
description, and are inserted to enforce the 
valuable effects of a deep root. We now 
go on at turn to the rest of the particulars 
of the tree ; and as we have had in 291, 
292, mention of its height, and of the depth 
and firmness of its root, so now we are told 
of the remaining parts, the large and small 
branches (brachia and ramos), the covering 
which they form when combined (ingentem 
umbram), and finally of the stem (ipsa), the 
greatness of which is implied by the fact 
that sustinet ingentem umbram. Tum is not 
therefore in this case an adv. of time, but 
of enumeration. Voss and others suggested 
tam, as they thought tum must be con- 
nected with volvens vincet, and thus saw no 
sense in sayuig that a tree, after lasting 
many ages, then sent forth sturdy branches, 
just at the time when one might expect it 
to be rotting and falling to decay. 

297. Ipsa is opposed to ramos, and means 
"The trunk:" for ipsa is employed to dis- 
ss 



tinguish the whole from apart, or the better 
part from the remainder. 

Umbram— the umbrella -like covering 
formed by the branches. Sustinet is a much 
more elegant word here than efficit or reddit 
would be. It gives a life and animation to 
the description, and conveys a highly poetic 
fancy. 

298. Some precepts as to the position of 
the vineyard and other matters. Jffeve — 
neve, for nee — neu. 

300. Neve pete summa flagella, " And do 
not seek the topmost twigs, or tear down 
sprigs " or " sets " from the highest part of 
the tree ;" because those parts that are 
nearest the ground are assimilated to it, and, 
when planted, wiU not on that account feel 
the want of mutatam matrem. This is the 
meaning of Tantus amor terrae. The pre- 
cept applies, however, to all trees. Corylum 
(299) the hazel was not to be planted among 
the vines, because, having long roots, it 
would absorb much of the nutriment which 
should be left for them. For destringe, some 
books read defringe ; for the difference con- 
sult Lat Dicty. 

302. Semina, "The yoiing plants," or 
"slips," or "cuttings," are not to be hacked 
or abused, Avhether they be of vines or other 
trees. 

Oleae — Do not plant (among your vines) 
the wild truncheons of the olive. Jnsere is 
for intersere in this view. But Wagn. & 
Forb. read olea, and translate i?z5ere literally, 
— " do not engraft wild (olive) stocks with 
(or, on) the olives." The reason for this 
prohibition was, that the oleaster being a 
sappy and unctuous tree easily caught fire, 
and the blazes, when once excited, spread 
in it with fearful rapidity. 

305. Robora, "the solid trunk of the tree." 
Coelo, hi next line, is for ad caelum. See 
Eel. ii. 30. Dedit is the aoristic perf,, on 
which see Geo. L 49. 

308. Nemus is not the vineyard, but the 
olive grove. Ruit is here transitive, " sends 
up." 

310. A vertire, " from on high," in which 
case the wind would spread the burning 
much more. 

311. Ferens glomerat incendia. The wind, 
spreading the fire, whirls the blazes into a 
general conflagration, i.e., "The wind, 
spreading the fire in all directions (fereiis) 
causes it to converge and combine." The 
wind, coming not on the one side but from 
above, first causes the blazes to spread out- 
wards in every direction, and thus these 
several ramifications of fire gradually meet, 
and the whole place burns all round in one 
grand conflagration. 

312. Hoc ubi sciL accidi — " when this 
occurs, they (the olives) have no strength 
at the root [see our Epitome of Wagn., 
Quaest. Virg. i.], and, though cut down, 
cannot be restored [by sprouting] ; nor can 
they be resuscitated from the deep earth 
such as they were before, (but) the fruitless 
oleaster, with its bitter leaves, grows in 
plenty." A stirpe may mean "from the 
graft," "they perish from the very graft." 
Non is to be supplied to reverii possunt, and 



B. ir. 315-325. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. ir. 327-845. 



revirescere, Wakefield, on Lucr. iv. 662, 
proposed to put a comma after Jwc, and 
joining tibi to the following clause, make the 
protasis extend from ubi to terra, the apo- 
dosis being line 314. Hoc ■would then be 
translated, "on this account." We should 
be strongly inclined to support this idea, as 
the interpretation which we have given 
above is by no means satisfactory. 

315. Tarn prudens persuadeat — " let no 
authority, however skilled, persuade you ; " 
or, "let no ad\iser be so wise in your esti- 
mation as to prevail on you that the frozen 
earth should be stirred when Boreas blows." 
There was an old precept which directed 
that vines should be planted when a south 
wind blew, and not when a cold blast was 
abroad. 

317. Claudit — Shuts up from beaiing. So 
in 331, spring is said laxare, to loosen, 
"unlock." Semine Jacto, Le., as the next 
line shows, when the shoots are planted, 
surculis positis. 

318. Concretam radicem — HejTie takes 
concretam actively, and Interprets ''quae con- 
crescit, dum adfigitur." But this is harsh 
and unnaturaL Wagn. explains, " hiems 
non patitur surculorura radices concrescere 
cum terra eique adfigi. But, in our opinion, 
Forbiger's idea is the most simple. Nor 
does the winter allow the frozen (concretam) 
root (of the young tree) to fasten itself to 
the ground, "i.e., to lay hold of the soil, 
and fix itself in it." 

319. The best time for planting vineyards 
is in the blushing spring, when the stork 
comes. Ruhenii, "blushing" or blooming, 
by reason of the varied tints of its thousand 
flowers. The stork fed greedUy on snakes. 
It is well known how useful this bird 
proves itself in marshy countries as in 
Holland, and in how great reverence it is 
held by the Dutch. The Thessalians of 
old were as careful in preser^^ug its life as 
our neighbours of the Low Countries, to 
whom it proves also a most admirable sca- 
venger. It visited Italy early in March. 
Observe that satio, which properly means 
the sovcing of seed, here signifies planting, 
just as in 317 we had semen used for surculus. 

321. Suh prima frigora auctumni, i.e., in 
the end of the October, 

322. Hiemem, i.e., those constellations 
which the sun enters in winter. Winter 
began on the 9th Nov. 

323. Ver adeo — "spring especially," in 
an especial manner above the other seasons. 
Wagn. thinks that nemorum here means 
"plantations" of man's rearing, while silvis 
signifies forests of natural growth. But 
perhaps nemorum rather means vineyards, 
wherein there were trees planted for training 
the vines, ie., arhusta. 

324. This is, as Heyne justly remarks, 
pulcherrimus versus. Genitalia semina, "ge- 
nerative seeds." 

325. This allegory of the Aether and the 
Earth was a very favourite one -with the 
poets, and gave rise to many of the mytho- 
logical stories which they delighted to dwell 
upon. As Jupiter was king of heaven and 
of the upper atmosphere, so Juno (his 



spouse) presided over the lower atmosphere 
and earth. For references to similar pas- 
sages, see Forbiger's Note, in loc. 

327. Observe the force and beauty added 
to the line by the double use of magmis, in 
different cases. Magna corpora, viz., ot 
the earth. 

329. Certis diehus—'' at their appointed 
times ;" i. e. , cows between the vernal eqmnox 
and the longest day — horses in April, May, 
and June, according to Voss. 

330. On almus, see Eel. vMi. 17; on 
laxant sinus, 317 above; and on Zephyri, 
Geo. L 43. Superat " is abundant ; " so in 
314, superat was used in a similar sense. 

332. Credere in novos soles is another ex- 
ample of the consfructio praegnans explained 
iuourNoteonGeo.Lo75, and^n.il 18. The 
full meaning is to go forth before the sun, 
and trust themselves to him. After credere 
we should have expected the dat., but cre- 
dere, followed bv the accus. with in, ex- 
presses the two ideas of motion towards, and 
rest and confidence in. 

The suns are called novos, because oper- 
ating for the first time on these young 
plants; new to the buds, and early in the 
season. 

336. Observe how beautifully the poet re- 
presents the philosophical idea of the genesis 
of the world. "I should not readily believe 
that the days of any other season shone 
at the first origin of the infant world, or that 
they (i.e., the days) had a different charac- 
ter." That is, the time was spring, and the 
weather was of that mild and agreeable 
kind which our spring presents. Ver illud 
erat, ''that was spring,'' "that was what 
you might call spring," to use a common 
conversational phrase. 

340. Hausere—" (^x&n^ in light," as being 
subtle and fluid in character. So liquidi 
ignis, Eel. vi. 33. 

341. Terrea p7'ogenies—" the earth sprung 
race of mortals, " because it was supposed 
that the first men sprang from the earth. 
And, true enough 1 " dust thou art ! " 

343. Possent pe?ferre. The connection is 
from 335, and not from 342 ; for, in the latter 
case, we should have potuissent. Besides, 
in lines 336 — 342, we have no mention ot 
any but one season, whereas, in the verses 
preceding 335, we have a gradual grada- 
tion — the germen, the gemma, the frons — 
and now we natm-ally proceed to talk ot 
another season. 

Laborem stands for those changes of heat 
and cold, wet weather and diy, to which 
the late plants are subject. So quies means 
the mildness of spring, in which there is no 
anxiety about the cold of winter on the one 
hand, or the heat of summer on the other. 

345. Observe that inter not only follows 
the case which it governs, but even stands 
in a different line fi-om it. Compare our 
note on ^n. iii 684. 

Exciperet, "and did not the indulgence 
[i.e. mildness of climate] of the sky, in its 
turn, take up the earth." Excipere is used, 
of "ta'king up'' in succession, or of one 
thing following another; and it is in this 
sense that it appears to be here used. The 
89 



B. II. 346-362. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IT. 364-377. 



mild temperature of spring takes charge, of 
the earth for some time, after the winter, 
and before the summer. Hence, excipere 
means to "take care of," "to foster," or 
"cherish," and so also it may be used here. 

346. Quod super est, "as to other matters," 
"as for the rest." This is a favourite Lu- 
cretiau phrase. Pr ernes,, Le. dig down, 
"plant" 

348. Bibulum lapidem, "porous (or 
spongy) stone," and "rough," or, as some 
will have it, " slimy," shells were often 
placed near the roots of trees and plants, to 
allow the moisture to percolate freely, and 
to admit the thin, insinuating air {tenuis 
halitus.) 

350. Tollent animos. "will gain heart," 
as our farmers say. Super is to be joined 
to urgerent. The stone or polished testa 
was put on to bake the earth, and make the 
water run off in the time of heavy rain, so 
that there might never be too much mois- 
ture supplied. 

353. Canis, i.e.. Sinus ; see Geo. iv. 425. 
Findit hiulca arva, "cleaves the fields, so 
that they become hiulca,'' i.e., gaping, or 
"full of cracks" (chinks), as the farmers 
call them. This adj. hiulca is used in a 
proleptic sense on which see ^n. iL 736. 

3-')5. After the planting of young trees 
(seminibus positis), we must, from time to 
time, carry (deducere) additional mould to 
the base of each stem (ad capita), and take 
care to pulverise it properly with the bidens. 
Most modern editions read diducere, which 
means to "lessen (the clods) by gently and 
cautiously breaking tliem;" or "to lessen 
the earth about the roots of the vine." See 
below. Ad capita will then mean "at the 
base." 

The following cut represents the bidens, 
or two-pronged hoe. It was useii for turn- 
ing up the soil, as a substitute for ploughing 
— ^tbr breaking the clods — for loosening the 
earth about the roots of tlie vine. Hence, 
we should_prefer the leading diducere above. 

■■umu..^.iu^m...;;;;::^..ii...m..mu.ri 




357. Directions are now given for procur- 
ingreeds, spears (i.e., poleshkespearshafts), 
of peeled rods, poles, and two-pronged forks, 
as props and trainers to the vines. 

361. Tabulata means primarily "the 
storeys of a house," but is here applied to 
the "landings" made by the branches go- 
ing off from the right and left of the stem, 
forming so many stages up which the vine 
had to climb: Translate— "to follow the 
stages to the summit of the elms." 

362. Pruning and training. Wliile the 
leaves are still tender, the vine-dresser 
must be cautious and gentle, and must not 
for some time employ his knife, but must 
rather with hand half bent (so as nearly to 
close the fist), intertwine the shoots with 
the supports. But when these shoots have 
become strong, and have taken a firm hold 
of the support, he must then both strip off 

90 



the leaves (stringe comas), and lop the 
shoots. He is to have no mercy, but is to 
exercise dura imperia, " stern authority." 

364. Palmes. — 1:\\& following are the dif- 
ferent parts of the vine : the stock or stem, 
truncus; the arms or branches, brachia; 
the buds, gemmae or oculi; the shoots, when 
young (i.e., the tendrils), pampini; the 
shoots, when confirmed and fruit-bearing, 
palmites, or palmae, and when dry and 
hard, sarmenta. The whole bunch of grapes 
was called uva, and the stalk which at- 
tached it to the palmes, pediculus; the 
smaller clusters makmg up the large bunch 
(uvii), racemi; the stalks of these racemi, 
carrying single grapes, scopi, or scopiones ; 
the single grapes, acini (or acinae or acina) 
or grana; the skin of the grape, folliculus ; 
and the stones, or juice and stones together, 
vinacei—ae — a. Keightley. 

371. Other duties'which the husbandman 
must attend to, such as guarding against 
beasts, cold, or heat. And first, of the 
making of hedges to protect the young leaf 
not yet inured to hardships {imprudens 
laborum.) 

373. Cut, scil., frondi tenerae; it is go- 
verned by illudunt. Super is \\<ire=p7meter. 
Indignas. equal to saevas, according to Ser- 
vius and the commentators. The adj. In- 
dignus is applied to anything which one 
does not deserve — which he suffers unmeri- 
tedlij — and thus, because all such things 
seem dura, or saeva, it comes to have the 
meaning of these words. 

374. Uri. — This is a Celtic word, signi- 
fying a kind of wild ox, or aurock (Caes. 
B. Gr. vi. 28), which was a native of the 
Hercynian forest. There were none of 
them hi Italy, but as the name was well 
known to the Romans, Virgil is supposed 
to have employed it in reference to the buf- 
falo, or Italian wild ox. 

Sequaces — " greedy," " eagerly following 
after, i.e., seeking for and devouring the 
young shoots." Capreae, "wild she-goats." 

375. Illudunt — " baffle " in its attempts to 
grow; no sooner has the shoot sprung forth 
than it is nipped off, and requires to begin 
its growth again. There is thus an idea of 
"wanton and mischievous injury." Pas- 
CM/?<Mr— Virgil often uses this verb with an 
accus. like depa.scor, "to cut down," "to 
browse upon." Observe that guam is to 
be supplied from the foregoing cui. Avidae, 
like sequaces above, "greedy." 

376. Frigora concreta — The epithet con- 
creta is applied to frigora, though it pro- 
perly belongs to the objects affected by the 
cold; unless, indeed, the meaning be, "the 
cold assuming a tangible form {concreta) in 
the shape of hoar frost, does not injure so 
much." Cana — This adj. is a common 
epithet of frost and snow among the poets, 
and so is frequently used instead of albus or 
candidus. See Geo. i. 43, iiL 442. The 
epithet cana is given to (the cause) pruina 
from the effect produced ; so tarda senectus ; 
humilis pavor ; pallida mors ; purpureus 
pudor, &c. But see Note on Geo. i. 330. 

377. Arentibus scopulis — This must refer 
to a vineyard or a hilly, rocky soil. 



B. IL 379-386. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IL 387-395. 



Gravis aestas, "oppressive heat." Some 
join gravis to incumbens, making it equal to 
graviter, but tliis seems unnecessary. Ad- 
jectives are often used apparently in tlie 
place of adverbs, but in such cases there is 
much more than a mere adverbial idea con- 
tained. Wherever an adj. is used, it makes 
the phrase equal to two assertions ; thus 
gravis incumbens means, "it is oppressive, 
and it comes down with all its force on the 
fields." See our Note on .^n. iiL 70, hnis 
crepitans ausier. C£ Geo. L 163, and ^n. 
viiL 559. 

379. Venenum deniis, i.e., the poisonous 
saliva left by the bite. See above, 156. 

Admorso — There are a good many diffe- 
rent readings for this word, all of which 
seem to be o■^^ing to the grammarians who 
wished to avoid the awkwardness of mak- 
ing stirpe masc. But Virgil does elsewhere 
make it masc. when he speaks of trees, 
and fern, when of a race of mankind. See 
^n. i. 626, xiL 208, 770 ; and consult Rud- 
dimau, Lat. Gr. vol. i. p. 35. 

380. From the sacrifice of the goat Virgil 
represents the Dionysia as taking their 
origin ; and also plays, as first acted at these 
Bacchic festivals. On the Dionysia and 
Liberalia, see Smith's Dicty. of Antiq. That 
referred to here is the Dionysia ruralia : 
TO, ■A.a.T aypoh?- 

381. Proscenia — This was properly the 
front part of the stage to which the actors 
advanced to speak, but it is here put for 
the whole stage. Ineunt for inierunt. 

382. Pagos et compita. — That is, at the 
Dionysia ruralia. as above. Note 380. Prae- 
mia ingeniis — Prizes to men of talent, i.e., 
to poets in this case. The prize was a goat 
{fTpa,yoi), in reference to which, Hor., Art. 
Poet. 220, says, carmine qui tragico vilem 
ceriavit ob hircum. Thesidae— the Athenians, 
so called from their ancient king, Theseus. 
The word is said to be found nowhere else 
but here. 

384. This line refers to the ascoliasmus 
(^a,ff>iMXia.<rf/,o;), or dance on goat skin 
bottles. Goat skins were filled with wine, 
or inflated, and smeared with oil, and the 
rustics tried who could dance on them on 
one leg, which attempts gave rise to much 
merriment from the extraordinary attitudes 
often assumed, and the many falls which 
necessarily took place. He who succeeded 
in dancing in this way without faUing was 
victor, and carried off the goat-skin of wine. 
Saluere—this verb has two perfects, salii 
and salui. 

385. He now refers to the Roman Liberalia, 
which were celebrated in the month of 
March. Ausonii, a general name for Ita- 
lians, and here employed of the people of 
Latium, but the Ausones were properly 
an ancient tribe, occupying the southern 
part of the Italian peninsula. 

386. Versibus incomptis — "in rude (un- 
couth) verses," viz., the Saturnian. At 
the festival in honour of Bacchus, after the 
corn harvest, and also in that after the 
vintage, the rustics indulged in great mer- 
riment and license, and "spouted" extem- 



pore verses of raiUery and joke (i.e., the 
Fescennine, see Hor., Ep. ii. 1, 145). 

387. 07-a corticibus—Anothev part of the 
frolic was to make masks from the bark of 
trees, and use them on the face, with such 
contortions and grimaces, as, added to the 
hideousness of the mask, scared the on- 
lookers. 

389. Oscilla, a dimin. from os, meaning 
" little faces," was applied to heads (hollow) 
of Bacchus, which the rustics used to sus- 
pend on some high tree or trees in the vine- 
yard, in the belief that in whatever direc- 
tion the vriud blew the head, all the places 
looked upon by the honest, sonsy, ''jolly"' 
face of the wine God, would be rendered 
fertile in the fii'st degree. A tree with four 




of these oscilla is represented in the wood- 
cut, and also " an original model mask of 
Bacchus, m the British Museum, with a 
ring at the top for hanging it up." From 
oscillum comes oscillo, to swing, and hence 
our word oscillate. Mollia (iTe., mobilia) 
means "easily moving," by the smallest 
breath of air. 

390. The good results of suspending the 
oscilla are narrated. The vine is full and 
vigorous (pubescit — is in youthful Aigour) ; 
even the valleys and glades in the distance 
are laden with crops, and aU places to which 
the god has turned his "honest face." 

392. This is, as Heyne well remarks, pul- 
cherrimus haud dubie versus: nihil imagine 
hoc vividius — nihil jucundius. 

Eonestum—fair, open, frank, kindly. Cf. 
Dryden, Alexander's Feast : 

The Jolly God in triumph comes; 

Soi;nd the trumpets, beat the drums ; 
Flushed with a purple grace. 
He shows his honest face, &c. 

393. Suum honorem, "his own peculiar 
(and well merited) praises we shaU sing — "' 
(dicemus). On this use of dicere, see Eel. 
iiL 55. 

394. Carminibus patriis— an ancient kind 
of Roman song, but not the Fescennim-. 
Zawc^s— dishes, or platters, laden with first 
fi-uits. See above, 194. Liba — sacred cakes, 
which were composed of wheaten meal, 
cheese or milk, and oil, and were smeared 
with honey. 

395. Ductus cornu— The victim was 
usually led forward to the altar by a slack 
rope attached to the horn. It was a bad 

91 



B. 11. 396-407. 



NOTES OX THE GEORGICS. 



B. II. 408-418. 



omen if it required forcing, and if, when 
brought to the altar, it did not stand still 
of its own accord. 

396. "We shall roast the fat exta (i.e., 
the heart, Jungs, and liver), on hazel spits." 
The hazel was chosen on purpose, as being 
inimical to the growth of the vine; see 299 
above. Columns is by metathesis for corul- 
nus, from corulus; the change was rendered 
necessarj'- by the disagreeable and difficult 
pronunciation of corulnus. 

397. We now go on with directions to 
the husbandmen, taking up the connection 
from 379. 

398. Exhamti, i.e., exhaustionis ; the gen. 
is governed by satis, and the meanmg is, 
*' which can never be exhausted." Lucre- 
tius was very fond of using the neuter of 
participles as substantives, and in this, as 
weU as many other peculiarities, Virgil 
often follows his example. See the notes 
of Wakefield and Forbiger on Lucretius, L 
385, 795, iL 438. In line 284, above, we 
have suggested that dimensa may be a case 
of this Lucretian imitation ; but our search 
(which as yet has been limited) has failed 
to procure an instance of the identical word 
dimensum so used. This objection, how- 
ever, is no more fatal to our view than it 
would be to many of the instances occurring 
in Lucretius ; the only difference is that, in 
exhausti, there cannot be two ways of con- 
struing, as satis determines the sjmtax. 

400. The ground must be opened up, 
scindenduin, three or four times every year, 
and the clods broken with the bidens (see 
above 355) reversed. The teeth of the bidens 
were used ad scindendum, and the back of it 
ad frangendum gkbas. Aeteniutn, Le., in 
aeternum, assidue, "incessantly." 

401. Nemus, i.e., vinea. The vineyard is 
to be lightened of its leaves, as of a trouble- 
some and obstructing burden. The purpose, 
of course, was to allow the rays of the sun 
access to the grapes. 

Redit, d-c, " The labour of the husband- 
men, when finished, returns in regular 
course ; and the year circles again into 
itself along its own tracks." AgricoUs pro- 
perly depends on redit, "returns to the 
husbandmen," and in orbem also on redit. 

403. Acjai7i olim, "and now at length:" 
oUm refers to a distant time, whether past 
or future. Seras, "late," as having con- 
tinued to the very end of autumn. 

404. Silvis, from the trees generally, and 
not from the vines alone. Honorem, " then- 
leafy honour," i.e., "ornament." The fall 
of the leaf in Italy was in Nov. and Dec. 

406. Rusticus, i.e., vinitor. Acer, '' keen," 
Le., industrious. For the pruning hook or 
curvus dens Saturni, see Eel. iii. 11. note and j his rows, 
woodcut. i?e?;c?am, "abandoned," Le.,stript 
of both fruit and leaves. 

407. Persequitur well expresses the rest- 
less industry of the vinitor, who is so inces- 
sant in following up one mode of treatment 



he reduces the vine to something like a be- 
coming shape and appearance. 

408. Primus humum fodito~he the first 
to delve the ground after the vintage, and 
to carry off the prunings (sarmenta) and 
bum them; and to put the props {vallos) 
under shelter for the winter, that they may 
not be rotted by the rains. 

410. Metito postremus, "be the last to 
reap the vintage;" the grapes were all the 
better for remaining as long as possible. 
Metere applies properly to grain crops, but 
terms of this kind are freely used ; thus we 
have had serere, semina, seges, tkc, used of 
the affairs of the vineyard. See 267 above. 
So even messis is used in Geo. iv. 231, of col- 
lecting the honey from the hives. Bis in- 
gruit umbra, i.e., the foliage of the vines, 
requires two croppings — one called the 
" summer dressing," the other the " autum- 
nal." So, in like manner, brambles and 
other prickly plants and shrubs require to 
be twice kept down, \iz. in (early) summer, 
and in autumn, else they v^ill choke the 
Adnes. 

412. Laudato — the meaning is. Look 
without envy, nay, even with praise, upon 
a large vineyard ; but let your admiration 
stop there. Do you yoiurself cultivate a 
small one: for the trouble is so great, as I 
have shown— so constant attention is re- 
quired — that a large vineyard is not likely 
to be well tended, or equally productive 
■\\ith a small one. 

413. .R«.sd— "the butcher's broom." This 
and the salix were for tj'ing the vines to 
the stakes and trees. 

415. Cura incidti salicti, i.e., you must 
take care to provide a supply of wiUow 
twigs. Cura appUes, of course, only to 
the precaution of cutting these in time, and 
has no reference to pruning or other altera- 

i tion, for the willow requires none, — it is 

I incultum. 

j 416. Reponunt falcem — "lay aside the 

I pruning hook," Le., require it no more for 

! the season." 

417. There are all possible varieties of 

j reading for the words extremos effetus. The 

j meanmg of the line given m the text is, 
" now the wearied (effetus) vinedresser sings 
with deUght that he has reached (or finish- 
ed) his last rows," Le., rejoices that his 
labours have come to a close. This is a 
ver>' natural and simple idea, but there are 
serious objections to the interpretation, e.g., 
effetus is not used in its proper sense. (See 
our Notes on Mn. v. 396, and vii. 440.) 
The reading adopted by Wagn., Jahn., and 
Forb. is eff'ectos extremus, " now the vine- 
dresser haviug-come-to-the-end-of-his-task 
(extremus), sings for joy that he has finished 
Antes, the rows of vines and 
supporting trees, planted regularly, in the 
quincuncial form. See 285. 

418. SolUcitan da— The earth must stiU 
be tossed up (pulveratio) and pulverised. 
The dust was said to fill the grapes, and 



by another, as never to leave the ^^ne at ripen them faster. In the Geoponica, it is 



peace for a single day. Fingit putando 
by pruning off useless branches that have 
grown during the latter part of the season, 
92 



said that the grapes are ripened and enlarged 
by the dust of July and August. Jupiter, 
Le., the rain. See above, 325. 



B. II. 420-440. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. II. 441-460. 



420. Olives require little or no attention— 1 pnt generally for any mountain. But there 
neither the procurva falx (Le., the pnuiing I is no necessity for such vagueness, as Strabo 



hook, -with a curvature on the fore part, as 
seen in the -woodcut, EcL iii. 11) nor the 
rastri, -which, -when fixed in the ground, 
retain their hold fienacesj, and bring the 
clods -with them. On the rastri, see Geo. L 
164. Wagn. interprets tenaces by assiduos, 
"constantly used." 

423. Ipsa = sua sponie. Satis, "to the 
plants,"' Le., the olives [but some take satis as 
an adv.]. Unco dcnte, sciL hidentis, Ugonis. 
Suficit. "supplies in sufficient quantity." 
Cum iquum) vomere, sciL recluditur, "the 



tells us that Caucasus did actually abound in 
trees. Steriles — " not producing esculent 
fruit." 

441. Franguntqueferuntque — "both break 
and carry off," Le., drive before them. 

442. Aliae. scil. sUcae. Feius does not 
mean "produce," but "convenient and tise- 
ful things." Observe that the next line is a 
hypermeter. See Metrical Index. 

444. Sine, Le., ex iUis arioribus. From 
such trees as these they get spokes for 
-wheels, and even solid entire -wheels. On 



eanh. of its o-wn accord, supplies abundant ; the tympanum see Geo. L 163, Note, and 
nutriment to the young plants -when it is } -woodcut. Trirere — another aoristic perf ; 
opened -svith the bidens, and a plentiful pro- I See Geo. L 49 ; so &[so posuere of next line 



dace -when it is opened with the plough." 
42o. .ebc— "on this accormt." Xutritor 

— Antique form for nutriio; so bellor for beUo, 

comperior for comperio, &c., &c See Pris- 

cdan, viiL 5, 26. 
426. PGma— The fruit, for the tree. All 

firuit trees are meant by this -word. 

suas, "their necessary strength," or 



446. Frondibus — for leaves to feed cattle. 
At of nest line is used in enumerations, 
especially -when there is a change of sub- 
ject, and therefore more or less of contrast 

447. The myrtle and the cornel supplied 
good spear and arro-w shafts. And even 

Tires j the noxious ye-w -was adapted for bo-ws, 
' that , 44S. Ittiraea -was apart of Palestine along 



native strength -which is peculiar to trees of > the base of Mt. Hermou. A tribe of Arab 



this kind," and -which renders them inde- 
pendent of our help after a certain time. 

42S. Propria ci — By then: o-wn proper 
and innate strength, "or nature. Observe 
que after opis, coupling unequal members, 
ntiuntur and indiga. 

429. Xec minus. — The connection is this : 
I have said that the olives, -which require 
much less attention than the -dnes, are of 
great service to us. But farther, even the 
common forest trees, -which need no care 
•whatever, are of essential advantage ; -why 
then shotild -we hesitate to encotu-age their 
growth? 

430. ^i-far/a— "the haimts of -wild birds." 
The term tisually means, a "place for do- 
mestic fowl." Forb. 

431. On the cytisus, see EcL i. 79. Pine 
and other forest trees supply torches, and 
serve as lamps by night. This last phrase 
(pascuntur, <fccj' coheres closely with the 



robbers who occupied it in Tirgil's time 
were famed for their archery. 

450. yec (of 449) and non are to be taken 
together in the sense of " moreover." 
Tdiae, "the linden trees." These and the 
boxwood are readily worked -with the 
lathe. 

4-52. On the banks of the Po alders gre-w 
abundantly, and were hoUowed out by the 
peasants for canoes. 

453. Corticibus cavis.—B.e speaks of " bee 
hives" made of the bark of trees. Alreo, 
two sylls. by synezesis. Many books read 
alvo. 

454. BaccJieia.—'}>LoTe usual forms of thia 
adj. are Bacchetis, Bacchicus, Bacchius. 

456. There is this drawback to the -vine, 
that it gives rise to quarrels, of which that 
of the Centatirs and Lapithae at the mar- 
riage of Pirithous and Hippodamia is an 
example. Another version of the story- 



foregoing, iaedas ministrat, and is, in feet, I says, that Ehoetus and Pholus were put to 
a filling out of that idea. I flight, not killed. 

434. Why, he says, should I detail the i 457. Magna cratere — "with a large cra- 
advantaares" of the larger and more esteemed i ter, or goblet." "What the size of some of 



trees ; let us take the most humble, such 
as -willows and lowly brooms, for they, too, 
are valuable. Observe the great force added 
to the sentence by iJlae. Salices and gen- 
esiae will be called by some the nom. abso- 
lute; but see our Not« on Geo. L 383 ; and 
Mn. i. 573. On the genestae, see 12, above. 

436. Sepem satis, an enclosure for the 
arboretis, vineis, or oUvetis. MeUi, poetically 
for apibus. Forb. 

437. Cytorus was a Mt. in Paphlagonia 
(in Asia Minor), famed for the gro-wth of 
the box tree. 

43S. Xaruciae—'SaTy^ or Narycnm, or 
Narycium, was a to^Yn of the Opuntian 
Lociiaus, and the native city of Ajax. A 
colony of these Locrians came into Italy 
and founded Locri, near which was the 
forest of Sda, famed for its plentiful supply 
ofpitdL 

440. Caucasio— This name is said to be 



these must have been may be conjectured 
from .S:jl ls. 346, where Eho3tus is repre- 
sented as hiding tehiud one, to escape from 
Nisus and Euryalus. Cf 0-vid, Met. v. 82 
sq.; Fiigeniem manibus tollit craiera dudbus, 
Infregitque viro. 

458. The pcet digresses into a panegyric 
on rural Ufe, remarkable alike for its truth 
and beauty. Cf. Hor. Epod. 2 ; Od. iiL 1, 
21 sq. ; Serm. iL 6, 59 sqq. 

Ximium fortunatos, Le., fortunatissimos, 
for nimium is often equal j:o ralde, maxime. 
For instances see Forb., Note in hoc loc. 

460. Facilem — "easy,"' "ready," "abun- 
dant." Ipsa tellus, Le., teUus sua sponte, 
lubens volensque. Forb. Justissima. — This 
epithet is applied to the earth, as restoring 
to men even manifold more than she re- 
ceives from them, yielding, as she does, 
"in some sixty, in some an hundred-fold." 
Xenophon expresses the same idea in his 
9a 



B n. 462-467. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. II. 468-477. 



yrihiov ^tKatoTKTov, Cyrop. viii. 3, 38. 
Humo, i.e.. ex humo, ex solo. 

462. Vomit— So the exits from the theatre 
were called vomitoria. The word well ex- 
presses the appearance of a crowd emerging 
from a doorway^Qwa glomeratim homines 
sese effundunt. It is also applied to the 
crater of a volcano in action ; the idea is 
that of copioiis supply and close-packing, 
followed by outspreading and separation. 

Mane salutantum — the custom of clients 
paying their respects to their great patrons 
became very common at Rome in late years, 
as we learn from the constant references of 
the poets. Cf Lucret. ii. 24-36. Hor., 
Epod. 2, 7 sq. 

463. Inhiant is more usually joined with 
the dat. case ; but Virgil is not the only 
^vi'iter who uses the accus. after it. The 
verb means properly " to gaze at with open 
mouth," i.e., to indulge in stupid and vul- 
gar admiration; and hence, "to long for." 
•'■They" referring to agricolae, is commonly 
called the subject to inhiant; but we sui-ely 
cannot imagine that the poet would repre- 
sent the supposed owners of such orna- 
mental designs inhiantes at their own pro- 
perty. Is not the subject rather ''they,'' 
i.e., 7nen (to he taken ou.tof salutantum), like 
the French "■on," and our "one," used in- 
definitely and generally "i For similar pas- 
sages referring to ornamented doors, beds, 
posts, &c., see Ovid, Met. ii. 737 ; Martial, 
xii. 66; Hor. Od. iii. 1, 45. 

464. Illusas axiro—ludere, lusus, and ludi- 
hrium are terms applied to the artificial 
imitation of natm-e, so that the phrase here 
means, " garments (especially covers for 
couches, &c.,) bespangled Avith gold work." 
EpJiyreia, i.e., Corinthian, from Ephyre, the 
ancient, and afterwards the poetic, name of 
Corinth. Vases of the aes Corinthium were 
more esteemed by the Romans than those 
of gold and silver. 

465. Assyria, i.e., Syrio, Phoenicio. Vene- 
rium (j^a.ffji.a.x.o'i) is applied to anything of 
a bitter and pungent tase; and it is also 
used like fucus (hewce fucor,fucatm'), of an 
adopted colour. Similarly our word " drug " 
is used of any admixture, suggesting at 
the same time the idea of deterioration. 
This notion of change for the icorse'x^ farther 
brought out by corrumpitur. 

466. On Casid, see Eel. ii. 49, and above, 
line 213. Here, however, it is the fra- 
grant shrub that is meant, the bark of 
which was largely used to perfume un- 
guents. The whole connexion then is — 
Though the humble farmer has not crowds 
of morning visitors to pay then* fulsome 
adorations — though he has not grand por- 
ticos and pillars, inlaid with tortoise-shell — 
though furniture covers, ornamented with 
gold, are denied him — though no vases of 
Corinthian brass adorn his mansion and his 
j,Tounds— and though his circumstances 
Avill not admit of purple garments and per- 
fumed unguents— 2/e< [at] he possesses bless- 
iugs far beyond these. 

467. Secura, "free from anxiety," which 
Is the primaiy meaning of our English word 

94 



secure, as seen in the Book of Judges, chap, 
xviii, verse 10. 

Nescia taller e is usually interpreted "un- 
able to practice deceit," i.e., not knowing 
how to do it, as they are simple and innocent 
in their lives, and not "up to" the wicked 
ways of townsmen — incapable of deceiving. 
See below, 474. But, as it is put in close 
connection with secura quies, which is pas- 
sive and not active, it is, perhaps, better to 
interpret "a life free from the action of wiles 
and deception. " Or, perhaps, it refers to the 
greater security of property in the country, 
and the fewer sudden reverses of fortune 
which happen among tlie plain and simple 
rural population. Cf Hor., Od. i. 6, 6, 
nescii cedere. 

468. Latis fundis does not mean " large 
farms," but " open country," with fresh aii" 
and fine prospects. 

469. Speluncae — he has grottos too, and 
never-failing lakes. His lakes are not arti- 
ficial ponds, which dry up with the heat 
Frigida Tempe—'' cool and shady vales." 
Tempe was the famous vale in Thessaly, 
through which the Peneus ran ; it is often 
put for any delightful district. 

470. The lowing of cattle — tranquil sleep 
— pastures for the flocks {saltus) — haunts of 
wild beasts to afford the enjoyment of hunt- 
ing, are held out as causes of rural happi- 
ness. The young, too, are patient under 
their rustic toils, and are frugal in their 
Ufe. 

473. Sacra deum, i.e., the rights of the 
gods are religiously observed, and that with- 
out hypocrisy. Sanctique patres, i,e., old 
age is revered. 

474. Justitia, &c., Astraea, Virgo. See 
Eel. iv. 6. Justice had long before left the 
palaces of the great, and her last sojourn 
on earth was amongst the pure and unso- 
phisticated rustics. With this and the fore- 
going line compare the contrast presented 
by Ovid, Met. 148 sqq. 

Filius ante diem patrios inquirit in annos. 
VictajacetPietas, et Vii'gocaede madentes, 
Ultima coelestum, terras Astraea reliquit. 

475. The poet expresses his preference 
for the study of philosophy and of nature, 
but next to this the country is his choice. 
Ante omnia may depend either on primum, 
or on dukes, in the sense of " poetry (or, 
literature and philosophy) is agreeable to 
me above all other studies." 

476. Sacra fero — "to cany the sacred 
utensils," means to be a priest. The poets 
are often called priests of the Muses. The 
phrase, percussus amore, " smitten with an 
intense love," seems to be suggested by the 
extravagant worship of the Bacchantes. 

477. Accipiant, i.e., receive my dedication 
of myself, and assist me with their favours. 
Coeli vias et sidera i.e., siderum cursum in 
coelo. The poet speaks of physical ques- 
tions as his chief study, because the older 
poets, as Orpheus, Musasus, &c. were said 
to have paid special attention to such 
studies, and because Empedocles gained 
great renown by his poem " On Nature." 
Such subjects admit of high poetic adorn- 



B. 11. 47S-4S6. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. 11. 487-498. 



ment, and are therefore much prized by the 
votaries of the Muses. 

478. Some of the topics of consideration 
are here enumerated; e.g., the eclipses of 
the sun and moon (or, labores may refer to 
the changes of the moon throughout her 
various phases), earthquakes, the tides 
{maria tumescant, et residant), the shorter 
days of winter and the longer nights, with 
the earlier setting of the sun. 

480. O^icibus — This word means any ob- 
struction which is employed to restrain, or 
keep in. According to Schneider, Lat. Gr. 
L p. 288, when a long syllable is required, 
the form of the word is obiex, obiicis; but 
when a short is needed, obex, obicis. Cf. 
also Eudd., L p. 122, Note 5o (S) : Hor., 
Epist. i. 12, 16, sqq. 

482. Tardis noctibus — Some refer these 
words to the nights of summer, which 
are long of coming on; and the phrase 
would thus be opposed to properent hiberni 
soles se tingere oceano, which latter phrase 
would, in this view, include both the short 
days and long nights of winter. But in 
Geo. i. 32, we had tardis joined to mensibus, 
to mean, not the sloichj coming on months, 
— but the sloicly passing months; and in 
this sense we should prefer to take it 
here. It is no objection to this view, 
that, " if tardis noctibus do not refer to 
the nights of summer, we have no men- 
tion of the phenomena of the long days and 
short nights of that season;" for the ex- 
planation of the short dat/s and long nights 
of winter implies that of the contrary vaiia- 
tions of long days and short nights of summer. 

483. Should nature not gift the poet with 
such talents as will enable him to reach the 
heights of philosophic speculation, he ex- 
presses his readiness to spend a riiral hfe as 
the next most desirable state of existence. 
It seems to have been a notion of the an- 
cient Italian philosophy, that the heat or 
coldness of the blood in the region of the 
heart was the regulator of genius. But 
this is the idea ot Empedocles also, as is 
expressed in the verse, A/,a« yccp ocv^p&i- 
9rot; 'TTipix.a.potov icm vo-a^o.. 

485. Rigid, in an active sense "watering," 
"running." " The streams that run among 
the hiUs," ie. in the valleys. With the sen- 
timents here expressed, Cf. Hor., Sat. ii. 6, 
1, and Epist. i. 10, 6, sqq. 

486. Inglorius — " though m obscurity," 
though gaining no fame and renown such 
as I shOLdd from the contemplation and 
explanation of the sublime subjects of phi- 
losophy. 

qui, dx. These words are usually ai- 
ranged, qui me sistat ubi campi, dx. But 
it is perhaps better to take them in the 
mode suggested by Jahn— ubi (sunt) 
campi * * * (ubi est) qui me sistat. 

Campi Spercheosque — The phrase is 
taken by Forb. and others to mean the 
plains of the Spercheus, by the figure Hen- 
diadys. Some again would read Tempe for 
campi. It is certainly strange that Virgil 
should omit Tempe in his reference to the 
delightful spots of earth; but may not 



campi itself mean the vales of Thessaly 
generally, and that of Tempe in particular. 
Spercheus suggests Thessaly: and when we 
have been once conducted to that province, 
the mention of plains is surely sutiicient to 
make us think of Tempe. 

Taygeta (or Taygetus) i.e., juga — The 
range "of hills (now caUed Peutedactylon,) 
running S. from Arcadia, and dividing 
Laconia and Messenia. 

487. Bacchata. " the scene of the revels 
of Laconian maidens." This is an instance 
of the perf. pai-t of a deponent verb being 
used passively. See note ^n. iii. 125. 
The Spercheus rose in Mt. Tymphrestus, 
and flowed into the Sinus Jlcdiacus, between 
the ranges of Oeta and Othrys. 

488. qui is not interrogative, bat opta- 
tive, being equal to utinam me sistat 
aliquis.' On Haemus, see Geo. L 489. 

490. Again the poet returns to philoso- 
phers, and pronounces their lives happy; 
and again, in 493, he commends likewise 
the eujojTnents of countiy life. The heads 
of the Lucretian philosophy are here 
sketched. 

492. Sul^ecit pedibus, dx. Lucretius often 
alleges that a knowledge of the true nature 
of things is sufficient to divest men of fear 
and unwarrantable desires. Metus, fears 
arising from superstition, and false notions 
of fate and the imseen world. 

494. The description of a country life is 
embellished by reference to images of a 
magnificent and sacred kind — the period of 
the golden age, when gods " dwelt with 
man upon the eaith," and held converse 
with him, and when Pan and Sylvanus and 
the Nymphs were the associates of shep- 
herds. On Pan, see Note, Eel. ii. 32; on 
Sylvanus, Note, Eel. x. 23. 

495. Populi fasces, ie., he cares not for 
the elections, nor does he trouble himself 
as to the magistrates who are appointed by 
the people. Purple clad tyrants ai-e an 
object of no concern to him. Flexit 
{=7novit), \.e.,flectere solet. 

496. Some refer the words, discordia agi- 
tans fratres, to the civil wars ; others with 
more show of reason, to the relatives, 
Phraates and Tiridates, who were then 
contending for the throne of Parthia. They 
were both descendants of Arsdces, who 
founded the Parthian dJ^lasty, the mem- 
bers of which were called from him, Arsa- 
cidae. Consult Class. Diet. 

497. Dacus.—The Dacians occupied the 
high grounds north of the Ister, or Danube; 
hence the propriety of descendens. They 
gave great trouble to the Romans by their 
frequent irruptions into Thrace, Mysia, &c. 
For a full accomit of the transactions here re- 
ferred to, considt Class. Diet, and Schmiiz's 
Hist, of Eome. 

Histro, or Ist?'o. — The Danube, to which 
the tenn conjurato is applied (by a change 
veiy common with the poets), to signify 
that other nations on the Danube joined 
the Dacians. 

498. Res Romanae perituraque regna, Le., 
the militaiy exploits of the Eomans and 
the kingdoms which these were destined to 

95 



B. II. 499-509. 



NOTES OX THE GEOEGICS. 



B. 11. 510-527. 



destroy. Wagn. and Forb. Yoss thinks ( 
that the phrase refers to the rule of Pom- 
pey, Lepidus, M. Antony, <fec., -when the 
proper repubhcan government and the na- 
tional prosperity (regna) were for a time 
overtm-ued and damaged. 

499. Eabenti, Le., divili. — He feels no 
sorrow from his being obliged to pity the 
poor, for there are no poor there ; nor is he 
envious of the rich. These verbs {doluit, in- 
vidit, <f.T.) are aoristic perfects; seeOeo. i. 49. 

512. Ferreajura — "the unbending laws," 
which cannot be changed by pity, favour, 
or fear. Insan urn forum — " insano cIa?nore, 
litibus perstrepens.''' So rabies, furor, ttc, 
ai-e terms applied to the forum and to 
pleaders. Insanura may have reference to 
the bustle and excessive eagerness, and not 
to shouting or din. Cf our phrase, " to be 
mad about a thing," meaning to be very 
keen, and to be entirely engrossed with a 
matter. 

Tabularia — The: public records or ac- 
counts, which were kept in the tabularium, 
(in the Temple of Liberty,) and contained 
the detail of the public revenues — by whom 
farmed, <fec. The meaning then is— "He 
gives himself no trouble about farming the 
revenues of the state — he keeps aloof from 
all such excitement." 

503. Three things seem to be here brought 
out — bra-sing the perils of navigation (freta 
caeca) — rurming the risks of war (ruunt in 
ferrum)—&'a(i exposing one's self to the 
hazards of com-t intrigue (aulas regurn). 
Others (Wagner and^Forbiger) suppose 
that 503 and 504 refer to foreign wars, while 
505 speaks of discord and war at home. 

505. Petit excidiis — "attacks with de- 
structive intent;" "assails for destruction," 
i.e., ■Nvith the purpose of destroying. Cr- 
bem, i.e., Rome. Penates, Le., his countrj' 
and his country's gods. 

506. Gemma, i.e.,e gemma. Sart'ano, i.e., 
Tyrio. It is said to be derived from Sor or 
Sur (Tsor or Tsur), an ancient name of 
T\Te. Servius says, " what is now called 
TjTe they used to call Sarro, from a kind 
of fish (Sar) which they caught there in 
great numbers." 

507. Incubat auro—Cf. Hor., Sat. L 1, 70, 
congestis undique saccis Indormis inhians. 

508. Some again admire forensic pleadiug; 
others are deUghted with the theatre {per 
cuneos, <fcc.). Stupei is more commonly fol- 
lowed by an accus., stupet aliqu/d, or ad ali- 
guid. But the dat. is here used, as in Hor. 
Od. u. 13, 33; Sat. i. 4, 28. 

Flausus per cuneos — the plaudits passing 
round the benches. For the form of the 
theatre, see Diet, of Antiq. (Smith), or 
Ramsay, or Adam. 

509. 'Geminatus — The passage in Hor. Od. 
iL 17, 25, 

Cum populus frequens 
Laetum, theairis ter crepuit sonum, 

seems to favour strongly the explanation 
"redoubled," "taken up again and again," 
and not that adopted by others, " twofold," 
tipplyhig to both patres &nd populus. Enim, 
K used in its proper causal sense of for, 
DC 



should have geminatur. Here, however, 
the critics say it has an asseverating 
power, like enimvero, sed enim, "indeed," 
"inasmuch as." 

510. Perfusi gaudent — "being drenched 
they rejoice ;" i.e., " they rejoice to be 
di-enche"d ^vith," &c. This "is a Greek con- 
struction of the adj., which the poets often 
imitate. So in ^n. ii. 377, sensit medics 
delapsus in hostes, where see Note. This and 
the following line seem to be closely con- 
nected; and, taken together, may refer to 
the disregard of human life shown by the 
veterans, who were allotted lands in the 
distribution of Octa-sianus, and who hesi- 
tated not to slay the former proprietor if he 
resisted. Vifgil himself barely escaped 
with his life from an enraged centurion, as 
we have already seen in the Eclogues. To 
this migration after the distribution of the 
lands oil and 512 are said to refer. See EcL 
i. and Introduction. 

513. What a contrast to all this the hus- 
bandman presents; who, away from the 
multifarious and distracting cares of city 
hfe, is intent on one thing alone — his farm 
and his crops. 

514. Anni labor some interpret as "agri- 
cultural operations" generally, which fol- 
lowed the ploughing {hinc) : others apply 
labor to the crop, the issue. For nepotea 
some books read Penates, which, when 
taken along with armenta and juvencos, 
and governed by sustinet (alit), makes a 
veiy awkward sense. 

515. Meritos Juvencos — The bullocks that 
deserve so well of him by reason of their 
patient and hard toil. 

516. Xec requies — Nor is there any cessa- 
tion from bearing, because there is either 
plenty of fruit, or cattle, or com. 

519. For an idea of the trapetum, or olive 
press, see above, woodcut, 242. Sicyonia 
bacca, Le. the olive, which grew to great 
perfection at Sicyon, on the gulf of Corinth. 
Virgil often calls objects by the name of 
some place where they grow in perfection, 
or are well manufactured. 

520. Glande, i.e., e glande. Words com- 
pounded with re are often followed by the 
simple abL (without a preposition). ^^Tiat 
a beautifid picture of the happy simplicity 
of honest rural life ! The very swine are 
joyous, and for once seem satisfied; the au- 
tumn sheds all its fruits as it were of its 
OA\-n accord, and without the labour of man 
to gather them ; the grapes are ripened on 
the sun-exposed and rocky hiU till they are 
mellow {mitis is used prokptically) ; the 
children hang about their father's neck, and 
scramble for his kisses; the farmer's wife 
is dutiful and faithful; his cows produce 
mUk in greatest abundance, and the kids 
lend liveliness to the scene by their good 
natm-ed contest on the sward. 

527. Ipse, "the farmer himself spends 
hoUday." Per herbam means, as Wagner 
says, in Quaest. Virg. ix., "in a grassy 
place." Per herbas suggests greater extent 
and variety, and is used of men or beasts 
wandering at "vvill everjTvhere over the 
turf. 



B. II. 528-532. 



NOTES ON THE GEOEGICS. 



B. n. 536-541. 



528. Ignis in medio, i.e., an altar whereon 
to offer sacrifice, and prepare the feast For 
a verv similar passage, see Hor., Epist ii. 
I, 139. Coronant cra(era—The goblet, or 
dagon, from which the wine was drawn 
and put into cups to make the libation was 
crowned with a chaplet of flowers. 

530. This was a festival in honour of 
Bacchus, but the poet does not go into 
minutiae, mentioning merely one of the 
solemnities performed on the occasion. 

Ceriamina ponit, "institutes contests." 
Some interpret, '-offers prizes." In ulmo, 
■'on the elm,'' either making the elm the 
mark, or hanging up a target on the tree. 

531. Pa7a^ifra— Wagn. and Forb. have 
palaestrae. The exercis^es are called agresii, 
"oecause the rustics did not adhere to the 
rules of the gymnastic science, but con- 
tended in their own rude, untrained fashion. 

532. Such was the life of the ancient 



} Italians in the days of their simplicity and 
i innocence. By following this mode of life 
i it was that Etruria became strong and 
: powerful rfortisj, and that Rome is now 
I the fairest of the cities of earth, and "mis- 
i tress of the world." Arces, le.. coUes, 
I 536. Dictaei regis, Le., Jupiter, who was 
! said to have been bom on Mt. Dicte, in 
! Crete. Before him, Satnm reigned during 
! the golden age. 

! 537. Impia gens, Le., degenerate man. 
i Colmnella and Cicero both teU ns that at 
j one time it was considered a capital crime 
j to slay an ox. 

53a Trumpets had not in those daxs of 
"golden Saturn'" begun to can men to battle, 
1 nor did the swords ring on the anvils as 
I they were being forged to shed blood. 
( 541. The poet concludes this book with a 
1 metaphor from the circus. Aegvor means 
! any level place. On spatiis, see Geo. L 513. 



97 



B. III. 1, 2. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. III. 3- 



BOOK III. 



ARGUMENT. 



I. Subject of Third Book ; and general introduction, referring to the topics selected by 

other poets, to his own expected success, and his thankfulness to his patron and 
emperor, Augustus; Invocation of Maecenas (1-48). 

II. Of black cattle and horses (50-285), viz. :— 

(I.) The coAv — her "marks" and age (50-71). 

(2.) The horse— his "marks," and his characteristics at different periods of life ; 
and his training (72-122). 

(3.) Feeding and preparation of horses for the breeding season (123-137). 

(4.) Care of female during pregnancy (138-156). 

(5.) Tending and framing of the yomig (157-208). 

(6.) Of keeping the male from the excitements of passion and jealousy; a com- 
bat described (209-241). 

(7.) Of the powerful effect of love on mankind, and on animals generally (242- 
265) ; mares especiaUv influenced by it (266-283 \ 

III. Sheep and goats (286-473) : 

(1.) General introduction (286-293.) 

(2.) Winter treatment of sheep and goats (294-304); both kinds of animal valuable 

(305-321). 
(3.) Mode of tending during warm weather (322-338); habits of African and of 

Scythian shepherds (339-383). 
(4.) Of wool (384-393) ; of milk (394-403). 
(5.) The guarding of cattle ; fVi) against thieves — by dogs (404-413) ; (jb) against 

serpents (414-439). 
(6.) Diseases: the scab (440-4G3) ; the plague (464-473). 

IV. Description of great plague in Noricum (474-566) : 

(1.) Of the cause and the chariicteristics of the disease (478-485). 

(2.) The symptoms, as seen in different animals; (aj in the smaller kinds, as 
sheep, calves, dogs, swine (486-497) ; (b) in the lai'ger and stronger beasts, 
horses and cows (498-536) ; (c) in wild animals (537-540) ; {dj in other 
classes of the animal kingdom, e.g., fishes, reptiles, and birds (541-547). 

(3.) Failure of all proposed remedies (548-566). 



L The general subject of this Book is, 
"The management of cattle and domestic 
animals." "The poet," says An thon, "in- 
tending to make the management of cattle 
and domestic animals the subject of his 
third Book, unfolds his design by sajnng 
that he will smg of Pales, the goddess pre- 
siding over cattle and pastures ; of Apollo, 
who fed the herds of Admetus on the banks 
of the Amphiysus ; and of the woods and 
streams of Lycaeus, a mt. of Arcadia [sa- 
cred to Pan, and] famous for its sheep. 
He then expresses his contempt for the 
fabulous poems, the subjects of which, he 
says, are all trite and vulgar, and hopes by 
his theme to soar above all other bards." 

On Pales and Apollo, see Note, Eel. v. 
35. On Pan, EcL ii. 32; and on Lycaeus, 
Eel. X. 15. 

2. Amphrj'sus— a river of Thessaly, by 
the banks of which Apollo fed the oxen of 
Admetus, king of Pherae. On the river, 
sfie Leake, Travels in Northern Greece, iv. p. 

98 



337 ; and on Apollo and Admetus, consult 
Euripides, Alcestis. Pastor ab Amphryso, 
i.e., Amphrysius; So in Geo. ii. 243, afon- 
tibus undae=undae fontanoe ; and ales ab 
Indis=ales Indica, Ovid, Am. ii. 6, 1. 

3. Cetera — other subjects, such as those 
common mythological ones that are now- 
threadbare, might perhaps please (enchain) 
an luireflecting mhid, i.e., one which has no 
regard to utility, but merely to excitement 
and pleasure. Such is the force of vacuas. 
Cf inanem animum, Geo. ii. 285. 

4. On the stories of Eurystheus, Bnsiris. 
Hylas, Pelops, Hippodame, &c., consult 
Class. Dicty. By Eurystheus (the famous 
king of Mycenae) the poet calls attention 
to the labours of Hercules, which see un- 
der "Hercules" in Class. Dicty. He is 
called durum on account of his unyielding 
severity to Hercules. 

5. Busiris~t\\Q savage king of Egypt, 
who slew all foreigners, and who was in 
turn slain by Hercules. Illaudaii, "infa- 



B. III. 6-10. 



mous," "detestable," who 
quality which could be praised. Aras re- 
fers to the story that Hercules was being 
brought to the altar to meet the fate of all 
strangers, when he burst his chains and 
slew the tyrant 

6. On Hylas, see Eel vL 43. On dictus, 
consult Note, Eel. iii. 55. Cui (poetae). 
Delos Latonia, i.e., Delos famed in connex- 
ion with the history of Latona, who there 
brought forth Apollo and Diana. See .^u. 
iii 73 sqq., and EcL vii. 29. 

7. Hippodame, daughter of (Enoraaus, 
king of Pisa, whom Pelops won by defeat- 
ing her father in the chariot race ; hence 
Pelops is said to be acer equis. Pelops 
eburno humero — Tantalus, king of Lydia, 
gave a banquet to the gods, and to test their 
divinity served up to them his son, Pelops. 
Ceres, through heedlessness, ate part of the 
shoulder of Pelops before she discovered the 
mistake; Jupiter, however, restored the 
boy to life, and replaced the lost flesh by a 
piece of ivory. 

9. Tollire, humo — volitare per ora— These 
are figurative expressions of so common a 
kind as not to require elucidation ; volitare 
per ora is a mere variety of the phrase esse 
in ore omnium, i.e., laudari ah omnibus. So 
say the critics. But we would suggest that 
the words contain more than this ; that the 
poet here compares himself, in a quiet and 
modest way, to Triptolemus ; and that ten- 
tanda via, toUere humo, and volitare per ora, 
have a dkect reference to the histoiy of that 
^rst teacher of agricultu7'e— his dangerous 
attempt (tentanda via), his airy flight (tollere 
humo)— his triumphant success and lasting 
fame {volitare per ora). In this view ora 
wiU mean the faces and not the mouths, 
and^er will signify orer the surface of, as 
per terram {trahunfur comae), per saxa, i.e., 
•' before," "■past, and in front of." The fol- 
lowing lines help to bear out this idea, and 
to keep up the resemblance. On the one 
side we have the favourite of Demeter, 
mounting in his dragon-yoked car, and tra- 
versing the earth to teach men the art of 
ploughmg and the use of com ; and on the 
other, the patronised of Cffisar, soaring 
to the heights of poetry, and instructing 
his countrymen in the practice of agiicul- 
ture, while, at the same time, like Tripto- 
lemus, he gains for his native land an undy- 
ing fame {deducam patriani Musas—referam 
palmas tibi, Mantua). And farther, as 
Triptolemus, on his return to Attica, esta- 
blished the worship of his patroness. De- 
meter, and instituted the Thesmophoria; so 
our poet, on his return, will establish the 
■worship of his patron, Cffisar, and mstitute 
games in his honom-. Without such a 
latent reference as we have suggested, Avhat 
would be the use of quoque in line 8 ? 
It cannot be that it contrasts Virgil with 
Hippolame or Pelops, or any of the other 
personages mentioned, and none of the 
writers on those subjects which he calls 
vulgata, are named— so that it is not at 
all likely that he compares himself to any 
such. See Luciau, "The Dream." 

10. He who is the first of a citv or coun- 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. III. 12-20. 



trj' to acquire the name of poet, may be 
justly said to introduce the A[uses to his 
native place. Aonio vertice — "from the 
Aonian height," or "the Aonian mount." 
as Milton has it, i.e.. Helicon, which was 
situated in that part of Boeotia called Aonia. 
and which was celebrated as the abode of 
the Muses. 

12. Idumaeas palmns—Idnmaea, a part of 
Palestine, is put for the country generally, 
which was famous for its growth of palms. 

14. Propter (ie., p7'ope) aqaam—On the 
building of a temple and the institution of 
games, see above, Note 9. On de marmore, 
see Eel. -s-ii. 31, Note. 

15. On the Mincius, see EcL i. 52, vii. 12 ; 
Geo. ii. 198. 

16. In medio, scil. temple, i.e., in the sanc- 
tuary. 

17. lUi is the dativus commodi, "in 
honour of him." Casar, his patron, who 
had, through the influence of Maecenas, 
encouraged his work, and whose connec- 
tion with it was sure to command for it 
success and fame. 

Victor ego—et conspectus — The idea of 
prominence and leadership is strongly 
brought out by the epesegetical phrase 
here employed. Wagner suggests that 
YirgU may have inserted conspectus to pre- 
vent the disagreeable sequence otego—Tyrio 
— ostro. The poet speaks of himself as of 
the Roman magistrates Avho wore the toga 
praetexta when actmg as curators of the 
games. 

18. Agitabo currus — This means, "I shall 
institute a race in which a hundred four- 
horse chariots shall run." The poet speaks 
on the principle of law that qui facit per 
alium facit per se. One hundred seems 
to have been a usual number in sacred 
rites, hi banquets, etc. See M\\. i. 417; 
Hor., Od. iiL 8, 14. Besides, in the Roman 
ckcus, there were twenty-five starts each 
day of the chariot races, four chariots 
usually contesting each race. Quadrijugos 
has two modes of decl., either — us, — a, — 
um, — or —is, — is, — e. The Greek com.- 
pound adjs. from ^fyov, have the same 
peculiarity. 

19. Linquens Alpheum — The poet means 
that his games will become so famous, on 
account of the individual in whose honour 
they are celebrated, that even the Greeks 
will leave their own kindred festivals and 
frequent his. Alpheus, the river of Elis, 
near which were Pisa and the plaui of 
Olympia. This is that 

Di\'ine Alpheus, w^ho by secret sluice, 
Stole under seas to meet his Arethuse. 
Milton, Arcad. 
Molorchus was a shepherd of Cleonae in 
Argolis, who entertained Hercules, when, 
after having slain the Nemean Hon, he was 
either instituting for the first time, or restor- 
ing after an interruption, the Nemean 
games. Lucos Molorchi, therefore, means 
the " Nemean wood." 

20. Crudo cestu — "with the untanned 
cestus." The cestus, or boxing gauntlets, 
consisted of leather thongs bound round 

99 



B III. 21-29. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. III. 30. 



the hands and wrists, and reaching some- 
times as high up as the elbow. They were 
occasionally armed with lead or metal bosses, 
as seen in the woodcut, ^n. v. 405. 

21. Tonsae olivaefoliis oimatus — The poet, 
as about to offer sacriiice, assumes the 
crown usual on such occasions. Tonsae has 
been variously explained— (1), cropped, so 
as to be cf equal length — Voss; (2), simply 
•'plucked from the trees" — Heijne ; (3), 
having all the longer and larger leaves 
plucked away, leaving only the smaller 
ones, that the garlands might appear more 
line and elegant, and that the brow of the 
wearer should not be too much shaded. Cf. 
JEn. V. 556, and 774 ; and see Hor., Od. i. 
7, 7, where decei'ptam olivam is considered 
to have the same meaning as tonsa olim, 
elsewhere. 

22. Dona feram — "I shall offer sacri- 
fices." See ^n. v. 101; ix. G26. Pompas 
ducere — The ceremony referred to was that 
of carrying the images of the gods in solemn 
procession to the circus before the com- 
mencement of the Ludi Circenses, Jam 
nunc juvat—'Even now, in anticipation, I 
experience delight in the service. 

24. Scena — Scenic exliibitions were part 
of the poet's plan. There wei'e two kinds 
of scene — one (the veisaiilis) which by 
means of a prism-shaped machine turned 
round, presenting three different views, as 
occasion required; the other (ductili's;, 
which separated and disclosed the inner 
arrangements of the stage. Versis fronti- 
bus refers to the former. 

25. Tollant aulaea Britanni. The cur- 
tain rose upward from the stage at the con- 
clusion of a piece, and did not fall as with 
us, hence tollant ; it fell before the com- 
mencement of a play. The figures of Bri- 
tons are interwoven in the aulaea, and 
placed in such a position and attitude as to 
appear to rise gradually and raise the cur- 
tain with them. The Britons had sent an 
embassy to Octavianus when he was in 
Gaul in 727, a-U.c, preparing an expedi- 
tion against them, and had sued for 
peace. Henceforward, therefore, the Ro- 
mans boasted of the "conquered Britons." 
Both they and the Germans were repre- 
sented as men of extraordinary stature ; 
hence tliey were well suited for being de- 
picted on the aulaea. 

27. Gangandum for Gangaridarum. The 
name was properly applied to an Indian 
tribe around the mouth of the Ganges, and 
on the shore of the sinus Gangeticus, but is 
here used in a general way of Easterns. 
Quin'ni, i.e., Augustus, as a second Romu- 
lus, again founding and establishing the 
Roman empire. The arms of Qiiirinus, i.e., 
Quirinus (Augustus) himself. 

28. Hie — in another part of the doors. 
Undantein Nilum, <.5-c,— This refers to the 
victory of Octavianus over Antony, and 
Cleopatra with her Egyptian subjects. Un- 
danteni bello inagraunque fluenleni indi- 
cate the immensity of the preparations 
niade by Antony for the struggle. 

29. ColumntLs surgentes navali acre. — 
Servius has the following note on this pas- 

100 



sage: "When Augustus had made himself 
master of the whole of Egypt, which Cassar 
had but partly subdued, he collected a large 
number of boats after the naval engage- 
ment, and from them formed four pillars, 
which were afterwards placed in the capitol 
by Domitian, and whicli we see at this day." 
Servius flourished about 400 a.d. From 
the annexed woodcut, representing the fa- 
mous ccluT?ma rostrata of Duilius, with 




its successive stages, or storeys, or steps, 
the applicability of the word surgentes wiU 
be at once perceived. Forbiger's explana- 
tion of surgere {quia de re cetsa sermo est) 
does not exhibit the usual acuteness and 
judgment of that commentator; he might 
have remembered such phrases as surgere 
gradibus. Wagner remarks on the weight 
and dignity of these lines, which he attri- 
butes in great part to the position of the 
particles atque — ac (which latter occurs no 
where else throughout Virgil in the thesis 
of the hrst foot). On magnum, used as an 
adv., see Note, Eel. i. 28. 

30. Urhcs /Isiae— Cities were usually re- 
presented under the figures of women. Voss 
thinks that certain cities of Asia Minor are 
here meant, which had been punished by 
Augustus for refusing subjection. But it is 
probable that tlie phrase is a general one, 
the particular localities being refeiTed to in 
Niphaten, Partlium, «fcc. Niphaten — Ni- 
phates, a mount of Armenia, is put for the 
people of that country; (so in Geo. i. 509, 
we meet movet Euphrates). The event 



B. III. 31-40. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. III. 41-56. 



boasted of is the rGstoration (in B.C. 20) of 
Tigi'anes (the younger) to the throne of 
Armenia by Tiberius, under the orders of 
Augustus. 

31. Parthum fidentem, d:c. — The Par- 
thians were famed for their skill in fighting 
as they fled, or pretended to fly. They 
rode off as if in flight, and then suddenly 
wheeling round, discharged their versas sa- 
(jittas in the face of the pursuing foe. Cf. 
Hor., Od. ii. 13, 17. 

32. Duo iropaea— One for the victory over 
Antony and Cleopatra (in 31 B.C.), and the 
other over the Cantabri (in 25 B.C.), 

33. Bisque triumpliaias— This means the 
East on the one hand, and the West on the 
other. The East was twice triumphed over 
in the defeat of Cleopatra (as above), and in 
the restoration, by the Parthians, in B.C. 20, 
of the Roman standards which had been 
taken from Crassus ; and the West, in the 
two subjugations of the Cantabri, in 2-5 B.C., 
and again after their rebellion in 22 b.c. 
The most learned of recent commentators 
believe this passage to have been inserted 
after the completion of the work by Virgil. 

Farii lapides — The marble of Paros was 
particularly suited for works of art. Spi- 
rantia signa — "life-like statues." Cf Pope, 
Temple of Fame- 
Heroes in animated marble frown. 
And legislators seem to think in stone. 
The statues are to be those of the Trojan line 
from Jupiter, in the following order — Jupi- 
ter was the father of Davdanus— Dardanus, 
of Erichthonius — Erichthonius, of Tros — 
Tros, of Assaracus— Assaracus, of Capys — 
Capys, of Auchises— Anchises, of ^neas — 
jEneas, of lulus. 

36. Trojae Cyntliius auctor— On the epi- 
thet Cynthius see Eel. vi. 3 ; and on Trujae 
condiior, Geo. i 502. Apollo was the tu- 
telary deity of Augustus— and the latter 
was even called the son of the former. 

37. On another part of the doors Envy 
is represented, but overcome and cast down 
to Hades. This is emblematic of the tri- 
umph of Augustus over his enemies, (so 
that the invidious were obliged to be silent.) 
and of the conclusion of the civil wai's. It 
must be a picture, Wagner supposes, that 
the poet now thinks of, for all these scenes 
and characters could not well be given in 
statuary. 

38. Cocytus, one of the rivers of Hades 
(^Ka)x,vro?, from y-Mx-uav). For the story 
of Ixion on the wheel, see Class. Diet., and 
cf. also ^n. vi. 616, with note and woodcut. 
Virgil represents Ixion as bound to the 
wheel by serpents ; the other version of the 
legend says, chains. 

39. Saxum — The stone which Sisyphus 
was ever endeavouring to roll up to the top 
of a hill, but which always ran back upon 
him when he got it near the summit. 

40. Meantime the poet proposes to pro- 
ceed with his subject, viz., the trees of the 
lorest, sacred to the nymphs — the affairs of 
cattle-rearing (saltus, i.e., pascua), which 
have not been heretofore surg {intactos) by 
any Eomah poet. 



41. Hand mollia jussa — •' your by no 
means easy requests." The composition 
of the Georgics, as we have before stated, 
was the suggestion of Mjecenas. 

42. Cithaeron — A range of mountains be- 
tween Attica and Boeotia; it is here men- 
tioned either on account of its celebrity as 
a huntuig gi-ound, or because of its g'ood 
pasture and flocks. On Taygetus, see Geo. 
ii. 488. Its dogs, and indeed all Laconian 
hounds, were famed for speed and skill in 
hunting. Epidaurus, in Ai-golis, where was 
a famous temple of ^sculapius, and all 
Argolis were noted for their superior breed 
of horses. All these, he says, as with one 
voice, i:ivite him to the song, and are im- 
patient to hear. 

46. Observe the peculiar use of accingar 
governing the infin. instead of the gerund 
with ad. 

48. Tithoni — the son of Laomedon, an'l 
great-grandson of Tros, and therefore one 
of the Julian ancestors. The meaning of 
the phrase is, " From Tithonus down to the 
present time." See Geo. i. 447. 

49. Praemia Palmae, i.e., "the rewards 
of the Olympian victory,' palma being 
put for success generally. Wagn. But i"t 
would appear Irom Plutarch, Symp. viii. 
4, 1., that a palm was given to the victor 
as well as an olive crown, so that palma 
must be taken literally. 

50. Fortis ad aratra, sciL, vehenda. But, 
" strong for the plough," is a veiy common 
phrase in our own language, and we must 
give the Latins a little liberty in using 
similar expressions, and not supply words 
for them on all occasions. 

52. Torvae hovis — "of the ill-looking 
cow." Torvus is a word scarcely trans- 
lateable in English ; it implies ugliness of 
aspect, v/ith suspected savageness of charac- 
ter, which no phrase that we think of ex- 
pressses better tlian "ill-looking;" " scoavI- 
ing " suggests only one of the ideas. Turpe 
caput (^s'jpuusTwpro;) — "coarse head," i? 
our professional term, i.e., large and un- 
sightly; a fine head is a mark of beauty iu 
7/(05^ animals. 

Plurima cervix — "brawny neck," a neck 
with much muscle, " long and thick." 

53. Palearia (from pcdea, the wattles or 
gills of a cock), the dewlap, or large fleshy 
excrescence that hangs down from the neck 
to the front of the legs. 

55. Then, moreover, there is no end to 
her long side (Le., her side is very long). 
All things are on a large scale, even her 
foot (or leg), and she has " shaggy ears at 
the root of her crumpled horns." " Camuris, 
"twisted," bent inwards. 

56. Nee mihi displiceat— This is an ex- 
ample of the figure Litotes, or Meiosis, the 
phrase being equal to valde placeat. 

Insignis maculis et albo — It is difiicult to 
say what Vii-gil means by these words. 
Some suppose " coloured spots on a white 
ground;" others, '-white spots on a coloured 
(red, black, &c.) ground." Wagner, Forb., 
and Ladewig prefer the latter, making 
maculis et albo a hendiadys for maculis albis. 
101 



B. III. 57-70. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. III. 72-82. 



We are inclined to think that the poet in- 
tends loMte to be the ground colour, for the 
very word spot or stain (maculis) implies 
exception to, and variation from, something 
more extended and general. 

57. Aspera cornu — "vicious (dano-erous) 
with the horns ;" and more like a bull than 
a cow: and "which is altogether tall;' 
ardua has an idea of dignity connected 
with height. 

59. Vei^rit, &c. — " and as she walks, 
sweeps her footprints with the tip of her 
taiL" 

60. On the syntax of aetas pali, see Geo. 
i. 305, Note. Lucina, the goddess presiding 
over birth, is put for "the act of bearmg." 
So Thetis for the sea, in Eel. iv. 32. 

61. Instead of ante decern annos, m\d post 
quatuor annos, the more usual expression 
would be ante decimum, and post quartum 
annum. 

62. Cetera, scil., aetas — "the remainder 
of their life," is neither suited (habilis) for 
breeding, nor is it strong for the plough. 

63. Interea — "meanwhile," i.e., between 
the fourth and the tenth year. Superat — 
"is abundant." Gregibus does not here 
mean ./foci's in general, but only those of the 
ox kind, and of these the females in parti- 
cular. So gregem, pectis, armentum, &c. 
are sometimes put for females only, as thej'- 
form the largest proportion of eveiy flock. 

64. Pecuaria means cattle of all kinds, for 
the precept is universally applicable. Primus 
mitte, " be the first to entice your flocks." 
Solve, "let loose," for the males were kept 
confined for some time previous to the 
breeding season. 

&Q. (optima quaeque, <ltc. — "all the best 
period of the life of wretched mortals is the 
first to fly." On aegris, see Geo. i. 237. 
"Diseases and sorrowful old age succeed." 
Cf the sentiment of the modern song— 

" Old age comes with sorrow, with wrinkle, 
with furrow." 

65. Inclementia— ^y ant of com^assior\, i.e., 
"obduracy," •' ruthlessness." So Bivum 
inclementia has everiit opes, in the iEncid. 

69. Semper erunt — "There will always 
be some cows, whose bodies, i.e., wliich 
(quarum corpora=quus) you may wish to 
change." 

70. Enim—Ilsa\d, Tursell. ii. p. 380, en- 
deavours to show that enim is sometimes 
equal to igitur {quum ita sit) in exhortation 
or in summoning, and he would take it thus 
in the present passage. It may also be 
used here as before, in Geo. ii. 509 (where 
see Note), for quidem, which wiU make an 
appropriate sense as follows : You will now 
and again be finding cows which you would 
wish to change ; [change these, of course,] 
but indeed (enim) [I woidd advise you] be 
always recruiting your stock [whether you 
see fiiulty animals or no], and anticipate 
[the diminution], Le., be beforehand, in sup- 
plying new beasts, lest, after they have been 
lost, you should feel the want (reqniras) of 
them : and choose fresh brc od mothers for 
the herd [i.e., to keep up the number of 
females, armentum, referring to the females 

102 



only—see above, Note 63] every year." Re- 
quiras seems to mean, " feel the want of, 
with a fruitless desire of regaining." To 
amissa supply corpora. Sortire here means 
to "choose with judgment and deliberation, 
with the view of substituting for others." 

72. Pecori equino, i.e., the mares. You 
must be equally choice in your selection of 
the mares, and in changing frequently the 
brood mothers. In the next hne, however, 
the poet directs his attention to the males. 

73. Qicos submitter e— This refers to the 
selection of young males which ai-e to be 
reared for "stallions." Suhmittere is used 
in a general way of those which are substi- 
tuted in the room of others, or which are 
reared for the purpose of keeping up the 
stock; there it is employed in a special 
manner of those which are brought up for 
" sires," and this is the sense here, as in 
spem gentis shoAvs, See Note on Eel. i. 45. 

75. Continuo (a(pa/5) — "from the very 
first," i.e., from birth, the thorough bred 
colt paces the fields with stately step [with 
a step more stately than usual]. 

7P. MoUia crura — " his limbs moving 
with ease and grace." Mollis in any other 
sense would indicate a defect. Reponit 
seems to be used here as in Horace's phrase 
ligna sujoer foco large reponens, to signify 
simply " lay," " lay down," or " set down," 
re having no idea of repetition (or alterna- 
tion), but simply indicathig suitableness of 
place; reponit, "puts in the right place," hi 
the position which you might expect. Trans- 
late, " and sets down his limbs with ease 
and grace ;" or to avoid the appearance of 
making mollia an adv., " sets down pliant 
[easily moved, Le., not too stiff, and not too 
supple and slack] and graceful limbs." This 
idea is more distinctly brought out in Xeno- 
phon's phrase (De Ke Equest. i. 4) vypuc 
KUfiTTiiv ra, yovuTtt.. To observe closely 
the gait of a living thorough-bred, as opposed 
to that of an animal of inferior blood, will 
prove the best commentary on this line. 

78. PoH<e— "bridge." Some books read 
ponto, "the deep," which is lame and m- 
sipid after Jluvios minaces. 

80. The marks of a good horse are: a 
lofty neck, a "-fine'' head, a short bellj'', a 
plump back, a muscular " counter." 

81. Animosu7n pectus, &c. — "his high 
mettled chest (cowTz^er) proudly swells with 
brawny thews." Brevis ahus— our modem 
connoisseurs of horse flesh take this as one 
of their marks, and a beast Avhich has much 
slackness between the ribs and the high 
bones of the front part of the hip (the " tor 
bones") is not regarded with approval. The 
round barrel shape of body is the best. 
Argutum caput is, we have little doubt, 
what we now call "a fine (small) head," 
and not a "gracefully moving head," as 
most of the commentato-s say ; and as Dr 
Smith (Lat. Diet., under argutus) also in- 
terprets, in opposition to the testimonies of 
Columella, Varro, and Palladius, who give 
the small head as a token of good blood. 

82. Spadiccs glaucique — The bright bay, 
and the grey. " Spadix is a Greek word, 



B. III. 83-94. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IlL 96-104, 



signifying a palm branch plucked off with 
the fruit; then, as the fruit of the palm 
was of a shining red, spadix or Pkoeniceus 
came to denote that colour." MartjTi, (who 
quotes Aulus GeUius, and Plutarch.) It 
is therefore bright bay, or chestnut colour. 
This colour is also called badius (from /3aiV, 
(icitov, a palm branch), whence the Italian 
bajo and our " bay.'" 

S3. Gilvo — This is usually understood to 
mean dun ; others call it sorrel colour. It 
is otherwise written gilbus, and is the same 
word as the German gelb, and our yellow. 
Albivi&ans a pale or dirty white. Candidi, 
pure white horses were highly esteemed for 
their beauty and fleetness. See ^n. xii 
S4, Qui candore nives anteirent, cursibus 
auras. 

84. Micat auribus — "his ears quiver." 
Tremit artus — "he trembles, (not with 
fear, but with excitement) in every joint." 
On the syntax of tremit artus., see EcL i. 
-5-5. 

85. Ignem — ignis is often used of that 
fiery spirit which is betrayed by the hard 
breatlmig of a horse. Collectum — amassed, 
"worked up," through keenness for the 
right. Cf the phrase irasci in cornua used 
of the bull preparing for the fight 

87. Duplex spina—'' a twofold ridge runs 
along his back." In a horse with an obesa 
terga, or faU fleshy back (plump), the flesh 
rises up on each side of the backbone pro- 
per, so as to make two ridges. This is an 
object of constant praise by ancient writers 
on this subject. With Yii-gil's description, 
compare the beautiful passage in Job, chap. 
39, verse 19, sqq. "Hast, thou given the 
horse strength ? hast thou clothed his neck 
with thimder ? canst thou make him afiraid 
as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils 
is terrible. He paweth in the valley, and 
rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to 
meet the armed men. He mocketh at fear, 
and is not affrighted: neither turneth he 
back from the sword. The quiver rattleth 
against him, the glittei-iug spear and the 
shield. He swalloweth the ground with 
fierceness and rage ; neither beUeveth he 
that it is the sound of the trumpet. He 
saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he 
smeUeth the battle afar oft^, the thunder of 
the captains, and the shouting." 

89. Amyclaei PoUucis — oi Pollux from 
Amyclae, which was a Laconian toAvn, 
about 20 stadia from Sparta. It was the 
royal city of Tyndareus, whose wife was 
Leda, the mother of the Dioscmi (Castor 
and Pollux). 

90. Cyllarus is usually spoken of as the 
horse of Castor. On the horses of Mars, 
see Hom. 11. sv. 119; and on those of 
Achilles, Hom. IL xvi. 148 sqq. 

91. On the form of the gen. AchiUi, see 
Note on Eel. viiL 70 ; and ^n. i. 30. 

94. Talis Saturnus implevit, dx. For this 
story, consult Class. Diet, under "Saturn," 
and " Phylira." On Pelion, see Geo. L 281. 
Pernix is an adj. formed from the participle 
of per-7iitor, "to persevere in exertion," or 
•■ to struggle with intensity of exertion." 



Servius takes it in the former sense, Doed- 
erlein m the latter. We incUue to agree 
with Doederlein, and do not take pernix 
as a constant epithet of Saturn, but as one 
applicable to him only at this special time. 
We would translate the words separately, 
taking Satu}-nus first, Saturn, exerting him- 
self to the utmost on the approach of his 
spouse. This idea will entirely correspond 
to, and keep pace with, the suddenness of 
action expressed by effudit. 

96. The steed that is disabled fi-om duty 
by disease or by age is to be removed from 
the flock, and kept about the farm-steading 
{oMe domo) to do such little duties as may 
be required of him. Xec ignosce may be 
taken iu two ways ; either, (1.) nor pardon 
(i. e., have compassion for) his old age, 
which is turpis: Le., although you might be 
inclined to favour him as a good old ser- 
vant, yet let the real interests of your stock 
determine you to pay no regard even to Ms 
age ; because in itself it is turpis. We use the 
phrase "dirty" in a somewhat similar man- 
ner to this use of turpis, as expressive of an 
indefinite kind of inferiority. (2. ) The second 
mode is to resolve nee into et non, and to 
join this non with tu7^pi, " and pardon his 
old age, not base;" or, "be indulgent to his 
not inglorious old age." Turpis— '-to be 
despised," or "looked down upon." The 
appropriateness of the diction and the ex- 
pressiveness of the terms employed iu 92, 
93, 94 {efudit, pernix adcentu conjugis — 
implevit — acuto kinnifu) — and in these lines 
now before us (lahorem—ingratum — trahit) 
are very remarkabla 

98. Adproelia — non ad veram pugnam et 
helium, sed ad ipsam admissuram referenda; 
et ''proelia Veneris'" [mollia proeUa]f>^equen- 
ter. Heyne. 

100. Incassum, see Geo. i. 387. Furit — 
"fusses" expresses the idea better than 
"rages." £rgo, dx., "on this account you 
wni note the spirit and especially the age, 
of each, then (hincj his other qualities, 
such as his pedigree, and his love of praise." 

101. Prolem parentuni has been variously 
interpreted — 1st, the other progeny of his 
parents besides himself, i.e.. you vrill exa- 
mine into the character of his brother foals. 
Heyne. 2d, you wiU examine into his o%vn 
progeny if he has become a parent (sire) . 
Voss and Jahn. 3d, the race of his parents, 
i.e., his parentage or pedigree. Prolem 
would thus mean the "continuous race of 
his ancestral stock." Ser^•ius, Wagn., Forb., 
&c. With this h\st view we agree, as the 
only one which appears consistent with the 
connection, and with common sense. 

104. Corripuere, Le., corripere solent, see 
Geo. i. 49. Corripere, rapere, carpere viam 
are metaphorical expressions suggested by 
the appearance of a horse's legs and feet 
when galloping, since he seems to seize one 
portion of the ground after another in his 
momentary grasp. So Shaksp. says, "He 
seemed, in running, to devour the way;" 
and, in common conversation, we talk of a 
horse " cutting t'he gromid fast" On effusi 
careers, see Geo. L 512 ; and .^n. v. 145, 
where an illustration of the circus is given, 
103 



B. III. 105-117. 



NOTES ON THE GEOEGICS. 



B, III. 118-127. 



105. Exsultantia corda — "their bouncing, 
or throbbing, or bounding hearts." So we 
speak of the heart '■'leaping to the mouth,'' 
either by fear or joy. Haurit, " exhausts," 
"drains" — the excitement (pavor) causes 
the heart to propel the blood more quickly 
from itself, and thus to exhaust the supply, 
inducing paleness and trepidation. So in 
Aeschyl., we have opxilToti KocpVia (p'ofiM. 
Juvenum, i.e., the charioteers. 

106. P«fca?2spa?;or—" throbbing fear ex- 
hausts their bouncing hearts." 

Verhere^-pvA for flagello. Proni, "leaning 
forward." Dant lora, "give loose rein." 

108. Vi, i.e., cum impetu. Sublime, the 
neut. of the adj. used as an adv. See Eel. 
ix. 29. Cf. for a very similar passage, 
Hom. II. xxiii. 368. 

109. Vacuum aera, "the thui air." In 
auras — on the difference between this phrase 
and ad auras, see our Epitome of Wagn. 
Quaest. x. Ad auras, "towards the heavens 
(air)," the object spoken of being sup- 
posed to touch the earth, or at least to be 
but the shortest way elevated above it. 
In auras signifies completely off the ground, 
and up into the air. See our note on ^u. 
ii. 759. 

111. Nimbus arenae—xa. imitation of the 
Homeric phrase (II. xxiii. 365), 'w^o d\ 
ffTipvoKTi y.ovi'/i "la-raT ociipof^'ivn, u-TTi 
vi<poi hi 6viXXa. Humescunt, scil. .4m- 
rigae. 

112. Est is inserted here to restrict the 
phrase to this particular case— to the horses 
and charioteers mentioned. Wereesi omitted 
the meaning would be quite general. Wagn., 
Qu. Virg. XV. 

113. Erichthonius, or Erechtheus, a king 
of Athens, after Amphictyon : he was the 
first to yoke four horses in a chariot, ac- 
cording to the legend, as the centaurs were 
the first to tame horses and render them 
subject to man's control. But the credit is 
here given to the Lapithae. 

115. The Lapithae (see Class. Dicty.) are 
called Pelethronii, from Pelethronium, a 
valley of Mt. Pelion, in Thessaly, their 
chief settlement Dedere gyros, "invented 
the ring," i.e., to train horses by making 
them run round in a ring. 

116. Eguitem — the horseman. There is no 
necessity for taking this as equal to equum, 
a plan which the grammarians proposed, 
for, if an eqms is said incedere, decurrere, 
why may he not, with equal propriety, be 
said insultare, glomerate, &c. What he 
causes the horse to do is ascribed to him- 
self — " Q:ui facit per alium, facit, per se." 
Sub armis, Le., "fuUy equipped." 

117. Glomerare gressus superbos, " To 
curvet with proud prancings," or, " To cur- 
vet and prance." Glomerare means to 
throw the front legs in a circle, bending to- 
wards the hind ones, the latter remaining 
nearly straight. The epithet superbos seems 
to confine us in our interpretation to that 
show-off khxd of prancing which horses are 

104 



taught to practise. We have seen the phrase 
translated, '■'■to gallop with stately paces!" 
Who that ever saw a horse gallop could 
talk of " stately paces," m such an act ? 

118. Aequus uterque labor. — It wiU be re- 
membered that the poet speaks of horses 
for two especial purposes, 1st, in 49, for 
carrying oif the Olympic prize, i.e., for ex- 
cellence in the horse, or in the chariot race ; 
and, 2nd, for breeding purposes, 73. To 
these two objects, uterque, in our opinion, 
refers, and the meaning is, "Equally ex- 
haustive on the strength {aequus labor) are 
the training for the games, with the con- 
tests in them, and the exertion attendant 
on actmg as the maritus pecori." Voss takes 
uterque labor as meaning the toil both of 
riding, and of running in the chariot, con- 
nectmg this luie with 113 and 116. The 
great objection, however, to this idea is that 
the lines mentioned are part of a digression, 
and not ot the main subject at aU, whereas 
we return in 118 to the main subject; it 
is not likely that Vu-gU would thus jumble 
up his poetic embellishments with his 
didactic precepts. 

Aeque, " with equal care," i.e., the 
breeders are equally cai-eful to select a 
j-oung, spirited, and fleet horse, whether he 
be intended for the races, or be destmed to 
act as the maritus pecori. 

120. Quamvis, &c. — Although he have 
often turned the enemy to flight — and al- 
though he boast of Epirus or Mycenae as 
his native country — and although he be 
sprung even from Neptune himself [see the 
stories of Ariou, Neptune, and Ceres, in the 
Class. Dicty.] ;— yet let not all these honours 
Aveigh with you, if he have not you <^, warrn 
blood, and high mettle, conjoined to swift- 
ness of foot, and the other qualities men- 
tioned, Quamvis and its clause depend im- 
mediately on exquirunt — they search into 
his "■points," although he have such feats 
and antecedents to recommend him. 

121. Epirus (see Geo. i. 59) and Mycense 
as indeed the whole of Argolis (above, 44), 
were famed for the excellence of their breed 
of horses, and for the richness of their pas- 
tures. 

122. Gentem deducat origine Neptuni — 
This refers to Arion, the famous horse 
which Adrastus used in the war against 
Thebes. He was the offspring of Neptune 
and Ceres. 

123. Instant sub tempus — "they (the 
breeders) are eagerly attentive at the ap- 
proach {sub) of the breeding season, to fill 
out with firm (and close) fat, that horse 
which," (fee. After impendunt curas we 
shoiUd expect in eum distendendum, rather 
than distendere. The phrase impendere 
c ujxis is equal to curare. Fingui for pingue- 
dine. 

126. Florentes — either "in bloom," or 
rather " in fresh vigour." Some books read 
pubentes. 

127. Super esse, Le., sufficere, or rather, 
perhaps, as Gellius explains it, "to be above 
the toU, and not to be oppressed by it." 



B. III. 129-147. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. III. 148-165. 



"And that a puny offspring may not per- 
petuate the meagreness of theu- sh-es." 

129. Volentes — "on purpose." Armenta — 
" the females ;" see above 63, Note. 

130. Ifota volupias — The well-known 
pleasure, i.e., known from former years; 
primos concubitus signifies the first inter- 
course of the season. Some (Jahn) take 
nota to refer to the shepherds, "well- 
known to the shepherds;" but no one wUl, 
we think, approve of this interpretation. 
Commentators have raised a very foolish 
controversy on a very plain statement. 

133. Area — Zephyri—^vA, to indicate the 
time o? admissura, viz., of horses, from the 
vernal equinox. 

135. Hoc faciunt— They do this, i.e., they 
adopt this course, lest excessive pampering 
should deaden the quickness of the genera- 
tive soil, and block up and render sluggish 
the passages. ITsus genitali arvo=geniiale 
arvum. 

138. Pairwm— "the sires." Matrum— 
" the dams." The farmer's anxiety is now 
transferred to the mothers, which are al- 
lowed to roam about at pleasure, and are 
freed from drawing heavy waggons, from 
racing, and from stemming rapidly run- 
ning floods. Eursus, i.e., vice versa. 

140. Plaustrum — see Geo. L 163. Gar- 
pere prata, i.e., "to scour the meadows." 
Carpere means to "take by degrees and 
deliberately," but here acri fuga being 
joined to it, the ideas of slowness and selec- 
tion are necessarily omitted. See Note 
above, 104, on corripiiere. 

143. Vacuissaltibus — "the open pastures," 
i.e., such as have no rocky heights, or 
marshes, or pitfalls, or other obstable by 
which the pregnant 'beast might injure it- 
self This view is confirmed by plena 
flumina following, which directs that the 
streams should not have precipitous banks, 
which would prove injurious to the flocks, 
by straining them. Some interpret, vacuis 
"lonely;" others, "free fi-om the males of 
the flock." 

Pascant — "let them (the shepherds) feed 
them." Heyne argues that the active form 
may be used of the cattle too ; but Wakef 
on Lucr. ii. 995, has shown that pasco, 
pascis, pascere, &c., are never used for pas- 
cor. 

144. Mnscus ubi, sciL est. As a general 
rule est ought not to be omitted in a rela- 
tive clause, but this principle is frequently 
violated, and especially when ubi is the re- 
lative word. See Note on ^n. iL 546, and 
Geo. L 234. 

145. Procubet — This is a very rare word, 
being found only here and in one passage 
of Claudian, where, however, it is used in 
its primary sense. Consult Lat. Diet. 

146. Silarus was a river of Lucania. It 
is now called Selo. 

147. Alburnus {Alburno) y^AS a mountain 
of Lucania, close to the river Silarus. 
Volitans is used substantively, " a flying 
insect." So volans (volantis) is employed 
in Geo. iv. 16, for bees, and in Mu. vi 239, 
for birds. Cui nomen a.su'o— This is a Greek 



constniction, the dat. being used where we 
might expect the nom. 

148. Oestrum (oT/rrpos)— The "gadfly;" 
it was otherwise called tabanus. It had a 
powerful sting in its tail, with which it 
deposited its eggs underneath the skm of 
animals; and these producmg young flies, 
caused ulcers of a mahgnant kind to the 
cattle. 

Vertere vocantes—^^ have translated." 

149. Aspei — "vicious," "cruel," "pas- 
sionate," "furious." Sonans acerba — "ut- 
tering a harsh and threatem"ng hum." 

151. Tanagri — The Tanager joined tlie 
Silarus near Mt. Alburnus. See above, 
147. It is called sicci, as being dried up by 
the heat of summer. 

152. Hoc monstro * * Jano—'Bj means 
of this monster (the asiliis) did Juno in 
former days exercise her savage passion, 
having planned a fell plague for the Ina- 
chian heifer. This refers to the story of 
lo, who being beloved by Jupiter, and con- 
sequently abhoiTed by Juno, was, by the 
former, changed into a cow. Juno, to 
wreak her vengeance on both her husband 
and his paramour, sent the asilus to torment 
the heifer, which, in consequence, wandered 
over all parts of earth, till at last coming to 
Egypt, she was restored to her human 
form, and became the Egyptian Isis, being 
at the same time married to Busuis. 

154. Acriorinstat mediis fervoribus — "it 
is more furious in the mid-day heat." It 
cannot mean, "in the midst of summer," as 
hne 156 shows. Note the hiatus in pecori 
armenta, and see Eel. iii. 6. 

156. Observe recens used adverbially ; and 
see acerba sonans, 149. 

158. Inurunt notas et nomina — The shep- 
herds brand special marks of excellence 
(notas) on individual heads of cattle, and 
also the name of the breed to which each 
belongs. Or notas et nomina may be an 
epexegetical phrase, meaning "marks which 
shall distinguish the breed." 

159. ^"^ — This conjunction has caused much 
difliculty to critics. Some take the words 
nomina, et quos as standing in apposition to 
one another; "they brand names (on the 
cattle), even those which," &c. But it is 
perhaps simpler (with Hejme and Voss) to 
supply after e<, inurunt notas iis; and they 
brand marks on those which they wish to 
bring up. Or the whole sentence, from 
quos to glebis, may be an accusative de- 
pending on signant, or notant, wliich is 
suggested by the foregoing clause. 

On submittere, see above, 73 ; and on 
habendo pecori, Geo. i. 3. 

161. irorre?2<e??z— "bristling," "rough," 
as a heretofore uncultivated field with hard 
clods. 

162. Cetera armenta — Either all the rest, 
except the markedones, i.e., such as were set 
apart for milk only ; or all the rest, except 
those destined for agricultural pm-poses, of 
which he speaks in the sequel. 

165. Insiste, " enter on the mode of tam- 
ing." Insiste is ifound with the accus. also 
in ^n. vL 563 : viL 689, &a 

105 



B. III. 167-175. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. III. 176-183 



Faciles ammz—" while their minds are 
teachable," Le,, easy to be moulded to 
your purpose. 

167. Circlos, syncopated for circulos, like 
peridum, vinclum, <tc. Observe that dehinc 
is here a dissyllable. 

168. Ipsis e torquibus, "from these same 
collars," Le., the circuli. Aptos, "fitted," 
" yoked." This is Wagner's idea, which is 
adopted by Forbiger. But we must dissent 
from these high authorities, for the reasons 
now to be assigned. There were three 
modes of yoking cattle : 1st, by the horns ; 
2d, by the jugum, or cross bar (as may be 
seen in the woodcut, JEu. x. 575) ; 3d, by a 
•'coupling collar, made of twisted rope (tor- 
ques) passed round the necks of a pair of 
oxen," (Rich.) as in the illustration at Geo. 
L 1 63, which see. This third mode was that 
very generally employed in agricultural 
operations, such as the drawing of the 
plaustrum, and it is that to which, we doubt 
not, Virgil refers. We therefore take ipsis 
m the plain sense of "themselves," the pro- 
noun notuig opposition or contrast, and in- 
dicating something important and indepen- 
dent in itself, and superior to Avhat has pre- 
ceded, and implying a usual kind of gear. 
Moreover, a loose collar of fine osier would 
not be well suited for yoking beasts which 
were intended to draw even inanes rotas 
(i.e., a vehicle without a load, or wheels 
and frame without body). And further, as 
dehinc points to a second step in the train- 
ing, surely a second step is also iraphed in 
the hai-ness used in such training. The 
whole meaning we therefore take to be as 
follows: "First bind round the necks of the 
animals, separately, loose collars, made of 
tine osier (so as to be hght and uuconfinuig); 
then afterwards, when they have been ac- 
customed to the bondage, yoke a pair toge- 
ther by the torques, (which is intermediate 
between the cii-culus, and the jugumj and 
either make them run together mthout any 
veliicle, or let inanes rotae be di'awn by 
them." The fact that there was a particular 
kind of neck gear called torques, seems to 
decide the matter quite satisfactorily. The 
thu'd step of the framing process is described 
in 172, where the temo and jugum are em- 
ployed, together ^vith a validum pondus. 
Pares — "matches," "pairs." 

169. Conferre gradum — "to pace toge- 
ther," to go on evenly, and in step, as it 
were, so that the one may not press agamst 
the other, through kregularity in thek mo- 
tions. 

170. Rotae inanes, Le., an empty vehicle. 

174. PuM indomitae, Le., the young cat- 
tle not yet tamed. 

175. Fescos— This adj. is derived by Gel- 
lius from re esca, meaning scantiness of 
food, and thence leanness, and smallness. 

Voss deduces it from vescor in the sense of 
consuming, icasting, emaciating; and hence, 
in the passive signification, emaciated, small. 
Doederleiu thinks it comes from vagari, as 
imscus from vacare— so that it would denote 
anything vacillating, and easily moved by 
any breath of vcind. May it not be kindred 
to vesica, or vensica, which is said to be de- 
106 



rived from ren<w5? Themeaningof "light," 
" smaU," would thus be a natiural and evi- 
dent one. 

176. Frumenta sata — what we caU "sheaf- 
com," Le., the stalks taken with the ears. 
It may also mean the com while still in the 
blade, before " shooting, " or bursting into 
eai-. Fetae vaccae — the cows that have 
calved. The mUch cows should not fill the 
pails, as our forefathers used to order, but 
expend all the produce of thefr udder on 
their young. 

179. Sin studium, <L-c. But should your 
taste (zeal) incline rather to training war 
and race horses, let the first task of your 
colt be to view the accoutrements of war. 
Most commentators supply formare pullos 
(from 163J to depend on studium [for the 
syntax of which see Geo. L 305], and to 
govern ad bella, turmasque. But we ob- 
ject to this ellipsis, because it is a forced 
one, and because it is not only supplied 
from a very remote line, but is moreover 
suggested by a word in a relative and sub- 
ordhiate clause. We would therefore pro- 
pose (1), that, as in a construction exactly 
similar to that with which we now deal, 
viz., in Geo. iL 73, we have, with Wagn., 
Fori)., <fcc., taken modus {est) as equal to 
solemus, and in our note on Mn. iL 350, we 
have, with such high authorities as those 
just mentioned, added to Kritz, and other 
eminent grammarians, considered the phrase 
animus est equal to vult; so here we are of 
opinion that studium est expresses a verbal 
notion, and is equivalent to such a word as 
properare (to be eager for) or inclinare, 
both of which may be followed by ad and 
the accus. And we would thus make ad 
bella depend immediately on studium (est) 
without the intervention of any ellipsis. 
(2) Or studium (est tibij majj be taken as 
equal to studiosus es, which is sometimes 
followed bj^ ad AAith the accus. 

180. Aut prc(elabi—Ohser\e the conjunc- 
tion connecting phrases so different in 
character as an accus. case and an infini- 
tive. Cf. Cffis. B. G. iv. 2i, ex arido, aut 
progressi. For other examples, see Geo. L 
25; .^n. L 124, iL 5 (with note), xL 180. 

Alphea flumina Pisae—Ihe town of Pisae, 
near wliich the Olympic games were held, 
was on the banks of the Alpheus, a river of 
Elis. See above, 19. 

181. The grove of Jupiter, the famous 
Altis, contained the stadium, or race course. 

183. Lituos—l\\ our Note on ^n. y\L 
186, there is an illustration of the augur's 
wand, called Lituus. But the following 
woodcut represents another kind of lituus, 
viz., the trumpet, which was used by the 
cavalry. This, taken with animos atque 
arma videre, means, to see military engage- 
ments ; of course mere reviews and parades 
are meant 




Gementem tractu — " creaking as it is 
dragged along." 



B. HI. 186-193. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IIL 194-219. 



186. Plamae cervicis—'' of the patted 
neck." Magistri — " of the groom." 

188. In r/cem— "in its turn," i.e., when 
the tune comes ; when its turn comes 
round. Mollihus capisiris--" the soft head- 
stalls," or '■'■halters,'' or "muzzles." Ob- 
serve that the last syllable of invalidus, 
next line, is lengthened by arsis. 

190. Tribus exaci/s— "when the fourth 
summer shall have been added to the three 
(of his life) ah-eady past," i.e., when he 
shall have entered on his fourth summer, 
which is identical with the beghmmg of the 
fourth year of his age, since loals are usually 
brought forth in the early part of summer. 
Some books read acceperit for accesserit, 
which will make nearly the same sense, 
"But when the fourth season shall have 
received him, three having passed." In 
the former mode, tribus is the dative case — 
in the latter, the ablative. 

191. Carpere gijrum — "to run in the ring." 
See above, on 140. 

Sonare compositis gradibus — " to sound 
with measured tread." Forb. interprets 
compositis as equal to sedatis, moderatis, or 
placidis. But we rather think there is 
some reference to regularity of movement, 
which was doubtless practised for the pur- 
poses of war. 

192. Sinuet alterna volumina crurum — 
"let him arch the alternate folduags, or 
bendings, of his legs," i.e., let him bend 
and throw into an arch his legs alternately. 
This seems to be a description of the act of 
trotting; the Greek term is 'hicc'rpox,o!.'^itv, 
"to make two wheels" — an expression 
which will appear very appropriate, when 
we observe accurately the mode in which a 
horse lifts his feet ui a trot. See Donaldson, 
Cratylus, 2d ed., p. 297. 

By volumina, some understand i\\e joints 
or bends of the lunbs. See Dr Smith's 
Lat. Diet, suh voc. 

193. Sitque laboranti similis — "let him 
be like one toiling." We believe that this 
phrase denotes what we call the " canter," 
in which a horse raises the forepart of his 
body, and throws it somewhat back, as if 
the rider wei'e reining him in, and he were 
struggling against the restraint. We are 
smgular, so far as we know, in this inter- 
pretation, but we believe that it wDl com- 
mend Itself to the approval of scholars, 
when they have carefully watched a can- 
tering horse; and when they consider the 
order in which the different gaits of horses 
are liere introduced. We have first the 
walk, regular and deliberate ; then the trot, 
which is a. fast walk, i.e., the legs are lifted 
in the same manner as in the vjalk ; next 
the canter, which is a kind of leisurely gal- 
lop; and last, the gallop itself {turn cursibus 
auras, <Lx.) We do not think it at all likely 
that Virgil would omit that mode of a 
horse's movement which is of all the quicker 
motions the most easy and agreeable for 
the rider ; and at the same time the most 
useful in war. All who have ever practised 
horsemanship will agree with us that of the 
ranid movements, there is none in which a 



rider can so easily manage both his horse 
and Ids accoutrements as the cantQr. 

194. The order is turn, turn vocet (i.e., 
jyrovocet). The simple vocare is often thus 
used for provocare, as in Geo. iv. 76. 

196. Hyperboreis, Le., northern. Consult 
Dicty. of Biog. and MythoL Densus Aquilo 
— Some interpret, the "condensing north 
wind;" while others explam, "condensed, 
and thick, as it were." Such a wind as is 
difficult to resist, and of that land which, 
as the common saying, in some parts of our 
own country, has it, '■'■might be cut with a 
knife." 

197. Arida — "rainless." Scythia — a 
general name for northern regions, though 
in later times it signifies the districts in the 
north of Asia. The Scythia of Herodotus 
was the south part of European Kussia. 

199. Horrescunt — This term, as applied 
to water, denotes what anglers call a " rip- 
ple," from which its application in the pre- 
sent case may be readily understood. 

200. Silvaedant sonorem— The blast which 
makes the summits of the trees emit a sharp 
and loud sound, appears to be only lenis in 
its effect when acting on the comparatively 
short and yielding grain stalks. This con- 
sideration will help to account for the ap- 
parent inconsistency in densus Aquilo, and 
lenibus flabris. Longi fluctus, i.e., biUows 
which roU on from a long distance. Cf. the 
Homeric y^ay^pce, Kvy^ara. 

201. Ille, sciL, aquilo. Some refer it to 
the horse. 

202. ^z'c— the horse. Ele^i — on this term 
consult Note, Geo. L 59 ; and on metas and 
spatia see Note on -^n. v. 145, with wood- 
cut there. 

204. Belgica esseda — a kind of war chariot 
on two wheels, used by the Germans and the 
English, and spoken of by Casar, B. G. iv. 
24, 33. Feret, "will carry," or "bear," be- 
cause the esseda, as being two wheeled, 
leaned on the back of the horse -nith some 
of its weight. 

205. Farrago — a mixture consisting ot 
far, or barley, vetches, and other legumes. 
The principal ingredient was /a?', and hence 
the term farrago. It is called crassa, either 
from its effects in making crassus (fat and 
dense), or because it is really crassus in it- 
self 

208. Prensi is to be taken literally, 
"when caught." Verbera lenta, the "pUant 
lash." Lupatis—The frenum or " bit" had 
sharp knobs, of unequal height, like wolfs' 
teeth, raised upon it, for the purpose of 
bruising and paining the interior of the 
mouth. 

212. Relegant—'-'- they banish." See the 
article "Banishment," in Smith's Antiq., 
and Relegatio in particular. Sola, "soh- 
tary," "lonely," "remote." 

219. Magna Sila— The common reading 
is silva, but Sila has the authority of the 
older MSS., according to Servius. Sila — a 
large forest on the Appenines, in Bruttium, 
famed for its pitch. Magna Sila — Observe 
the accent falling successively on two simi- 
lar final syllables. This is a fault, gener- 
ic? 



B. lit 221^32. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B, III. 234-240. 



ally speaking, but here it is considered a 
beauty, bringing out more forcibly, as it 
does, the strength of the adj. See ^n. i. 
569, with our Note; and iv.''345. Consult 
Wagn., Quaest. Virg. xxxiii. 8. 

221. .i^iJerHaredes—" reciprocating blows," 
it is equal to vicissim. Lavit, short in pres. 
but long in perf, lavit. Olympus is put 
for heaven, i.e., the sky. Longus, either 
"distant," or "extensive." 

224. Stdbulare, is used in a neuter sense 
for stabulari. '■'■Nor is it usual for those at 
enmity to stall together." So Octavian says 
to Antony, "We could not stall together in 
the whole world." — Shaksp, 

225. Abit, " retires, and lives an exile in 
far distant regions." 

226. Multa and multum are both used as 
adverbs for " much;" there is this difference, 
however, that multa suggests the separate 
and individual parts of anything to which 
the repeated action has regard, while multum 
expresses simply the manner, and is equal 
to vehementer, valde. But the poets are "not 
careful to observ^e this distinction. 

228. Aspectans, "looking back to the 
stalls." Observe the difference in tense be- 
tween excessit and its co-ordinates, abit and 
exsulat, to expi-ess not only the suddenness 
of resolve, but also the quickness and firm- 
ness with which the plan was carried into 
execution. Its time and action are specially 
contrasted to the time and action of aspectans, 
" and, looking back to the stalls, he at once 
departs from his ancestral realms." We do 
not perceive the drift of Wunderlich in his 
remark, convenit Pe7-fectum, excessit, seqiien- 
tibus, "Ergo — exercet." Saepe in narratione 
exponenda Perfectum ita ad Praescns, quod 
sequitur, referunt Latini. Val. Flacc. i. 610, 
portam impulit Hippotades : fundunt se car- 
cere laeti. But the examples are not of a 
similar kind. In the case from Val. Flacc. 
the one action flows, as a natural conse- 
quence, from the other; whereas, in that 
before us, the exercising is not a consequence 
of the departure, but of the defeat and the 
feeling of shame and sorrow at being over- 
powered. 

230. Pernox, " The live-long night." 
Some editors read pemix (from pernitor) 
meaning obstinatetij and determinedly per- 
severing in his com-se of self-imposed train- 
ing. 

Tnstrato is an adj., " unstrewn," "unpre- 
pared," "unbedded," i.e., "On the bare 
earth exposed he lies." 

It is rarely thus used, but always as the 
particip. of instei-nere, " strewn over, or 
upon." Hence Wakefield would remove 
the comma from cubili to Jiirsutis, making 
frondibus hirsutis depend on instr^ato in its 
usual sense. 

232. Irasci in cornua — "To collect his 
wrath on the points of his horns," that is, to 
work up his passion, and centre it, as it 
were, in the weapon of his vengeance, so 
that the first blow, given with all his fury, 
may be decisive. Perhaps it is intended by 
the expression to suggest that attitude 
which a bull usually assumes in the cir- 
cumstances described, when he lowers his 



head as he approaches his adversary, and 
sets his horns in a position suited for stab- 
bing. This view would seem to be con- 
firmed by the words arboris obnixus trunco. 
Cf. Eurip. Bacch., 742, »'£<? y^ipocs Sv^ov- 
fx,ivoi, and ^n. xii. 104, where these verses 
occur with a slight variation. 

234. Ictibus lacessit ventos. It is literally 
true, that bulls aim blows with feet and 
head at supposed adversaries,- but refer- 
ence is also made to the preparatory 
movements which gladiators were Avont to 
practise as a prelude to the fight. This was 
expressed by the verb ventilare. Proludit 
ad pugnam, &c. — "practises for the fray," 
or, "prepares the (imaginary) fight, by 
spurning the sand." 

235. On the omission of the subst. verb, 
see above, 144. Observe how the poet lends 
life and iiirportance to the matters described, 
by adopting the terms used of human beings 
and their actions: signa movet—fertur in 
Jiostem, &c. 

237. For the original of this beautiful 
simile, see Hom. II. iv. 422-426. Medio, 
and not m medio. Wagner, in his Quaest. 
xiv., endeavours to prove that when ntedius, 
medium, are used strictly in reference to 
middle space, the preposition is added ; but 
when they are not employed in their strict 
signification, indicating central position, but 
are merely equal to in, or per, or inter, the 
prep, is omitted, as here. 

238. Alioque— Some make this equal to 
ex prof undo, "from the depths of the sea," 
que coupling the verbs coepit and trahit, 
and affording an instance of very remote 
position (of the conjunction) in the line. 
But it is perhaps better, with Hejme, Wag., 
Forb., &c., to take que as joining longius to 
ex-alto, the latter phrase being merely ex- 
planatory of longius, like alta petens pela- 
gogue, in Geo. i. 142, where see Note: "from 
a far distance, even from the main sea," i.e., 
"from a great distance out to sea." Albe- 
scere refers to the whitening of the crest of 
the wave [y.^vprov lov Kopu(povToct, of Ho- 
mer] before it breaks and precipitates: 
sinum is the bosom, or concavity of the 
wave, formed between the overhanging 
crest and the base, and trahit seems to ex- 
press that running-like movement which 
the crest of a wave makes as the mass of 
water is beginning to break, and by which 
it appears to the beholder that one part of 
the wave is dragging another on to burst. 
The next words, volutus ad terran, i-efer to 
the motion of the water after the billow has 
broken, and immune sonat to the effect pro- 
duced by that dashing rush. 

240. Neque ipso monte minor — And huge 
in size as a mountain, it falls forward. The 
poet returns to some particulars of the mode 
and appearance of the breaking, not conve- 
nient to be introduced here. 

In the following quotation from Thom- 
son's Seasons (Spring), the reader will 
have little difficulty in discovering the 
points of resemblance to the lines just 
commented upon :— 



B. III. 242-264. 



NOTES ON THE GEOEGICS. 



B. III. 266-28?, 



was represented as drawn in a chariot by 
leopards, tigers, or ounces. 

266. Furor equarum—Cf. Hor., Od. i. 25, 
14, flagrans amor et libido, quae solet matres 
furiare equorum. Scilicet — "indeed," "ol 
a truth." 

268. Potniades— At Potniae, a village of 
Boeotia, not tar from Thebes, Glaucus, son 
of Sisyphus, kept mares of high blood and 
mettle, which finally tore him limb from 
limb, because he did not allow them to 
breed. Quadrigae, Le., quatuor equae. 

269. Gargara—S&e. Note on Geo. i. 103. 
The poet frequently puts a particular place. 

And '^roaniu"- deep, th' impetuous battle I river, &c., to signi^-, in a general Avay. any 
mi^: "^ I place, river, &c. ' So Gargara, for any 

^Vhile "the fair heifer, balmy-breathing, ; mountain— Ascanius, for any river. Asca- 
ngar i d™s '"'^s the name of a lake in Bithynia, and 

Stands' kindling up their rage. | also of a river issuing flrom it, now called 

Tschatirgha Su. 



Through all his lusty veins 

The bull, deep scorch'd, the raging pas- 
sion feels. 
***** 

And oft, in jealous maddening fancy rapt, 

He seeks the fight; and, idly butting, 
feigns 

His rival gored in eveiy Ijnotty trunk. 

Him should he meet, the bellowing war 
begins; 

Theii- eyes flash fury; to the hollow d 
earth, , ^ ^ 

Whence the sand flies, they mutter bloody 
deeds 



242. Observe that this line is hyperme- 
trical; and see our Note on Geo. L 295. 
The effect of love on the difierent animals is 
next described ; with this compare Thom- 
son's Seasons, Spruig. 

247. Informes wrsj — The "unsightly," 
"iil-shapen" bears. Errant, above, is the 
frequentative pref. for errat. See Geo. i. 49. 

251. Odor is put for that which causes the 
smeD, and not for the smell itself. 

254. Torquentia — " whirling in then- 
course (rocks like), mountains snatched 
under their waters. 

255. Sabellicus s«5— Wagn. thinks this 
an instance of Virgilius donnitans, since 
the boar was mentioned in 242. But it 



272. Ossibus, i.e., to the marrow in the 
bones, as it was considered the seat ot heat 
Observe that ore is sing., being used dis- 
tributively, or in a general way, "the 
mouth." 

275. Gi'avidae vento— It was an idea en- 
tertained by the Greeks, even in the time 
of Homer (see Iliad, xvi. 150, and xx. 222), 
and mentioned by Aristotle, that mares 
were impregnated by the wind. Favonius 
and Zephurus were supposed especially ef- 
fectual for this purpose. 

278. In Boream Caurumque — Mares were 
wont to run on these occasions, either in a 
northerly or southerly direction. Caurus 
is otherwise written Corns, as Aristotle and 



will be observed that the animals are there j others allege. Boreas was the N.N.E. -wind 
mentioned in a very cursory manner, and ] — Cam-us, the N.W.— Auster, the S. 
that, therefore, we have no right to find fault i 279. Pluvio frigore — •' The rainy cold.'" 
with the poet if he retm-n and take up one ■ The south wind usually brought rain, 
of these instances, and that, too, the most ] which is called cold, because it cools the 
unlikely and unnatural, to enlarge upon it, atmosphere. 

and adorn his description. Voss is of opi- 280. Hie demum is equal to turn demum, 
nion that the tame boar is here meant, to j i.e., si afflardur equae a Borea et Cauro. 

Forb. Wagnerthinks that (7e»?«?n has here 
restrictive force, equal to "in this case 



show that even domesticated animals can I 

be driven to frenzy as well as wild ones. } 

Samnium, was a well-wooded district, with i only," and explains the phrase in reference 

rich glades and pastures. It was famed for j to the proper use of the term hippomanes : 



its swine. i "' Nempe hoc virus," says he, ''quidem vero ac 

257. Atque — a^^ue— The first of these ] propria nomine vocatur hippomanes; nam 
words couples /ricai to durat ; and the , etiam alii rei. sed parum proprie, imponitur 

second, hinc to illinc ; or it may be that the idem nonien:'' "-'■ *^"" — -■■"•■ ■■-^ ^'- 

two conjunctions couple the two adverbs, a 



comiecting link between the verbs bein£ 
omitted, as frequently is the case. 

258. QuJdjuvenis—"-v;\\3.t of the youth?' 



But this is doing violence to 
the words, and twisting them at will to make 
out a preconceived meaning. We prefer to 
make hie a word of time, but we would not, 
■^\-ith Forb., confine it to the period of the 



The story of Leander swimming the Helle- i mares being blown upon by Borea: 
spont was doubtless before the mind of the '^ - - . . •. 

poet in this passage. 

260. 5e?-M5— "late at night." Caeca — 
"dark," and, therefore, dangerous. 

261. Porta coeZ«— The poets speak of the 
palace of heaven, and so also of its limina, 

fores, portas, &c See Horn. II. v. 749. 

26-3. Super=insuper—'' moveoxev ;'' it is 
not the prepos. See ^n. iv. 308, where a 
similar phrase occurs without super— Nee 
moritura tenet crudeli funere Dido. Hero 
threw herself into the sea, on heaiing the 
death of Leander, and to this the poet refers. 

264. Quid lynces, Le., quid dicam, ut fu- 
rcnt—See quid juvenis of 258. Bacchus 



and 
Caurus. We take it rather as belonging to 
the whole sentence, "At this stage of thek 
anxiety, at length," when aU these symp- 
toms have sho-mi themselves. 
1 Eippomanesv^as a name given to an herb 
of which horses were fond, and also to an 
alleged excrescence on the brow of a foal, 
which the mother was said to hck otf im- 
mediately after birth: if she failed to do so, 
she lost her afi:ection for her young. 

283. Wicked step-mothers often tried to 

get this hippomanes to use in their charms. 

Observe that miscuerunt has the e short, and 

see EcL v. 61, -R-ith Note. 

Observe that cui (taken out of quod, of 

109 



B. III. 284-303. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. III. 304-313. 



282) is understood after miscuerunt; so that 
Tve ought to have et cui miscuerunt. See 
^n. vi. 283 ; v. 402, and Eel . viii. 3. 

284. Time, however, is on the -wing, and 
cannot be recalled: we vpaste it while we 
enter into every particular of description. 

287. Agitare— to "treat carefully of," for 
agitare means not only to pasture and tend, 
but also to bestow labour on teaching the 
mode of rearing cattle. Superat, ie., super- 
est, "it remains for us." See EcL ix. 27. 

288. Hinc — from this pursuit. Hie, labor 
(sitj— In this employment let your labour 
be spent. 

289. Wee sum animi dubius—" nor am I 
at aU doubtful in mmd, i.e., I am well aware, 
what a difficult matter it is to master these 
things in language, and to add the dignity 
of poetry to lowly subjects." 

290. Nunc honorem, Le., that elegance of 
language which is expected from a poet. 

291. On Parnassus, see EcL \'i. 29. De- 
serta ai^dua — ''the lonely {unfrequented, 
untrodden) heights:" so called because the 
Roman poets had avoided such subjects as 
that chosen by Virgil, as the next two lines 
themselves declare. 

293. CastoZ/am — " The Castalian fount, 
on Parnassus, was sacred to the Muses, and 
to poetic inspiration. Above the city of 
Delphi were two lofty rocks, called Phae- 
driades. Between these rocks the Castalian 
spring flowed from the upper part of the 
mountain, and ihe water was in ancient 
times introduced into a hollow square, 
where it was retained for the use of the 
Pythia and the priests of the oracle of 
Apollo. Virgil, it will be perceived, talks 
of descending to this fount, his rugged 
theme havuig carried him away, in the tirst 
instance, among the higher and more rugged 
regions of the mountain." Anthon. Consult 
Smith's Diet, of Geog. under, "Delphi." 

294. Pa?es— On this deity, see our Note, 
Eel. V. 35. Sonandum mag no ore—'' I must 
sing loudly in an exalted strain, because, 
as before (289) indicated, I require to lend 
dignity and elevation to lowly subjects." 

295. Incipiens, i.e., principio — "-in the 
first place;" post hinc digressus, of 300 is 
opposed to it 

Mollibus stabulis— soft "littered" stalls, 
as explained by lines 297, 8. 

296. The advice is to throw fodder into the 
sheep in then- stalls, until the steady warm 
weather of summer come on, when they 
can lie out with safety. 

298. Sternere, i.e., obtegere— to "strew, 
so as to cover" the lioor of the sheep cote 
with stubble or fern, or other soft bedding, 
lest the tender ^delicate, molk) flock be in- 
jured by the cold, and the mange (scabies), 
or the foot rot (podagra), be introduced into 
your stalls. 

300. Pos<— "afterwards." Digressus hinc 
—"passing from tliis." Arbuta—See Eel. 
iii. 82, and vii. 46. Frondentia arbuta, i.e., 
frondes arbuti. Fluvios recentes—ixe^h, or 
running water. 

303. Ad medium diem conversa— "turned 
toward the south." A ventis, Le., with the 
front of the shed turned away from the 

110 



north; ventis being put for the cold and 
trying winds. See below, 318. 

For cum, Voss reads dum ; but it will be 
seen that Vkgil speaks of things which are 
to be done at the time of the setting of 
Aquarius, and not throughout the period 
preceding and until his setting. 

304. Aquarius, " The Waterman," is the 
eleventh sign of the Zodiac : the sun enters 
it in Jan., and it sets in Feb. The poet 
speaks of February as the end of the agri- 
cultural year; for the spring, when the 
earth opens and labour begins, is properly 
the commencement of the farmer's season. 
The directions are intended to apply to the 
whole winter, though specially given in re- 
ference to that one part of it which marks 
the limit of the period during wliich the 
precaution is to be attended to. 

305. Hae — "these goats deserve to be 
tended," &c. Wunderlich, and some other 
commentators, adopt the various lection, 
Haec * * tuenda — "these directions are 
to be observed." But the reading is evi- 
dently corrupt. 

306. Nee minor — "and the profit arising 
from them will turn out considerable, al- 
though the wool of Miletus (in Ionia) takes 
a good dye, and sells at a high price." The 
Milesian sheep were famed for the softness 
of their wool, which brought the highest 
price in the market The ancient writers 
speak of it very often, and in the most com- 
mendatory strain. 

307. Incocta rubores — Another example 
of the "accus. of reference or limitation," 
on which see our Note, EcL L 55. Tyrios — 
The people of Tyre, and the Phoenicians 
generally, were most celebrated for their 
skill in dyeing ; their purple was especially 
famous. 

308. Hinc — from this animaL Densior 
soboles — In the Geoponics we read that 
goats generally bring forth two young at a 
bhth; that, besides rearing these, they give 
an abundant supply of milk for other pur- 
poses, e.g., for the making of cheese ; and 
their flesh and hair form an additional 
source of pi'ofit to their owners. 

309. Quam magis—(tam) 7nagi^, Le., quo 
magis, eo magis—" the more * * the more." 
Cf. ^n. viL 787. 

310. Laeta, in its not uncommon sense of 
" abundant" Flumina — great plenty of 
anything liquid is very commonly expressed 
by the term " rivers." So "flowing with 
milk and honey." 

312. Cinyphii hirci — " the goats of the 
Cinyphus." The Cinyps or Cinyphus was 
a small river of Africa, between the two 
Syrtes. It is now called Cinifo, or Wady 
Quasan. The goats which fed near it were 
famed for the beauty and softness of their 
hair. Of modern breeds celebrated for a 
similar excellence are the Tibet goat, and 
the Angora goat (of Asia Minor). 

Tondent, i.e., the shepherds shear. Some 
make hirci the subject, but it is better to 
take it as the gen. depending ou menta and 
barbas. 

313. From the Geoponics we learn that 
of goat's hair the ancients were in the 



B.m. 314-332. 



NOTES ON THE GE0RGIC3. 



B. III. 335-347. 



habit of making ropes, ships' tackle, and a 
great many articles for domestic purposes. 

314. Lycaei—a mountain in Arcadia, but 
here put for any rough and rugged hilL 
This easiness of nurture is another recom- 
mendation in favour of the goat kind. 

Pascuntur — See our Note on 143 above. 
Observe the accus. after pascuntur (which 
is here equal to depascuntur) in Greek fa- 
shion. See Geo. iv. 181. 

316. Ipsae, Le., sua sponte, " of their own 
accord," Suos, "their yoxmg." 

317. Bucutit — Wa-gn. in Quaest. Virg. 
xiii., when speaking of caesura after the 
first foot, savs that Vu-gil does not admit a 
spondee as 'the first foot of a line, unless 
(1.) the spondee is part of a trisyllable word, 
with the ultimate eUded; as coepere, alter- 
nos, EcL vii 19; see also Geo. L 14. (2.) 
Unless the copula which connects the sen- 
tences immediately foUows the spondee, as 
in the example before us, ducunt, et; see 
also ^n. i. 433. (3.) Unless some particle 
is repeated, instead of the copula: as Nor- 
am, sic, EcL L 24; see also EcL viii. 98. 
(4.) Unless there is very great emphasis 
laid on the spondaic word, as in the case of 
ingens, ..En. iii. 635. Consult Note on EcL 
V. 21. 

319. Quo minor, tC-c— That is. Since they 
require very little attention from man, in 
feeding, rearing, ifec, do you be therefore 
the less loth to bestow upon them the little 
care they require in the matter of shelter 
and heat. 

320. Laetus is equal to ''libens," ''promp- 
tus," as Heyne thuiks, or as Wagn. prefers, 
to "■largus,'" ''■pinguis." 

323. Mittet — ^oviiG. editors read mittes, 
which is an evident blunder. A full stop is 
placed after this word in many editions, but 
it is better to consider this and the preced- 
ing line the protasis, and 324-5 the apodosis. 
"When the joyous summer shall send, &c., 
then let us, at the first appearance of Luci- 
fer, make for the cool fields, while the 
morning is young (fresh), while the gi-ass 
is hoary, and while the dew, most agreeable 
to the flock, is yet on the tender blade." 

326. On this verse, and the omission of 
the substantive verb, see EcL viiL 15; Geo. 
iii. 144. 

327. Sitim — Drought and thirst are caused 
by heat, and hence sitis may be translated 
"heat." -'When the fourth hour of the 
day has accumulated the heat." Coeli is 
used with quarta hora, because the sun's 
progress through the caelum was the great 
mark of the progress of time. Hora quarta 
would correspond nearly to our nine or ten 
o'clock. On the Roman day, see the article 
Dies, in Smith's Dicty. of Autiq. 

328. On cicadae, see our Note, Geo. i 378. 
On arlustum, cf. Geo. ii. 290, 299. 

330. Illignis — This adj. is sometimes 
written illigneus. In this place copies ex- 
hibit the vai-ious readings, ilignis, illignis, 
iligneis, illigneis, ilineis, in lignis, d:c. 

332. Jovis quercus — See Geo. ii. 16. Ac- 
cubet would properly be applied to the shade 
itself, but is here transferred to the trees 
forming it. 



335. Alter the flocks have rested in the 
cool shade dming the noonday heat, they 
are to be again watered, and again fed tiU 
evening. 

Tenues aquas— See Geo. i. 92, on ienues 
pluviae. Dare — The infin. is sometimes used 
to give orders, after Greek fashion. See 
Note, Mn. uL 405. 

337. Roscida Zwna— "The dew-shedding 
moon." The vulgar notion that the moon 
was the cause of the dew is here taken ad- 
vantage of. From this idea of the dews 
and vapours of the night being caused by 
the moon, arose the behef that Luna was 
the bounteous nomisher and cherisher of 
the fruits of the earth. 

338. On the Halcyon, see Geo. i. 398, 9. 
Acalanthida, " the goldfinch." It was also 
called Acanthis (a-Kccvicc), because it fed 
principally on the down of thistles. For the 
same reason the Latuis called it carduelis, 
from carduus, a thistle. 

339. The poet loses no opportunity of 
embeUishmg his subject, and consequently 
digTesses at this place into a description ot 
the nomad tribes of Africa, which keep 
their flocks in the fields the whole summer 
and, again, in 349, he speaks of those nor- 
thern regions -where the cold compels them 
to keep their herds in the stalls. 

340. ilapalia and Magalia seem to differ 
not in meaning but only in the quantity of 
the first syllable, and slightly in form. 
Both of them denote that rude kind of hut 
used by a rustic and uucivUized population, 
a specimen of which may be seen at EcL ii. 
29. But they are sometimes represented 
as more cyUndiical and taller than that in 
the woodcut referred to. They were either 
circular and conical in shape, or oblong and 
bulguig, like boats turned upside down, and 
were either slightly fastened into the earth 
or carried on waggons. They were made 
of cane, reeds, or other Ught material. See 
SaU. Jug. xxi Earis tectis—ynth. their 
thinly scattered roofs. La, they were not 
collected into tillages, but scattered here 
and there at considerable intervals. 

343. Longa=longinqua — "distant," "re- 
mote." Sine hospitiis — "without shelter." 
Le., without fixed habitations for men, and 
pens for cattle. 

345. The African shepherd (armentarius) 
carries iiis all with him — his house, his gods, 
his family, his pastoral and domestic im- 
plements of every kind, his dog and his 
weapons. On Amyclaeum see 44 and 89, 
above. Cressam—Cxete was famed in an- 
cient tunes for the manufacture of bows, ar- 
rows, spears, &c. Thus we meet Cydonia 
spicula — Gnosia spicula. 

347. Injusto sub fasce. — The same idea is 
expressed in Geo. L 164, iniquo pondere 
rastri. " The load which a Roman soldier 
carried is ahnost incredible; victuals for 
fifteen days, sometunes more— usually corn, 
as bemg lighter, sometimes ch-essed food, 
utensils, a saw, a basket, a mattock, an axe, 
a hook and leathern thong, a chain, a pot, 
<fec. ; stakes, usually three or four, some- 
times twelve, the whole amounting to sixtv 
111' 



B. III. 348-354. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IIL 356-365. 



pounds weight, besides arms." Adam's 
Rom. Antiq., p. 316. With all this load the 
men were obliged to march about twenty- 
miles per day, and occasionally more, at 
the rate usually of four miles per hour. 
The woodcut represents such a soldier, 
Impeditus^ with his burden on a pole. 




348. Ante exspectatum hosti, i.e., antequam 
ab hoste exspectatur. Hosti is the dat. de- 
pending on exspectatum^ by a kuid of Grae- 
cism, as the critics say, for ah hoste. Ex- 
spectatum is used substantively, as it fre- 
quently is by Ovid, Velleius, &c. See our 
Notes on Geo. ii. 284 and 398. Cf. Ovid, 
Met. iv. 790; viii. 5. 

349. At non, sell, itapascitur itque pecus, 
&c. Maeoiia unda, i.e., Palus Maeotis, the 
Sea of Azof. The Scythians, and the mha- 
bitants of the countries lying along the 
Sea of Azof and the lower course of the 
Danube are put for northern nations gene- 
rally. Hister, or Ister, or Jstrus, the lower 
part of the Danube from Bolgrad to the 
Black Sea. ^ ^, ^ 

351. Rhodope was the name of that range 
of hills which starts at Apollonia, on the 
Strymonic gulf, and runs northward to Mt. 
Haemus (Balkan). Heyne understands 
redit porrecta as equal to it porrecta, i.e., 
porrigitur. Forbiger, however, thinks that 
the poet gives the general name of Rhodope 
to that range which first runs northward 
from Apollonia to Haemus, and then turns 
(redit) south-east towards Adrianople. But 
It is perhaps better to take redit with 
Wagner, as equal to ''retires,'" as in Tacit. 
Germ. 35 ; and porrecta as a proleptic ad- 
jective, "Rhodope retires, so as to be 
extended directly under the pole." Axem 
for polum, see Geo. ii. 271. Medium sub 
axem means, "right north," "in a direct 
northeriy dnection," " under the very pole 
itself. Rhodope is now caUed Des2Mo 
Dagh. See Eel. vi. 30. 

354. Sedjacet—''^^^■t the earth lies idle, 
deformed (or rendered undisiinguishaUe) by 
heaps of snow and by deep frost extending 
far and wide, and rises to seven ells m 
hei"-ht." Forbiger following Wagner (in 
Quaest. Yirg.), considers this an instance 
of the second of two finite verbs, together 
^ith a conjunction being equal to a parti- 
ciple, and he quotes Eel. vi. 20 ; vni. 97 ; 
Geo. ii. 56, 207, as examples of the same 
kind. But a little examination wiU show 
that the cases are not similar; for in all 
those referred to, the two verbs have the 
same subject, whereas in our present m- 

112 



stance the subjects are not supposed by 
Forb. to be the same. The plain explanation 
of the passage is, that terra is subject both 
to jacet and to adsurgit, and the phrase ad- 
surgit in septem ulnas means that the sur- 
face of the earth is to all appearance raised 
seven ells: which, of course, implies that the 
snow is seven ells deep. The preposition 
i?i, with the accus., seems to show this be- 
yond a question. 

356. On Cauri, see Note, 278 above. 

357. Pallentes w?n&ra^—" the pale shades," 
i.e., the dim and dingy colour of the atmo- 
sphere, with its fogs and its darkened sky. 

359. Equis, i.e., his chariot. Rubra 
aeqvore — the reddened plain of ocean, i.e., 
reddened by the sun's settmg rays. 

360. The features of a severe winter are 
now dwelt upon, in highly finished and 
richly embelUshed detail. It is to be ob- 
served that the poet does not intend line 
356, semper hiems^ to be interpreted with 
literal strictness. This verse contradicts 
such an idea ; and, in fact, the whole suc- 
ceeding description supposes a change from 
summer to the severity and length of a 
northern winter. Lines 357 and 8 are not 
therefore to be looked on as contradictmg 
368; but since the poet gave an illustration 
of a long and steady summer, in the case 
of the African shepherds, so here he speaks 
merely of a long and dismal season of frost, 
snow, &c., to which ItaUan herdsmen 
have no parallel; for there the sun does 
sometimes, in the midst of their winter, 
dispel the gloomy shades, and the N. W. 
wuids do not always blow. 

The running stream is coated with ice ; 
the iron-shod wheel traverses the surface 
of that element which formerly bore the 
merchant ship, but which now supports 
the broad and clumsy waggon; brazen 
vessels crack with the cold ; garments be- 
come rigid, even on the human body ; the 
very wine., which in all other countries re- 
mains moist and liquid, is there cut with 
axes ; whole lakes and ponds become solid 
ice from the surface to the bottom, and ici- 
cles grow on the beard of man. 

364. The cuttmg of wine with axes has 
been called a poetic exaggeration. But the 
same thing is stated in Ovid, Trist. iiL 10 
sqq., which see, and many travellers of our 
own countries testify to the like strange 
fact. "Captain Monck, a Dane, who 
wintered m Greenland in 1631 and 1632, 
relates that no wine or brandy was strong 
enough to be proof against the cold, but 
froze to the bottom, and that the vessels 
split in pieces, so that they cut the frozen 
liquor with hatchets, and melted it at the 
fire. Maupertius, a Frenchman, who visited 
the country in 1736, says that brandy was 
the only liquor that could be kept sufficiently 
fluid for them to drink." Anthon. 

365. Wunderlich would make this line a 
vaQXQ filler out of the preceding one, lacunae 
being, he thinks, of the same stem as lage- 
nae, and, in fact, equal to it. He says it is 
insipid to introduce the freezing of calm 
pools after that of qiuck flowing rivers. 
But it must be observed that in the one case 



B. III. 367-3 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS, 



B. III. 391-398. 



the poet speaks of a mere crust being formed, 
while in the other he represents the lake as 
frozen to the very bottom. 

367. Non secius, "with no less (propor- 
tionate) furious vehemence than the frost 
operates, does the snow fall; the smaller 
animals are at once buried beneath it; the 
larger ones still resist, and they, huddling 
together for heat, hardly overtop the mass 
with the tips of their horns. 

371. No hunting in those days— no nets, or 
feathered rope (formido, a rope with feathers 
set in it at intervals to scare the wild beasts, 
and prevent them from endeavouring to 
escape from the ring when once within it) ; 
but the anhnals are cut down Avithout diffi- 
culty as they struggle against the wreaths 
of snow and push them with their breasts. 

376. Meanwhile the men themselves en- 
joy holiday, and in their subterranean dens 
spend an unanxious leisure, passing the 
time in mirth and jollity. Observe that 
line 377 is hypermetrical. Advolvere, "are 
wont to roll forward." See Geo. i. 49. 

380. FiYea;30CMto, "cups of wine." Fer- 
tnento, i.e., frumento fermentato, "beer" 
made from fermented grain. Sorbis acidis, 
" with the bitter service berry," from 
which a drink something like cider was 
made. 

381 On Hyperboreo, see above, 196. Sep- 
titn trioni—Septemtrio, or Septem trioiies, 
i.e., boves, quasi teriones, a terendo dicti 
(Vid. Varr. L. L. vi. 4 ; and GeU. iL 21). 
The " Sevek Oxen " was the name given 
to the seven stars which formed the con- 
steUatiou called now-a-days " Charles' 
Warn," or " Ursa Major," or "The Plough." 
The Tmesis of Septem and trioni is not un- 
common. 

382. Rhipaeo.—See Note on Geo. i. 240. 
^uro. — The east wind in these regions, and 
coming from them, is particularly cold and 
cutting, as a glance at the map, and a little 
knowledge of physical geography, will 
readily show. 

383. Corpora depends on the passive 
verb velatur, on the prmciple laid down in 
Note on Eel. i. 55. 

385. Should the care of wool interest any 
one, he must select pastures which are free 
from rough and prickly herbs and shrubs ; 
and he must avoid rich grass, for the poorer 
herbage produces wool of finer fibre. Thus 
ihe wool of the sheep reared on the South 
Down HiUs is the most valuable in Eng- 
land. On Lappae and tribuU, see Geo. i. 
153. Observe that gue after Lappae is 
lengthened by ai^sis. 

387. Ipse — "the ram in his body." Ipse 
opposes the whole to the particular part: 
viz., the tongue. Cf. Geo. ii. 296. 

Observe that ilium anticipates the subst. 
to which it has reference fariesj, and which 
is placed in a relative clause following. 

389. Rejice — Some books read reiice. The 
black or dusky tongue was supposed to lead 
to spots in the body of the young. The 
veins under tlie tongue were said to afford 
an indication of what kind the offspring 
would be. Plena campo — "on the well- 
stocked plain." 



391. Munere— This word means anything 
which is calculated to secure or to mark 
affection and favour. The story is that Pan, 
having changed himself into a ram of snowy 
whiteness, enticed Luna to follow him to 
the solitary haunts of the woods. Sic— 
" Thus it was that Pan," &c. 

Thus with snowy boon 
Of wool, (if it be worthy of belief,) 
Did Pan, Arcadia's deity, thee, snared 
O Moon, entrap into the deepsome groves 
Thee wooing; nor did thou the wooer 
scorn. 

Singleton. 
Some translate sic niveo, *' so white." 

392. On Pan, see EcL x. 26. This story 
is due to Nicander. 

394. The cytisus (see Eel. i. 79) and the 
lotus are recommended as yieldmg large 
quantities of milk. This is not the tree 
lotus, which we met in Geo. ii. 84, but a 
kind ofclov&, Trifolium mellilotus officinalis, 
of LinniBus.j 

395. Salsas herbas— either herbs naturally 
saltish in taste; or rather, herbs sprinlded 
with salt. The custom of sprinlding fodder 
with salt is still followed by some farmers 
of our own day. I2)se is strongly emphatic 
— let the farmer himself do it — it is too val- 
uable a device to be left to chance. 

396. Hinc — "from this cause," i.e., from 
the use of salt, the sheep are more inclined 
to drink, and this enables them to eat the 
more, and thus to secrete a greater amount 
of the lacteal fluid. There is also a slightly 
saltish taste in the milk, which is considered 
an excellence. 

398. Excretos may be the particip. either 
of exo^esco, or of excerno. If the former, 
the interpretation will be, "Many keep the 
kids from their dams, even from their very 
birth," (immediatelT/ when born— jam excre- 
tos) : if the latter, " Many keep from (suck- 
ing) their dams, the kids separated from 
them," i.e., keep the kids from sucking 
their dams, by separating them entirely, or 
by puttmg upon theu- nozzles the iron- 
spiked muzzle. Such constructions are 
very common where, by prolepsis, an adj. 
comes to be equal to a second verb, as Geo. 
i. 320. Others make excretos mean "grown 
up," the sense of which we cannot perceive, 
nor can we understand of what practical 
benefit it would then be, to feed a kid from 
the pail rather than from the udder. If it 
mean simply, " when they have gathered 
a little strength," the same objection does 
not hold ; but those acquainted with such 
matters will bear us out in saying, that if a 
young animal once get the habit of its mo- 
ther's teat, it will materially interiere Avith 
its growth to take from it the much-prized 
privilege. We therefore thmk that \'u-gil 
never intended to give any such precept, 
but that his plain meaning is "as soon as 
kids are born, let them be kept from suck- 
ing the mother's udder, and in case natural 
instinct should lead them after a time to 
contract this habit, even though they have 
hitherto fed from the pail, let a spilled muz- 
zle be tied upon the nose of each, so iluit, 
113 



B. III. 399-415. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. III. 416-429. 



should it attempt to drain the udder, the 
points of the spikes may prick the dam, and 
force her to refuse the coveted nourishment." 
WeTTOuld take excr-etos from excerno, whicli 
means not only to separate and set apart, 
in the common acceptation of these terms, 
but also to part icith ichut has been a portion 
of ourselves; thws venter viollia excernit ; so 
also excremenium means what has been ex- 
cretum, separated from us. Jam excretos 
would thus mean, just "fallen," which we 
believe is the technical term in reference to 
the birth of lambs and kids. 

399. The capistrum was a muzzle with 
spikes projecting from it to prick the mo- 
ther, and prevent her from allowing the 
young to suck. Primaque — Wagn. makes 
this que equal to ve, and thinks that it 
couples the words expressive of the two 
plans which he supposes suggested by the 
poet, viz., to separate (excretos) the young 
entirely from the dam, or to put on the 
muzzle. But this is so forced, and so vio- 
lent an explanation, that we cannot adopt 
it. 

400. The meaning is. What they milk in 
the morning, and during the day, they 
make cheese of (see Eel. i. 35), but what is 
drawn from the animals in the evening, 
they take next morning to the neighbouring 
town, either as pressed cheese, or perhaps 
as butter [this is Schirach's opinion]; or 
else thev .«alt it [the cheese or butter] 
slightly, and lay it past for the winter. 

405. Spartac caiulos— sec above, 44 and 
345. The Molossian dogs were from Mo- 
lossis, a district of Epirus. They were 
good for hunting, and also for watching. 
Of. Hor., Epod. vi. 5. Molossus, aut fulvus 
Lacon, Arnica vis pasioribus. 

408. Impacatos Hiberos — "the restless 
[unsubdued] Hibcri,'' i.e., Spaniards. The 
Hiberi [or Iberi] were the cattle-driving 
Highlanders of those days, who frequently 
descended into the lowlands of Cisalpine 
Gaul to "spoil the spoiler." and "from the 
robber rend the prey." The name may be 
put, however, in a general Avay for " rob- 
bers," without necessarily applying to the 
Iberi [Spaniards]. A tergo may mean " in 
the rear," referring to the ajtual position 
of Spain with reference to Cisalpine Gaul, 
or at least to the road which the Iberi must 
traverse over the Alps before they reached 
it ; or it may be interpreted with Wagn. in 
his smaller edition, "a tergo veniunt qui 
insidiantur." 

409. Onagros — The wild ass is not men- 
tioned by any ancient writer as existing in 
Italy ; and thus we must look upon its 
mention here as a mere poetic embellish- 
ment, to extol the merits of the dogs, for as 
it was very swift of foot, great speed is 
necessarily attributed to the hounds which 
are supposed titted to hunt it. It is at pre- 
sent found most numerously in Syria. 

410. Vuluiabruni — " a rolling or wallow- 
ing place,'' i.e., a muddy, miry place. 

413. On Retia, see Note and woodcut, 
^En. iv. 131. 

415. The mode of clearing the cotes of 
noxious reptiles is now detailed. On 

114 



cedrum, consult Note, Geo. ii. 443. The 
chelydrus was a venomous kind of serpent, 
emitting a very offensive smeU. See Geo. 
iL 214. 

Galbaneo nidore — "with the perfume of 
Galbanum." Galbanum (Bnbon Galbanum 
of Linnaeus) grew abundantly on Mount 
Amauus, in Syria. The resin derived from 
it is said by Pliny to have the effect of 
driving away serpents : its roots and bran- 
ches were used to prevent the evil effects 
of venomous bites. Graves, either offensive 
in smell, "fetid," or "noxious," injurious 
to the flocks. We prefer the latter. 

416. Immotis praexepibus — the stalls or 
cotes that have not been moved, or cleaned. 
Malatactu — "noxious in the touch." Coe- 
lum — "the light of heaven." Vipera is 
said to be a corruption of vivipara, because 
it alone of serpents is viviparous, others 
being oviparous. 

418. Coluber may be put for any serpent; 
or it is perhaps the coluber natri'x of Lin- 
nsBus. This latter is the opinion of Voss, 
for the 7iatrix lurks in stalls to suck the 
milk. 

420. i^c»y/;/i«mM?w— "keeps close to the 
ground;" or "always lives under ground." 
Fovere means to pay very great attention to, 
with the idea of satisfaction gained there- 
from; thus Heyne says, " a person or ani- 
mal," ''fovit locutn," when '■'multum et assi- 
due in eo moratur." 

421. Tollentem minas, "raising his threat- 
ening head." See iEn. ii. 381. Sibila colla, 
" his hissing neck." 

422. Jamque, <kc. — Ti'anslate, "And now 
in flight he has hidden deep in earth his 
coward head, when the central wreaths (of 
his body) and the train (agmina) of his far 
distant taQ (or, " of his tail which forms the 
extremity " of his body) are relaxed, and 
the last coil drags out its slowly moving 
folds." 

423. Extremae agmina caudae — This we 
have no doubt means to express the size of 
the reptile, as we have endeavoured to bring 
out in the translation, and not merely to 
tell us, as some would wish us to believe, 
tliat the tail is the termination of a ser- 
pent's body.'! Critics say that caudae is an 
example of the genitive of apposition, i.e., 
that the meaning is, The hindmost coils, 
viz., the tail. 

425. Est etiam ille malus, <frc.— This is 
said to be the amphibious serpent, Chersydrus 
(xipa-o;, "land," and v^up, "water"), 
wliich abounded in Calabria. It was some- 
what of the asp character. 

427. Alvum — Observe this accus. depend- 
ing on maculosus, and see Note on Eel. i. 
55; ii. 3. 

428. Rumpuntur, i.e., rumpunt se; erum- 
punt. 

429. Ac is rarely found in the arsis of the 
fourth foot, because this would divide the 
line into two equal parts, and render it 
very inelegant and unrhythmical. In cer- 
tain cases, however (here and at Geo. iv. 
225; ^n. iv. 330, 477; v. 454, 661), where 
the poet has introduced ac in such a posi- 



B. III. 430-438. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. III. 438. 



tion, he has placed it either after a dissylla- 
ble with both short, or after a word ending 
in a vowel, i.e., ivith an elision. The effect 
of both methods is to unite the two parts 
of the verse in a certain degree of closeness. 
the former by the quick pronunciation of 
the two short syllables, the latter by the 
welding process of elision. 

430. Hie, i.e., in stagnis—ThQ serpent fre- 
quents the marshes so long as there is 
moisture, and making his abode by the 
banks, here (in the marshes) fills his foul 
maw with fish. Tngluviis is properly the 
first bag to receive the food, corresponding 
to the "craw" in birds. 

434. Bat after the lakes and ponds have 
been dried up, and the earth has begun to 
split and chink with the scorching rays of 
the sun, he springs forth to the dry ground, 
being exasperated {asper) by thii'st, and 
maddened {exterritus) by the heat. Cf Sail. 
Jug. 89, 5; Natura set'pentium ipsa perni- 
ciosa, siti magis quani alia re accenditur. 
Qui, of verse 428, is subject to colit, explet, 
and exsilit. 

435. iYe— The best MSS. have nee, which 
some editors reject, on the ground that nee 
and neu do not respond to one another. 
But this is quite a mistake, as is well 
pointed out by Jahn, m his note on this 
passage, and as even a tyro might know, 
who had ever seen nee standing for et ne. 
See Eel. ii. 34, nee poeniteat=et ne poeniteat, 
"And (or wherefore) let it not repent you," 
i.e., "be not loth." See also Geo. i. 36; ii. 
96. Sub divo— '■'■in the open air." So Hor. 
says, Sub Jovefrigido: and so also the Vii'- 
gilian phrase, Malus Jupiter. 

436. Per herbas—See Geo. ii. 527. Borso 
nemoris — The word dorsum is properly 
used of mountains, and hence of the woods 
and groves with which they are planted. 
See (jreo. i. 172. Burmann thinks that by 
dorsum is meant what we might call a hil- 
lock, which would seem as a pillow; and he 
refers to the fact that the small sand banks, 
slightly higher than the general level of the 
bottom of the sea, were called, by sailoi's, 
dorsa, or pulvini. 

438. This passage is one of those which 
Wagner brings forward in his Quaestiones 
Virg. (xl.), to prove that, like Homer, the 
excellent Virgil sometimes nods and forgets 
himself The cry raised by Wagner has 
been taken up by later commentators with 
too much avidity, and we think, without 
due consideration. The grounds of accusa- 
tion are, 1st, That, in attributing greater 
ferocity to serpents at the tune of brhiging 
forth their young, the poet has been led 
away bj^ the character of quadrupeds, al- 
though it is well knoAvn that serpents do 
not confine themselves to their lairs, or 
nests, and that they show no affection for 
their young after parturition, or incubation. 
2d, That the poet is inconsistent with 
liimself, in the statement of 437-9, as 
compared -(vith the preceding lines, and 
that he confounds seasons and events. 
In reply to these objections, we have to 
state — 1 , That a great many erroneous no- 
tions stUl prevail as to the true nature and 



habits of serpents, and that our own Shak- 
speare abounds in mistakes in reference to 
them, derived, of course, from the popular 
belief in his day. Virgil may therefore have 
vrritten according to his light. 2, That some 
serpents do sit in incubation, and that in- 
stances are recorded by naturalists of a 
period of two months being fulfilled in the 
process of hatching, the parent snake taking 
no food all the while, but occasionally 
drinking with the greatest greed. It is 
very possible, therefore, nay certain, that 
even hunger after so long a fast will cause 
greater ferocity, though tlie ancients may 
have attributed the increased venom to par- 
turition and the love of young. 3, That 
the time of casting the slough is not invari- 
ably spring, but the renovation takes place 
at irregular intervals, from spring till the 
middle of autumn, and thus the poet's con- 
sistency is maintained, though he speak of 
the snake keeping close to the pools in the 
moist spring. 4, That Virgil does not in- 
tend to make 435 sqq. a conclusion and ad- 
vice deduced from 432, 4, as some critics 
interpret, but that he mentions th}'ee prin- 
cipal periods when serpents are most dan- 
gerous— (a), the hot season; (5), the time 
of casting the slough; (c), the period of 
parturition. And that nee connects the 
first and second of these together, the mode 
of expressing the second being designedly 
varied from the simple indicacive to the 
self hortatory form. 

The words aut catulos aut ova relinquens,. 
which have given the greatest offence and 
trouble to commentators, would then mean, 
"either when the serpent has left its young, 
after incubation and hatching, or when It 
has abandoned its eggs during the time of 
incubation, for the purpose of seeking driuk 
or food, [or after being exhausted by depo- 
siting its eggs]. In the absence of all accur- 
rate knowledge of the habits, or believed 
habits, of the chersijdrus, we are quite justi- 
fied in giving the poet the benefit of any 
doubt that may arise as to the peculiar 
mode of life of the animal described : and 
we are fairly bound to allow him to travel 
beyond the Hmits of one species, to embel- 
lish his poem. We therefore take the whole 
connexion as follows: There is also that 
well known noxious serpent in the Cala- 
bri an glades, which frequents the swamps 
so long as they are not dried up by the 
heat ; but which comes forth into the liigher 
regions when the lakes and ponds are ex- 
hausted, and rages through the fields when 
it has been maddened by the heat and by 
thirst. But it is especially venomous a't 
other times also, so that I should not like 
to lay myself down to sleep in the open air 
when it has gained fresh life and vigour, 
and when its system has been drawn upon 
for the growth of the fresh skin, or when 
the exhaustive process of incubation, or of 
deposithig its eggs has been going on. 

With this whole passage, compare Mil- 
ton's beautiful description, P. L , Bk. ix. 

So spake the enemy of mankind, enclosed 
In serpent, iimate badl And toward Eve 
115 



B. III. 439-451. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. III. 452-469. 



Addressed his way ; not with indented wave 
Prone on the ground as since, but on his rear 
Circnlar base of rising folds, that tower'd 
Fold above fold, a surging maze ! his head 
Crested aloft and carbuncle his eyes, 
With burnished neck of verdant gold, erect 
Amidst his circling spires that on the grass 
Floated redundant. 

439. TVisi/Zc/s— Literally "three forked," 
or rather "with three divisions." But a 
serpent has only two poison fangs; these, 
however, move so quickly, as to appear 
three. 

440. The diseases of sheep. On this sub- 
ject, cf. Varro, R. Rust., ii. 1, 21, whence 
Virgil borrows his precepts." 

442. Ad vivum— ''to the quick," i.e., ad 
vivam partem, or carnem. Persedit — " has 
sunk in," from peisido. 

443. Tonsis -■' after they have been shorn." 
If the sweat which had accumulated when 
the ileece was large, were not washed off, 
it would interfere with the healthy action 
of tlie skin, as it would form a land of 
grimy plaister over the whole body, and 
lead to canorous growths should the flesh be 
lacerated with brambles or other prickles. 

447. Secundo amni, "down the river." 
See ;En. viL 494. 

448. Amurca, "oil-lees,"' Le., the watery 
part that flows out in pressuig olives. 

449. Spumas argre?;<j—" Litharge" C^'^- 
xpyvpog), the scum or spume of silver; tlie 
yellow protoxide of lead partially fused. 
•' The locus classicus on the subject is Pliny, 
xxxiii. 6, 35." Heyne. 

Vivaqm sw//«ra—" native sulphur," i.e., 
unrefined, and just as dug from the earth. 
This line is hypermetrical as thus written. 
Forb. and Wagn. have et sulfara viva, on 
the authority of some MSS. On hyper- 
metre verses, see Note, Geo. i. 295. 

450. Pices, scil. Uguidas, "tar." It is 
caUed Idaean, because Mt. Ida, in Phrygia, 
abounded in pine trees, which yielded it 
plentifully. 

Ceras pingues unguine, " -v^-ax. rich in oily 
matter;" or wax commingled Avith oil, so 
as to form a cerate. 

451. Scillam — Scilla maritima, of Lin- 
naeus, i.e., " sea onion," or " squill." Elle- 
boros OY hellebores, "Hellebore," written in 
Greek usually with the rough breathing. 
There were two kinds of tliis herb, the 
black and the white, the former being used, 
according to Pausanias, as a cathartic, the 
latter as an emetic. It was supposed by the 
ancients to be an unfailing remedy for mad- 
ness. It grew best near Anticijrui but as 
there were three places in Greece of this 
name, it is not agreed upon by the moderns 
which was the most celebrated one. The 
Anticyra, which has been frequently called 
an island, is not so, but only a town on 
;i peninsula of Phocis, stretching into tiie 
Corinthian gulf. There was a second An- 
ticyra at the mouth of the Sperclieus in 
Thessaly ; and a third in Locris. The pro- 
per Roman name of the herb was veratrum. 
Lrraves, "noisome," "of heavy smell." 
Bitumen -" bitumen," or "asphalt," an oily 

IIG 



substance of highly inflammable quality, 
which is found floating on the surface of 
certain lakes, e.g., the Dead Sea. The 
most fluid kind is naphtha, while pe- 
troleum (another variety) and asphalt are 
among the hardest. It oozes forth from 
the ground, in certain countries, and covers 
whole districts, which frequently take fire 
and burn for miles around. It is found in 
Persia, Media, India, Siberia, Greece, 
America, France, Switzerland, and even in 
Derbyshire in England. 

452. Fortana is put for remedium, says 
HejTie, because the effect of the ctire de- 
pends on fortune. So fortuna is often put 
for the fortunate result and issue. "There is 
not, however, any more efiicaciotis remedy 
for their sufferings, than if one were to open 
the head of the ulcer with a knife." 

454. Tegendo — " by concealing, or con- 
cealment," Le., by being concealed. See 
Geo. ii. 239 and 250. 

459. Incensos aestus, i.e., fervidos aestus— 
" the burnmg heat." 

460. Ferire, &c. — "to strike (ie., to open) 
the vein throbbing with blood." Profait 
is used in an aoristic sense, "it is wont to 
be of advantage " 

461. The Bisaltae were a Thracian tribe 
on the banks of the Stryraon, The Geloni 
dwelt near the Borysthenes (Dnieper). See 
Geo. ii. 115. 

462. Fug it in Rhodopen — This refers to 
Bisaltae, as deserta Getarum does to Gelonus. 
The Getae occupied that large tract of 
stepve land between the Tyras (Dniester) 
and the Danube. On Rhodope, see Eel. vi. 
30. Fugit is sing., because the subject nearest 
to it, Gelonus, is sing. 

463. Lac concretum — This custom of mix- 
ing horses' blood with milk was common 
among many ancient nations: and is said 
to be practised by some of the Tartar tribes 
to this day. 

464. Molli umbra — The adj. may mean 
"soft," in the sense of "agreeable," or 
"easy," as opposed to the gravis aestus; or, 
as Voss, Wagn.'and Forb. prefer, "effemi- 
nate," or "Itixurious," from the weakness 
and eflFeminacy of him who seeks it. This 
sentence is called an anacolouthon, i.e., in 
plain English, " ungrammatical," or " blun- 
dering." After beginning with qua7n * * 
videris * * decedere nocti, the author ought 
to have gone on in 468 with such a phrase 
as, hanc continuo macta, or something simi- 
lar, instead of culpam compesce. Wagner. 
But as culpam applies to the armnal itself, 
" the /aw% sheep," and not to the disease 
only, it is equivalent to a demonstrative 
pron., and the poet is ihus free from the 
charge of careless composition. 

466. For medio with the prepos. in, see 
Note, 237 above. 

467. Serae nocti — This dative is more 
elegant and more animated than the abL, 
sera nocte, would have been. The idea is 
of a person retiring before another approach- 
ing: — "to retu-e, so as to give place to." 

469. Incautumvulgus, " the unwary herd. " 
So in .^n. i. 190, we have vulgus used for 
the general body of a herd of stags. 



B, III. 470^78. 



NOTES ON THE GEOROICS. 



B. III. 479 494. 



470. The order is, according to "Wagiier, 
Kon turbo, liiemem agens, tarn creber ruit 
aequore — " No -n-hiiiwind, driving before it 
a wintn,' storm-sliower, descends on ocean 
■with drops so dense as are the many plagues 
which attaclv cattle," This is the idea of 
Wagn., Fork, <fcc. But it is perhaps better 
to make creber apply merely to the fi^e- 
quency of the showers, and not to the nmn- 
ber and closeness of the drops. In this 
■siew, translate— "Not so often does the 
whirlwind, dri^-ing before it the wintry 
storm, descend with vehemence on the 
ocean, as," &c. The comparison seems to 
mean simply that the sea is not more af- 
flicted with 'storms, than sheep are by dis- 
eases. But if we interpret mth Wagn. and 
Forb., it must mean that in any particular 
case of a disease attacking sheep, the deaths 
are numerous as the drops which fall out 
during some pai'ticular storm-shower. 

472. Ae&tiva, scil. casira, or pascua. So 
above, in 64, pecuaria is put for flocks. 
During the heat of summer the herds were 
driven to the high grounds for coohiess, and 
this was their aestiva castra. 

473. Spemque, Le., agnos; gregemqve,he., 
matres. Cunctamque gentem — These words, 
which might have been put in apposition to 
the foregoing, without a conjunction, are 
added, in the form of an epesegesis, que 
being mserted. Cf. 541, below. Maris pro- 
lem et genus natantum, and see Note on J3n. 
i. 2. 

474. Turn sciat, scil. morbis totos greges 
abripi. Aerias — A common epithet of hills, 
and all things extending high up into the 
atmosphere. Norica castella — The ancient 
Noricum corresponds to the modern Stiria 
and Carinthia, and a lai-ge portion of the 
other Austrian territories adjoining these 
Duchies. Castella does not mean fortified 
forts, but simply shepherds' abodes perched 
on the high gromids, for the pm-pose of 
observation, or for coohiess. 

475. Timavi, a stream emptying itself 
into the gulf of Trieste. See Eel. viiL 6, 
and Note on jEn. i. 244. 

lapydis— so called from the neighbouring 
Illyrian tribe, the lapydes. Wagner eaUs 
attention to the ornament added to this 
passage by the use of the conjunction, since 
aeriae Alpes, and Norica castella, and arva 
Timavi, and dese/^ta regna pasioriw?, and 
saltus vacantes all mean one and the same 
thing, or nearlj^ so. 

476. Post is equal to postea, as in Eel. i. 
69, whei-e see Note. Post tanto is equal to 
tantopost. Similar is the phrase postpaiilo, 
for paulo post, but there is no necessity for 
supplymg tempore in these phrases. 

478. There is now introduced the descrip- 
tion of an autumnal plague, formed on the 
model of Lucretius, vi. 1136 sqq., andThucy- 
dides, ii. 47 sq. VirgU, on the other hand, 
has had his imitators, Ovid. Met. vii. 518 
sqq. ; Silius, xiv. 581 ; Lucan, vL 80 ; 
Seneca, (Ed. 35 sq. Servius and other 
critics wish to prove this plague to be the 
same as that which attacked Attica during 
the Peloponnesian war. 

Aiorbo coeli=vitio aer^is — "from a pesti- 



lential atmosphere," a vitiated state of the 
atmosphere," i.e., malaria {bad air). 

479. Incanduit—- biinied with the whole 
(i.e., with theconcentrated)heatof autumn." 
The autumn extended with the Romans 
from the early part of August (11th) till the 
beginning of November (11th), and the first 
part of this period was usually the hottest 
and most deadlj- of the yeai", as it is still, 
more especially in the neighbourhood of the 
Campagna. 

Ser\ius observes that Virgil, and Sallust 
too, follow the same order as Lucretius in 
describing the air as first infected, then the 
water, and last of all the fodder. 

482. Nee via mortis simplex — There are 
many explanations offered for this phrase, 
but we need not enumerate them. The 
plain sense seems to be, that the disease did 
not always taice the same, or a uniform course, 
i.e., the symptoms were not always of a 
similar kind, but seemed to be of a du-ectly 
opposite character, as. for example, great 
heat and thirst, followed by an abundant 
moisture. Sed would seem to lend confir- 
mation to this view. But as in verse 486, 
we have mention of some animals dying 
suddenly, and again in 490, of others show- 
ing symptoms of a diseased frame after 
death by violence; and again (496 sqq.) 
of dogs being afflicted with madness, of 
swine being shaken with violent coughing, 
of horses plagued with an intermittent 
sweat, and so forth, via mortis mayrel^r to 
the different symptoms exhibited by differ- 
ent beasts, and the vaiying character of 
the disease. 

483. Ignea s/fc — "the burning thirst," 
Le., heat, fever. Acta ojnnibus venis, " cours- 
ing through all their veins." Adduxerat, 
"had contracted,'' "shrivelled up," from 
the contraction of the skin. 

484. Abundabat humor — The humours of 
the body became thui and wateiy, and the 
bones being surroimded by this putrefying 
liquid, were eaten away piecemeal. 

486. In medio honore — w-hilst in the very 
act of being sacrificed to the deity. "In 
the midst of the sacrifice." 

487. /n/M/a — The fillet or band which 
went round the head, and hung down on 

! both sides. The two parts of it were fas- 
tened together behind by the vitta. See 
the Avoodcut at Eel. vi. 1 6. 

488. Moribunda — Wagner, in his Quaes- 
tiones, alleges that this word has three sig- 
nifications in Virgil. It is equal (1,) to 
moriens, as here and in Mn. \. 374. &a ; 
(2.) to moriturus, as ^n. iv. 323; (3,) to 
mortalis, Mn. vi. 732. 

489. Ante — "before its death. Inde — 
"fi-om it" SeiTius explains inde by ex qua 
causa. 

492. Suppositi has reference to the mode 
of killing in saciifice by drivmg the knife 
up through the throat from below^ Jejuna 
sanie, •' thin and watery blood," C£ Ji-Juna 
glarea m Geo. ii 212. 

494. Laeiis — The grass, though luxuriant 
in growth, is yet tainted with deadly con- 
tagion; and though the stalls are well sup- 
117 



B. III. 495-513. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. III. 514-529. 



plied -with fodder, yet they fail to keep alive 
the perishing beasts. 

Reddunt—Gi\e back to air the breath 
which they received from it, as Wakefield 
explains, and Forb. approves. 

495. Dukes animas. So Homer constantly 
uses (p'i>^ov 6vy.ov. Gray, in his "Elegy," 
brings out the same idea in the words, 

" For -who to dumb forgetfulness a prey. 
This pleasing, anxious being e'er resigned, 

Left the warm precincts of the cheerful day. 
Nor cast one longing, lingering look be- 
hind." 

497. Tussis anhela — This is what is called 
Angina, or in Greek y«7;^>5, or (hpa,yx,o;, 
a very virulent kind of sore throat. Similar 
is y.vv(/.y^yi, a dog's sore throat; whence 
comes our term "Quinsy," through the 
French, squinancie, or esquinancie. 

06e<;(.i— either "naturally fat," or "swol- 
len," as Servius interprets. 

49S. Infelix studiorum is a phrase like 
felix operum, Geo. i. 271, and infelix animi, 
M\\ iv. 529. The meaning is, "deriving no 
fruit from his pursuits, and from the victo- 
ries he has gained. Victor equus is used 
like bcUator equus, in ^n. x. 891, the subst. 
in apposition being equal to an adj. 

499. Avertitur. "This verb is nowhere 
else used as a deponent." Forb. 

500. Crehra is the neut plur. used as an 
adve rb. for crebro. Incertus sudor— A sweat 
cominjr_and going, i. e.. "an intermittent 
sweat." Ibidem — "in the same locality," 
viz.. about his ears. 

501. lUe — "it," viz., the sweat. MoiHtu- 
ris — This part, is found nowhere in the 
best prose writers of the Augustan age, but 
the poets employ it frequently, to signify 
individuals destined by fate to death, or those 
who have determined to die, or those who are 
ready to die. It thtrcfore usually differs 
from moriens, which indicates appi-oaching 
death. 

502. Adtactum, "to the touch," Le., when 
touched. Tractanti, Le., tangenti, "as one 
handled it." Dura resistit, i.e., being hard, 
it does not yield. 

504. If the disease, as it progresses, be- 
comes more severe (crudescere coepit), the 
eyes are red and fiery, the breaths are long- 
drawn, and mixed with moans, and the 
remotest parts of the flanks distend and 
contract with the long sob ; black blood 
oozes from the nostrils, and the tongue, 
rough (with inflannnation, or ynth ulcers), 
presses against the jaws, swollen to suffo- 
cation. 

509. Profuit — "It has been found useful to 
pour Avine into the diseased beasts witli a 
horn inserted in the mouth." 

511. But even this plan of giving a 
draught of wine was by and bye found de- 
trimental, inasmuch as it increased the 
fever, and drove the animals to such a de- 
gree of madness that they tore their own 
flesh with their naked teeth. 

513. Observe .how skilfully this verse is 
Inserted to heighten the horror of the scene, 
and to excite our sj-mpathy. Error is used 

US 



in a sense similar to furor, referring to the 
madness of the horses, as shown in their 
self-laceration. 

514. The sibilant s seems to have been 
purposely mtiltiphed in this line, that the 
difficulty of pronunciation might lend em- 
phasis and additional sadness to the descrip- 
tion. Nudis — "naked," "bared," viz., by 
the vsrithing contraction of the lips, as in 
the case of dogs when enraged, or of those 
which are furiously mad. 

518. J. &;?<«5^e«s— "unyoking." Fratema 
morte maerentem — " sorrowing at his com- 
rade's death." Some make 7norte equal to 
cadavere, as e.g., in Cic. pro Mil. 32, and 
translate, " unyoking the bullock from be- 
side his comrade's dead body." But we 
look upon this as not only very improbable, 
but as highly injurious to the completeness 
and touching tenderness of the picture. 

520. These lines that follow refer to oxen 
generally, not to that special one whose 
loss has just been mentioned, as pascuntur 
of 518 shows. 

522. Electro— This name is applied to a 
resinous fossil found in alluvial soils, or on 
the sea shore, as e.g., on the coast of the 
Baltic, and at Cape Sable, in Maryland, in 
the United States. It is supposed to be of 
vegetable origin, as the ancients thought. 
Electrum also means a kind of mixed metal, 
four parts gold to one of silver. Either of 
these will suit for the comparison, but the 
metal is most likely intended, as it emitted 
a beautifully clear and bright sheen. More- 
over, poets often compare the clearness of 
water to the brightness of the metal, silver. 
Translate, "Not the rivulet Avhich, wend- 
ing its way amidst the rocks, seeks the 
plain (in a stream) clearer than electrum." 

523. Solvuntur — "become flaccid." 

The next six Unes, 525-530, were so ad- 
mired by the elder Scahger, that he avowed 
he "would rather be their author than 
have Croesus or Cyrus obedient to his au- 
thority." 

526. G'rai'es— "heavy," "rich," soiL On 
Massica Bacchi munera, for Massica vina, 
see Geo. ii. 143, Nota 

527. Epulne repostae— These words have 
given scope to commentators to exhibit in- 
genuity in their interpretations: (1.) Some 
think, with Heyne, that repostae means, 
either simply "served up," like positae, or 
appositae; or "served again and again," 
Le., meals with a succession of courses, and 
therefore elegant and costly ones. (2.) 
Others, as Burmann, Voss, &,c., think re- 
postae refers to the custom of selecting deli- 
cacies, and laying them by in the larder for 
state occasions. This brings out the same 
idea of elegance, expense, and luxury. (3.) 
Epulae repostne=binae eodem die epulae, 
Gesner. (4.) Reference is made to the sac- 
rificial banquets, which were proverbial for 
their splendour and richness; and as many 
Ubations intervened, many dishes were ne- 
cessary. This idea of luxuiy. and of vari- 
ous dishes, and courses of different kinds of 
viands, is expressed by the compound word 
repostae. Wagner. 

529. Exercita cursu— This means rivers 



B. III. 532-549. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. III. 551-566. 



which had run a long way. Cf. Ovid, Met. 
L 582, Fessne erroribus undae. The idea 
uppermost in the mind is that of clear, fresh, 
and running water, as opposed to what is 
stagnant and muddy. 

532. Junonis sacra, <i:c. — White cattle 
were sought out with great care for certain 
sacrifices and sacred processions, more es- 
pecially those in honour of Juno. Here, 
however, although Juno is specially men- 
tioned, the statement seems a general one. 

533. Imparibustiris— ^^ill-matched buffa- 
loes." On uri, see Note, Geo. ii. 374. 

Donaria, the place of gifts, the temple. 
&0 pulvrnaria IS Mi&A. for iemplum. Alia— 
' ' lofty, " " high-built, ' ' to express their splen- 
dour and magnificence. 

534. Rimantur — On this word see Geo. i. 
384. They do not make regular furrows in 
the ground, but mere chinks, or holes, here 
and there. The planting of the seeds of 
corn, too, is rather a digging in than a sow- 
ing, and men are obliged, with strained 
neck, to drag along the creaking plaustra. 
On plaustra, see Geo. i. 163. 

538. Noctu7^nus, i.e., noctu, but the term 
is a more expressive one, as is pointed out 
in Note on Eel. i. 28. 

541. Et genus— See Note on 473. Aiis- 
totle and Pliny deny that fish are ever as- 
sailed by such diseases ; but it is an ascer- 
tained fact, that when the water is infected 
its inhabitants are attacked with contagious 
plagues. Natantum is used substantively 
here, and in Lucretius ii. 342. So we have 
halantes, for sheep ; latrantes, for dogs ; vo- 
lantes, for birds. 

543. /nsoZitoe— "unaccustomed to do so." 
Wund. Heyne interprets the adj. by inso- 
lito more, which we do not consider so good. 
It will at once be perceived that there is a 
material ditference between the adj. insolitus 
and the phrase insoUto more: the adj. means 
that the operation is strange to the agent, 
whereas the ablative merely imples that, 
on some special occasion, he does it in a 
way unusual to him. 

544. Even the viper, in his winding bur- 
row, is not protected from the contagion, 
nor the water-sei-pents, whose erect scales 
prove their dismay; aye, even the very air 
of heaven is fatal to the birds. 

549. Qucesitae artes nocent — The remedies 
which had been devised are found to be 
hurtful; and finally the most skilled physi- 
cians abandon their attempts as fruitless. 
Chiron was the son of Saturn and the nymph 
Fhilyra, and hence is called Phillyrides. 



Melampus was the son of Araythaon. See 
the history of both in the Class. Dicty. 

551. Of this and the two followingVerses 
Heyne says, Versus longe praestantissimi et 
picturaomni vividiores. Tisiphone, one of the 
Furies, is put for all three. The two offers 
were Alecto and Megaera. Ante is an ad- 
verb, not a preposition. 

554. Balatu, Jcc. — The bleating of sheep 
and the lowing of oxen were much more 
common during the disease, so that they 
might be heard on every river's bank, and 
on every hill side. 

556. Dat—AxiA now Tisiphone deals death 
in heaps, and, in the very stalls piles up 
the putrefjang carcases of those that have 
died, so that the only way to alleviate the 
plague, even in a slight degree, is to bury 
the bodies at once. 

560. The hides were useless for leather; 
and both water and fire failed to make the 
flesh (viscera, i.e., not the entrails, but every- 
thing below the hide) serviceable to man. 
Aholere viscera undis is differently inter- 
preted: — 1st, To put out of sight, by throw- 
ing into rivers; 2d, To remove the offensive 
smell from, by boihng ; 3d, To remove the 
offensive smell, by washing, previous to 
cooldug. The first of these does not con- 
trast well with neque usus erat coriis; the 
third is not consistent with aut vincere flam- 
ma, which means, either to burn the car- 
cases wholly up, or to cook them for food. 
It is perhaps best, therefore, to refer both 
phrases, abolere undis, and vincere flamma, 
to attempts to make use of the flesh after 
boiling oy roasting; but it must be confessed 
that this is, at the best, not satisfactory. 
Vincere flamma is occasionally used for cook- 
ing. 

562. Telas attingere—Oxi the web and the 
loom, consult Ramsay's, or other text book 
of Antiquities. The fleeces were so rotten 
as that the wool could not be shorn off, 
from its mouldering away m the hands of 
the cutter. If any of it did go through the 
preparatory processes, and come to be 
woven, it was found unable to stand that 
ordeal. 

564. Occasionally men did succeed in 
completing the manufacture of cloth from 
this tainted wool; but then disease attacked 
liim who woi"e the garments made from it, 
biu'ning (inflamed) pustules rose on his 
body, and a fetid sweat burst forth over all 
his limbs, and by and by even death itself 
seized its victim. 

566. Sacer ig-reis— Supposed to mean ery- 
sipelas, or cancer, or carbuncle, or some such 
inflamed disease. 



119 



B. lY. 1-3. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IV. 5-7. 



BOOK lY. 

ARGUMENT. 

I. Subject of Fourth Book ; Invocation of Maecenas (1-7). 

II. The Apiaiy (8-50). 

(1.) Site for Apiary, regard being had to the winds, to the enemies of bees (bee- 
eater, lizard, <fec.), to water, trees, and flowers (8-32). 

(3.) Bee-hives — tlieir material and construction (33-46) ; position to be studied 
(47-50). 

III. Of Spring Occupations, and Swarming (51-148). 

(1.) Of the first excursions, and swarming (51-62). 

(2.) Means by which to cause bees to aVght, when swarming (62-66). 

(3.) Their quarrels— how to be allayed (67-90) ; Characteristics of the best bees 

(91-102). 
(4.) Means to prevent swarms from deserting a hive, or a locality (103-115). 
(5.) Description of a well-cultivated garden, such as would attract bees to remain 

in a locality (116-148). 

IV. Of the Nature and Economics of bees (149-227). 

(1.) Special qualities given by Jupiter (149-152). 

(2.) Community of otfspiing and of property (153-157). 

(3.) Apportioning of duties to classes and to individuals (158-190). 

(4.) Sagacity in the matter oiiceather (191-196). 

(5.) Generation of bees (197-209). 

(6.) Respect for Queen-bee (210-218). 

(7.) Philosophical speculations on the nature and essence of bees (219-227). 

V. The Honey Harvest (228-250). 

VI. Diseases and their remedies (251-280). 

VII. Ai-tificial production of bees (281-314). 

VIII. The story of Aristaeus — the loss of his bees, and the means by which the disaster 

Avas repaired (315-558). 

IX. Epilogue in conclusion of Poem (559-566). 



1. We have now come to the fourth and 
last division of the subject — the rearing of 
bees, and the making of honey. On the 
alleged difference between prolinus and 
proienns, see Note on Eel. i. 13. The adj. 
aiirivs is applied to inel, in accordance with 
the ancient notion that the bees collected 
The honey from the dew, which came down 
ex acre. For a similar reason coelestia dona 
is used. It was only the substance of wax 
wliich was considered derivable from 
flowers. On the subject of bees consult 
Varro, iii. 16; Columella, ix.; Aristotle, 
Hist. An. V. 20-22, and ix. 40. The pre- 
cepts of the ancients in this department of 
natural history are very erroneous, owing 
to the absence of means for minute investi- 
gation; but the student who desires to 
learn more of the habits of this wonderful 
portion of the animal kingdom will do well 
to consult Huber on Bees ; and the article 
"Bee," in last ed. of Eucyclop. Britannica; 
also Carpenter's, or Agassiz and Gould's 
Comparative Physiology; Knight's Cyclo- 
pjEdia of Natural History; and the volume 
"Bees," in Naturalist's Libraiy. 

3. Spectacula admiranda—'^ The wonder- 
ful (amazing) view of (what are usually 
called) trivial things." Or perhaps better, 
"The amazing view of a tiny kingdom." 
Spectacula is particularly emphatic, ex- 
pressing a kind of panoramic view or 
" show" of a miniature kingdom, with fixed 

120 



customs and laws, definite and divided pur- 
suits, distinct tribes, or castes, battles and 
higli sonled commanders. Translate — 
"Next I shall proceed to celebrate the 
heavenly gifts of aerial honey. This part 
also of my task, O Maecenas, look upon 
\\ith favour. I shall exhibit to you the 
astonishing sight of a tiny commonwealth: 
I shall sing, too, of high-spirited chiefs, 
and, in due order, of the habits of the whole 
race, and of their pm'suits, of their tribes, 
and of their wars. Upon a trifling (or 
lowly) theme is the labour spent ; but not 
trifling will be the renown, should unpropi- 
tious deities permit me, and should Apollo, 
when invoked, lend an ear to my prayers." 

5. Populos is used in the plur., since bees 
are represented as under the authority of 
different reges. 

7. Laeva is usually interpreted "propi- 
tious" in this place. But we have taken it, 
along with Burmann, Jahn, and Forb., as 
" unpropitious," because sinunt, "permit," 
" allow," is not a word properly applicable 
to a well-disposed deity, but rather indi- 
cates either actual or supposed hostility, or 
at least a disinclination to help. If laeva 
means "propitious," we should have ex- 
pected favere, or some verb of similar sig- 
nification. The mention of a propitious 
deity, Apollo Nomius, the god of pasture 
and of shepherds, seems to contrast with 
laeva numina, as audit does with sinunt, and 



B. rV. 8.15. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IV. 16-34. 



thus to lend confirmation to the view we 
have adopted. For the peculiarity in laevus, 
by which it means either " favourable" or 
"unfavourable," see Note, Eel. L 16. 

S. A suitable position for the bee-hives is 
first to be sought, and care is to be taken 
that it be as much sheltered as possible, and 
that the apiarj^ be so fenced round about as 
that kids and heifers may not interfere with 
the operations of the honey makers. It is 
said that seeks and statio are identical in 
meaning. But we think that sedes is used 
in a wider sense, of a considerable space of 
ground, suited by its abundance of flowers, 
by its retirement and non-exposure to the 
inroads of cattle, for the purpose in ^dew; 
while statio means a particular spot in such 
an apiary, where shelter can be readily af- 
forded to the hive, more especially to the 
door of it, which, for the reasons after- 
wards stated, it is most important to keep 
calm and peaceful We are led to this deci- 
sion by the following considerations: — 1st, 
In a poem published with such care as the 
Geoi'^cs, it is not at all likely that the poet 
would, in the same line, nse two words 
exactly identical in signification ; 2d, Statio 
is a military term, meaning either a small 
(fort) stationary camp for the purpose of 
overawing the neighbourhood, or the guard 
in front of the camp gate ; and to this refer- 
ence seems to be made in the clause imme- 
diately succeeding, Quo neque sit ventis 
aditus. Line 165, below, would appear to 
favour this view, and to add another reason 
why especial care should be taken in having 
the'entrance sheltered. If this interpreta- 
tion be correct, we have what is called a 
chiasmus, quo neque sit ventis aditus, an- 
swering to statio, the word neai-est to it; and 
neque oveshaedi, &.c.,tosedes, the more remote. 
When two co-ordinate propositions, or two 
series of connected words, are not so aiTanged 
that the first of the second paii* answers to the 
first of the first pair, but when they are, as 
it were, placed crosswise, the figure is called 
chiasmus (pi^tatrf^o;, from ;^/«^s/v, to place 
cross-wise, like the strokes forming the 
Greek letter pc)' So in New Test., Matt. 
xii. 22, "The blind and dumb both spake 
and saw." Exainples in Latin are very 
numerous. See our fuller Note on Mn. ix. 
279. 

9. Nique. sit aditus — neque oves. <Lx. — Re- 
solve each neque into its component parts, et 
non, and translate the two conjunctions by 
the phrases, "on the one hand," "on the 
other hand." 

12. Rorem — See Note on aerius, line I. 
Surgentes—'-'' springing," " growing." 

13. Lacertis — the "lizard," otherwise 
called steUio, in 243, below. For the syntax 
of terga in the accus., see Note on EcL L 
55 ; and especially that on EcL iiL 106. 

14. Stabulis — "the hives." Pinguibus — 
"full," well stocked" withhoney. Meropes 
— "bee-eaters," the Merops Apiaster of 
IJnnaeus. 

15. Aliae volucres — other birds, and (espe- 
cially) Procne. On Procue, see Note, EcL 
vL 78. 



Pectus signata — On the syntax, see EcL 
i. 55; iiL 106. The reddish spots on the 
neck of the swallow were ascribed by the 
poets to the blood with which Procne 
sprinkled herself when slajdng her son, 
Itys. 

16. Volantes is used substantively, as voli- 
tans in Geo. iiL 147. Nidis, Le., pullis, 
"for their nestlings." 

18. Stagna virentia musco — Stagna does 
not mean stagnant water, for that would 
be unhealthy (see line 49), but simply little 
pools, where the current was not so great 
as to sweep the bees away. The same 
necessity for caution in this regard is again 
expressed in the words tenuis fugiens — 
"rimning with shallow stream," of the 
next line. 

Tenuis may be an adj. joined to Hvus, or 
it may be taken adverbially, modifying 
fugiens, as in the translation above. Vir- 
entia mw^co—" verdant with moss," the 
banks, or the stones on the bank being 
overgrown with moss. C£ muscosi fontes, 
in EcL viL 45. 

20. Vestihulum means the place imme- 
diately in front of the hives. This term is 
ofteu confonnded with atrium, but it pro- 
perly means the free space between a house 
and the street. 

22. Suo vere — " in their favouring spring." 
So suo vento—'^a favouring breeze," as 
applied to a ship; suos deos — "propitious 
gods." Prima examina — "the swarms in 
their first attempts to alight;" or simply, 
" the early or young swarms." 

23. Decedere, for ad decedendum. See 
Geo. iii. 46 ; and Mn. v. 485. On calori in 
the dat, compare serae decedere nocti, EcL 
viii. 88 ; and Geo. iiL 467. 

24. Obvia may agree with examina, un- 
derstood, or with a?-bos, "and let the tree 
receive the coming swarms in its leafy 
shelter." 

25. In medium CsciL humorem) — Into the 
middle of the water, whether it be still 
iners — see stagna, line 18, with Note), or 
flow briskly, ^villow trunks are to be cast 
so as to lie across the pool or stream ; large 
stones, also, must be placed in the water, 
so that the bees may have bridges (see ^n. 
x. 288, Note), whereon to gain a footing, 
and to dry themselves, should a shower 
have drenched them, or a sudden gust ot 
wind plunged them in the rivulet or pool. 

30. Ilaec circum, Le., around these fontes, 
stagna, ttc. On casia, see EcL iL 49, and 
Geo. iL 213. On Serpylla, "wild thyme," 
EcL iL 10. Thymbrae, "savory," the Sa- 
tureia hortensis, of Linnaeus. Graviter spir- 
antis, having a strong and fuU scent ; not 
"an oflTensive smelL" 

32. Floreat agrees with the subst nearest 
to it. See Eel. i. 59. Irriguum, though 
usually passive, "watered," is used here, 
like rigui in Geo. iL 485, in an active sense, 
"watering," "ii-rigatuig." Violaria, "the 
violet beds." 

34. Thus much of the situation and ac- 
commodations of the Apiary. Now come 
we to the construction of the hives or 
" caps." Observe the force of ipsa, and c£ 
121 



B. IV 36-42. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IV. 43-55. 



G-eo. rli. 387. The hires were made of the 
bark of trees, or of osier twigs ; the straw 
hive, of modern days, seems to have been 
unknown to the Romans. On tlie scansion 
of alvearia, see Metrical Index. 




36. Liquefacta remittit=liquefacit. But 
it is perhaps better to translate the phrase 
by two verbs, "melts the honey, and 
causes it to run.''' 

38. Neque nequidquam, " nor is it for no- 
thing (for no purpose) that they smear." 
Note that tenuia is to he pronounced tenvia 
in scansion. See Metrical Index. 

39. Fucoque etflorihus. — This is said to be 
a hendiadys for /mco, (i.e., succo, the "vis- 
cous juice") florum. Fucus properly means 
sea weed or rock lichen, which was used as a 
red dye; hence it comes to mean the colour 
red, and hence the reddish juice derived 
from flowers, which bees use to stop up the 
entrances to the honey cells, and the 
cre^ices in the hive. Itis called '■^hee-glue." 
The viscous substance which here goes by 
different names, as gluten, fucus, cera. &c., 
seems to be what is technically called pro- 
polis. " It is a resinous gum, obtained 
from the buds of certain trees, sucli as the 
birch, the willow, ftnd the poplar. It is 
more tenacious and extensible than wax, 
and is well adapted for cementing and var- 
ni.shing. It is not only used in lining the 
cells of a new comb, but is also sometimes 
kneaded with wax, and employed in re- 
building weak parts, and in stopping all 
the crevices in the interior of the hive. * * 
The ancients called it propolis {"^psToXisj, 
from "^po, or "^po; and -roXi;, 'before the 
city,' because principally employed, as they 
thought, upon the projecting parts of the 
hive." Bevan, quoted by Anthon. 

41. On visco, see Geo. i. 139, and on pice 
Idae, Geo. in. 450. 

42. ^^fossts—" excavated" by themselves, 
as Servius interprets. Heyne disapproves 
of this explanation, but unjustly, as we 
think ; for —1st, If such be not the meanhig, 
the phrase, si vera estfama, is very insipid 
and pointless ; and 2d, Several species of 
bees do form their nests "in holes in the 
ground, sometimes excavated laboriously, " 
by their own efforts. "The female of the 
common humble bee," says the writer of the 
volume "Bees" in the Naturalist's Library, 
" having pitched upon a convenient spot, 
proceeds to excavate first the passage or 
gallery, then the nest itself, detaching the 
soil, as it were, grain by grain. She seizes 
tlie molecule with the first pair of legs, 
transfers it instantly to the second, receives 
it next with the third, and finally pushes it 
as £ar as possible behind her. These exca- 

122 



vations, situated often a foot under the sur- 
face, are wholly the work of the solitary 
female." 

43. Larem—Lai and Penates are often 
put for one's habitation or abode; thus 
ponere penates, "to take up one's residence." 
Fovere laj^em is, therefore, simply " to 
dwell." Perhaps, however, in fovere, "to 
make cozy," or comfortable, there may be 
referenee to the fact, that, in these subter- 
ranean hives, the queen bee is very cauti- 
ous to carpet her new dwellmg with soft 
leaves, and other suitable substances, to 
secure %v-armth and dryness. 

44. Pumicibus is put for rocks generally, 
in the crevices of which bee-hives are often 
found. Hollow trees are favourite places 
of resort for them when such can be ob- 
tained. In Russia, where the cultivation of 
bees is veiy extensively carried on, and 
where forests are abundant, one individual 
will have as many as 100 hives in his gar- 
den, and 1000 in the woods. Cf Horn. II. ii 
87. 

46. TJngue fovens, "smear for heat," i.e., 
to keep them Avarm. E levi limo, "with 
smooth mud," i.e., mud made fine in the 
grain by careful icorking and the addition of 
water. Instead of e levi some books read 
et levi, others e leni. Some commentators 
take e levi in an adverbial sense, " easily," 
like efacili, e tuto ; but in this case it should 
be levi, and not levi, as here. Besides as- 
sisting the bees to make their hives water- 
proof, the farmer should also cover the^ 
"caps" over with leaves, to increase the 
heat, and also to keep the weather from af- 
fecting the clay, so as to make it become 
chinky. 

47. Taxum—SGe Eel. ix. 30. Rubentes 
cancros, "reddening crab shells," which 
were burnt to ashes, to be used in the cure 
of certain diseases. The smell proceeding 
from them when burning was supposed to 
be injurious to bees. Neu, dx. — And do not 
aUow them to be near a deep fen, or any 
place where may be the strong, fetid, and 
noxious smell of mire in a stagnant pool 
(see 18, above), or where there is an echo. 
The injury caused by an echo is thus ex- 
plained by Pimy: Inimica est et echo resul- 
tanti sono, qui pavidas alterno pulset ictu. 
The inexphcable sounds would affright the 
bees, and lead them to make their hive 
elsewhere. Observe that the subst. verb, 
est, is omitted after odor, though in a rela- 
tive clause. See Geo. ii. 180. 

51. On Quod superest, see Note, Geo. ii. 
346. Fgit sub terras. — The idea was, that 
in summer the inner part of the earth below 
the crust was cold, but in whiter it was 
hot. 

54. Metunt purpureas flot^es — "reap the 
harvest of the purple flowers," i.e., gather 
the abundant honey from the flowers. 
Furpureus, as before remarked, is often 
used of that which is very beautiful, and 
fresh and healthy. So here it means the 
rich colours of the new blown flowers. 
Leves libant — "lightly sip (taste) the sur- 
face of the streams." 

55. Ilinc nescio qua dulcedine laetae— 



B. IV. 27-67. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IV. 



" being rendered joyous by some sweet in- 
fluence or other hence derived," {hinc) Le., 
from the flowers and fomitains. 

57. Excudiint, dr. — ' ' Hence they skilfully 
form the fresh gathered wax, and shape the 
clammy honey." The wax was supposed 
by the ancients to be derived from the 
flowers, whereas it is an exudation or pro- 
duction from the bodies of the bees. See 
this subject^ discussed in the Natui'alist's 
Library, " Bees," p. 123 sqq. 

58. Hinc — "hereafter," "soon after this." 
Caveis — "frorathe hives." The metaphor 
is taken from the theatre, cavea signifying 
the part whicli the audience occupied. Forb. 

59. Kare — "float," expresses beautifully 
the actual appearance of a hive in the air. 
Nubes, like our "cloud," is a word con- 
stantlj' used of swarms of insects of differ- 
ent kinds. 

62. i?wc — "here," Le., on tbe frondea 
tecta, " the leafy covert," or tree where the 
swarm alights. Jussos sapores — " the strong 
scents which are prescribed" for such cases, 
viz., the melisphyllum, or halm-gentle, and 
the honey wart icerintha). Melisphyllum is 
a contraction for melissopliyllum, f^iAicrcro- 
(pvXXov ; the Latin name is apiastrum. It 
is the Mellissa officinalis of Lmnaeus. Cer- 
intha, y^'/ipivh;, from K'/j^oj bees-wax: it 
was common in gardens — and hence is 
called ignobile gi^amen. On hue adsperge, 
see Geo. iL 76. 

64. Tinnitus c«e— This raising of a tink- 
ling noise to make a swarm "settle" is a 
veiy ancient practice, and is continued 
down to om- own days in country places 
among the less scientific bee-rearers. It is 
disapproved of, however, by those learned 
in the habits ot bees. It was supposed either 
to frighten the bees, or to del'ght them, the 
result of either feeling being an immediate 
halt. From verse 151 it would appear that 
Virgil was of the latter opinion. In some 
places the plan was followed, to give notice 
to the neighbours that a swarm was " up," 
and to establish the claim of him from 
whose apiaiy it had gone. 

Matris, Le., the mother of the gods, 
Cybele. See ^n. ii. 788. 

Cymhala — The cymbal was a basin- 
shaped instrument, made of bell metal, 
having a ring at the top to afford a catch to 
the player. They were used in pairs, and 
hence we have the plural, cymhala. The 
usual form of them is represented in the 
woodcut. 




67. Sin ad pugnam exierint — nam, Jtc. — 
This sentence is somewhat faulty, and it is 
not easy to decide how the clauses may be 
best arranged. Some make the parenthesis | 



extend from nam, of 67, to subegif, of 85 
(Heyne). But the length of this paren- 
thesis is alone an argument against the 
probabUity of such an explanation. Others 
terminate the parenthesis at hostem, of 76, 
taking ergo as the first word of the apodosis. 
Voss, Jahn. , &c. But this breaks the evi- 
dently close connection which subsists be- 
tween lines 76 and 77. Others again extend 
the brackets only to the end of 68, motu. 
All, however, agi-ee in this, that Vfrgil has 
forgotten himself, and is guilty of an anaco- 
louthon, i.e., a blunder. To us it appears 
that the parenthesis ends at motu, 68, and 
that the apodosis to sin exierint begins at 
continue licet praediscere. Om- reasons for 
refusing to consider 68 and 69 as part of 
the same concatenated construction, are as 
follows : — 1st, Incessit and licet differ in 
tense ; but this is not, of course, a fatal ob- 
jection, taken by itself— it has force when 
joined to No. 2; 2d, The connection of 
incessit to licet is a verj- lame one, and af- 
fords a very awkward and unmeaning 
junction, as the follo\ving translation wiU 
show : " For discord often occurs between 
two king-bees, and j-ou may at once know 
the spirit that animates the mob.'' In these 
words, so taken, there seems a palpable 
non sequitur ; od. The repetition of nam— 
namque in such close succession, in a con- 
tinued chain of connected clauses, is ex- 
ceedingly objectionable, and is imworthy of 
a tyro in composition. We cannot believe that 
the polished Virgil would have fallen into 
such a slip in this his most elaborate poem ; 
and we therefore take que after continuo. 
as meaning "then," and translate: "But if 
they should have gone forth [from their 
hives, not to take up a new abode, but] to 
battle, (for discord, with violent excitement, 
often seizes rival kings,) then you may at 
once [i.e., on the very fii-st movement], and 
at a distance (longe), discover [praesciscere, 
i.e., learn in sufficient time to apply the 
remedy] the spnit that animates the" mul- 
titude, and know tliat then- hearts are pant- 
mg [impatient] for war." 

But we may be called upon for a prece- 
dent in thus translating que. We have re- 
marked in Note on ^n. iL 692, and else- 
where, that que (et atque, iLx.) is often used 
when the ^vriter hastens from one subject 
to another, or when he indicates that some- 
thing is speedily executed after another, so 
that no time, as it were, elapses between 
the two events, as in JEn. iL 692, Vix ea 
fatus erat senior: subitoque fragore infonvit 
laevum; Mu. xL 296, Vix ea legati: vari- 
usque per ora cucurrit tremor. In both 
these passages we may translate que "then," 
though "and then," or "when," better 
suits our modes of expression. But in 
.^n. xiL 81 (where see Note), we meet a 
still more distinct example — Haec ubi dicta 
dedit, rapidusque in tecta recessit, " when he 
uttered these words, then he i-etired into the 
palace." In this instance the protasis is a 
conjunctive clause like sin ad pugnam exi- 
erint, and the verb of the apodosis is in the 
indie, mood. Were further proof wanting, 
we might refer to Ma. xL 908 sqq. — 

123 



B. IV. 71-81. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IV. 86-110. 



Ac sirmtl Aenms fumantes pulvere campos 
Prospexit longe, Laurentiaqueagminavidit, 
Etsaevum Aeneas agnovit Turnus in armis, 
Adventumque pedum flatusque audivit 

equorum; 
Continuoque ineant pugnas et proelia fen- 
tent, <i:c. 

Here the protasis begins Avith ac simul, and 
ends with equorum; and the apodosis is 
introduced by continuoque, the very phrase 
used in the passage before us. From the 
above cousiderations, we feel convinced 
that the parenthesis was intended to ex- 
tend from nam to motu, and that continuo- 
que begins tlie apodosis. The poet, how- 
ever, allows himself a long digression irom 
the main point, viz., to tell the remedy 
{fii motus, &c. 86), enlarging on the features 
of the latter, and the preparations for it. 

71. The terms and actions of Roman 
military life are applied to the habits of the 
bees in the following lines, and thus the 
poet speaks of the brazen trumpet's martial 
note— of the praetorium of the bees, &c. 

73. Fracios sonitus well expresses the 
broken nnd startling sound of the soldiers' 
trumpet caU. 

73. Coruscant. This verb means "to 
emit a vibratory and dancing light, by 
moving quickly from one side to the othei*." 

74. Exacuunt rostris. Flies may be often 
seen performing this operation, which to an 
unscientific person looks like the sharpen- 
ing of the stings on the proboscis. Aptant 
lacertos—a figure taken from the language 
of the "ring," and refering to the practice 
of the pugilists who toss their anns and 
beat the air as a prelude to the fight. 

75. Regem. — Whenever rex is used for 
the chief of the hive we ought to remember 
that modem investigations prove that ?-e- 
(jina is the proper term. The Drones, or 
reges, do nothing; it is the queen-bee, re- 
gina, that is the life and soul of the hive, 
and the head of all its movements and ac- 
tions. Ipsa praetor ia. — The term is taken 
from the camp, the praetorium signifying 
the cell of the queen-bee, the "royal cell," 
as corresponding to the tent of the com- 
mander in chief of the Roman army. 

77. Ergo ubi, dx. Some commentators 
connect this line with 67, sin ad pugnam 
exierint. But see Note on that line, and the 
objections there urged. Observe the omis- 
sion of the subst. verb, sunt, after nactae, 
though in a relative clause; and consult 
Notes, Geo. iii. 144; Eel. L 54. Nactae 
may, however, be taken as aparticip., erum- 
punt then becoming the protasis, and con- 
curritur, <fec.. the apodosis. 

82. Ipsi, scil, reges. Per medias acies — 
before this phrase a verb of going might 
have been expected; but it is implied in 
versant following. Cf. Mn. vii. 543, adfatur 
per auras, and ii. 471, in lucem convolvit. 
Wagn. 

84. The order is, obnixi non cedere usque 
adeo, dum gravis, &c. Hos is masc, and 
not fem., as we might expect, because it 
refers to the bees, not as bees {apes), but as 
soldiers {militesj. It may also be explained 

124 



by saying that the gender of ipsi (reges) 
obnixi is attributed to the parties com- 
manded by the reges, the more noble in- 
cluding the less important. 

86. Hi motus, &:c. — " Such excitements of 
passion, ay, and sucli gi-eat (threatening) 
contests are checked and lulled to rest by 
the tossing of a little dust." Observe atque 
in its proper emphatic force, to add some- 
thing more important and grand than what 
has preceded 

89. Deterior and melior are iiiterpreted 
by some commentators "inferior in valour," 
and "superior," or "braver." But there 
had been no trial to prove the conqueror ; 
the meaning must therefore be simply "in- 
ferior," and "superior in appearance,'"' ac- 
cording to your judgment. There will be 
no peace so long as both are in the hive,— 
one of them must go ; you will therefore 
decide by examination of their form and 
general aspect, by the marks now to be 
laid down. 

91. The differences of appearance here 
alleged to exist among queen-bees do not 
really exist ; but in these matters the scien- 
tific accuracy of the poet is not at all to be 
trusted: he gives the ancient ideas, which 
he borrows principivlly from Greek writers. 
We have not space, nor does it lie within 
our province, to detail the discoveries of 
modern naturalists, whose mvestigaiions 
are aided by the microscope ; for these we 
again refer the student to the works already 
mentioned in Note on line 1. 

92. Observ^e that the last syllable of melior 
is lengthened by arsis, on which see EcL i. 
39. Note. 

97. Turpes horrent, " are disgustingly 
squalid, as the waji'arer is when he comes 
from his journey on a road deep with dust, 
and spits forth the mould from his parched 
mouth." 

99. On corpora, in the accus. after ar- 
dentes, see EcL i. 55, Note. Am-o et guttis, 
Le., aureis guttis. Lita=illita. 

102. Liquida, i.e., limpida, " cleai-." Du- 
rum domitura saporem, " calculated to over- 
come the harsh taste of wine." Mulsum 
was made by mixing one measure of honey 
with four of wine ; this was done when the 
wine was deficient in saccharine matter. 

104. We have directions now laid down 
how to act when bees show a disposition to 
quit their hives and take up a new abode. 
Their intentions may be known by their 
flying about without any apparent fixed 
purpose — by swarms of them sporting in 
mid-air— by their losing interest (contem- 
nunt) in their combs, and abandoning their 
hives, so as to allow the cells to grow cold. 
Remark that frigida is used in a proleptic 
sense, on which see EcL i. 60. The phrase, 
fovere larem, of 43, is the opposite of this 
relinquunt frigida. 

107. Quisquam is employed because the 
terms of camp life are still used, and the 
individual bees spoken of as soldiers. So in 
vellere signa, we have another reference to 
miUtary affairs. Cf. Geo. iii. 326. 

110. Gustos furum atque avium — The 
Latin genitive is either subjective or objec- 



B. IV. 111-123. 



NOTES ON THE GEOEGICS. 



B. IV. 124-131. 



tive; thus in the phrase, amor dei, it is sub- 
jective vrheii it means the love which God 
(as the subject) feels towards man; it is 
objective -ss'hen it means the love which 
man directs to God (as the object loved). 
So, in this example, furum is the objective 
gen., because the meaning is the safeguard 
against thieves as the object to be warded 
off; but if it were the guai'dian and patron 
which thieves (as the subject) possess, it 
would be the subjective genitive. See Note, 
^n. L 462. 

111. On Pri'ajj y5, consult Class. Diet. The 
epithet, Eellespontiaci, is applied to him be- 
cause his worship was particulai-ly attended 
to at Lampsacus, on the Hellespont. Cf. 
Hor. Sat. i. 8, 4. Tutela Priapi is put for 
"the protecting Priapus," as MUton uses 
"the might of Gabriel," for "the mighty 
Gabriel" 

113. recto, i.e., the hives. The man who 
is peculiarly attentive to the necessary pre- 
cautions and devices wiU. plant thyme (the 
thymus Co.pitatus, common in Greece and 
Italy, and a favomite with bees), and pines 
(garden pines) ; and he is to grudge no toil, 
for industry and labour are absolutely ne- 
cessai-y. 

115. ffumo, for in humo. Arnicas iriHget 
imbres—This, is a more elegant and poetic 
form of expression than irriget plantas iia- 
bribus; imbres means water generally, — 
" Let him lead the kindly water to irrigate 
the plants." Cf. the expression fons irri- 
gans, used actively. 

117. On the metaphors here used, see 
Geo. ii. 44. 

119. Paesti — Paestum or Posidonia was 
a city of Lucauia, on the Sinus Paestanus. 
and near the river Silarus. The splendid 
remains of its arcMtectural embellishments 
are weU known. Its roses were proverbial 
for blooming in spiing, and also in autuznn. 

120. /niu&a— "Endive." Potisrivis — "in 
the rivulets dnink by them," i.e., in drink- 
ing the rividets. The adj. potus is usually 
active, but here it is passive. 

121. Of the different kinds of apium, that 
here intended seems to be the celery, or 
Apium Palustre of Linnaeus. 

122. Cucumis — "And how the melon, 
creeping through the grass, gi'ew into a 
globe shape." Cucmnis includes both cucum- 
bers and melons, but the latter is intended 
here, in the opinion of most commentators; 
though some think that the belly shape is 
more appropriate to the cucumber. 

123. On the narcissus, or daffodil, see 
EcLii. 48. Comaniem — the comae of flowers 
ai-e the leaves, or petals; and so this par- 
ticip. is often used of flowers, trees, and 
woods, whose leaves are to them what the 
hah- is to man. Sera — Late in the season, 
in November and December. Se?'a coman- 
f^TO— "late flowering." The acrmthus here 
spoken of is the soft, unprickly kind, {mollis 
of Eel. iiL 45, where see Note,) which was 
cultivated in gardens and pleasure grounds. 
It is called Jlexi, "bent," or "bending," 
because its leaves hang down with a grace- 
ful bend. It is to this peculiarity that 



vimen seems to apply. It is the brank 

ursine, or bear's-foot. 

124. On Pallenies hederas, see Eel. iii. 38. 
Myrtos amantes litora — Cf. Geo. ii. 112, Li- 
tora myrtetis laetissima. 

125. Oebaliae, Le., of Tarentum, the well 
known city in the south of Italy. It was 
said to have been founded by Phalanthus, 
who led fi-om Lacouia (otherwise called 
CEbalia, from CEbalus, a former kmg of 
Lacedjemon) a body of the unfortunate 
Parthenii The modern name, Taranto, 
perpetuates the memorj' of the ancient city. 

126. Galaesus, a river of Calabria (now 
caUed Galaso.) It flowed past Tarentiun, 
and was famed for impartmg softness to 
the fleeces of the sheep which were bathed 
in its stream. Its w-ater seemed black, 
either fi-om its depth, or from the shade 
cast by the many trees which lined its 
banks ; or, more hkely, from the nature of 
the soil through which its course lay. Culia 
is put absolutely for cultos agros. Flaven- 
tia — "yellowing to the harvest." 

127. Corycium senem — an aged man from 
Corycus (Cureo), a town of Cihcia. Mount 
Corycus was famed for its salfi-on ; and tlie 
Cilicians were deemed the most skilful and 
successful horticulttuists of those days. 
Critics have speculated as to the cause 
which brought the Corycian peasant to 
Tarentum : some have supposed that he 
passed over in voluntaiy migi-atiou, while 
others think that he must have been one of 
those Cilicians whom Pompey, after his 
war agauist the Pirates, transplanted to 
Calabria. It may be merelj' a term of dis- 
tmction, to denote his excellence in garden- 
ing, that art in wliich the Coryciaus were 
famous ; as a stupid man might be called a 
Boeotian. This, however, is a matter of 
very small consequence, and bears in no 
respect on the poet's statements. Enough 
it is to know that industry was able to re- 
claim and enrich waste and barren soil, and 
even to anticipate the natural season of in- 
dividual flowers and fruits. 

128. Relicti ruris — "of uncared-for land." 
Le., of land which, by reason of its poverty, 
no one cared to claim, and which, in the 
measuring off by the metatores, did not come 
within the limits of the regiflar land mai'ks. 
it was unsuited for tillage (Juvencis, i.e., la- 
bore Juvencorum): it did not afford pas- 
tm-e even for small cattle ; and offered no 
inducements for the cultivation of the vhie. 

129. Seges is used of the soil, of corn crops, 
and thus of crops generally, whether pro- 
duced fi-om seed, or of spontaneous growth, 
like grass. 

130. Rarum olus — Vegetables placed ui 
rows, with wide intervals between. Tlie 
next phrase, in dumis, "in these brambly 
brakes," explains the necessity for thhi 
planting ; for the soil was so hgat and 
gravelly, that it could not even produce 
vegetables in close rows. Burmaun makes 
rarum an uiterjection, like infandum, in 
^n. i. 253; and miserum, in Ma. yi. 21. 
But this seems abstird. 

131. Verbenas— ^ee Eel. viii 64. Pre- 
mens, "planting," as we met it used befure. 

12 



B. IV. 132-144. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IV. 145-150. 



Vescum, "smaU grained." But see Note, 
Geo. iiL 175. 

132. Aequabat regum opes — This senti- 
ment has been in the mouth of every poet, 
ancient and modern See Hor. Epist. i. 10, 
32. We need scarcely quote the words of 
Robert Bums on this point, though the 
cause of satisfaction in his hero was not the 
same as that which joyed the heart of the 
Corycian sage: — 

Kings may be blest, but Tam was glori- 
ous. 

O'er a' the ills o' IL'e victorious. 

134. Observe that carpei'e is used in the 
"infin. absolute," as it is called. It may be 
that the infin. carpere is governed hj pri- 
mus (fuit). 

136. Rumperet saxa — The expansion 
which takes place in the act of freezing 
loosens earth, stones, cfec. ; and thus, when 
a thaw comes, pieces of rock are detached 
from one another, and roll down from the 
hills to the plain. Others understand saxa 
as the "stony soil." But this we deem 
very absurd. The phrase may have been a 
proverbial one, to indicate very violent 
frost 

137. Mollis hyacinthi — Of the tender (de- 
licate) hyacinth. See Note on Eel. ii. 18, 
iiL 106. Toiidebat=carpebat. Observe that 
its Jast syll. is long by the arsis. 

138. Increpitans does not mca.n "chiding," 
" expressing dissatisfaction for," but what 
we call "bantering," "challenging," in a 
good-humoured sense. 

139. Apibus fetis, i.e., in queen mothers, 
which, as said before, do almost every duty 
connected with the formation, arrange- 
ment, and peopling of the hive. 

131. Cogere mella favis — The honey- 
combs were put into a -oicker basket, and 
squeezed out in a trough placed beneath, 
and thence transferred to jars for preserva- 
tion. 

142. For tiliae some books read tiUa ; but 
the former has the best authority, "The 
linden tree and the pine grow most luxuri- 
ant with him ;" and, moreover, his fruit 
trees never deceive him in their produce, 
as they bring to maturity all the blossoms 
which they sho^ved in the spring. 

144. Seras, "slow-groicing;" because, say 
the critics, he planted them in his youthful 
days. This is the opinion of Wagn. and 
Forb., who think that Virgil merely mer.ns 
that, when he visited the old man, he found 
the elms, Ac, in regular order. But we are 
inclined to take seras adverbially, as 5e?'a, 
in Eel. i. 28 (where see Note) ; and to inter- 
pret, "He transplanted and arranged C(iis- 
tulit) in order the elms, even though late," 
i.e., although the operation was later of 
being done than was right. This mode, it 
will be seen, attributes more skill, labour, 
and industry to the '' model gardener^'" from 
Corycus thin the other explanation, and 
impresses upon readers the useful lesson 
that, it c u-e and labour are bestowed on any 
task, however difficult, success may be ex- 
pected in a greater or less degree. The 
vie iv we have taken seems to be streugth- 

126 



ened (1) by the position of etiam, though in 
poetry much stress cannot be laid on such 
an argument ; (2), by the meaning of dis- 
tulit, "transplanted," which is equal to 
digerere of Geo. iL 54. [It may, however, 
be objected to this argument that diferre 
and digerere are used of transferring young 
trees from a nursery to the place which 
they are to occupy permanently, and that 
such may be the meaning here. True; 
and were we dealing with vines, or other 
such trees, we should admit the force and the . 
justice of the remark; but the poet is speak- 
ing of a kind of trees which were not culti- 
vated in nm-series for their own sake, but 
merely for their use in serving as vine 
props. If, therefore, the old man were re- 
presented as planting them regularly for 
that purpose, he would deserve no especial 
credit or notice, because all vine cultivators 
so acted (see Geo. ii.) ; but here there is no 
such object in view.] (3), By the following 
phrases, eduram pirum (the pear, when 
now very hard and matured), spinas ferentes 
prima ("the sloe trees now bearing engrafted 
plums), and platanum ministrantem umbras 
(the plane tree, even when so large as to 
form a shade for drinkers). The whole 
sentence seems intended to exalt the great 
skill, the patient industry, and the nice 
taste of the Cilician. by representing him 
as performing such difficult operations with 
safety to the plants ; and as being so eager 
to have all things neat and orderly, as that 
he underwent the labour of traasplanting 
even full-grown and non-fruit beai-mg trees, 
merely for appearance sake. 

We object to the sense, "slow-growing," 
put upon seras by Wagn., Forb., &c., that 
it is an unmeaning epithet j« this connection, 
and is devoid of point in illustrating the 
poet's idea ; and, also, that it is not in con- 
formity with the adjs. that follow. Heyne, 
following Martyn, interprets seras, "old," 
"full-grown;" but on the general purpose 
and meaning of the sentence, his views 
seem to be nearly the same as those we 
have expressed above. 

145. Eduram — E in composition strength- 
ens and intensifies the meaning of the simple 
word, as in egelidus, equidem, edocere. ecas- 
tor, &c., &c On the platanus, see (Jeo. ii 
70, Note. 

147. Exclusus iniquis spatiis, i.e., pre- 
vented by limited space. See above, 116. 
The metaphor is taken from the race- 
course. 

150. /'ro^Ma/jzercecfe— Themeaningofthis 
phrase, and its s\'ntax, are somewhat obscure 
andirregular. Wagner's interpretation seems 
one of the best of the many that have been 
proposed. The construction, which is poetic, 
he thus turns into prosaic form, Quae quidem 
natui-ae sunt merces, pro qua pavre, &c. 
This certainly gives the sense, but does not 
clear away the awkwardness of the syntax. 
The simple explanation seems to be that 
the poet uses mercede in an anticipatory 
sense, and represents as a hire or wages that 
which was a disinterested and spontaneous 
act of favour on the part of the bees which 
uurtm-ed Jove, and which in rettu-u were 



B. IV. 151-161. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IV. 163-179. 



endowed by him ■with that superior sagacity 
and instinct that they now display. " Now 
come, I shall lay clearly tefore you those 
natui-al qualities and instincts which Jupiter 
imparted to bees as an extra giit (addidltj, 
for which (as their) hire they fed ;" or " for, 
for this hire they fed," resolving qua into a : 
conjunction and a demonstrative. But, \ 
since writing the foregoing, another mode 
has occurred to us, which we venture to i 
throw out for the discussion of the learned. ' 
We would suggest to take qua as equal to : 
quali [for which adj. qui is often used, as j 
every scholar knows], and to consider the I 
construction changed from the accus. (natu- j 
ras) depending on' the verb, to a clause (pro I 
quamercede, <fcc.)usedaccusatively. asin^n. j 
xL 250, nomen patriamque doceruus; {doce- \ 
mm) qui bellum intulerinf. quae causa atira- [ 
xerit Arpos. The translation would then ! 
be, "Now come. I shall lay before you the ; 
natural qualities and mstlncts which Jupi- 
ter himself imparted as an extra gift to 
bees: (I shall show), for what a noble hire ■ 
(it was that), following the sounds of the | 
Curetes, they fed the king of heaven," <s:c. j 
In this view, we would punctuate with a ' 
semicolon after expediam. I 

151. Curetum — The Curetes were the j 
priests of Cybele. By the sound of their i 
cymbals and other instruments they di'owned \ 
the cries of the infant Jupiter, so that 
Kronos did not discover his retreat in Crete. 
The locus classicus on the subject is Strabo, 
X. 465. On the cymbals, see above, 64; 
and on [Jit. Dicte, Geo. ii. 536. 

153. On this passage Heyne remarks— 
Locus qui sequitur est ex praestantissimis 
propter dignitatem rerum tenuitati additam 
ex translatis ab humano genere. 

Consortia tecta — habitations shared in 
common, to which each has an equal right. 

154. Magnis legibus — "powerful laws," 
i.e., such as are binding and so rigidly en- 
forced, as that none dares to transgress 
them. With certos Penates, " fixed abode," 
compare iEn. viii. 39, Hie tibi certa domus, 
certi, ne absiste, Penates. 

157. On in medium, consult Geo. L 127. 
Observe that victu, in next line, is the con- 
tracted dative. With foedere pacta com- 
pare magnis legibus of 154. 

159. Pars ponunt— On this construction 
see Epitome of Wagn., Quaest. Ykg. viii. 
iv. Saepta domorurn — The neut. of an adj. 
is very often used substantively, and may 
therefore govern the genitive. So we meet 
in the ^ueid, strata viarum — convexa cadi, 
«fcc., <fcc. 

160. Narcissi lacrimam, i.e., the honey 
juice. On Narcissus, consult Classical 
Diet, Smith. Lacrima is often used of the 
exudations of plants and trees. Here it 
refers especially to the clear and sweet 
drop contained m the calix of the daffodil 
(narcissus), which was said to be the tear 
of Narcissus. 

Lentum gluten— '■'■ the viscous, or clammy, 
bee-glue," Le., a kind oi propolis, ou which 
see Note 40, above. 

161. Fundamina — " The beginnings." 
Suspendunt, in next line, is closely accurate, 



since bees attach their combs to the roof of 
the hive, and build downward and verti- 
cally. 

163. Spem greats — aduJtos fetus — i.e., the 
new hives, the hope of the race. The leading 
out of the young is the duty of the queen- 
bee. This whole passage occurs in ^n. L 
430-436. 

165. Sorti is by some (Wagn. and Lade- 
wig) taken as the older form of the abl., like 
ruri. vesperi: while Heyne, Toss. Jahn, &c. 
make it the dative, and explam it as the 
similar phrase in JEu. ix. 271, excipiam ilium 
sorti, Le , ui sors mea sit. In this view the 
translation would be — "To whom the watch 
at the gates has fallen as their lot." 

166. Speculantur agua^— Writers on the 
economy and habits of bees tell us that 
these little animals are most especially 
weather-wise; and that their actions, when 
closely observed, prove one of the truest of 
barometers. 

168. Fucos—^' The drones," after serving 
their purpose, -siz., that of impregnating 
the eggs of the queen bee, are massacred 
or expelled to^^ards the end of summer by 
the working bees, lest they needlessly waste 
the gathered stores. 

170. To illustrate the "division of la- 
bour "-principle which the bees adopt, the 
poet compares the functions of the Cyclopes, 
some of whom blow the bellows; others 
dip the heated metal in the trough of water; 
others hammer, and turn the iron over and 
over again with the forceps. See Note and 
Illustration, ^n. viii. 453. 

173. Lacu — The trough of water kept for 
cooling iron speedily when the hammering 
is over. Impositls — "placed on the anvil- 
blocks;'" not on ^tna, as some interpret, 
for the forge was inside of Mtnsi, in the 
bowels of the earth. 

175. On in numerum, see Eel. vi. 27; and 
on parva componere magnis, EcL L 24. 

177. Cecropias apes — Mount Hymettus, in 
Attica, was particularly celebrated for its 
honey, on account of the thyme which grew 
there m great abundance. The term Cecro- 
plan is employed as equal to Athenian, the 
word being derived from Cecrops. the foun- 
der and first king of Athens. The epithet 
is therefore merefy an omative one, and has 
no peculiar applicability here. 
i 17S. Quamque suo munere — Each in his 
I o\\"n peculiar function. Grandaevis oppida 
i — This seems to be a mere poetic fancy: 
\ it is not true to fact. 

I 179. Afunire favos may mean, either to 
I strengthen the cells, i.e., to keep adding to 
I and repairing the walls of the cells; or per- 
i haps it rather refei-s to the fact, that the 
; compartments which held the winter stock 
; of honey were covered over on the top, so 
as to prevent them fi.-om being broken -on 
for every day consumption. Some com- 
mentators understand it of mending mp- 
ttires in the hive, so as to keep it water- 
tight Daedala — "ingeniously construct- 
ed." The more usual form of the adj. is 
daedalius, but Virgil adopts the Lucretian 
model It is derived from the Greek verb 
127 



B. IV. 181-199. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IV. 200-203. 



oaidaXXsiv, from which comes also Daeda- 
lus, the name of the famous Cretan artist. 

181. For Crura m the accus., after plenae, 
see Note, Eel. i. 55; and for pascuntur, with 
the accus.. Geo. iii. 314. On arbuta, consult 
Geo. iiL 300 ; i 148 : on salices, Geo. ii. 12 ; 
and on casia, Eel. 11 49 ; Geo. ii 213. 

182. Grociini rubentem — "The blushing 
crocus " grew wild in Italy, but was devoid 
of smeU, according to Pliny. Columella, 
however, advises that it should be planted 
near the hives, since it tended to flavour 
and to colour the honey. 

183. T'iZiaHi— "The lime, or linden tree" 
exudes a rich and sweet honey juice, which 
sen-es the bees for making gluten. On the 
hyacmth, see Eel ii. 18. 

185. Ruunt portis, Le., portas agmine re- 
Jinquunt. Jacobs. We see no necessity for 
supposing a simultaneous rush, which Ja- 
cobs' phrase implies. Every one who has 
watched the movements of bees in going 
out of their hives, and returning to them 
again, must have observed that, after they 
creep slowlj- forward for some space on the 
tray-shaped ledge in front of the cap, they 
take wing all at once, and fly ofl" -nith great 
speed; their flight, however, as they ap- 
proach the hive is cautious. 

190. Siletur in noctem — "silence reigns 
during the night." Suus sopor — Either 
"their well-earned sleep," or "sleep pecu- 
liarly their own," i.e., so sound and gentle, 
by reason of their iucessant labour during 
the daj', and the lightness of their food. 

192. Credunt foe/o— Either " trust to the 
sky," Le., risk the doubtful weather, even 
though the sky be then clear; or it may be 
used in a sense similar to se credere coelo, of 
iEn. vi. 15, " Commit themselves to the 
air;" but the former is preferable. 

194. Lapillos— This using of stones for 
ballast, by bees, to steady themselves against 
the ■nind, does not appear to be confinned 
by the mvesiigations of modern naturalists. 
The notion })robably arose from seeing that 
species called the Mason Bee carrying his 
agglutinated pebbles to form his nest on tlie 
side of some wall. '• The mason bee collects 
together a sufficient number of grains of 
sand to form a heap of the size of a small 
shot, and then cements the mass together 
with a viscid liquor ejected upon it from the 
mouth. With the gravel and cement it 
mixes a little earth, wliich renders the whole 
firmer, and more tenacious. The little pel- 
let of well-tempered mortar, thus formed, is 
instantly conveyed by the bee to the spot 
selected for the nest, where the foundation 
is formed by a cu-cle of these little balls, de- 
posited in regular succession." Insect Ar- 
chitecture. 

196. Inania nz<&j7o— "the unsubstantial 
clouds." This adj. is often used with such 
words as aer, nubes, umbra, ventus, which 
denote substances whose body cannot be 
said to be tangible. 

199. Segnes" solvunt, &c.— "They do not 
relax their bodies in love, so as to become 
indolent and languid-" Segnes is therefore 
proleptic. With in venerem after segnes, 

128 



comp. Geo. iii. 97, Frigidus in Venerem se- 
nior. Concubitu is contracted for concubi- 
tui, as in Eel. v. 29. The ancient notion 
with regard to the propagation of bees, was 
that the parent of the hive gathered the 
young brood from off the leaves of plants 
and trees, and that the juices of certain 
trees were especially powerful in producing 
the future population of the hive. The 
population of a hive consists of three classes: 
1st, The Queen Bee, which lays all the eggs, 
and is the mother of the entu-e hive ; 2d, 
The Drones, whose sole purpose is to im- 
pregnate the eggs of the Queen, and which 
are slain, or expelled, as soon as the breed- 
I ing season is over; 3d, The Working Bees, 
which form the hive, and the combs, and 
collect the honey. These seem to be of no • 
sex. Consult, however, the books already 
referred to in Note on line 1. 

200. Ipsae. i.e., solae, sine connuUo. Ob- 
serve the remarkably pretty use of the term 
Quirites, in next luie, inserted to add dignity 
to a humble subject, and to please the Roman 
ear. 

202. Refingunt—'' Form anew, or repair, 
theirhallsandwaxenrealm." Heyne. Wag., 
Forb., <fcc., take the phrase to denote the 
repeopUng of the hive by an ever fresh sup - 
ply of young. But, besides that this is a 
very strange interpretation to put upon re- 
Jingere, we prefer, for a reason to be stated 
in next Note, to take the phrase in its most 
literal acceptation. 

203. This, and the two foUomng verses, 
have been pronounced, by Heyne, Schrader, 
Wagner, and many other critics, to be out of 
place, and not connected, by any close bond, 
with the preceding or succeeding ones. 
Heyne, although suggesting an [imsatisfac- 
toryj explanation of the lines in their pre- 
sent order, yet proposed to read them im- 
mediately after 196; which arrangement, 
unquestionably, makes a suitable sense, but 
is open to this fatal objection, that no MS. 
countenances such a transposition. Wagu. 
supposes that the obnoxious verses may 
have been -^Titten by Virgil on the margin 
of his manuscript after the completion of 
the Georgics, and thence transferred by 
copyists into the text This, however, is 
only a supposition, and we need not there- 
fore deal seriously with it further. To us 
it appears that the coanectioji between the 
lines is of the closest kind, and that the key 
to the whole is found in 205, Tantus amor 
florum, tt-c. It will be observed that, from 
line 197, the poet is calUng attention to 
certain peculiarities of bees, which are very 
extraordinary, as compared with the habits 
of other animals, and which tend to increase 
om- admiration of their industry and saga- 
city. It will be a cause of astonishment to 
all, he says, quod nee indulgent concubitu— 
(quod non) solvunt corpora in Venerem, atU 
fetus nixibus edunt; Le., that they do not 
propagate the species in the usual way, but 
that they repair tlie stock in such a manner 
that there are not the same ties of ali'ection 
as in other animals, nor the same induce- 
ments to energy of action to provide for the 
young. The females, by themselves, do 



B. IV. 206-210. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IV. 211-230. 



everything that is requisite, witliout the 
jissistance of the males (see Note 200), even 
to the providhig of the king, and to building 
and repairing, or renewing, year after year 
(refingunt), the hives and combs; and, not- 
withstanding that they have not the same 
incentives to industry as other creatures, 
yet so great is their innate zeal that, rather 
than abandon their load of honey, they often 
perish on the hard rocks, upon which the 
weight of tlieir burden has dashed them. 
Since, therefore, they are not actuated by 
the same passions and feelings as others, 
and since the vsual inducements to activity 
are thus wanting, it must be that the mere 
love of flowers, and of producing honey, is 
their only exciting cause : " So powerful in 
them is the love of flowers, and so strong 
is the ambition to collect honey." Lines 
203 and 204 are thus made to heighten our 
astonishment at the assertions of 197, fol- 
lowing, and 205 comes in to conclude and 
account for the whole. We stand alone in 
this interpretation, so far as we are aware, 
but we feel assured that a careful exami- 
nation of the passage, in connection with 
the hints we have thrown out, will convince 
the studentof the justice of our conclusions. 

206, We do not see that there exists so 
close a connection between this line and 
202, as the critics would have us believe. 
They both speak of life, it is true [though 
it is very doubtful whether the la.ter part of 
202 does so] ; but the first passage refers to 
the manner oi producing the young, and the 
latter to the duration of life in the bee ge- 
nerally. A modern naturalist would be 
perfectly justified in beginning a new para- 
graph with such a phrase as ergo ipsas, i.e., 
with the discussion of the question as to 
the length of life in bees, after he had 
treated of the mode of generation. " Well, 
then {to proceed), though the term of a 
short life awaits individual bees themselves 
[and the several hives]— for not more than 
(observe the omission of quam after plus, as 
in Eel. in. 105) the seventh summer is passed 
by them— yet the race remains imperish- 
able, and the prosperity of the house abides 
unshaken, and grandsires of grandsires are 
reckoned" (in direct succession). 

208. MuUosque per annos~The follo\ving 
notice, illustrative of the text, we quote 
from Anthon's edition of the Georgics: — 
"Compare the curious account given of the 
swarm of bees wliich settled under the 
leads of the study of Ludovicus Vives in 
Oxford, who was appointed Professor of 
Rhetoric in that University through the 
influence of Cardinal Wol-ey. He took up 
his residence in Corpus Christi College, 
where he was welcomed by the bees. These 
bees, and their posterity, which were always 
known by the name of Vives' bees, kept 
possession from 1520 to 1630, in which year 
a decay of the leads caused them to be dis- 
turbed, when they Avere found to have 
stored an incredible mass of honey." 

210. Aegyptos~The Egyptians were par- 
ticularly celebrated for their loyalty. See 
Wilkinson's, or Eussell"s, Egypt. Ingens 



Lydia — This phrase refers particularly to 
the power and greatness of Lydia, under 
king Croesus. 

211. Parthorum — The Parthians were 
also particularly sub.'3ervient to their mon- 
archs. Medus Hydaspes — The Hydaspes is 
one of the rivers of the Panjab, and is now 
called Jelum, or Djelun, or Behut. It rises 
In one of the summits of the Parapamisus 
range, which extends into the empire of the 
ancient Persia; lience, as the Medes and 
Persians were closely associated in history, 
and in geographical position, the term Me- 
dus is applied to this river, though in a 
slightly improper sense. The Hydaspes 
(Jelum) falls into the Chenab, and it again 
into the Indus. 

214. On the respect paid by bees to the 
Queen, consult the books formerly referred 
to in Note on first line of this Georgia 
Observe that the poet uses phrases which 
were of common application to Roman 
soldiers. Note the aoristic perfects rupere, 
solvere, <fec., and see Note 49, Geo. i. 

217. Objectant corpora be/lo—See Natura- 
list's Library, "Bees," p. 62. 

219. In this passage the doctrines of Py- 
thagoras as to the anima Mundiare slightly 
touched upon. For a fuller view of the 
subject, see Mn. vi. 534, sqq. Observe the 
very remarkable construction of atque coup- 
ling his signis in the abl., to secuti in the 
nom., and see Note, Geo. i. 142. 

220. Partem divinae mentis, &c., "a por- 
tion of, or an emanation from, the divine 
intelligence." The idea was that a life- 
giving and active principle pervaded all na- 
ture ; that to this was due the existence of 
every creature ; and that, on the death of 
any living thing, the particula mentis divi- 
nae returned to the great source whence it 
came, and again amalgamated with its 
original whole. Aether ios haustus is merely 
a variety of expression (for the sake of 
greater clearness) of the foregoing phrase, 
partem divinae mentis 

224. Tenues is applied to vitas, as the vita 
is of an aetherlal, i.e., spiritual, nature. 

227. Sideris is in a collective sense, and, 
therefore, equals sidevani. Cf. Lucretius, 
i. 437, corporis augebit numerum. So Ovid, 
Trist. ii. 567, says, inter tot scripti millia 
nostri. 

228. Augustam, "venerable," "worthy 
of respect and admiration." The various 
reading, angustam, aifords in some respects 
a more suitable sense, though the former 
is more consistent with lines 210, sqq. 

229. Relines—1\\\s verb properly means 
to open casks and such like vessels, whicli 
have been sealed with wax, pitch, or other 
substance. It is used in a slightly different 
sense as applied to sedam and mella. It 
may be translated, "open," with sedem, 
and "uncover," with mella. 

230. Prius haustu spursus aquarum era 
fove.— The diversity in the reading and in 
the interpretation of these words is perplex- 
ing in the extreme. Some books exhibit 
orefave, "observe a solemn silence." Others 
oi^e fove, "spirt water from your mouth" 
on the bees, to prevent them from stinging? 



B. IV. 231-233. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IV. 234-244. 



you. Sparsus would then mean "sprink- 
ling them." Servlus. The reading of the 
text is that -which has the best MS. autho- 
rity, and which, moreover, yields the most 
appropriate meaning. As the Roman rus- 
tics were in the habit of eating garlic and 
other strong scented herbs, and as the 
sense of smell in bees is very acute, the 
poet orders that the breath of the honey 
collector should be purified and sweetened 
before he approached the hive. Ora fove 
therefore means "cleanse and sweeten your 
mouth and breath;" cf. Geo. ii. 135, animas 
et olentia Meii orafovent illo ; see also ^n. 
xiL 420, Fovit vulnus lympha. But our 
gi-eat difficulty lies in sparsus for which 
parens, pasius, pransus, have been severally 
conjectured. It is evident that sparsus, if 
ioined to haustu, is used in a very peculiar 
sense, for in its common acceptation it is 
entirely opposed to the idea of a single mouth- 
ful of water. We therefore take sparsus to 
refer to the washing of the ichole body, wliich 
would be particidarly necessary for those 
who, like laljourers, were exposed to violent 
perspirations. We w^ould therefore trans- 
late as follows: " Having previously washed 
your body, foment your mouth with draughts 
(the drawing) of water; " or, as Anthou 
has it, " gargle your mouth with a draught 
of water." This is Schirach's interpretation, 
but it is not free from objections; nor are 
we satisfied with any other which we have 
seen. Sequaces is a most appropriate term, 
as applied to fumos, smoke, which pene- 
trates every nook and cranny, and which, 
from its very hghtness and unsubstaiitiality, 
is easily drawn by the force of attraction to 
any body into whose neighbourhood it may 
couie. 

231. This and the four following lines are 
parenthetic, the connection being clo^e be- 
tween 230 and 236. If any change in the 
order of sequence is to be made, it will not 
be amiss to adopt Wagner's suggestion, and 
read 236, 237, and 238 after 230, and thus 
render the coherence in sense complete. It 
is to be rememoered, however, that this is 
only a suggestion, and has no countenance 
frcm MSS. We prefer the explanation tirst 
given. 

Cogunt, "They (viz. the honey gatherers) 
twice collect tlie lieavy produce (of the 
hives). Fetus means p7'0Uuce of any kind, 
and IS not to be taken here of the young 
bees, but of the store of amassed honey. 
Varro gives three periods for robbing the 
hives. 

232. Taygete, the Pleiad, one of the 
Pleiades or Vergiliae, on which see Note, 
Geo. i. 138. Their heliacal rishig (reterred 
to in 232-3) took place on 22d April, ac- 
cording to Columella; and their cosmical 
setting (234-5) on the 8th Nov. Simul is for 
simul uc. 

233 Oceani amnes. This phrase is in 
accordance with Homer's idea of the ocean 
as a great river flowing round the earth. 
Observe the peculiar appropriateness of re- 
pulit, so suLigestive of the action of one ris- 
ing into air, and taking advantage ot the 

130 



principle of "action and reaction," to give 
himself an upward impetus. 

234. Piscis ar/uosi. - This means the con- 
stellation. Dolphin, according to some. 
Voss considers that Piscis is used to denote 
winter generally, as the constellation Pis- 
cis may be seen the whole of every night 
divring that season. Heyne's explanation, 
derived from the delineations of the celes- 
tial globe, is not to be approved of, and we 
therefore omit it. The adj. aquosi is added 
to Piscis, because the winters of Italy were 
usually rainy, as before remarked. 

235. Tristioj The Pleiad is now repre- 
sented as somewhat sad, at the gloomy 
prospect before her, viz., the descent into 
the wintry waters in the cold month of 
November. How much alacrity and joy, 
on the other hand, are expressed by the 
words of 233, repuiit spretos amnes, descrip- 
tive of her rising and ascent ! 

237. The anger of the bees at the plun- 
dering of their hives is excessive, and they 
show their wrath by attaching themselves 
to the flesh {adfixae venis), and darthig 
their stings into the offending honey collec- 
tor. The stings are called caeca, because 
so small as to be almost imperceptible when 
left in the human person. 

239. The meaning is : — But if you take 
precautions to guard them against the hard- 
ships of the approachhig winter, and, there- 
fore, leave them an (ample) supply of honey 
for their future wants ; and, even though 
you pity their broken spirit and disabled 
state; yet you must not hesitate to smoke 
some of the cells, and fumigate the. remain- 
ing ones, so as to leave no place to harbour 
destructive moths and worms, and, at the 
same time, to render the attacks of such 
less hkely. The poet seems to suppose a 
case in which the bees have been successful 
during the sunnner in amassing a large 
quantity of honey. For thynio some books 
read /mo, as burnt cow-dung was also used 
for fumigation. 

243. titellio, a kind of lizard ; see 13, 
above. Stars on the back are said to have 
given origin to the name steUio (stella). Ig- 
notus adedit, 'i'kcch Tfuyuv, has "eaten 
the combs without its presence being de- 
tected." StelUo et must be pronounced, in 
scansion, stell-jet. 

Cubilia is nominative to adederunt (and 
not to sunt), understood, and is used tor the 
occupants of the nests. Blattis, cock- 
roaches. Lucifugis means "roaming by 
night," i.e., avoiding the light of day, as the 
critics say. But we rather think the term 
refers to that pecuharity in the habits of 
the insect, in virtue of which it seeks dark 
trunks, or closets, or meal-tubs, or beds, 
where it may be free from obsei-vation, even 
by day, and so get leave to pursue its depre- 
dations unmolested. 

244. A dalienapabulafucus— This charac- 
teristic of the drones was referred to before 
in 168, ignavum,fucos, pecus. So our own 
poet says — 

The bee, that feeds her husband drone 
deUciously. 



B. IV. 245- 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IV. 



-273. 



24-5. Crabro, "the hornet." Imparibus 
armis, "with ill-matched weapons," Le., 
over-matched. 

246. Tineae, "the moths," the "Phalaena 
Tinea Melonella"' of Linnaeus. Aranea, 
"the spider." The words, invisa Minet~vae, \ 
refer to the story of Arachne, daughter of i 
Idmon, who, having been defeated by Min- i 
erva in a trial of skill In weaving, was j 
about to hang herself, through grief, but i 
was pitied by the goddess, and changed 
into a spider. On the " Enemies of Bees," I 
see p. 149 of voL "Bees," in Naturalist's j 
Library. i 

248. The fo]lo^ving lines ad%-ise that not 
mtich honey be left in any hive, lest the ! 
abundance render the inmates lazy and re- j 
miss : for the more exhausted the bees are, { 
the more diligent will they become wlieu 
the honey season returns. | 

2-50. Foros, "the combs," or "cells," or, 
"hives." It means primarily the gangway 
of a ship, or a row of seats in the circus. 

251. We now come to the diseases of ! 
bees, and the means of healing them. j 

Forbiger and others consider either that ' 
the poet is guilty of an anacolouthon, in 
proceeding, in 254, dirterently from what the j 
syntax with which he commenced would ] 
lead us to suppose ; or ehe that the apodosis 
to si vero languebunt begins with 264, all the 
intervening lines, from guod jam of 253, 
being parenthetic. But we think neither 
supposition necessarj' The apodosis to 
si languebunt begins with continuo. the only 
parenthesis being line 253. " Dysentery 
appears to be the only serious disorder to | 
•which these insects are liable. * * Its 
existence is easily detected: the tioor-board " 
and the combs are covered with stains pro- | 
duced by the excrement, of a dark bruwn ! 
colour, and Avhich diffuse through the hive ! 
a most ( ffensive smell." It is to such a ; 
disease that the poet, in all probability, re- 
fers, and it is to the ease of detection that 
253 has regard. Nat. Lib., "Bees." See 
our Note on 67, above, for a fuU discussion 
of a similar passage. 

252. Vita, i.e., conditio, natura apum. 
2o5. ZiMce carenium—" of the dead." So 

in Mn. ii. we meet the phrase, Cassum lu- 
minelugent. 

257. Connexae pedibvs—lhi^ is usually 
understood as if the bees joined together in 
clusters, intertwining feet with feet; and 
the \fOYdi?, pendent ad Umina lend some de- 
gree of feasibleness to this interpretation. 
As it seems that in death insects do not 
adopt that plan, but rather twist and writhe 
their own individual bodies, Wagner would 
take it asmeaning.that each c/i/;»</6ee writhed 
and twisted its own feet through agony. Vir- 
gil, however, is not now describing those on 
the verge of death: it is of the hive gene- 
rally, as omnes of 258 shows, as well as the 
whole tenor of 257, 258. We therefore in- 
cline to the first explanation, as being a far 
more natural and probable one than Wag- 
ner's; for it is well known that lices do, on 
common occasions, cluster together thus for 
heat. 

260. Susurrant traciim — "They buzz in 



a continuous line;" or, "unceasingly;" or, 
" Tliey buzz in a drawling manner." The 
simile which follows would see^i to confirm 
this second interpretation. Contracto — This 
adj. would apply more properly to the bees 
than to the cold, but poets often take such 
liberties in their use of epithets. So Pallida 
mors; tarda senectus, though some critics 
would make the adj. active in aU these 
cases. 

262. Quondam — "sometimes," "by 
times." Stridit—Th\s verb is either of thi 
2d or of the -Sd conjugation, making stri- 
dere and stridere in the hifin. 

Sollicitum, i.e., sollicitatum — "lashed into 
fury," "angry," "troubled." Refluentibus 
— "as the waves roll back to land, and are 
again dashed off the coast" For these 
similes, comp. Hom. II. xiv, -394-9. 

264. Galbaneos odores, Le., galbanum odo- 
rvm as croceos odores, in Geo. L 56. On 
galbanum, see Geo. ill 415. 

26:6. L Itro — "contrary to whet might be 
expected," i. e., to the tisual procedure. 
Nota — This adj. is often put for what is a 
"favourite with a person or thing," as 
here. 

267. Saporem gaUae is equal to gaUam, 
hence the whole phrase \s==tunsam gaUam 
— " the pounded, or powdered, gall-nut." 

The gall-nut is that lumpy excrescence 
wliich is found on the leaves of the oak and 
some other trees: it is of a powerfully 
stringent character, and is therefore useful 
in dysentery. See end of Note 251. 

269. Defncta, for deferviia, T.ine boiled 
down to one half, or sometimes less. Sue 
Note on Geo. i. 295. Multo igni means " a 
long-rontinuedjire," and not "a strong fire," 
wliich was imsuitable for the simmering 
process. 

Fsithia, passos, dr. See Note, Geo. ii. 93. 

270. On Cecropium, see above 177; and 
on thy mum, 112, 

Ce«<aM/'ea~" Centaury," Thenom, sing, 
of this word is written centaureum, or cen~ 
taurinin, or centaurea, after three Greek 
equivalents. It got its name from the Cen- 
taur, Chiron, who cured arrow -wounds 
with it. The epithi t Pelethronium is some- 
times applied to it, from Mons Pelethronius, 
(Geo. iii. 115,) where the Centaur hved. 
There were two species of the herb — the 
greater and the less. It is of the former, 
which was of a heavy, strong, sm' 11 that he 
here speaks. The Romans caUed it fel ter- 
rae. Observe the scansion of this line, and 
its spondaic termination. 

271. Amelia — This is the ^s^er Amellus, 
or Atiicus, the purple Italian s ar-wort, 
which is found only in the N. of Italy; also 
in Attica. Servius says it receives its name 
from tlie Mella or Mela, a river of Cisalpine 
Gaul, on the banks of which it was found 
in great abundance. Observe the syntax 
of amello agreeing with cui; this is usuaUy 
called a Graecism. See Geo. iiL 147; and 
^n, i, 267, with Notes. 

27S, Cespite means not the turf, or earth, 
but the I'oot, whose fibres are tangled and 
matted together, so as to form a kind of 
131 



B. IV. 274-287. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IV. 289-293. 



turf of themselves. Transl., "It raises nu- 
merous stalks from one tangled root." 

274. Aureus ipse— This means that the 
central disk is of a golden colour, while the 
petals (foliis) which fringe this yeUow part 
are of a purple hue, like violets. An ex- 
amination of the common goican will make 
tlie matter plain to alL 

276. Weichert pronounces this line spu- 
rious, because of its want of connexion with 
what precedes or follows ; because of the 
abrupt change of tense iu ornalae sunt, and 
because of the unusual meaning of torques, 
as applied to a garland. But we consider 
these objections as trivial, and as entirely 
insufficient to cast doubt on the genuineness 
of the verse. There is certainly an abrupt- 
ness, and so there is likewise in Asper in, 
ore sapor, and in tonsis, &c., and we see eo 
reason why the poet should be found fault 
with for throwing iu this remark, either to 
afford an additional token by which the 
plant intended may be known, or to add to 
it a degree of dignity and sanctity. And, 
as Wagner observes, torquibus means fes- 
toons, and is thus entirely pi'oper iu its use. 

277. ToTisis, Le., cropped by the flocks. 
On the perf part, used for the present, in 
reference to things which ai'e now taking 
place, see Note, Geo. i. 206. On the river 
Mella, which flowed through the Mantuan 
territory, see 271, Note. From a passage in 
Catullus, 67, 33, it would appear that the 
Mella flowed past the ancient Brixia (hodie 
Brescia). 

281. We now come to the final episode 
of the Georgics, iu which the plan of re- 
cruiting the stock of bees when the hives 
have been annihilated, is recorded in con- 
nexion with the beautiful story of Aristaeus. 
An opinion was prevalent, in ancient times, 
that insects generally, and bees in particu- 
lar, were generated from the putrid carcases 
of beasts; this Virgil adopts. In eastern 
countries, where bees, in great numbers, 
flew wild about the woods, none caring to 
inquire into their habits, and when honey 
was frequently found in the interior of the 
dead bodies of animals, as, for example, in 
the lion slain by Samson, such an idea may 
have readily and natiurally originated. See 
Varro, ii. 5, 5 ; iii. 16, 4. 

283. Arcadii magistri—Oi the Arcadian 
shepherd, Le., Aristaeus. Some represent 
him as an Arcadian, and others as a Thes- 
salian ; and Virgil, though following the 
former in regard to the native country of 
the hero, yet assigns Thessaly as his resi- 
dence (below, 317). 

284. On the construction of tempus est 
pandere, see Note, Geo. i. 305. 

Quoque modo, i.e., et (que) quomodo. In- 
sincerus, "corrupted," "putrid." Forbiger 
states that no other writer of the Augustan 
age uses this adj. 

287. Pellaei Canopi— The city of Canopus 
stood on the western mouth of the Nile 
(the Canopic), and consequently near Al- 
exandria. It is called Pellaean trom Pella, 
m Macedonia, the birth place of Phihp and 
Alexander, becausethe latterannexedEgypt 
to the Macedonian throne. Alter that tmic 

lo2 



Egypt was often called Macedonica or Pel- 
laea. Consult on the several names. 
Smith's Diet, of Geography, or the Com- 
mon Text Books of Ancient Geography, on 
Egj^pt. The Egyptians are called a fortu- 
nata gens, on account of the fertility of the 
soil, caused by the overflowings [to this stag- 
natem of next line refers] of the Nile. 

289. Faselis— This was a kind of light 
boat, called by the natives Baris, reseml)- 
ling in shape the pod of the kidney bean, 
faselus. 




Observe that circum is separated from its 
case. Cf. Hon, Sat. i. 6. 59. 

290. This, and the four following lines, 
have given rise to a most voluminous con- 
troversy, which it would by no means repay 
us to Avade through. We shall therefore 
indicate briefly the points necessary for un- 
derstanding the passage, referring those 
who seek further discussion to Bui-mann, 
Wagner, and Forbiger. 

By vicinia Persidis, "the country bor- 
dering on Persia," Virgil is supposed to 
mean Syria, which borders on the Parthian 
empire, for the poets of the Augustan age 
often call the Parthians, Persians. The 
epithet pharetratae confirms this opinion, 
as the Parthians were famed for their skill 
in archery. See Aledus Hydaspes, 211, 
above. Besides, the Persian empire did at 
one time extend from the Indus to the 
Nile. 

i7/-gre<— "presses upon," Le., "touches," 
"borders on." 

291. We would remove the brackets 
which have been placed in the text at the 
beginning of this Une, and at the end of the 
next, making amnis of 293 the subject of 
fecundat, and deleting the comma which 
stands after arena. Nigra arena, Le., the 
alluvial earth, or mud, which, from its very 
richness, is of a dark colour. 

292. Discurrit ruens — "separates, as it 
flows, into seven different mouths." 

293. Bevexus — "carried down," referring 
to the rise of the Nile in the high grounds 
of the South. The high table-lands of 
Abyssinia give rise to one branch of the 
Nile, but the Nile proper "is beUeved to 
have its source in East Africa between lat. 
1° and 4^ S., long, about 30° E., near the 
base of Mount Kenia, on the west side of 
the range commonly known as the Moun- 
tains of the Moon." See Bryce's General 
Gazetteer, imder "Nile." 

Coloratis Indis, Le., the Etliiopians, Indis 
being used of blacks generally. See Geo. ii. 
116, and Tihidlus, iL 3, 55. The meaning 
of the passage simply is, that all the inha- 
bitants of the Delta of the Nile — those on 
the west, at the Canopic mouth, those on 
the east, towards Syria and Persia, and 
those in the south, towards Ethiopia— place 
implicit confidence in this plan ot rcvivhig 
the siock oi bees. Tiic oidor ol the words 



B. IV. 295-305. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IV. 307-323. 



is, Quaque vicinia (nom. sing.) pharelratae 
Persidis urget, et (qua) amnis devexus 
usque ab coloratis Indis fecundat viridem 
JEgijptum nigra arena et discurril mens 
in septem diversa oru, omnis regio jacit 
certain, salutem in hac arte. MSS. vary 
much as to the order in which these lines 
follow one another. We are inclined to 
prefer, for simplicity sake, that arrange- 
ment which places 291, Et viridem, (fee. 
after 293, mqiie coloratis. There are there- 
fore three modes of arrangement— 1, That 
adopted in the text: 2, That which we 
have just indicated; and 3, Quaque — et 
diversa— et viridem— usque coloratis. Trans- 
late from 287, thus—" For where the fa- 
voured people of the Pellifiau Canopus 
dwell hard by the Nile, which expands into 
a lake with its overflowing stream, and are 
carried round their fields in painted canoes ; 
and where the contiguous territory of 
quiver-armed Parthia adjoi:is (the Egj-p- 
tian country), and the river borne down 
even from the swarthy Indians (Ethopians) 
fertilizes verdant Egji)t with its black (and 
unctuous) mould, and separates, as it careers 
along, into seven distinct mouths, the en- 
tire region confidently alleges that there is 
a never-failing safe-guard (or remedy) in 
this plan." With 288 and 291, compare 
the words of our own poet — 

The Nile, redundant o'er his summer bed, 

From his broad bosom life and verdure 
flings. 
The whole passage is a very faulty one, 
and great doubt is cast on its genuineness 
by the disagreement of the MSS. as to the 
order of sequence, by the tedlousncss and 
circumlocutory form in which ,an insigni- 
ficant matter is embellished, and by the 
double description ot the Nile. 

295. Exiguusatqm contractus — "of small 
dimensions, and made limited (i.e., nar- 
rowed) for this very purpose." 

297. Preniuni— "They cover in with the 
tiling of a narrow roof, and with confining 
walls." Imbrice means a hollow, gutter 
tile, for carrying off the rain, and is there- 
fore said to be connected with imber. 

Quatuor fenestras, (frc— Four openings 
turned towards the four points of the com- 
pass, and admitting the light in a slanting 
direction, so as not to allow too much air 
or light at once, but yet not to exclude them 
entirely. 

299. Curvans, (kc. — "Arching his horns 
on his forehead of two years old." 

302. After stopping up the nostrils of the 
beast, and otherwise preventing liim from 
breathing, they beat him to death with 
heavy cudgels, for the purpose of bruising 
and softening the flesh and bones, so as to 
liasten decomposition; while, at the same 
time, they are cautious to keep the hide 
sound. Viscera does not mean the " bow- 
els," but everything underneath the skin. 

303. In clauso, "In the pent-up cham- 
ber." On sic positum, see Note, ^n. ii. 
644. On thy mum, 112 above; and on casias, 
Geo. ii. 213. 

305. The first approach of Favonius, or 



Zephyrus, the W. wind (about the 7th 
Feb.) marked the time of entering on na^'i- 
gation, and is put here to denote the early 
part of spring. Instead of rubeant and 
suspendat, in the subj. mood, we might 
rather have expected ruient and su-spendit, 
(1,) because the thing stated is represented 
as a fact; (2.) because no condition is im- 
plied; (3,) because ante quam, when written 
separately, have almost, invariably, an in- 
dicative. We may account, however, for 
the subj., by saying that there is somewhat 
of uncertainty and doubt as to the opera- 
tion of the laws of nature, and the conse- 
quent flourishing of the meadows. Consult 
Kritz, Sail. Cat., 4, 5, on antequam initium 
faciam. Forb. 

307. The swallow made its appearance 
in Italy from the 20th to the 23d or 24th 
Februaiy. 

309. Aestuat, "ferments." Humor, the 
putrid blood. Teneris ossibus, "the softened 
bones." 

310. Trunca pedum — " Minus the feet" 
Tr uncus is usually followed by the ablative 
of the part taken away, but the poets often 
use the genitive, in Greek fashion. The 
adv. primo is veiy rarely used by Virgil ; 
only here and in Mn. v. 654, ix. 576. In 
all other places it is an adj. 

311. On carpunt in this sense, see Note 
on corripuere, Geo. iii. 104. Observe magis 
magis for magis et magis. 

314. Leves, "nimble," "active,"or "light 
armed." Some interpret "false," "easy 
conscienced," but such a meaning is ab- 
surd in this place. 

315. On quis deus, see Eel. 1. 19. With 
extudit artem, cf Geo. i. 133. Unde experi- 
entia, <i:c., i.e., Whence came this new skill 
of mankind? who was the discoverer of 
this new method of generating bees? 

317. Donatus, in his "Life of VirgO," and 
Servius, tell us that the Episode of Aris- 
tae us did not form part of the Georgics in 
their first edition, but that it was afterwards 
inserted in substitution for a Eulogy on Corn. 
Gallus, which was removed from the poem 
after that individual fell under the displea- 
sure of the emperor. The story, however, 
is discredited by critics, as no other traces 
of this alleged paneg>Tic have been found in 
ancient authors. On Aristaeus, see Geo. 
i. 14, Note. On Tempe (hodie, Lykostomo), 
consult Note, Geo. ii. 469. The river 
Peneiis (hodie, Selymbria), in Thessaly, is 
well known by every tyro. 

319. Caput extremi amnis, i.e., the far 
distant "fountain head" of the river; some 
large grotto being imagined, whence issued 
the" waters of the river, after they gushed 
up from the centre of the earth. Some 
commentators interpret "the disembogue" 
of the river ; but this view is quite unte- 
nable. 

321. Cyrene was the daughter, or accord- 
ing to others, the granddaughter of Peneiis. 
With the complaints of Aristaeus to CjTene, 
compare those of Achilles to Thetis in 
Horn , II. i. 349, sqq., from which the idea 
is evidently borrowed. 

323. Thymbraeus, "God of Thymbra." 
133 



B. IV. 324-344. 



NOTES OX THE GEORGIGB, 



B. IV. 345-355. 



Thymbra was a district of the Troad, 
through whicli flowed the river Thy mbrius; 
it was famous for its temple of Apollo. 

324. Invisuni fatis—& common complaint 
among the unfortunate; it lays a pleasing 
unction to the soul to attribute blame in 
these matters to " Providence." It seems 
to be an imitation, as is well remarked by 
Mr Sheridan, of Horn., 11. 418, tm at Kccm 
aiff'A Tiicov iv jUiyKpoKTi. Forbiger is 
rather at fault, we think, in explaining the 
phrase as equal to "■mortalem., non divino 
honore cuUum." With quo pulsus amor, cf. 
/Sin. ii. 595. 

326. ^Mttc— "This present," the pron. 
Mc being used of present time; ille, of past. 

328. Te matre, i.e., although you, a god- 
dess, are my mother, and might thus not 
only have established some claim to divi- 
nity for me, but at least might have averted 
this misfortune, yet I must bear up against 
the loss of inunortality, and even against 
present calamity in this mortal life. 

329. This and the following three lines 
are uttered with something like pettish/iess, 
or at least with despondency and ill-con- 
cealed discontent at the apparent aci'iuies- 
cence of his mother in the evil fortune which 
is befalling liim. 

331. On bipennem, see JEn.il'ild. Molire 
means "to wield with force and destruc- 
tion." See Note on Geo. i. 329. 

334. On Milesia vellera, see Geo. iiL 306, 
Note. Observe the preposition, circum, 
following its case. Carpebant, " spun." 

335. Hyali, of '' hyalus," vocXos, i.e., 
vitrum, "glass." Hence hyal us seeivs heve 
to mean of a " sea-green colour"— of the 
colour of the glassy deep. 

336. In the following catalogue of the 
nymphs, it will be seen that the poet in- 
cludes names from all the different classes 
of these inferior deities. We have nymphs 
of the sea and of the rivers, — of tiie woods 
and of the groves ; also daughters of Nereus 
and of Oceanus. Cf. Horn. II. xviii. 39 sqq. 

337. On tlie syntax of effusae caesarieui, 
see Note, Eel. i. 55, and especially iii. 106. 
As to the difference between caesaries, 
comae, crinis, dx., see DiJderlein, " Lat. 
Synonymes." 

338. Critics judge that this line is spu- 
rious, because it is absent from many MSS., 
and because it occnrs again in JEn. v. 826. 

339. Z'/ava—" of flaxen hair;" Die blonde, 
says Forb. See 352, below. On Lucina, 
consult Class. Diet., and Note, Geo. iii. 60. 

342. Auro, pellibus incinctae, &c., i.e., 
having the variegated (parti-coloured) hides 
which they wore tucked and fastened up 
with golden fibulae, brooches, or clasps. Cf. 
^n. i. 320. 

343. Final e of £'^%re is not elided. See 
Metrical Index ; and Eel. ii. 24, Note. On 
Asia, see Note, Geo. i. 383: "De'iopea 
of the Asian Mead." 

344. On Arethusa, see Eel. x. 1. She is 
here represented as a huntress, which at 
first sight appears strange in the case of an 
ocean nymph. But Diana is sometimes re- 
presented as choosing lier hunting com- 

134 



panions from among the sea nymphs. Po- 
sitis sagittis — She is now tired of the chase, 
and has abandoned both it and its imple- 
ments. 

345. Curam Vulcard — The eagerness of 
Vulcan in guardhig his wife Venus, from 
the intrigues of Mars. Dolos and dulcia 
furta seem to refer to the same thing, the 
latter being merely expletive of the former. 
See Hom., Odyss., viii. 266 sqq. 

347. Atque—1\\e usual reading is aque, 
which makes the readiest sense. Atque 
and aque are often confounded in the MSS. 
Chao — Chaos means the state of confusion 
which existed before the arrangement of 
matter into our present world; and the 
phrase will thus mean—" all the way down 
from chaos," i.e., from the earliest date. 

343. Mollia pensa — Their soft woolly 
task. Fusis — The fmus or spindle was 
generally about twelve inches long. It 
was made of wood, and was employed in 
spinning, to twist the fibres of wool or flax 
into thread as they were drawn off the 
colus, or distaff. The colus corresponds in 
use, and nearly in shape to what is called 
the "rock" in an antique spinning wheel, 
such as is used in remote parts of our own 
country, and the fusus to the spindle, or 
central part of the " hacL" The woodcut 
represents the fusus. 



350. Vitreis — The epithet "glassy" is 
constantly employed by the poets, in refer- 
ence to persons or things belonging to the 
sea, or to water generally. Heyne and 
Voss would scan vitreis as a dissyllable, by 
synizesis, like aureis, ifcc, but Wagner con- 
tends that this is unnecessary, since the 
first syllable is sometimes found short, as 
in Hor., Od. iii. 13, 1, &c., &c. 

352. On flavum, see above, 339. Flaxen 
hair was uncommon in Rome, and in Italy 
generally, and was therefore reckoned a 
beauty. So7-ores, in the preceding line, is 
not to be taken in too strict a sense 

355. Penei is a dissyllable here, like Or- 
phei, in 545, though the Greek form being 
liyiviiov, the Latin should be Penei, in three 
syllables. It is only the later poets that 
take the liberty of employing synaloephe in 
such words as have the first of the slurred 
syllables long; but even Hor, in Od. ii, 
6, 5, and in Epist. i. 7, 91, has Pompei, and 
Voltei, as dissyllables, though the penult ot 
both is long. Virgil may therefore have 
used the same license. But Wagn. thinks 
that as the Greeks wrote both 'AX(pio; 
and 'AX(p£/of, Aiviec; and Aivstas, so they 
may have written Hyivsos and TJyivno^, and 
that til us our poet may have composed his 
verse, having regard to the former of these 
two modes. In Theocritus, xxv. 15, there 
is a various reading, Hyjviov, which has 
been adopted by some of the most eminent 
critics. If it be the correct version, it af- 
fords the best example that could be de- 
sired, coming, as it does, from a poet whom 



B. IV. 356-370. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IV. 371-374. 



Virgril so often imitates. The synaloephe 
oi Penii (with the short penult) would thus 
be quite natural, and accordins; to common 
practice. Gmitoris —Either "father of Gy- 
rene," in the literal sense (see 321. Note), 
or the term may be merely an ornative one, 
such as is applied to river-sjods, and gods 
generally, who, by watering the earth, or 
by conferring other benefits on mankind. 
are looked upon as standing to the human 
race in the relativ^n ot kind and thoughtful 
parents. But it is perhaps rather the idea 
of age and long continuam-.e that suggests 
the term. Successive generations look on 
the river-god, or mountain-sjod, ' so Pater 
Appenninus, Mn. xii. 703,) as one whomth^iy 
never saw in his infancy, and of whom their 
fathers knew not the first beginiung. See 
.^n. vii. 685, and xii. 703, with Notes. 

356. Dicit nomine is a poetic circumlocu- 
tion for nominat. On percussa mentem, of 
next line, consult Eel. i. 55. Huic depends 
on aixit, or respondit, understood. Our own 
poets similarly omit verbs in such cases. 
We are not to make huic depend on ait, as 
some propose. It is quite common to use a 
verb of saying, to introduce the whole sen- 
tence, and afterwards to insert a "says he," 
or "says she." JVova — "novel," "strange," 
"unusual" 

358. Observe the accumulation of impera- 
tives, due, age, due, expressing great haste 
and eagerness. 

359. This verse is borrowed from Hom., 
IL xxiv. 96, and line 361 from Hom., Odyss. 
xL 2i3, 

362. The description is very graphic, the 
use of mis it being especially forcible. 

363. Althougii genitor is invariably spelled 
with an i, yet all the bdst MSS. write the 
fem., genetrix: it is only tlie codices of in- 
ferior note that write geaitrix. 

In the following verses, down to 373, the 
poet speaks of the general reservoir of all 
the rivers of earth, and not of the sources 
of the Peaeus alone. He conceives an im- 
mense grotto, whence all the streams pro- 
ceed that issue forth on the world above, 
and where are the palaces of the river-gods 
and nymphs. Along die banks of the 
rivers, even in that part of their course 
which is subterranean, there are trees that 
re-echo the wliisperiags of tlie waters (lucos 
sonantes). Of. Ovid, Met. i. ^i-tj. Ipse 
(Neptunus) tridenti suo terram percussit: at 
ilia Intremuit. inotuque sinus pate/ecit aqua- 
rum. 

367. Diversa locis is poetic for diversis locis. 
Phasis, a river of Pontus; it is now called 
Rion or Fachs. Lycuni (hodie, Kidti Hissar) 
is another river of Pontus, flowing into the 
iris. 

369. Enipeus, a river of Thessaly, flowing 
into the Penous. Tiberinus pater — see Note 
355, on Pater. Aniena fluenta — " The 
streams of the Anio,'' whicn emptied itself 
into the Tiber a suort way above Rome. It 
is now called Teverone, and flows past Ti- 
voli, the ancient TiOur. 

370. Hypanis (hodie, Bug), a river of 
Eiu'opean Sarmatia (Southern Russia), flow- 
ing into the Black Sea. Saxosum sonans, 



" Thundering o'er the rocks," i.e., his rocky 
channel. Some books read Saxosus. The 
Gaicus, in Mysia, is now called (as some 
tidrik) Ak-su, or Bakir — see Leake, "Asia 
Minor." But there is much disputation 
about the true representative of the Gaicus. 

371. Taurine vultu — It was very common 
among the ancients to represent the deities 
of rivers as possessing horns ; so in ^n. viii. 
77, we have the epithet corniger applied to 
the Tiber. For tlie comparison of a river 
to a bull, many explanations have been at- 
tempted: (1) Some have said that Virgil's 
phrase is a mere imitation of Homer's 
l/,-fxvKu$ YiUTi rctvpo;, applied to the Xan- 
thus, and that the resemblance is between 
the river's roar and the bull's bellowing; 
(2) The ocean is also called •ra.upoy.pccvov 
by Eurip., Or. 1386, the idea being the im- 
petuosity of a river, conjoined with the sav- 
age %dolence ot the bull From this Virgil 
has borrowed his expression. (3) Others 
are of opinion that the curving banks, and 
the separation of the stream into mouths 
may have suggested the idea of bent horns 
extending in ditferent directions from one 
head. We are not entirely satisfied with 
any of these explanations, but from the 
use of vultu, and from other considerations, 
we prefer the last to either of the other two. 
Auratus cornua — "gilded as to his horns," 
The epithet auratus may refer, (1,) to 
the alleged golden sands of the river; (2,) 
to the fertility caused by it, "golden" ex- 
pressing great value; or (3.) because such 
epithets as "golden" are frequently applied 
to the gods. 

We believe, however, that the true ex- 
planation of the term as here employi'd is 
ditferent from all these. It is well known 
that the horns of bulls about to be offered 
in sacrifice, or le.l in procession (e.g., in the 
triumph of a general) were often tipped 
with gold to enhance the beauty and the 
Value of the animals. The poet therefore 
wishes to heighten his description of the 
river, by comparing it to a bull loith gilded 
horns. On the syntax of auratus cornua, 
see Note, Eel. i. 55. 

373. Purpareuni — This adj. and its Greek 
original are constantly applied to the sea, 
more especially wlien swept by oars or dis- 
turbed by a storm. The kindred epithet 
olvo^ is, however, a more general terra. 

Violentior — The current of the Padus (Po) 
seems to have been very strong in former 
times. In the present day the bed of the 
river is for a great part of its course higher 
than the surrounding country, and large 
embankments are necessary to prevent in- 
undations. A very large amount of allu- 
vial matter is brought down by the current 
from the high lands, so that the channel is 
m.ich impeded, and the delta of the river 
so far extended that towns which were 
once on the sea coast are now many miles 
inland. Tnis raising of the bed, and dam- 
ming up of the stream have contributed to 
the present diminished impetuosity of the 
current. 

374. Aristaeus having reached the cham- 

135 



B. IV. 377. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS, 



B. IV. 389-40<?. 



ber of his mother, Gyrene, receives the 
usual attentions due to guests, the g-oddess 
having first satisfied herself {cognovit fletus 
inanes) that the cause of his complaints was 
trifling, and the remedy for his misfortunes 
simple. 

Pendentia pumice, ie., whose roof vras 
formed of pendant pumice stones. 

377. Mantilia tonsis i^/Z^is—" towels with 
closely cut nap, or pile. Napkins were 
usually made of coarse linen, with a long 
aud rough nap, but this was sometimes cut 
closely off. 

378. Observe the sing, pars joined to the 
plural onerant. This is an example of the 
synesis construction explained in Note on 
Eel. iL 71, and JEn. L 70. See also Wagn. 
Qu. Virg. viii. 4, Epitome. 

Reponunt — eWher simply "set on," as 
equal to ponunt, (of. Note, Geo. iii. 527); or 
" set on again and again," (cf. .En. viii. 175) ; 
or, as Wagn. interprets, " set on fresh cups," 
as was done at tlie second course {mensae 
secundae). "Wagner's Note is, '■^Sublata 
prima niensa appositaque altera sive secunda, 
aliis etiam poculis appositis, i.e., pocuiis re- 
positis, hbationes Jiebant." But because 
females are the hosts in this case; and be- 
cause repono is often used for the simple 
ponere, (e.g., Hor. Od. i. 9, 6), ligna super 
foco, large reponens, we prefer the simple 
interpretation, " set on what is due." 

379. On Panchaeis, see Note, Geo. ii. 139 ; 
and on adolescunt. Eel. viiL 65. 

380. Moeonii Bacchi, " ofMoeonianwine," 
i.e., Lydian, Tmollan (see Geo. ii. 98) which 
is put for the best quality. 

For a description and illustration of the 
carchesium, see Mn. v. 77, Note. 

382. Oceanus is first invoked as the parent 
of rivers and fountains. Patrem rerum — 
This is said in imitation of Homer, who 
uses the plirase, ^x-iavov ti huv yiviiriv. 
See also 11. xiv. 246, 'fi^tsavot/, oaTip yiv- 
iffii 'xd.vTKTffi TiTUKTai ; and bclow, 387. 

Centum is used merely for a round num- 
ber. 

384. Vestam is equal to ignem, as Valca- 
nus is used for ignis, Bacchus for vinum, &c. 
See Geo. i. 295. This use of Vesta, how- 
ever, is uncommonly rare. Ter — Three 
was a number sacred in the ceremonies of 
religion and of magic. 

386. Animum — either "his mind," or 
" her own mind." The latter is preferable. 

387. Carpathio pelago — The sea around 
the island of Carpathus (now Scarpanto), 
which lay between Khodes and Crete. 
These verses are taken from Hom., Odyss. 
iv. 364 sqq., where Proteus, (son of Oceanus 
and Tethys,) is represented by Homer as 
living on the island of Pharos, near the site 
of the afterwards famed Egyptian Alex- 
andria; but Virgil assigns him in this place 
to Macedonia, i.e., to Emathia and Pallene. 
Proteus is only an allegorical representation 
of water; his mutations typify tiie changes 
which the old philosophers attributed to 
water, viz., that it altered itself so as to 
form the three other great elements of n&r 
tare— earth, air, and fire. 

136 



389. Piscibus et cwrrw— Proteus was re- 
presented as drawn by hippopotami, which, 
in their hinder part, resembled a fish, and 
in their front a horse; hence they are called 
bipeds, because only the fore feet existed. 

390. On Emathi'ae, see Note, Geo. i. 492. 
Consult also Schmitz's Anct. Geog., and a 
map of Macedonia. Pallene, one of the pro- 
montories of Chalcidice. In assigning this as 
the native place of Proteus, Virgil seems to 
have followed some legend now unknown. 

392. Grandaevus — Virgil is the first writer 
known to have used this word. The epi- 
thet is strictly applicable, as mythologist* 
made Nereus the eldest son of Pontus, and 
one of the most ancient deities. See Hesiod, 
Theog., 233. 

393. Sint, fuerint, trahantur — For these 
subjunctives some copies substitute indica- 
tives, sunt,fuerunt, <ra/j«n<wr, on the groimd 
that the line is a mere explanation of om^ 
nia, and does not depend on novit. Wag- 
ner thinks that the necessity of shortening 
the penult of fuerunt was the cause which 
led copyists to alter the verbs. Cf. Horn., 
II. i. 70. Observe the compound phrase, 
Ventura trahantur, denoting futurity, with 
the idea of delay. 

395. With this, and the following lines, 
cf. Horn., Odyss. iv. 386 sqq., and Hon, Od. 
i. 2, 7, Omne quum Proteus pecus egit altos 
visere monies. Immania armenta — " his 
herds of monstrous form, and his ill-shapen 
seals." This idea of the feeding of the sea- 
monsters seems to have arisen from the 
disporting of seals and other marine animals 
at certain times of the day, and in such 
manner as cattle often play in the fields. 

397. Secundet eventus— Wand, and Wag. 
interpret, " May change for the better the 
calamities that have befallen you." Bat we 
prefer to take it in the plain meaning, 
"May bring about a favourable issue," viz., 
may put you on a plan of recruiting your 
hives. Secundet is equal to det secundos. 
This view would seem to gain confirmation 
from Ovid's parallel passage. Fast. i. 367, 
where Cyrene says, Siste, puer, lacrimas: 
Proteus tua damna levabit, (^uoque modo re- 
2)ares, quae periere, dabit. 

399. Observe the zeugma in tendit, go- 
verning vim and vincula in ditferent senses. 
Tendere vim, "to employ iofce.;" tendere 
vincula, "to tighten, or bind, cliains." 

400. Circum haec, i.e., si haecfucies—^hy 
these plans." Inanes is here in a proleptic 
sense, '•«< sint inanes " — "shall be frustrat- 
ed, and rendered unavailing." Prophets 
were loth to be forced under the influence 
of the deity, on account of the severe spas- 
modic attections consequent on the inspira- 
tion of the god. Cf. JEn. vi. 77 sqq. 

404. (Secreto— "the private abode." The 
ancient notion that the gods loved solitude, 
and that the rustic deities, especially, re- 
tired in the heat of the day to the cool 
shade, is broaght out in these lines. 

406. Eludent, "wi 1 parry your efforts," 
"wUl mock or cheat you." Some MSS. 
read illudent. Ora ferarum, "forms of 
wild beasts," or "savage appeai-ances;" 
now he will become "a bristly boar, and 



B. IV. 408-432. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IV. 436-458. 



now a tigress of scowling and savage as- 
pect" 

408. Fulva cercice leaena— Wagner finds 
fault with Tirgil for representing Proteus 
as changed into a lioness, and then for at- 
tributing to this lioness a mane which be- 
longs only to the males. Bat, as Ladewig 
remarks, the poets often use as epicene. 
nouns which have two forms to distinguish 
the sex. 

410. " Or he wiU emit the sharp crack- 
ling of fire (Le., will turn himself into a 
flame), and thus slip out of (escape firom) 
your bonds, or vanishing iuto thin water 
he will be oflf from you." 

412. Contende, ""tighten," "paU hard." 
Tenacia, "griping." 

41-5. Ambrosiae odoretn. Le., ambrosiam 
odoratam. Ambrosia is commonly used of 
the food of the gods, i.e.. that mixture of 
"honey, wine, and odoriferous herbs" which 
the inhabitants round about Olympus re- 
galed themselves v,-ith.—0Iumpu3 '•'hrose" 
in fact ; here, however, an ungaent or cos- 
metic is intended. See Horn.. Odvss. iv. 
444. 

Difundit, "pours all around," so as to 
envelope the entire body of her son. In- 
stead of quo corpus perduxit we should 
rather have expected quern per corpus per- 
duxit. 

420. The conception of the poet seems to 
be, a sheltered bay with a cave at the head 
of it. cf. ..En. L 160, with Notes. 

421. Deprensis, "surprised," "overtaken" 
when unprepared. C£ JEn. v. -52, ArgoUco 
inari deprensus ; and Hor , Od. ii. 16, 2. 
Olim, "of old time." 

422. Objice saxi— This is an instance of 
the gen. of apposition, on which see Note. 
Geo. iii. 423. On objice (for objectu), see 
Geo. ii 480. Tegit, Le., tegere solet. Aver- 
sum a lumine, "retired from the light," Le., 
in such a position that the light from the 
mouth of the cave should not fall upon him, 
so as to discover his presence 

424. Procul, "hard by," see Note on Eel. 
vL 16. Obscura nebulis, "hid in mists." 
Eesistit, "stops," "halts." 

425. On rapidus, see Note, EcL iL 10, 
and Geo. L 92. Sitienies, "parched," see 
EcL L 65. Sirius — the dog star, Le., the 
sun during the dog days. Indos is put for 
those living in southern latitudes generally; 
it is governed hy torrens. Ardebat, "was 
blazing;" "was like a ball of fire," as we 
say. 

427. Hauserai is used figuratively, like 
our verb "to drain," to express the comple- 
tion of labour or of affliction, and theretbre 
may mean simply "had reached the zenith." 
Here, however, as the poet speaks of the 
scorching and drying effect of the sun, we 
think the literal" signification is intended, 
viz., that of exhausting and drying up. The 
result of this drying of the atmosphere was 
that the herbs were burnt up, and the rivers 
rtmning in deep beds (cava) were gradually 
warmed to the mud, and heated even to 
boiling, /'a wet's us, Le., "channels." 

432. Somno, "for sleep," the dative. 
JDiversae, Le., in diversis locis; the words 



1 are to be taken in the order, phocae (the 
seals, or sea calves) sternunt se diversae. 
j See above, 367; and .S,a. L 70. 
i 436. Considit medius, " seats himself in a 
central position," Le., "in the midst of 
] them." See ^En. viL 169. Considit is the 
! pres. ot consido, and not the archaic perf. 
i as WuuderL wishes to make out. 
i 440. Occupat — This verb means " to take 
I the start of" in doing something; so here 
; it signifies to anticipate him as he lies, and 
secure him with shackles before he can 
I protect himself. 

j 441. Miracula rerum — So we have such 
! conversational phrases as "monsters of 
i things," Le., wondrous and monstrous 
shapes. 
I 443. Pillacia,— The more usual reading 
i in recent editions is fallacia, which is per- 
j haps preferable, since peUacia implies the 
I idea of wheedling and coaxing by blandish- 
! menti, whereas faVjicia does not suggest 
i any such accessory notion, and is therefore 
more applicable to the d?^ices of Proteus. 

444. In sese redit — " Returns to his for- 
mer self" (Le., shape). Redire ad se is used 
of the mind. 

446. Observe the use of re— "Who sent 
vou. <fec., or what do you want from me" 
Chine) f 

447. Est fallen — ZTji means "is it possi- 
ble," like 'iCTt in Greek. For other exam- 
ples see iEn. xL 596 ; Hor.. Sat. L 5. 87. 
Cluidquam is the "accus. of the remote ob- 
ject" dSter fallere. and is not subject to that 
verb. Desine velle, scil. faV.ere me. 

450. Glauco lumine, "with azure light" 
An azure colot»r is usually assigned to sea 
gods, /'afi^, in next line, means "foran- 
I nouncing the decrees of fate." 
I 453. Xon nullius—'' of no insignificant" 
j deity. Observe that the last sylL of nullius 
I is lengthened by arsis. See EcL L 39. 

454. Luis magna commissa — " you are 
I paying the penalty of grievous sins. " Or- 
I pheus— the famous mythical poet and mn- 
I sicLin of times anterior to Homer. Consult 

! Class. Diet for the legends in regard to 
I him. 

455. Miserabih's haudquaquam ob meri- 
\ turn — "wretched to a degree which he by 
I no means merited." Xi fata resistant sus- 
1 citat, Le., Orpheus still instigates your 

punishment, which would thus be perpetuaL 
did not destiny oppose such severity, and 
grant you relief. 

456. Rapta conjuge — Rapta may have re- 
ference to the violence whicli, it is alleged, 
(by Virgil, for no other ancient writer lays 
such a charge against the shepherd,) Aris- 
taeus offered to" Eurydice, the wife of his 
master Orpheus ; or it may mean, " taken 
away from you" by death. 

457. Ilia — This pron. is often used to in- 
dicate the subject obscurely, the subject 
itself being introduced later in the sentence. 
See Wagu. Quaest. Virg. xxL 7 (4 in Epi- 
tome). 

458. Puella is often applied by the poets 
to wives, and even to mothers and to 
■n-idows- See EcL vL 46 ; Ovid, Her. i. 115. 

137 



B. IV. 460-491. 



NOTES ON THE GEORGICS. 



B. IV. 492-521. 



Servantem — "lurking," "keeping close 
to." 

460. Aequalis means coeval, and brought 
up with. Observe that chorus Dryadum is 
by synesis (Eel. ii. 71) equal to Dryades, 
and therefore takes a verb in the plural. 
Supremos montes — " the summits of the 
mountains," like summos montes. 

462. Rhodope was a Thracian mountain. 
See Eel. vi. 30. Pangaea, also a mountain 
in Thrace, between the Strymou and the 
Nestus. Mavortia tellus — " the martial 
(military) country of Rhesus," whose 
story is referred to in Mn. i. 469. See 
Horn. II. X. 435 sqq. 

463. Getae — a Thracian tribe ; but in 
later times confounded with the Daci, and 
assigned by ancient writers to different 
localities. See Geo. i'i. 462. Hebrus, (now 
the Maritza) the river on whose banlis 
Eurydice perished. 

Orithyia was the daughter of Erechtheus, 
king of Athens (whence she is called Aclias, 
Acte being the old and poetic term for At- 
tica). She was carried off by Boreas, and 
became one of the Thracian nymphs. On 
the for.Ti Actias, see Eel. iv. 1, Note. 

464. Ipse recals us to the principal per- 
sonage of the story, Orpheus. This pron. 
is often so used. 

467. Taeu'irias fauces— The narrow en- 
trance, or jaws, of Taenarus. The cave at 
Cape Taenarus, now Matapan, is meant ; 
it was considered one of the entrances to 
the infernal regions. 

468. Nigra formidine, i.e., tenebris formi- 
dolosis. Lucum, the grove of the nether 
world, after passing wliich he came to 
Cocytus and Styx. 

470. Tliis line expresses the Homeric 
phrase, a,yA'i\i^oi 'Ai'5-/jj. 

475. For tiiese verses, see .^n. vi. 306, 
where they again occur. 

479. On Cocytus, see Geo. iii. 38. The 
Styx was said to run nine times round the 
regions of Er<.-bus, so as to form a bourne 
from which no traveller might return. 

481. The two expres-ions of this line. 
domus Leti, and intima Tartara signify the 
same thing, viz., the inner and retired re 
gions of Tartarus. 

482. Implexae caeruleos ungues— On this 
construction, see Note, Eel. i. 55, and iiL 
106. On tlie Eumenides, see Geo. L 278. 

484. Ixionii rota o?-6/5— "The circle of 
Ixion's svheel," a poetic pleonasm for rota 
or orbis alone. Voss makes ?'ota mean "ro- 
tation," but examples of this use are at least 
very doubtful. For the history of Ixion, 
see Class. Diet. 

Vento — " by the wind," i e., by the lulling 
of the wind. So placidum ventis, in Eel. ii. 
26, wliere see Note. 

487. Hanc %e»i— "this condition," viz , 
that Eurydice should follow behind, and 
that Orplieus sliould not look back upon 
her till they reached upper earth. 

491. Victus animi (for animo) — similar 
is the use of the gen. in truncus pedum, 310 
above. The phrase is a poetic one, bor- 
rowed from the Greeks, but Tacitus too was 

138 



fond of such expressions. So we have 
amens animi, Mn. iv, 203; captus animi, 
in Tacit, Hist, iii, 73, See Schmitz, LaL 
Gr. (Chambers' edition), § 277. 

492. Effusus well expresses the utter and 
entire loss of all the danger and toil he had 
undergone. 

493. Ter fragor auditus— The thunder is 
supposed to be caused by the secret power 
exercised by Pluto to bring back Eurydice, 
now that the spell was broken. 

495. Furor — "infatuation," "foolish 
fondness of love," "madness." 

iVato«<ja—" swimming," as we say of 
the sickly, languid eye of a person on the 
verge of death. 

500. On diversa, see above, 432. 

502. Portitor Orci, i.e., Charon. 

Praeterea is by poetic usage for posihac. 

505. Manes — " the infernal deities." 
Numina — " the heavenly." 

506. This verse has been pronounced 
spurious by some critics, as interrupting the 
connexion. But we think the objection ill 
founded ; it is by all means essential that 
the state of Orpheus and Eurydice should 
be contrasted; and how much more graphic 
is it to dismiss in one line the case of the 
female whose release was now past hope, 
and whose doom was settled, than to pro- 
long needless description of her eternal 
captivity. It is the plight of Orpheus that 
is calculated principally to excite our com- 
passion, and the very abruptness is striking 
and startling. 

508. Stry monis— Th\i river flowed through 
the ancient Macedonia, and emptied itselt 
into the ^gean, to the east of Mount 
Athos. It is now called Strouma. 

509. Eoolcissehaec — "uttered these (com- 
plaints)," i.e., this account of his mishaps. 

510. Tigres — Tigers did not exist in these 
regions, but, as remarked in Note on ^n. 
i. 184, poets are not to be confined too 
strictly to geographical limits. 

511. With this comparison, cf. Horn., 
Odyss. xix. 518-524; also xv. 216; but 
especially Moschus, iv. 21. On Philomela, 
see Note 15, above. Umbra is a constant 
epithet of trees, and is therefore not at all 
inappropriate, though the time spoken of be 
niglit. 

514. Flet noctem— ''laments the live-long 
night." 

517. ^i/6e?-6oreas— See Geo. iii. 196. Ta- 
naim — The modern "Don," a river of Rus- 
sia, flowing into the sea of Azoff. 

518. On Rhipaeis, see Geo. L 240. 

520. CicHnum — The Cicones lived in the 
east part of Thrace, nearly opposite Samo- 
t brace. 

Qmo raunere — "By which tribute" of 
affection (to Eurydice) the Ciconian wo- 
men feeling themselves little esteemed. 
The grammarian, Asper, and after liim, 
Gesner, make quo munere—quamobrem, or 
qu T causa. On the deatli of Orpheus, see 
Ovid, Met. xi. I sqq. 

521. Nocturni — •'celebrated by night." 
See Note, .^En. iv. 301; and on "Baccho," 
consult Class. Dicty. 



B. rV. 523-559. 



NOTES ON THE GE0RGIC3. 



B, IV. 561-564. 



523. Marmorea— This adj. is often used 
of what is beautiful in appearance gene- 
rally, and soft and smooth in texture or to 
the touch. 

524. The Hebrus (now the Mantza) is 
called (Eagrius, from (Eager, father of 
Orpheus, and formerly king of Thrace. 

525. With this whole story of Eurydice, 
compare Pope's Ode on St Cecilia's Day. 

529. Venice— not "his head," as some 
interpret; but "the eddy." Proteus, as 
gods usually do, disappears before all ne- 
cessary information has been given, leaving 
human sagacity to discover the rest. For 
although he declared the cause of the loss 
of Aristaeus, he did not detail to him the 
remedies for recovering the stock. This 
was left for Gyrene. 

53-5. Faciles—'' easily appeased." iVa- 
i?aeo5— Nymphs of the woods, or glades, 
rather. See Note on Eel. iii. 9. 

537. Qui sit— Some books read quis sit; 
but see Note on Eel. i. 19. Eximios is a 
word constantly used of sacrificial victims. 

539. Lycaei—A. mt. in Arcadia. See Eel. 
X. 15. 

541. Dearum, i.e., Nympharum. Delu- 
hrum seems to be used in a wider sense 
than teinplum. Varro derives the word 
from deus, on the same principle and model 
as candelabrum, from candela. 

545. Orphei is the dative. See Note, ^ii. 
V. 184. Proper names in eus are generally 
declined by Virgil, and other poets, after the 
Greek fashion, in the dat. and accus., ei, ea, 
but after the Latin model in the gen. and 
abL, ei and eo. On Lethaea, see Geo. i. 78,. 
Note. 

546. This and the next line have been 
made to change places by some editors. 
See Forb. ir„ loc. Placatam is used in a 
proleptic sense (see Geo. i 44). 

555. On viscera, see Geo. iii. 559. The 
infinitives, stridere, effervere, trahi, &c., are 
placed in apposition to momtrum. 

559. This, and the remaining lines to the 
end of the Book, have been considered spu- 
rious by Bryant, Brunck, Heyne, Schirach, 
&c. First, Because it was not common 
with the poets to make such additions to 
their poems, while, on the other hand, the 



grammarians were very fond of appending 
epilogues of this nature; and secondly. Be- 
cause some phrases, e.g., Canere super ali- 
cfua re ; haec ego canebam ; dum fulminat , 
are in themselves objectionable. But Voss 
and Wagn. defend the passage: first. Be- 
cause all the MSS. exhibit it; secondly. 
Because poeis do add such summaries and. 
conclusions, as Hesiod, Ovid, &c., and even 
Virgil himself, in Eel. x. 70, Geo. ii. 541 , 
thirdly. Because the dignity of the lan- 
guage, and the beauty of the metre, are 
altogether superior to the insipid additions 
of the grammarians; fourthly. The phrase 
canere super (for de) aliqua re is defended by 
^u. i. 750; X. 839, where it is similarly 
used. Canebam dum fulminat finds a paral- 
lel in Eel. vii. 6, dum defendo, deerraverat 
caper; 2Ea\\. vi. 171, dum personat Triton 
immerserat; and a still more close model 
will be found in Livy, xxL 7, 1, dum Ro- 
mani parant, Saguntum oppugnabatur. 

Haec, i.e., the Georgics. Under pecorum 
bees are included, as 168, above, will justify 
us in concluding. 

561. Fulminat — So the two Scipios are 
called by our poet, duo fulmina belli {Mi\. 
vi. 842) ; and Sir W. Scott characterizes 
Nelson as a Thunderbolt of War, the meta- 
phor beautifully expressing the suddenness 
of the great admiral's movements, and the 
sure destruction consequent on his attack. 
On the historical events referred to, see 
Note on Geo. iu 171. But Voss is of opinion 
that the events of u.c. 734 are meant, and 
that these lines were added to the poem in 
that year. 

562. Olympo, i.e., Ad Olympum— "to im- 
mortality." Wagner writes the poet's 
name Vergilius. 

564. Parthenope — Neapolis, Naples. It 
was a colony from Cumae. and was called 
Parthenope, as was believed, from the Siren 
Parthenope being buried there. But see 
Smith's Dicij of Geog., under "Neapolis." 

Florentem studiis oti, i.e., having plenty 
of leisure for literary pursuits. Florere 
means, either to gain fame from pursuits, 
or to be devoted to certain occupations. 
Literary leisure was called ignobilis. 



189 



METRICAL INDEX. 



[N.B.— 4 long or slm-t mark placed over the first vowel of a diphtlwng applies to the entin 
diphthong.] 



ECLOGUE I. 

Line _ 

39. TItyrus hinc abe\rat. Jp\sa,e te, Tityre, pinus. 
(aberat. Last syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
50. Non ui\suetd grd\\es tentabunt pabula fetas. 



ECLOGUE IL 

24. Amphion Dircaeus In Actaelo 2r5|cyiitho. 

(Actaeo. Consult note. ) 
53. Addam cerea | pruna hd\nos erit huic quoque porno. 

(pruna. Short vowel left unelided.) 
65. Te Coryjc^ft J.jlexi trahit sua quemque v51uptas. 

(0. Consult note.) 



ECLOGUE IIL 

6. Et succus peco|rt et | lac subducitur agnis. 

(Pecori. Consult note.) 
63. Munera sunt la.u\riet | suave rubens hyaclnthus. 

(lauri. Consult note on Eel. ii. line 24. ) 
79. Et longum formose \a.\le vale | Inquit Tolla. 

(Vale. Consult note on Ed. ii. line 65.) 
97. Ips' iibi tempiis e\rit ow|nes in foute lavabo. 

(eiit Consult note on Eel. iL line 24.) 



ECLOGUE IV. 

55. Non me canninibus vincet nee Thracius | Orpheus. 

(Orpheus. A dissyllable, eus being a diphthong.) 
57. Orphei ( Calliopea, Lino formosus Apollo. 

(Orphei. A dissyllable, ei being a diphthong.) 
61. Matri longa &e\cem tule\ruiit fastidia menses. 

(tulermit. Systole.) 



ECLOGUE VL 

30. Nee tanjitim Ehodope mirantur et Ismarus ] Orphea. 

(Orphea. A dissyllable, ea being contracted into one syllable by synceresis.) 
42. Caucasiasque relert volucres, furtumque VrolmetJiei. 

(Promethei. A trisyllable, the last syllable ei being a diphthong.) 
44. Clamassent ut litus Hy|/a Ryld | omne sonarent. 

(Hyla, as a Greek vocative from a nominative in as, has the final vowel long; in the 
present case, however, the long final a in the first Hyla loses one of its component 
times befors the initial syllable of the second Hyla, but then the remaining short 
time is lengthened again by the arsis; in the second Hyla, the long final a again 
loses one of its component times before the initial vowel of the next word, but the 
remaining short time not being in the arsis, remains short.) 
53. Ule latiis niveum molll fult|ws ft^/ajciiitho. 

(fultus. Last syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
78. Aut ut mutatos Te|ret nar|raverit artus. 

(TereL A dissyllable, ei being a diphthong by synceresis.) 

Ill 



METRICAL INDEX. 

ECLOGUE VII. 

Line 

7. Vir gregis ipse ca|p^ rfeerlraverat; atque ego Daphnin, 

(deerraverat To be pronounced derraverat, the dee being pronounced hy syncsresis 
or synizesis as de.) 
23. Versibus ille falcli! Hut | si non possumvls omnes. 

(facit. Last syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
53. Stant et junipe|rje< | castane|ae Mrlsutae. 

(Junipen. Consult note on Eel ii. line 24. Castanecte. Same principle ; the diph- 
thong loses one of its component times, and the remaining time is krigtJtened by thv 
arsis. The verse, moreover, is a spondaic one J 



ECLOGUE VIIL 

41. Ut vidi ut periji at \ me malus abstiilit error. 

(peril Consult note on Eel. IL line 24.) 
44. Aut Tmaros, aut Rhodo|peaw< I estremi Garamantes. 

(Rliodope. Consult note on Eel. iL line 24. The final e in Ehodope is naturally 
long, being an »J in Greek, 'FodoTn.^ 
81. Uno eojdemque Tgni, sic nostro Daphnis araore. 

(eodem to be pronounced as a dissyllable, eo forming one syllable by synceresis or 
synizesis, and hence tin' eo, a spondee.) 
108. Credimus? | an qui «|mant ipsi sibi somma f ingQnt? 
(qui Consult note on Eel. iL line 65.) 



ECLOGUE IX. 

66. Desine plura pii|er et \ quod niinc instat agamus. 
(puer. Last syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 



ECLOGUE X. 

12. tJUa inoram fecere neque Aonije ^grajnippe. 

(Aonie. Consult note on Eel. ii. 24. The final syllable of Aonie is long by nature, 
being an 'A in Greek, 'A(jv/».) 

13. Ill' etiatn laulri eti\a,Ta. flevere myricae. 

(lauri. Consult note on Eel iL 24.) 
69. Omnia vincit almor et \ nos cedamus amori. 
(amor. Last syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 



GEORGIC L 

4. Sit pecol7"J apflbiis quant' experientia parcis. 

(pecori. Consult note on Eel ii. 24.) 
31. Teque sibi generum Te\ihys emdl \ omnibus findis. 
CTethys. Last syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
138. Pleia|c?a5 Hyd\da,s claramque Lj'caonis arcton. 

(Pleiadas. Last syllable lengthened byjhe arsis.) 
165. Virgea praetereja CeZe] i vilisque supellex. 

(Celei. Three syllables, all regular, the original Greek name being KtXios, j,.f< 
KiXiov.) 
221. Ante tib'eola? ^^jlantides abscondantur. 

(Eoae. Consult note on Eel ii. 24, and remarks on Eel. vii. 53.) 
279. Coeumqu' lapetumque creat saeviimque Ty\phdea. 

(Typhoea, The ea forms a single syllable, by synceresis, as in Orpbea, Eel. vi. 30 
— pho is a distinct long syllable, the o correspondinif to the Greek ««'» the name ht- 
ing Tu(puiv;.) 
142 



METRICAL IXDEX. 

Line 

2S1. Ter siint cona'^Ff/^jIponere 1 Pelid \ Ossaui. 

(conati Consult note on Ed. ii. 24. — Pelio. Consult note on Eel, il. &o.) 
295. Ant dulcTs musti Yulcano decoquit | humo- 

r Et foliis. 

(humor 'Et—synapheia and elision.) 
332. Aut~AtIid I aut Rhodopen aut alta Ceraunia telo. 

(Atho. Consult note on Eel. ii. 65.) 
341. Tiim pingues ag\nt et | turn moUissima vina. 

(Agnl. Consult note on Eel. ii. 24.) 
397. Tenuis. \ nee lanae per coel&ra vellera ferri. 

(Teiiuia. The initial syllable ten is long by position, as if written tenv, the u having 
here a force like that of a consonant, so that tenvia makes a dactyl.) 
437. GMuco I et Vduolpede et | Inoo Melicertae. 

(Glauco. This is an anomaly. The final long o in Glauco, after losing one of its 
component short times, ought to have the remaining one short, since it is in the 
tJiesis, not in the arsis. In all probability, therefore, the line contains a false read- 
ing, and for Glauco ice should substitute Glaucoque. — Panopeae — Consult note 
on Eel. ii. 6-5. The diphthong loses one of its times by elision, but the other, being 
in the thesis, remains short.) 
482. Fluviownm rex Eridanus camposque per omnes. 

(Fluviorum. To be pronounced titivyorum, the i being here regarded as a kind of 
consonant, equal to i. See note on line 2,JEn. L, Metrical Index. Hence the 
first syllable fluv becomes long by position, and the second is to be pronounced as 
ifwriUen jo. Some make fl^i^•lo an anapcest, but the anapcest is not admissible 
into the dactylic hexameter. 



GEORGIC II. 

71. Castaneae fa'gQs Jrlniisqu' incaniiit albo. 

(Fagus. Last syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
86. Orchades et 'Ra.di\i St ajmara pausia bacca. 

(Radii. Consult note on Eel. ii 24.) 
121. Yelleraqu' ut foliis depectant i tenmd I Seres. 

(tenuia. To be pronounced ten\'ia. the u being here regarded as a kind of consonant 
and having the force_of the English v.) 
129. Mlscue rmtqu.' herbas et noii mnoxia verba. 

(MisciieruL't. Systole.) 
144. Implevere tenent ole'ae ar|mentaque laeta. 

(Oleae. Consult note on Eel ii. 24; and remarks on Eel. viL 53.) 
180. Tenuis uV \ arglir et diimosis calciilus arvis. 

(tenuis. To be pronounced tenvis. Consult remarks on line 121.) 
200. Kon liquid! gregibns fontes, non gramina — deerunt. 
(deerunt. To be pronounced derunt. by synceresis.) 
233. SI deejhnt rarum pecoriq .' et vitibiis almis. 

(deerunt. To be pronounced derunt, by synceresis.) 
S44. SI rion tanta qules iret frigiisque ca.\l§rem~ 
qu' Inter .... 

(caloremqu' Inter — synapheia and elision.) 
443. ^N^avigiis piuos domibus cedi'umque cu'pressos- 
qu' Hinc .... 

(cupressosqu' Hinc — synapheia and elision.) 
453. Gorticibusque cavis vitiosaequ" illcis alieo. 

(alveo. To be pronounced alvo. by synceresis or synizesis.) 
464. illusasqu' aoro vestes ephylref5;qu' aera. 

(Ephyreia. The e is here to be pronounced separately, not to be formed into a 
diphthong with the foUoiving i. Compare the Greek form 'Epvpr,itx., 

487. Sperche\osqa.' et virgiuibiis bacchata Lacaenis. 

(Spercheus, with the long penult, from the Greek '^'^ipx.^^oi.') 

488. Tdyge\V 6 qui me geli is in vallibus Haemi, 

(Taygef. Observe the quantity here, the a being long and the y short, in ac- 
cordance with the Greek farm TduysTa.^ 



GEORGIC III. 

44. Tdyg^tlnua canes dSmitrixqu' Epidauriis equoriim, 
(Tayget.que. Consult remarks on Geo. ii. 4SS.) 

14$ 



METRICAL INDEX. 

Lhie 

60. .^tas Lucinam justosque Tpa\tihpme\uaeos. 

(pati. ConsuUnote on Ed. ii. 24.) 
76. Altius ingredil^S/' ei \ mollia crura reponit. 

Jingreditiir. Last syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
118. .^quus uterque lal&or «e|que juvenemque maglstrl. 

(labor. Last syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
155. Arcebis gravido peco|rj arjmentaque pasces. 

(pecorT. Consult note on Ed. ii. 24.) 
167. Cervici sub | nedS de\\-\mc ubl libera colla. 

(dehliic is here dissyllabic, contrary to v^ual practice.) 
189. Invali|(?Ms eli\s,mqne tremens eti' inscius aevT. 

(Invalidus. Last syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
242. Omn' adeo genus In terris hominumque iQ\rarv,m- 
qu' Et genus .... 
(ferarumqu' Et — synapheia and elision.) 
283. Jl/iscwelruntqu' herbas et non Innoxia verba. 

(Miscuerunt. Same as Geo. ii. 129.) 
332. Slciibi magna Jol^w an|tIquo robore quercus. 
(Jovis. Last syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
377. Otr agunt terra congestaque robora | iotas- 
qu' Advolvere .... 
(totasqu' Adyol\eve— synapheia and elision. 



GEORGIC IV. 

34. Seu lento fuerint a\\veaHd | vimine texta. 

(alvearia. To be pronounced alvaria, by synceresis.) 
38. Nequidqu' In tectis certatim I tenma | cera. 

(tenuia. To be pronounced ten via. Consult remarks on Geo. ii. 121.) 
92. Nam duo siint gener' hie meli|or -mjsignis et ore. 
(Melior. Last syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
232. T^^^^lte simul os terris ostcndit honestiim. 

(Taygete. Obsei've the quantity of the aandy, in accordance with the Greek form 
of the name. TavyiT'/j. The a and y do not form, a diphthong, neither is the pe- 
nult ever long. 
243. StelW et \ Iticifugis congesta cubilia blattis. 

(Stelli' et. To be pronounced stell-yet, a spondee, by synceresis.) 
297. ParimlhusquQ premunt arctis et quatuor addunt. 

(Parietibus. To be pronounced as if written par-yet-ibus, that is, as a word of four 
syllables, the i having here the force of a consonant, like j. Compare remarks on 
Geo. i. 482.) 
343. Atqu' Ephylre aijqu' Opis et Asia Deiopea. 

(Ephyre. Consult note on Eel. ii. 24.) 
355. Trlstis Aristaeiis Fe\nei gr^«r|toris ad undkm. 

(Penei. A dissyllable, by synceresis.) 
388. Coeruleus Fi-(j\teus maq\imm qui piscibiis aequor. 
(Proteus. A dissyllable, eus being a diphthong.) 
392. Grandaevlis Nelrews »o|vit namqu' omnia vates. 
(Nereus. A dissyllable, eus being a diphthong.) 
422. Intus se vasti Projieus tegit I objice saxi. 

(Proteus. Same as line 388.) _ _ ^ 

429 Cum Pro UeMS fcJ?Mswe<ct»el tens efluctibus antra. 

(Proteus. Same as line 38S.-Cousueta. Three syllables, by synceresis, as tf wntlen 
consweta.) 
453. Non te nullilws ex'ercent ntiminis irae. 

Nullms. Last syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
461. impleruntmontes, fleruntRbbdol/)erae| arces. ^ ,. ■ ^ ,^ 

(Rhodopeiae. The diphthong loses one of its component times by elision, and the 
other, i^^ the thesis, remains short. Consult note on Eel. ii. 65, and remarks on 
Pano'pcse, Geo. i 437.) _ __ 

463 Ataue Geltae at qu' Hebvus et Actias Orithyia. , ^ ^ ,, >.; . « 

(Getae Consult remarks on Ed. vii. 53.-Orithyia. A word of four syllables, yl 
forming a diphthong, as in Greek. A spondaic verse.) 
£45. Inferias Oi-\phei Zt'lthaea papavera mlttes.| 
553. iTifeiias Orlphei mittit, mcumque revisit. J 

(OrpheL A dissyllable, phei being a diphthong.) 
144 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



The great Epic Poem of the Romans, the ^xeid, derives its name from the hero iEneas, 
whose wars in Italy, previous to his successful settlement there, with a colony of 
Trojans, it records and celebrates. Ji^neas, the valiant icarrior and pious icorshipper of 
the gods, is a personification of the Roman people, and therefore the characteristics of 
the nation m the two peculiarities just mentioned, the poet takes all pams to bring out 
imd exalt In particular, he loses no opportunity of conipUmentmg the Julian family, 
through its legendary founder, and especially his patron and emperor, Augustus. In the 
general idea and plan of the worlc, as well as in mdividual descriptions, senthnents, and 
phrases, our author is largely indebted to the Greeks — to Homer, to ApoUonius Rhodius, 
and other Alexandi-ines ; among the Latins, Naevius and Ennius are the pruacipal ob- 
jects of his imitation. 



BOOK FIRST. 



ARGUMENT. 

After stating the subject of th« poem generally (1-7), and accounting for the resent- 
ment of Juno to the Trojan race (8-33;, the poet introduces his hero, JEneas, the son of 
Anchises and Venus, in the seventh year of his wanderings after the destruction of Troy, 
when he had just started from Sicily, and was making for the ItaUan mainland: a tem- 
pest is sent forth against him by J2olus, at the instigation of Juno, and drives his shat- 
tered ships on the coast of Africa (34-158). He lands, slays seven stags of hnmense size, 
gives one carcase to each of the seven ships now remaining to him, and exliorts his 
fellow exOes to patience and hope (159-207). The banquet of the ships' crews follows 
(208-222). Venus pleads the cause of her sou, ^neas, and of the Trojans, before 
Jupiter, and lays all the blame of their misfortunes on Juno. The kmg of the gods beuig 
moved by the appeal, discloses the decrees of the Fates, and consoles his daughter by 
the assurance of future prosperity and unbounded empire to the Trojans m their descend- 
ants, the Roman people (223-304). Satisfied Avith the declaration of Jupiter, Venus de- 
scends to earth, and in the guise of a huntress, presents herself to ^neas, announces that 
the ships which he had supposed lost were safe in port, and shows the city of Carthage 
in progress of building by the Phoenician Dido (305-409). ^neas, under cover of a cloud, 
enters Carthage in company with his faithfid attendant. Achates, and there discovers his 
companions from the missmg ships. An explanation and disclosure take place, and all 
are kindly received by Dido (410-456). The book concludes (657-756) -^ith the device of 
Venus in substituting Cupid for Ascanius, the son of ^neas, and thereby inflaming Queen 
Dido with a passionate love for her guest, upon whose every word she hangs, and whom 
she incites to give a full recital of the events connected with the doA\TifaU of Troy, and 
his own wanderings. 



The four verses from Ille ego— to horrentia 
Martis are printed by Heyne, Forbiger, and 
others, in a different type, since their genu- 
ineness is doubtful. Burmann, Peerlkamp, 
Heinsius, and a host of other commentators, 
condemn them as "unworthy of the genius 
of Vhgil, and inconsistent with the dignity 
of epic poetrj'," and assign them to some 
unknoT\Ti grammarian. They are fomid, 
however, in several MSS. of the highest 
authority, and are supported by the sanction 
of Servius and Donatus; besides, they are by 
no means devoid of terseness and elegance, 
nor do they dishonour the taste or the talent 
of Virgil. Wagner, therefore, m elaborate 
annotation, defends them. He does not 
suppose them to have formed originally the 



beginning of the ^neid, but to have been 
prefixed, as an inscription, to a few copies 
of the first book, which the poet circulated 
among private friends, as a sample of the 
whole. For, as he was now reluctantly 
abandoning those kuids of poetr>- on which 
his fame had been raised, and was turning 
to a species new to him, the reception of 
which might be verj- doubtful, he would 
natiuraUy be anxious to procure friendly 
criticism, so as to amend his work before 
publication. "We are not to suppose, howcA-er, 
that he intended the Ihies as an introduction 
to be put forth to the general public, though 
Serv'ius and Donatus allege that they were 
expunged by Tucca and Varius, to whom, 
after Vkgil's deatli, the revision of the 
1 



B. I. 1. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. I. 2. 



jlEiieid, preparatory to publication, was en- 
trusted. Wagner's opinion is adopted by 
Forbiger, Gossrau, etc. 

Translate paraphrasticaUy thus — " I am 
he who formerly tuned {modidatus sum) a 
lay on my slender oat-reed (viz., the 
Eclogues), and ha\-ing abandoned pastoral 
poetry (egressics silvis), took up a kindred 
subject, and by my precepts (in the Georgics) 
compelled the fields to satisfy the Avishes of 
the new-settler, however avaricious he Avas. 
(This poem of mine was) a work acceptable 
to husbandmen ; but now" Cano horrentia 
anna Martis, etc. 

Spenser, in his introduction to the Faery 
Queen, has borrowed from Virgil — 

Lo! I the man whose muse whilome did 

maske 
As Time her taught, in lowly shepherd's 

weeds. 
Am now enfors't — a farre unfitter taske — 
For trumpets sterne to change mine oaten 

reeds. 
And sing of knights' and ladies' gentle 

deeds. 

Ille ego — So Q-vid Fast. iii. 505, Ilia ego 
sum, cui tu solitus proniittere caelum. Ego 
may be subject to sum, understood, or to 
cano. 

Avena is the emblem of Bucolic poetrj^ 
or of that which has not an elevated sub- 
ject. It is opposed to tuba, Avhich is some- 
times used to represent heroic poetry. 

Silvis, i.e., pastorals, since there are pas- 
ture grounds in the woods ; so the Bucolic 
muse is called Silvest?'is. 

Vicina scil. silvis arva: the poet Avishes to 
indicate by the word the close connection 
in subject between the Bucolics and the 
Georgics . — Gossra u . 

Ut parerent. Some have denied that nt 
with the subjunctive after cogere is a legi- 
timate construction; but compare Cic. in 
Catil. iv. 3, Senatus P. Lentulum ut se ab- 
dicaret praetura coegit. The fields (arva) 
are said (parere colonis) in the same way 
that the Imsbandmen are said in Geo. i. 90, 
imperare arvis. 

Observe the contrast in sound between 
tlie two parts of the hne gratum opm agri- 
colis; and at nunc horrentia Martis. 

1. In imitation of Homer in the Iliad and 
Odyssey, Virgil states the argument of the 
jEneid in a very few lines ; the sum of it is 
the anival of ^neas in Italj^ and the re- 
ception of a settlement there according 
to the league made with Latinus, xiL 187 
sqq". 

Arma, virumque, i.e., wars and the fates of 
tliat man. Burmann and Wagner (the for- 
mer of whom, as has been said, rejects the 
first four lines) consider this a Hendiadys 
for "the fates of that warlike man." But 
it is better, even should Ave entirely disallow 
the susi)ected A^erses, to keep tlietAvoAvords 
separate and distinct, each haA'ing its pecu- 
liar importance hi the uitroductlon, since 
the Roman poet endeavoured to combine 
the subject of Avar (arma) and the personal 
adA'enturcs of one of its chiefs (virum) in 
the same book, though his great exemplar 



had devoted a whole poem to each indi- 
vidually. 

Primus=Primo, olim, according to Heyne 
and others. But Forb. prefers the usual 
signification, on the ground that in tliis 
place, where every word is put down Avith 
its full weight and importance, Virgil would 
not likely depart from the primaiy and pro- 
per meanmg of the terms. He urges fai'- 
ther, that the adj. in its most literal sense, 
is thoroughly correct, for though Antenor 
from Troy settled among the Veneti at the 
north extremity of the Adriatic gulf prior 
to the aiTival of ^neas, yet that district 
could not be taken into account, since Italia 
Antiqua did not reach so far, being bounded 
on the north by the Rubicon. 

2. The order is profugus db oris Trqjae 
venit fato, etc., Italiam for in Italiam. 
Translate: " Who being an exile from his 
country, was the first that came, and that 
too by the ordinance of heaven, from the 
coasts of Troy to Italy, even to the Lavinian 
shores." The profugus excites om- commis- 
eration, and the fato shoAvs that our hero's 
exile is not the consequence of misdeeds or 
of a diseased ambition, but that the finger 
of heaven dhected events. We frequently 
find, in both poets and prose Avriters, the 
names, not only of tOAvns and small islands, 
but also of countries and regions construed 
without the prep., Avhen motion towards is 
sig-nified. The Avriters of the Augustan age, 
hoAvever, are guilty of the omission only hi 
the case of islands and maritime countries, 
the approach to Avhich is by sea. Even in 
common nouns, and in other cases than the 
Ace. (iii. 162) the same peculiarity is occa- 
sionally found. Cf. ^n. i. 201, 307. See 
Zuinpt, Lat. Gr. § 398 sqq., Avith notes. 
Madvig, Lat. Gr. § 232, and notes. 

Laviniaque littoi'a — this is epexegetical 
(explanatoiy and restrictive) of Italiam. 
See below, 5G9. By epexegesis is meant the 
subjoining of a limited and restricted notion 
to a more general one, so that the latter is 
more closely defined by the former. Thus 
que means '■'even.'" He came to Italy (the 
general name), even to the Lavhiian shores 
(the restricting limitation). To this figure 
may be referred the very common and Avell 
known one, called Hendiadys, as Avlieu we 
meet the phrase, Imposuit molem et monies 
(61, beloAv), the latter, monies, explains 
and limits the former {molem), indicating, 
as it does, of Avhat the moles is made up. 
So in the phrase pateris et auro, the auro 
restricts j3<ri!(?rw to the material gold. 
The conjunction after havinia is omitted 
by some MSS., but this avouM make an ob- 
jectionable construction, apart put in appo- 
sition to the whole. 

Observe the synizesis in La-vT-nya- 
quc. Synizesis, or Synaeresis is the run- 
ning into one syllable in pronunciation 
tAvo A'owels Avhicli properly constitute two 
separate syllables. It is very common in 
the poets before Virgil, — more rare hi Virgil 
himself, — and stUl more rare in those poets 
Avho folloAved him ; thus alveo, ferrei, pre- 
cantia, taeniis, etc. etc., for otherwise many 
Avords could not have been admitted into 



B. I. 3-7. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. I. 8-12. 



hexameter verse. See note 131, below. 
Some books read Lavina, but see note on 
line 270. The district where ^-Eneas after- 
wards fomided Lavinlmn, is called Lavinia 
Uttora by anticipation (prohpsis). This is 
a species of anachronism in which Virgil 
often indulges. Laurentum was called 
Lavinium (after Lavinius, a brother of La- 
tinus) m the first instance, pre^^ous to the 
adoption of the former name, but it again 
received the name Laviuiiim from Lavinia, 
the daughter of Latinus, and wife of ^neas. 

3. Ille is here merely ornative, to render 
the expression more liveli/ and forcible. It 
is equal to oyt . Thus Forb., but see noteloS, 
below. Est is therefore not to be suppUed 
with jactatus and passus. Cf. ^n. v. 457 ; 
ix.479. 

Alto — the poets usually, and prose writers 
frequently, omit mare with this adj., see 
iL 203. 

4. Superum for superorum. Gossrau un- 
derstands the phrase vi sup. as the Geni- 
tivus Object i I- us, equivalent to the Greek 
Bix TMv hav, meaning against the will of 
the majority of the deities. But this inter- 
pretation is entirely unsuited to the context, 
and is misupported by authority. It is the 
wrath of Juno that is referred to, the plur. 
sujyerum being used for the sing., as often, 
(SeeiEn. iii. 488,) to denote the cause, as vi 
sup. does the instrumeritaliti/, and the fol- 
lowing clause being added hy epe.xegesis. The 
plm\, however, 7nai/ have been employed 
to signify the agents of Juno, viz., ^olus, 
Juturna, etc., and the Fates of the gods, 
whose decrees drove him from Thrace, 
Crete, and other places. 

Memorcm, "ever-mindful," — this is by 
hypallage for memoris, agreehig with Juno- 
nis, for Juno " niu-sed her wTath to keep it 
warm." Such an exchange of the adj. is 
not admitted unless in those cases in which 
it can be with propriety applied to both 
substantives. It is better, perhaps, to 
consider i?-a a,?, personified. 

5. MuUa quoque et — "havmg, moreover, 
endured much in war too ;" «V; ot kcc'i. 

Bum conderet — ■ the subj. here with 
dum expresses wish and inclination. Cf. 
Geo. iv. 4-57. Urhem sell. La\inium. 

6. Deos, le., the Penates, or household 
gods, whether of a family or of the State: 
see Smith's Diet, of Biog. and Mythol. 
Mention of this could not have been omitted, 
consistently with the character of the 
"pious" (see beloAv, note 10) u'Eneas, since 
a State was not deemed rightly constituted 
without the public establishment of religious 
rites. Latio, i.e., in Latium. 

Unde — ex qua re. The meaning is this: 
By which cu-cumstances it was brought 
about, (1st) that the Aborigines, being put 
on an equal footing with the Trojans, were 
incorporated mth them, and comprehended 
under the name " Latins ;" (2d) that As- 
canius founded Alba (and the Alban senate, 
Le., nobles, or the ancient Albans ;) and (3d) 
that from his posterity arose the principal 
founders of Rome. 

7. Rome was founded, according to the 



common computation, 753 b.c. The day 

was 21st Api-il, the festival of the Palilia. 

8. Musa,i.&., Calliope, daughter of Jupiter 
and Mnemosyne (Memory.) The allegory 
by which the Greeks represented Memory 
as the mother of the Muses, is so plain as to 
require no particular explanation. Tasso 
has imitated this invocation, in the begin- 
ning of the "Jerusalem Delivered." 

Quo numine laeso. On the intei-pretation 
of these words the greatest diversity of 
opuiion prevails. They are thus explained : 
1st, Quo is separated from numine, is con- 
sidered equal to qua re, and connected in 
meaning as an abl. of cause, not only with 
laeso, but also -sAith impulerit. It would then 
mean, " Detail to me. Muse, the causes, — ta 
what particular her divinity was injured, or 
what grudge the Queen of the Deities thence 
conceived, which led her to compel," etc. 
Heyne, Lang, and others. But passing over 
the awkwardness and insipidity of this (so- 
called) abl. absol., we maj^ feel assm-ed, 
that had the meaning of the poet been such 
he would have %AT.itten qui or qua, to avoid 
all ambiguity. 2d, Schirach understands 
the words to refer to a deity ditferent from 
Juno altogether. This opinion, which we 
are surprised to find adopted by some recent 
commentators, may at once be dismissed on 
the consideration that the deity offended is 
mentioned by tlie poet in the immediate 
sequel. 3d, What part of Juno's deity (for 
her power was exercised in many different 
occupations) was outraged? Burm. and 
Heumann. 4th, Numen is held to mean 
wish, intention. The translation would 
therefore run thus: "What wish and pur- 
l)ose of the goddess Avas frustrated ?" etc. 
She had intended her favom-ite Carthage to 
be the mistress of the world, but she well 
knew that the destiny of jineas and Ms 
posteritjf would interfere with her cherished 
scheme, and therefore she endeavoured to 
crush him who was to be the founder of the 
rival dynasty. The dolens refers to the 
grudge against Paris and Ganymede. This 
is the A-iew of the jjassage taken by Scr- 
vius, Graser, Wagner, Jahn, Gossrau, For- 
biger, Ladewig, and others ; and, aU things 
considered, seems most deserving of appro- 
bation. 

9. Volvere — the infin. after impulerit is a 
poetic Graecism for ut with subjunctive. The 
metaphor in volvere is taken fi-om the re- 
volution of seasons and years [or, perhaps, 
from the rolling of a stone, Sisyphus-like]. 
and suggests the exliaustiug of a " round 
of misfortimes." 

10. Pietas means natural affection, more 
particularly that from a child to a parent ; 
and is thus applied to the veneration and 
grateful worship we pay to God. 

11. Irae — nouns denoting an affection of 
the mind are frequently found in the plvu:., 
expressing a greater intensity, or a gi'eater 
frequency and variety of the feeluig expe- 
rienced — So odia, gaudia, etc. 

12. Antiqua and fuit are both used in re- 
ference, not to the time of ^Eneas, but to 
that of Vu-gil, in which old Carthage had 
not yet been restored. The city (according 



B. 



13-16. 



2sOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. I. 17-25. 



to the legend) had been built by Dido from 
Tyre (see below, line 338 sqq.), about 100 
years before the foundation of Rome, i.e., 
about 853 b.c. -Its destruction m 146 B.C. 
by P. Com. Scipio J^milianus Africanus 
Minor, surnamed Numantinus, put an end 
to the Punic wars, which had lasted with 
comparatively little interruption for 117 
years. 

The reasons for Juno's enmity are 
given in the sequel. 1st, Her apprehension 
for Carthage (21, 22). 2d, The grudge still 
kept up since the Trojan war. 3d, The 
judgment of Paris yet rankling in her bo- 
som. 4th, The preference of the Trojan 
Ganymede to her own daughter Hebe, in 
the office of cup-bearer. 5th, Her hati-ed to 
the whole Trojan race, caused by the ac- 
cumulation of the circumstances just 
noted. (Lines 23 to 29.) 

13. Contra — "over against," "opposite 
to," i.e, directlu across the sea from Italy. 
Observe the prep, following its case. 

Que after Tiberina is expletive. See 
27, and note 2. Longe, "at a great dis- 
tance." The position of longe between Ti- 
berina and ostia gives the adverb the ap- 
pearance of an adj. or particip =longe-dis- 
tantia. Adverbs appear to be often used in 
this way, since the verb sum makes no pres. 
particip. 

14. Peerlkamp condemns lines 13 and 14 
as spurious, on the gxound that the descrip- 
tion of Carthage given in them must refer 
to the time of the Punic wars, and not to 
the period of Dido's sovereignty. But Eiiu 
defends the verses, and justifies the epithets 
in them, on the plea that Virgil views Car- 
thage as, even in the time of ^neas, a 
treasm-e house of TjTian wealth, and as ne- 
cessarily warlike, from its contests with the 
surrounding tribes (iv. 39 sqq.) which Dido 
had rendered hostile to her. 

Asperrima — The following note on this 
word from Heyxe is worthy of attention : 
— *' Virtus bellica a poetis per iraj[ exp>-i- 
mitur ejusque attributa. Ex-asperatlr 
autem is qui offenditur et ad iram provoca- 
tur. Itaque asper, 'f'P'X'X,'^?, modo iratus, 
vehement, ferus, ferox, scevus : modo fortis, 
bellicosus ; modo ardens, acer, concitatus, 
flagraiis ut hoc loco.'" Dives, &c. : — "Abun- 
dant in her resources, and very fierce in the 
pursuits of war," i.e.,A'ery dangerous to her 
enemies, on account of her mihtary ardour. 

15. Quam unam magis, etc. — "Wliich ui 
an especial degree." Unus is often joined 
TOth the super!, degree, asjustissimusunus, 
ii. 426, but seldom as here ^Wth the compar. 
Cf. Hor. Epod- xiL 4, nam que sayacius unus 
odoror. 

16. Samo posfJi. "Samos being less 
prized in her esteem," The hiatus between 
^amo and Hie is cj;c,used on the ground that 
there is a break in the sense, or as we may 
say a punctuation maxk [it is found with 
commas, or even where no comma or other 
mark exists], that the .5 is in arsis, and, 
fai-ther, that it is a Greek termination. See, 
by all means, Forbigei-'s learned note on 
£cl. ii. 53. Coluisse — the gods were sup- 



to dwell particularlj' in those places, 
which they took under their especial pro- 
tection. 

17. Hie currus fuit. This idea is taken 
from the custom of warriors, who, on their 
return from battle, put aside their chariots in 
sheds. The gods are represented as doing 
so likev^ase : see Hom. II. viii. 441, and v. 
720. In assigiiing a chariot to Juno at 
Carthage, A^irgil is more poetic than cor- 
rect, for there she was represented as sit- 
ting on a lion. The penult of illius is here 
shortened by Virgil, as it is almost ahvays 
in aUerius, but ahnost never in soliu-s and 
never in alius. See Eel. i. 7, and Geo. i. 49. 

18. For fovet, some read favet, but the 
former is much preferable, since it expresses 
strong zeal, whereas favet signifies little 
more than tendit, going before. The object 
of fovet is hoc regnuni esse. 

Jam turn, " even at that early period." 
Si qua sell, vid. 

19. Progeniem, etc., i.e., the Roman na- 
tion wliich was destined to cai-ry arms into 
Africa. Gossrau understands progeniem to 
mean the destroyer of Carthage, Scipio 
yEmilianus, since* the ^niilian gens was 
said to have been derived from ./Emihus, 
son of Ascanius. 

Sedenim, ccWu. yap — This is an ellip- 
tical phrase, sed suggesting a dread, and 
enim the reason of it. The sentiment may 
be completed thus, " But she found that 
she icould not be able to accomplish this, for 
she had heard," etc. 

20. Tprias.—See note line 12, OHm, " in 
distant time," either past or future, but 
here future, "in time coming." Verteret for 
everteret. 

21. Hinc=hinc ortum, ex hac progenie. 
Populum late regem, for late regnantem. 

Substantives, more especially verbals in tor 
and trix, aie joined in apposition to other 
substs. instead of adjs., see below, 273. 
On the early population of Latium, and the 
descent of the Romans from Trojan ances- 
tors, consult Niebuhr, and Arnold, Rom. 
Hist., and Donaldson, Varronianus. 

22. Excidio, for ad excidium. I.ibyae, i.e., 
Carthage, the whole put for a part. 

Volvere. Forb. thinks the metaphor taken 
from the successive rolls of the wave origi- 
nated by a river, 

23. On the ditference between antiguus 
and vetus, see Doderl. Lat. Syu., sub. voc. 
antiqints. Veteris here means "long con- 
tinued," "long protracted." 

24. Prima. Heyne and Wunderiich in- 
terpret by "■prius," but this makes a tau- 
tology with veteris. Translate, therefore, 
" She as the principal instigator" or auxi- 
liaiy. "She with especial vehemence," — 
princeps ante omnes. 

25. In this and the three following lines, 
the poet hurried on m his fei-vour, and 
heedless of the sjmtax, breaks the proper 
gTammatical construction of the sentence, 
(anacolouthon, see 237, below,) which is 
contmued from metuens and memor to ac- 
censa, this last summing up the whole, and 
carrying on the sentmient as at first begun. 



B. I. 26-04. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. I. 35-41. 



Some critics look upon the lines as an in- 
tentional parenthesis. A similar syntax is 
found at JEn. v. 706-8. 

26. Repostum, syncopated for repositum. 

27. Judicium Paridis — the decision by 
which Paris awarded tlie pahii of beauty to 
Venus, in opposition to Juno and Minerva. 
See Smith's Class. Diet. Que has here, as 
A-ery frequently, an expletive sense ; see 2, 
above. 

28. Genus invisum — "hated," on account 
of Dai'danus its founder, who was the sou of 
Jupiter and Electra [not Juxo], the daugh- 
ter of Atlas. 

Rapti is to be joined with Ganymedis, 
and from a pecuUar use of the verb, which 
it is unnecessary to mention, has especial 
bitterness here. 

29. His is the all. of cause, and super= 
insuper. Others make super govern his, 
but Forb. alleges that Virgil never separates 
a prep, from its case except when it (the 
prep.) is joined to the adj. or the genitive 
modifying the governed subst. 

30. Achilli. This is the reading of the best 
MSS., instead of Achilli^. The form is thus 
accounted for by "Wagner: — " Greek nouns 
in ivs ended in the Doric dialect in >??, as, 
Ti/}iu; — Ty^'/ij: hence arose a gen. in ov 
either of the First, or of the iEolic Third, 
Declension, and hence again was made the 
Latin gen. termination in i, a fact which 
is confirmed by Plutarch's use of the form, 
Marcell 20: OuXi^ov, rovr'sa-riv'O'hiia-a-iM;. 
Accordingly, in such nouns as Achilles, 
Ulixes, the proper termination of the gen. 
is i, and that of the accus. en ; but, on the 
contrary, those which have ens in the nom., 
and which have no variety of termination 
in es (as Nereus, Tereus, Idomeneus, etc.), 
make the gen. in ei, and the accus. in ea. ' 
Virgil, however, avoided the forms Achillei, 
Achillea (from Achilleus), Ulixei, — ea, which 
Horace and others frequently used." See 
.En. iL 275 and 476. 

Troas—Vaa Greek acc.=T^'i'aj. 

At que is used here by way of epexegesis 
(see note 2, above), to single out Achilles 
as the man who, of all the Greeks mentioned 
ill the mass, was the most distingiushed 
individual. Cf. JEn. iv. 45. 

31. MuUos annos, viz., seven; see argu- 
ment to Bk. iii. Observe the use of que 
connecting as the new subject of the follow- 
ing clause that Avhich had been the object 
of the pi'eceding one. 

32. Acti fatis, i.e., by their o^vn fixed 
destiny, which, though retarded in its ful- 
filment by the machinations of Juno, yet 
urged them on till it should be accomplished. 
Fatis does not, therefore, as has been sup- 
posed, signify the adverse fates imposed by 
Juno. Maria omnia, Le., all parts of the 
Mediterranean. 

33. Tantae molis — " of so great difficulty 
was it." Molis is constantly used by Taci- 
tus and others in this sense. Condere is ' 
used in reference to the establishing a family 
or nation, — the contrary phrase is evertere, 
for which see iiL 1. 

34. Here we are at once hurried into the 



action of the poem by the relation of an in- 
cident which took place in the seventh year 
of the wanderings of ^neas. The events 
from the sack of Troy tiQ the time men- 
tioned are recorded in Bk. iii., Avhich is in- 
troduced as an episode. See the precept 
laid down by Horace on this point, Ars. 
Poet. 148 sqq. Sicula— called also Trinacria, 
and Triquetra, from its three promontories — 
Pelorus, Pachynus, and Lilybaeum. Tellus is 
used by the poets as equal to terra, and so 
applied even to islands, as Dia tellus, ie., 
Naxos, Ov. Met. iii. 597. 

35. Vela dabant, scil., ventis. Sal is often 
used for mare, see below, 173, iii. 385. 

Aere, i.e., aerata navi. Ruebant "were 
ploughing" (Heyne), "were upturning," 
"tossing," (Schirach, Forb., etc.) The 
heads of ships often terminated in three 
projections, covered wdth brass, as shown in 
the following cut. 




36. Aeternum vulnus, i. q. saevi dolores, 
25 : see also note 12. Cf. Horn. Od. v. 282, 
sqq. 

37. Haec secum (loquitur) — " thus solilo- 
quizes." 

Mene desistere. — An accus. with the infin. 
stands frequently without a governing verb 
in order to express surprise and complaint 
that a thing happens or may happen, mostly 
with the interrogative ne. Madvig. Lat. 
Gr. § 399. See also Zumpt, § 609, and 
Schmitz, § 382. 

38. Regem, i.e., ducem, so Ascanius is 
called regius puer below, 677. On Teucer, 
see ^n. iii. 108 sqq. and notes. 

39. Fatis. Jahn puts a note of inteiTo- 
gation after this word, but the sentence is 
ironical merely: "I am forbidden of the 
fates, forsooth " ! 

40. This refers to the story told in Eurip. 
Troad. 77-86, that Pallas set fire to the 
ships of the Greeks (Locrians) by hghtning, 
and impaled Ajax O'ileus on the promon- 
tory Caphareus in Eubcea. The crime of 
Ajax was his having violated Cassandra, 
the eldest daughter of Priam, before the 
very shrine in the temple of Athene. Cf. 
Hom. Od. iii. 135 sqq., and iv. 499 sqq. 

Pallaswe for nonne — ne, though by nature 
a negative pai'ticle, is frequently placed in- 
stead of nonne when an affii-mative answer 
is expected, especially if it be attached to 
the principal Avord. Ipsos scil. Argivos, as 
opposed to the Jket (classem). So Homer 
uses ahrov;, II. xiv. 47; Cf., also Geo. iii. 
387. 

41. Koxa signifies both a crime and the 
punishment wliich it entails, and furias the 



B. I. 42-52. 



NOTES ON THE JENEID. 



B. I. 53-61. 



mad frenzy which instigates to an act of 
guilt. 

O'ilei, j.e.,filii, understood, as often. But 
instead of Oilides we have Ajax Oileus. 

42. Ipsa — "she in person," without re- 
quiilng to call in the help of any other 
power. Jaculata — this verb is usually em- 
ployed in reference to the thunderbolt, as 
well expressing, by the sound, the vehe- 
mence of the action. 

42-45. Eau, in Schediasm., pronounces 
these four verses to be interpolations by a 
recent hand. He thuiks thek ''■Tragicus 
tumor " foreign to the passage. 

43. Disjecit rates— see below, 128 and 
70. 

44. Exspiravtemflammas,\.e., "breathing 
forth the lightning iares many and frequent" 
— such is the force of the Plur. flammas. 

45. Infixit — some books have inflixit. But 
the best MSS. exhibit the common reading, 
and, besides, the former verb is most appli- 
cable to the phrase acuta scopulo. 

46. Ast — this ancient form of the particle 
suits well the dignity of the passage. Cf. 
Hand, Tm'sell, i. p. 417. Divom, poetic form 
for divum. Jncedo — "walk majestically." 

47. Soror et covjunx. See Smith's Class. 
Diet., under Juno. 

Tot annos — ace. of duration of time. The 
abl. would signify an interval A'* Bella gero 
— wage a lengthened war, ui contrast to the 
suigle blow of Athene. 

48. Quisquain is used because Jimo im- 
plies by her question that she expects a 
negative reply. Junonisrmmeii—vii.thex tXian 
me. By the use of tlie proper name Instciid 
of the personal pronouns much more em- 
phasis and force are given to the sentence. 
Cf. ii. 79, 549, 674. Bdla f/e?'o— Observe 
the venom in the phrase, implyuig that 
though she ought to be looked upon as their 
superior, yet she is obliged to fight on con- 
tinually as their equal. The whole speech 
is admirably constructed. 

49. Adorat — imponet. The difference of 
tense in these words has given rise to dis- 
cusbion and emendation, some I'eading 
adoret — irnponut. Tliere is, however, no 
necessity for any change. The indicative 
expresses uonder or indignation — and here 
signifies that Juno will be astonished should 
men still continue to pay her homage. The 
subjunctive, on the contnuy, would express 
doubt, and denote that Juno scarce believed 
that she would be worshipped by any here- 
after. J'raeterea adorat=adorabit : Frae- 
te7-ea refers to time, "hereafter," "any 
longer." For a similar indignant speech of 
Juno, see Ovid Met. ii. 518 sqq. 

50. Without a hint of the intentions of 
the goddess, we are at once carried on tc 
her decisive acts in pursuance other object, 
Cf. Horn. II. xiv. 23;J sqq. 

51. Zoca— Observe this plur. in opposi- 
tion to a singular : for a similar construc- 
tion, see JEn. v. 359. 

62. Aeoliam — Vii'gil and Homer speak of 
only one island, but the group consists of a 
considerable number, 9 or 10, which con- 
stitute tlic modern Lipari isles N. of Sicily. 
The one referred to ui the text is supposed 

6 



to be Lipara (Lipari), or Strongyle (Stroni- 
boli). The islands were called Aeoliae, 
AeoUdes, Hephaestiades, or Vnlcaniae — the 
two latter names expressive of the ancient 
belief that in one of them, Hiera, Vulcan, 
the fire-god, had his forge. The relation that 
subsisted between storms and the outburst- 
ing of fire from the eartli led to the fancy that 
the volcanic group of the Lipari, which sup- 
plied the "lighthouse of the Mediten-anean," 
was the place where storms were gene- 
rated. With Virgil's description compare 
Hom. Od. X., at the beginning. Aeolus, son 
of Hippotes, whose meteorological know- 
ledge exceeded that of the rude inhabitants 
of the islands under his authority, received, 
in later times (though not in Homer), the 
appellation of "Khig of the Winds." 

53. Onomatopoeia, or an adaptation of the 
sound of the words to the sense conveyed, 
is often observable in Homer, and has been 
vei-y successfully attempted by Virgil in 
many places. This line, 53, is an example 
of it. Every word is sel ected with care, and 
placed with remarkable suitabh ness, so 
that the numbers and rhythm combme with 
the vocables to express the struggling of 
the wmds and the roaring of the howling 
blasts. Observe the spondees. Many in- 
stances of this artificial versification may be 
seen in om- own poets, more especially 
Dryden and Pope. 

54. Vinctda, i.e., ciistodia. Noli enim de 
coiupedibtts cogitare.- Forb. 

55. Cum murmvre, i.e., ita ut murmuret. 
Cum is used to express the mode in which 
a thing takes place, but the abl. alone also 
denotes this. Montis is governed by mur- 
mure, and not by claustra. 

56. Celsd arce. — These w^ords are com- 
monly interpreted as meanhig "the high 
summit of the mountain," which, in 140, 
is called auJa. Dr Henry (Class. Mus. vol. 
vi.) understands them to mean an exalted 
THRONE unthin the cave itself. This view, 
says Forb., wo idd render the explanation of 
81 sqq. much easier, and would be better 
suited to 140, but we want examples of 
arx similarly used. Dr Henry is of opinion 
that the winds are in this passage compai'ed 
to the horses confined within the barriers 
of the Circus, and eagerly striving to break 
forth. Very many words in the passage 
bear out this idea, e.g. vinclis, carcere,frenat, 
mollit animos, temperat iras, etc., though it 
must be confessed that objections may be 
urged against it. Dr Henry's remarks arc 
well worthy of attention. 

58. Transl. — "Unless he do this, they 
wiU assuredly he&v away with them, in rapid 
course, seas and contments, and lofty heaven, 
and sweep them through the air." Such is 
the meaning of quippe {qui), " certahdy 
they are powers (Avhich)." The present 
subj. is used where we might have expected 
the imperf , shice we can imagine the event 
as one which may take place, if the pre- 
ventive condition be not fulfilled. This jires. 
makes the sentence much more animated, 
and, as it were, manifest to our eyes. 

61. Moleni et monies altos, a Uendiadys 
(See iii. 148), for violem altorum montium, 



B. L 63-70. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. I. 71-77. 



but see note 2, above. Hoc metuem dif- 
fers from ulmetuens in this, that the latter is 
said of one who dreads an impending e^il, 
but is ignorant of the exact time of its 
occurrence — the former, of one wlio fears an 
e\il as about to take place im mediately. The 
pronouns themselves suggest such a dis- 
tinction; Wagner, Quaestiones Virgilianae, 

XATi. 

63. Laxas habenas. This is an example 
of the proleptic use of the adj. ; on which, 
see note ii. 736. The phrases j5/'emere, and 
dare habenas, are tateu from the race- 
course. Translate 60: "But the omni- 
potent father, guarding against such an 
(immediate) result, confined them in gloomy 
caverns, and placed upon them a mass, 
even lofty mountains, and assigned them a 
governor, who, acting on an established [ 
law, might know both when to tighten the j 
reins, and when, at (the) command (of i 
Jove), to slacken them, and give free j 
course." Premere seems to refer to that ' 
mode of checking, which is employed even \ 
by a modem Auriga, when, to secure j 
greater steadiness in Ms team, he lays his j 
whip, or his whip-hand, on the reins, a 
little in front of his left hand, and so de- 
presses the reins as to tighten them up. 
Dare, with an adj. or particip., forms a cir- 
cumlocutorj' phrase for the simple verb, in 
such a way, however, that the effect and 
consequent condition are also signified. So 
vasto daho, for vastabo. 

65. Aeole—namque. The poets often in- 
terrupt the sequence of a sentence by the 
introduction of a parenthesis after the first 
word, especially if that word be a voc. case. 
Excitement of feeling is thus better ex- 
pressed. Homer similarly introduces 7«^> 
gi^-ing the reason why. 

66. Dedit mulcere — a Greek construction 
for dedit potestatem mulcendi ,• Dare with the 
infin. being equal to concedere, permittere. 
See below, note 319. 

67. Navigat aequor. Intransitive verbs, 
both m Greek and Latin, are frequently fol- 
lowed by an ace. of the object. See below, 
524; m. 191. So also such phrases as 
in-sanire errorem, ire viam or iter. The 
ace. is usually that of a noun ha\ing the 
same stem as the verb, or having at least a 
cognate signification. Cf. Cic. de Fin. iL 
34, 112. Qoui Xerxes JIabe A^rBULA\^ssET, 
TEEEAM KAViGASSET. See Madvig Lat. Gr. § 
2-23, obs. 4 ; Zumpt, § 383 ; and especially 
consult Jelf Gk. Gram. § 548 sqq. 

68. Uium in It. port., Le., seeking a new- 
settlement in Italy, in which to perpetuate 
the kingdom of Troy, and the worship of 
those deities which have been overpowered, 
inasmuch as they did not preserve Ti'oy 
from the destroyer. 

69. Ventis is the dat., not the abL, as some 
explain. On the proleptic use of submersas 
see above, 63. The phrase is equal to obrue 
et submerge. On puppis and Penates, see 

Ramsay's Antiq., and 704, below. 

70. Age diver sos, Le., drive them in differ- 
ent directions — one to one quarter and ano- 
ther to anotlier. Diversos is used on the 



principle of the construction called ^^Synesis," 
or "ad intellectum." Diversas might be 
expected, but the poet is thinking not so 
much of the ships QmppesJ as of the voy- 
agers. The adj., therefore, is made to agxee 
■v\ith the word which woidd be used did the 
writer give expression in a separate fonn 
to the idea uppermost in his mind. Con- 
sult Madvig, § 207, obs., Jelf Gk. Gram. § 
378 sqq., and Latham, " English Language," 
p. 397, § 478. 

71. Bis septem — large numbers are usually 
expressed by the poets by multiplicative 
adverbs, for verj' obvious reasons. See 
272 and 38L 

This passage is founded on Hom. II. xiv. 
267 sqq., and is introduced uselessly, as the 
poet himself seems to have felt ; for ^olus 
promises compUance with Juno's wishes, 
not in consequence of her proposal of a bride, 
but on far different considerations. 

72. The cu-cumlocution, quae forma pul- 
cherrima, for the simple pulcherrimam, is 
one frequently adopted bv Greek and Latin 
winters. Cf. *Soph. Oed." E. 345, and ^n. 
xiL 388, viam quae proxima poscit. 

73. Connubio, etc. The meaning is this, "I 
shall join her to you in lawful wedlock 
(connubio, not conjugio only — see these 
words ia Ramsay's Antiquities) and make 
her yours for ever." Dico is stronger than 
do — the latter meaning for a time, the for- 
mer/or all time coming. This is implied in 
the weU known form of the Prtetors sen- 
tence, do, dico, addico. Proprius means 
what is to be one's own for ever, and seems 
to be used here to contrast with the short 
period dming which Helen was possessed 
by Paris. The proposal comes well from 
Juno PEO>njBA. As no right example is 
found of the second syllable of connubium 
being short, Forb., following Heyne and 
Hermann, prefers to scan the word by 
synizesis (see line 2), thus making three 
syllables, connubjo. 

75. This and the preceding line are con- 
demned by Rau as containing a languid and 
superfluous addition. 

Thiol considers pulchra prole as a (so- 
caUed) abl. absoL, and thus interprets: 
" quae te facial parentem, ut pulchra proles 
sit." But the plain meaning of the words 
is the best, — " and shall make you a father 
by the beautiful children she will bear:" 
or " shall bless you with children, and that, 
too, beauth'ul ones." The ancients thought 
it a most severe dispensation to be disap- 
pointed in the hope of children, as may be 
seen in such places as the present, and in 
the very frequent mention of the misfor- 
tune of a ^«^«? '/ifziTiAri; by the Greeks. 

76. Aeolus avoids all risk of incm-riug 
blame, by simply promising to do her com- 
mands -n-ithout approving of them in word. 
The hint of Aeolus in explorare, that Juno 
should examine how far it was right to ask 
him to go in his compliance, is a prepara- 
tion for the indignation of Neptime, 130 sqq., 
at the audacity of the king of the winds. 

77. Capei^sere, i.e., accipe?e et exsequi. Fas 
est, Le., officium meum est. 

7 



B. I. 78-85. 



NOTES ON THE ,«NEID. 



B. I. 86-105. 



78. Observe the repetition of the pronoun 
to express emotion and emphasis. Cf. Geo. 
iv. 465 sqq. The mythological fancy which 
represented Jmio as the personification of 
the lower air Tsill account for the idea that 
the sovereignty of the winds was at her dis- 
posal. 

79. Concilias, etc. "Thou hast gi-anted 
to me whatever sovereignty I possess ; thou 
hast procured for nie my sceptre, and hast 
secured me the favour of Jupiter; thou hast 
gained for me a seat at the table of the 
gods, and hast made me Lord over storm- 
clouds and tempests." The Presents, con- 
cilias and das, are not to be taken as if used 
for Perfects, but as expressing that the bene- 
fits formerly conferred by Juno's kindness 
are still continued by her indulgence, and are 
cherished wth gratitude. In concilias go- 
verning sceptra and Jovem, we have an 
approximation to, but not a distinct example 
of, the figure Zeugma; for an explanation 
of which, see note ii. 258, and consult Mad- i 
vig, Zumpt, Jelf, and Latham, by Index. ! 

JDas accumbere — see above, note 6G. 

Epulis — see Grammar or Diet, for dif- 
ference of meaning in sing, and plur. of this 
word. 

81. Conversa cuspide, etc. — " With in- 
verted spear (ivhich the deities used as a 
sceptre) he forced (a part of) the hollow 
mountain into its side," Le., drove a hole 
in it from his throne on the outside and 
summit where he sat; or, "struck the hol- 
low mountain on the side." Those who, 
with Dr Henry (see above, 56), suppose his 
throne in the inside, will render it, "He 
struck the hollow mountain on the side (of 
the cave) with his inverted spear, i.e., his 
spear, which he held in his hand a-; a scep- 
tre, leaning with one end on the ground, 
being changed from the vertical to the 
horizontal position." This latter explana- 
tion is most consistent with 140. Dr 
Henry argues, that if Aeolus was seated on 
the summit of the mountain, he must have 
struck it on the top, not on the side, and 
then the winds would have rushed hcaven- 
Avards, instead of along the surface of the 
earth. This is, perhaps, rather much of a 
refinement, though we confess that DrH.'s 
other arguments are to us conclusive. We 
should have liked to insert them but for their 
length. See them in Class. Mus., vol. vi. 
p. 35. 

82. Ac=ac statim. Conjunctions are fre- 
quently thus used when one event is repre- 
sented as following immediately on another. 
Agnien, Le., agimen, or ocyof^svov^ from 
ago. 

83. Observe the very frequent occurrence 
of the letter r (the litera canina) and also of 
t in this line, rendering the cncumstancc 
more vividly horrible. This alliteration is 
occasionally used Avith great advantage. 
See Geo. i. -389, in which s is prevalent. 

84. Incubuere means to descend upon with 
weight, and to remam for a considerable 
time : "To brood upon." 

85. Ruunt, which hi 83 is intransitive, is 
here transitive, and used for eruunt, " up- 
turn." Creber procellis, i.e., crebris procellis : 

8 



or, Africus being personified, this hypallage 
is unnecessary. This and the following 
line are noted as instances of onomatopoeia. 
See above, 53. 

Cf. with this description Milton Par. 
Reg. iv. 

Nor slept the winds 
Withintheir stony caves, but rushed abroad 
From the four hinges of the world, and fell 
On the vexed wilderness. 

86. Africus, the S.W., which in the Medi- 
terranean is a very " gusty" wind. 

87. The harsh sound of r occurring in 
eveiy word of the line greatly helps out the 
idea meant to be conveyed. See above, 83. 

90. PoU, i.e., Coelum. Cf. Burns' Tarn o' 
Shanter ; 

The hghtnings flash from pole to pole, 
Near and more near the thunders rolL 

92. Solvuntur frigore, "ai*e relaxed (mi- 
hinged, rendered powerless) by chilling 
terror." 

93. Duplices, not simply " both," but 
"clasped," "folded." 

96. Oppetere (mot^tem) — means not merely 
to die, but bravely to meet death in the face. 
Poets and late prose writers frequently use 
the Avord without m-ors attached. 

97. Tydide — Diomede, son of Tydeus, 
with whom iEneas had engaged in single 
combat, and from whose attack he had been 
rescued by Venus. Consult Smith's Class. 
Diet., under "Diomede." 

^fene occumbere — see above, note 37. 

99. yEacides, i.e., Achilles, grandson of 
.^acus. Saevus=fortis : the application of 
this term to Hector by his friend jEneas 
shows tliat it cannot=crudelis, but that it 
rather suggests the idea of great might, 
energy, and success in battle. 

Jacit, "lies in death," the present being 
used, as the scene is still fresh in memory. 

100. Sarpedon, son of Jupiter and Lao- 
damia. was king of the Lycians, and an 
ally of Troy. He was slain by Patroclus. 

102. Jactanti — " ejaculating " — there is 
no idea of boasting. ProceUa — a squall — 
stridens Aquilone, i.e., sent with vehemence, 
and Avith a howling noise, by the north 
wind — ab Aquilone incitata. 

103. Ferit velum adversd — "a blast comes 
hoAvling on the wings of the north wind, 
and strikes the sail full in front." 

104. Prora avertit, i.e., avertitur — "The 
prow turns away," the helm having failed 
to keep the ship's bows to the wind; — the 
blast being right a-hcad, the oars arc 
smashed by the huge breakers raised on 
both sides of the vessel in the direction of 
the wind. Some MSS. read proram erertit 
(scil., procella), but the verb dat would be 
very awkwardly joined to procella as its nom. 

105. Praeruptus, etc. — " A broken-crested 
mountain of water follows upon them in a 
(one-piled) mass." So we taUc of waves 
"running mountains high." It is the 
tenth wave which is meant — this the 
Romans considered much larger than the 
intervening ones. The Greeks feared every 
third wave, for its size, weight, and danger. 



B. I. 106-123 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. I. 125-145. 



lOG. Hi— his, Heyne refers these two 
words to persons in the same vessel — the 
former referring to those on the right and 
elevated benches, and the latter to those 
on the left and depressed seats. But the 
following- lines, Tris abreptas — unam (113), 
etc., show that diiferent ships are spoken of. 

Dehiscent — " gaping to its utmost depth " 
— such is the force of de. 

107. Aestusfurit — ''the surge boils madly 
on the sands," i.e., at the bottom of the sea, 
not on the shore. 

108. Torquet well expresses the combined 
effect of boisterous ^^^nd and eddjing wave- 
current. Notus is put for the %^ind, gene- 
rally, since the south could not have driven 
them in the dii-ection mentioned, sailing, as 
they were, from Sicily to Africa. 

109. Aras, L e., the Insulae Aegimuri, 
about 30 miles north of Cai'thage, said (by 
Servius) to be called Arae, as ha-sang been 
the spot where a treaty was made 'with 
Rome, after tlie end of the first Punic war. 
But Hejnie objects, and says that Servius 
was thiiiking of the Aegates insulae, off 
Sicily. 

110. Dorsum, called otherwise taeniae, or 
pulvinus — and by us a Reef. Summo 
mart, Le., rising close to the surface, but 
still concealed. The island Aegimm-us, how- 
ever, is said to be lofty. 

111. Brevia et s-yrfes — ^this is supposed by 
Ser\-ius to be a Hendiadys for brevia Syr- 
tium. Tlie one, however, is rather explana- 
tory of the other — the conj. et is frequently 
an explicative. Brevia et syrtes here means 
shallow places in the shifting sands, and not 
the syHes, major and minor, of Africa, men- 
tioned by Sallust. 

114. A veriice, etc. A wave rises high 
and descends perpendicularly upon the stern 
of the ship. The poop is thus lowered to 
the edge of the water, and the pilot washed 
overboard. See Horn. Od. v. 313. 

The imitations of Homer are so numerous 
here and elsewhere, as to render it quite 
impossible to refer to even a tithe of them. 

Magister, i.e., gubernator — "the pUot." 
He is called Leucaspis in Jin. vi. 334. 

116. yerisnot to be taken literally, but 
as meaning "several times." 

117. This line is admirably worded to 
heighten the awfulness of the scene. Vorat 
— '' engulphs.''' 

118. liari — "here and there." Observe 
the gender of rari, considered in refei-ence 
to the sjmtax of the following line, and note 
particularly the slow spondaic measure fol- 
lo^^^ng the rapid dactylic verse, each well 
answering the thought contained in the 
lines respectively. 

120. The names of Ilioneus and Abas are 
mentioned by Homer, but they are repre- 
sented by him as losing then- lives. On the 
genitive Ilionei, see 30. 

121. Grandaevus. Virgil is the first writer 
known to have used this word. 

123. Imbrem. Virgil and succeedmg poets 
occasionally use imber for the water of the 
sea, in imitation of Ennius and Lucretius. 

Rimis fatiscunt, Le., solvuntur ut rimas 
agant — " Are cleft open into chinks." 



125. Emissam (esse) scil. by Aeolus. Some 
codices read immissam, scil. navibus Trc^anis, 
but the former is much more suitable, since 
the audacity of Aeolus is of more concern 
to Neptune than the destruction of the 
sWps. 

126. Stagna for mare generally, though 
refen-ing more particulai'ly to the still waters 
at a considerable depth below the smtface, 
where the surface motion does not reach. 
Refusa — "tossed upward." Translate — ■ 
"Meanwhile Neptune perceived, with great 
alarm, that the deep is being lashed into 
commotion with a loud roaring noise, that 
a stoiTQ had been sent forth, and that the 
still waters of the sea had been upheaved 
from then- lowest depths." Vadis imis is 
used here like a sedibus imis in 84, above. 
Observe the difference of tense between 
misceri and emissam (esse.) 

127. Prospiciens alto — " looking forth from 
the sea to a great distance." Placidum — 
"ti-anquil," as became the dignity of a 
deity, even whilst he was gravitee com- 
motus at the insolence of Aeolus. Some 
wish to make the adj. active — '-his tranqui- 
lising head." He was at least benign to- 
wards the Trojans generally, bi\t he is not 
yet supposed to know the cause of commo- 
tion. 

128. Disjectam clctssem — opp'i^essos Troas — 
see note on 70, above. 

129. Coeli ruina, a strong expression to 
indicate the violence of rain and wind. Ruina 
is used by Cicero also as an abstract noun. 

131. Two winds are put to represent alf 
those which had been engaged in the -svrec-k. 
of the Trojans. Observe that dehine is to 
be scaimed as one sylL as in 256, below. 
See 2, above, note on Synezesis. In this 
matmer deinde, deinceps, deorsum are pro- 
notniced as two sylls. — vehe/nenter, vehe- 
rnenti, pt^hibeat, etc. as three. Ct Eel. 
vii. 7. 

132. Fiducia (which is conaroonly taken 
in a good sense), is here put for confidential 
used hi a bad sense. 

135. Quos ego — This sudden break off; 
lea\ang the remainder to be imagined, i* 
called aposiopesis: it is common in the comic 
Avriters. For other examples, see iL 100; 
and V. 195. 

136. Non simili, Le., by no means so 
lenient as mere reproof. 

139. Sorte, "by lot," as the empire of 
Saturn was divided among his three sons, 
Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto. Cf. Horn. IL 
XV. 187 ; Hesiod^ Theog. 885. 

140. Vestras shows that more of the winds 
than Em-US are addi-essed. Many examples 
of this change of number are quoted by 
Forb., in all of -which one individual is 
singled- out to be a representative of the 
others. See ^^En. ix. 257 and 525. 

144. Cymothoe- — one of the daughters of 
Nereus and Doris. Adnixus refei-s to both 
the individuals mentioned, but agrees -with 
the subst. nearest to it, -viz., Triton. Triton 
was son of Neptune and Amphitrite, and 
gave name to the particular kind of deities 
called after him. 

145. Scopulo, Le., the sank.cn rock on 

9 



B. I. 146-159. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. I. 161-166. 



which Notus had hurled them. There 
ought not to be a full stop after this word, 
as it is to be understood after levat follow- 
ing. 

146. Aperii Syrtes — Le., makes channels 
in the sand, or brings back deep water to 
those places whence it had been diiven by 
the wind- 

147. Perlabitur levibus rot is — "Skims 
over in his fleet chariot." The verb used 
is applied to express quick motion since it 
suggests a smooth gliding movement over a 
surface presenting few obst acles. The line 
is another instance of onomatopceia. 

148. The comparison of a sedition to the 
tumult of the sea-waves is frequent with 
the poets — the passage is imitated from 
Hom. IL iL 144-146. Here, however, the 
commotion of the deep and its settlement 
are compared to a sedition. 

Ac introduces comparisons ^vith consider- 
able emphasis, to call attention to what fol- 
lows, but it always has reference to the i) re- 
ceding statement which is to be illustrated 
by some strong simile, and not to the com- 
parison itseltl 

Magno popiilo means " a numerous popu- 
lation," " a crowded assembly of citizens." 
Of Hon Serm. i. 6, 4; and Sat. L 6, 79. The 
Roman people is before the eye of the poet 
in his comparison, and the epithet magno is 
therefore not idly inserted, but means to 
glorify the merits of the one man, whose ap- 
pearance is able to quell tlic people's tu- 
mults. 

149. Saevit anirnis. The low rabble rage 
\-iolently -vN-ith passion. — Populo and valgus 
are coHertires, and therefore ani7nis is plur. 
The expression is sunilar to stupere animo^ 
pendeve animo, and such hke. 

151. Gravem — "venerable," "a man of 
weight;" pietate, on account of his reve- 
rence for the gods, and the purity of his life 
consistent with his professions, et meritis and 
his acts of kindness and benevolence to his 
country- and countrymen. Cicero is sup- 
posed to be hinted at. 

152. Adstantis moveihan stant — it means, 
"and there they stand rivotted." 

153. Hie is thus used with especial em- 
phasis and force, when what was before the 
object becomes suddenly the subject of the 
succeeding clause, and is to be brought 
prominently uito notice. 

156. Curru secundo, i.e., his chaiiot 
smoothly running, and lightly fulloAring the 
flying steeds. Heyne, Wagn., Tliiel, and 
others, take curru as the contracted dat 
for citrrui, depending on dat lora ; but 
Forb. and Jahn consider it the abL, and 
connect it with voJans, supplying equis to 
be governed by dat lora. 

157. Befessi — de in compos, with adjs. and 
verbs increases the force of the simple 
words. See above, dehiscens, 106. 

Aeneadae, Le., not the descendants, but 
the companions and followers of ^neas. 

159. Servius remarks that the place re- 
presented here by the poet is fashioned after 
his own poetic fancy, the sketch being 
based, however, on the harbour of Cartha- 
gena m Spahi ; but ShaAV (Travels, p. 200) 

10 



alleges that he tUscovered a spot between 
the Capes now called Bon and Zibel (near 
the ancient city Aquilaria, Caes. BeU. Civ. 
ii. 23), answering very nearly to the haven 
described by Virgil in this passage. There 
is an indentation m the coast Hue, and m 
front, ui the bay thus made, there is an 
island which sen'es as a breakwater, allowing 
but the last and weakest ripples of the wave 
from the open sea to travel harmlessly round 
its extremities to the natm'al harbour fonned 
within. Cf. Caes. B. C. iii. 112, and Lucan 
iL 610 sqq. 

161. Reductos sinus is supposed by some 
to mean "a retired and deep bay;" but 
Forb., with more reason, refers it to the 
gradual decrease of the wave after being 
broken as it rethes in successive ripples of 
sinuous form. The poet is here indebted to 
Homer Od. xiii. 97, and ix. 116. 

162, 3. Hinc atque hinc. He now speaks 
of the mainland, two promontories of which, 
with, huge rocks and peaks, form natural 
boimdaries to the harbom*. Gemini, though 
properly used of things which are conjoined 
in some way so as to form " a couple," " a 
pair," is here, as at iL 203, equal to duo. 
Minari is a verb constantly employed to 
express g7-eat altitude. Cf. also .^n.'ii. 240 
and iv. 88. 

164. Scena {ax.r,'i'h\ so called from c-;i<a, 
— a shadow, means piimarily an arbour, 
Le., an apartment formed, either by nature 
or art, of the branches and leaves of trees. 
In a secondary sense it is applied to the 
theatre, as spectacles were exhibited in 
very early times under such a coveiing, or 
a hut was introduced to represent the 
dwelling of the principal character of the 
play. T/iirdlii, it meant the painting on 
canvas of the hut of former times, and thus 
came to signify any ^•iew. 

165. Nemus (vif^o?), is "part of a wood 
(silva) more beautiful than the rest, with 
pastures (^vo/i/,7i) adjoining. Silva is the 
extensive and untriminecl range of forest. 
Lucus — a group of trees ha^ing some idea of 
sacredness attached thereto." See Doderl. 
Lat. Syn. Atrum signifies the gloom caused 
beneath by the dense foliage excluduig the 
sun's rays. Horrent i — "causing dread " from 
its very gloom. See 310, below. 

166. Fronte sub adversa, Le., in the recess 
of the bay, and in the precipitous clitf facing 
the voyagers as they enter, there is a cave 
containing a spring of dehcious water, and 
seats of Ihing, Le., natural — native stone — 
not artificially fonned. but made by natiu-e. 
This passage has given much trouble 
to commentators, and great diversity of 
opinion prevails in the mteri^retation of its 
several parts. The foUo-sving paraphrastic 
translation mil, it is hoped, give some idea 
of the poet's conception : — " The spot (tchere 
Vie Trojans landed) is hi a sequestered (longo, 
Le., distant and Uttle frequented) retreat. 
An island forms a harbour by means of its 
projecting sides, against which every wave 
(coming) from the deep is broken, and (there- 
after) is -parted- and -so-retreats (Scindit 
with in and the ace.) into the recesses of 



B. I. 169-178. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. I. 179-198. 



the bay, [reductos sinus may also be inter- 
preted as in note on 161]. On either side 
(of this bay, and on the continent) huge 
rocks, and twin-like cMs rise towering to- 
wards heaven, sheltered by whose sunnnits 
the seas are undisturbed, (i.e., so as to be 
safe for ships,) and still to a great distance 
around. Moreover, there is, (on the receding 
hills) above, a back-ground \iew (scena) 
of light-flashing forests, [the varying height 
of the trees, and the motion of the leaves 
by the wind, causing an ever-changing 
variation of light and shade], and a dark 
grove overhangs, with an a^ve - inspiring 
gloom. Beneath the brow (of the cliffs— 
sub fronte) — and facuig those persons en- 
termg and saUing up the bay, there is a 
grotto, formed by pendant rocks, within 
which is a spring of sweet water, and seats 
of natural stone — the home of the Nymphs." 
Cf. Hom. Od. xii. 318, and ix. 136. 

169. Ancora unco morsu. Vu-gil speaks 
of the iron anchors of his own day, for the 
Homeric sailors used stones with holes in 
them, but see 469, note. Unco is applied to 
morsu, though properly belonging, (as it is 
said), to the anchor. But if the anchor be 
crooked, so must its catch. 




170. Sepiem navibus — one carrying iEneas, 
three levered from the rocks by Triton, and 
three extricated from the sands by Neptune. 
The whole fleet, 20 sail in all, was finally 
recovered, with one exception, viz., the 
ship of Orontes. 

173. Tabentes, i.e., madidas unda marina. 
" Poetae enim," says Forbiger, " tabempro- 
prie ponunt de humore corrvpto; mox de 
quocunque, imprimis sordido." 

175, 6. Wagner suspects that the plan of 
kindling a light here indicated is the same 
as that used by the shepherds to the pre- 
sent day, who, after receiving the spark in 
light and porous pith, envelop it in dry 
stubble, and kindle this into a flame by a 
quick vibratory motion. Translate — " And 
first Achates strikes forth a spark by a flint 
stone, and caught the fire in leaves, and 
supplied dry nutriment aroimd, and hastily 
fanned (raptim svscitavit=rapuif, Forb.) 
the blaze in the fuel." 

177. Cererem, i.e., frumentum. So above 
in 34, we have Tellus, the deity, for terra, 
the element: thus also we have Vtdcanus 
for ignis. Liber for Vimim, Mars for bellvm, 
Venus for amor, etc. etc. Cerealia arm a, 
i.e., instruments for grinding and baking. 
Arma is not confined to warlike weapons, 
but means implements generally, for any 
purpose whatsoever. 

178. Fessi rerum — a Greek construction, 
on the principle of the " antecedent notion 
expressed by the gen." See Jelf Gk. Gram, 
on the gen., vol. ii. 



Eeceptas, i.e., "preserved," "recovered," 
as good as got back from the sea where they 
seemed at one time to be. 

179. Frangere sctxo. Many uncivilized 
nations of modern times thus crush their 
grain by beatmg it with stones. Cf. Geo. 
i. 267. 

181. Pelago is the dat. case, as alto, 126, 
above ; for as we have already seen, the poets 
often use the dat. to express the place or 
point to Avhich a thing is dkected. Si, 
" whether or no he can see any one (of his 
lost companions as) Antheus," etc. The 
proper names, Anthea, Capyn, etc., are in 
apposition to quern. Gossrau, howcA'er, ob- 
jects to this, and compares the iise oi quern to 
ein {an, one) in German. Pelayus means the 
deep sea always, as opposed to that near to 
the land. Oceanus is the " great waste of 
waters" surrounding the earth. Mare, the 
sea as opposed to the land and sky. Pontus, 
the sea m reference to perpendicular dimen- 
sion. Aequor and Marmor refer to the sur- 
face mei-ely m its level and glassy aspect. 

182. Biremes is put for ships generally; 
these same vessels are called triremes in 
^n. V. 119. See Ramsay's Antiq. Rom. p. 
402 sqq. 

184. Cervos. — Some naturalists of former 
times alleged that there were no stags 
in Africa; but (S/iaM', in his "TraA'els" (other 
authorities omitted), says that animals of 
this class are found there. At all events, 
we are not to bind down the poet to be a 
mere recorder of veritable facts of natural 
history. 

185. Armenia fi-om aro, quasi aramenta, as 
jumenta, quasi jugumenta. The word is 
properly applied to oxen, but also to flocks 
of animals of other kinds; so seals are called 
Neptuni armenta in Geo. iv. 395. 

189. Ferentes, i.e., habentes — capita alta 
cornibus, Le., capita altis cornibvs. 

190. Vulgus, well opposed to ductores. 

191. Miscet agens, "plying the crowd 
with his weapons, he diives them in con- 
fusion into," etc. 

193. For fundat and aequet some books 
readfundit — aequat; but the subjunctive is 
better, since the poet wishes to express 
the desire of ^neas not to desist till he 
should have slain seven stags, and thus pro- 
vided one carcase for each ship, rather than 
his actual feats. Hum i is the coiTCCt reading-, 
and not humo, for Virgil uses the former 
(the ancient Dat.) to signify in terra, or in, 
ad terram, while the latter means a terra 
or e terra. For examples of its use, see 
Gossrau in loc. 

194. Partitur in omnes, i.e., inter omnes. 

195. Deinde is in an unusual position. 
Bonus, i.e., liberalis, benignus, "generous," 
"bountiful." Quae cadis onerdrat is an 
hypallage for quibus cados onerdrat. This 
wine had been provided by Acestes of Ae- 
gesta, a town in Sicily, not far from Dre- 
panum. See below, 558, 570 ; also iii. 707. 

196. Trinacrio — See note on 34. 

198. Ante malorum, 'tmv -^rph ko-kuv. 

So in Sail. Jug. 76, 5, multo ante labore fa- 

tigati, on which, see Kritz ad loc. This 

figure, by which adverbs are so joined to 

11 



B. I. 200-216. 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. I. 217-232. 



adjectives and substantives as to make one 
compound w^ord, and one simple idea, is 
caMed 7utphenXi'^' svoj), but is foreign to 
tiie idiom of the Latin lang-uage, and is 
seldom used. Others take ante for antea, 
and joia it with ignari sumus; this is 
Gossrau's opinion. 

200. On the references in this and the 
following line, see notes on iii. 555-675. 
Eabiem, properly the madness of dogs — on 
the appropriateness of which term, see iii. 
428, where Scylla is represented as sur- 
rounded by these animals. 

201. Accestis, by Syncope, for accessistU. 
So in iv. 606, extinxem, for extinxissem. 
This abbreviation is a particularly favourite 
one with Lucretius. On the construction 
of a verb of approaching with a simple 
accus. ^\ithout a prep., Cf. below, 307, and 
see note above, 2. 

202. Moestum — " sadness-causing," in an 
active sense. But Gossrau explahis differ- 
ently. He says, " Abstract notions, which 
can only be discerned when manifested in 
concrete objects, rightly assume adjectives 
■^vhich are suited to the concretes to which 
thej^ are attributed." Thus moestus is pro- 
l^erly applied to timidus (used as a concrete 
subst., a "coward"), and may therefore be 
transferred to timor — the corresponding ab- 
stract subst. 

203. Haec means our present difficulties 
and discouragements. Forsan is a poetic 
word very rarely used by prose writers 
(who adopt forsitan), and not at all by 
Cicero. 

204. Per tot discrimina — " through so 
many dangerous conjunctures." 

207. Diirate, scil. vos, or animum vestrum. 
Or it may be taken as hitransitive. 

208. Aeger — ''sick at heart," — an epithet 
primarily applied to the body, but trans- 
ferred to the mind, as Saucius, vulneratus, 
etc. 

209. Altitm — "deep grief," i.e., excessive 
— that which is deeply seated in the bosom. 

21L Viscera — irliatever is beneath the hide, 
i.e., the flesh. 

212. Pars — secant. Virgil rarely employs 
this kind of Synesis (see note on 70, above), 
ill which a collective is made subject of a 
plur. verb. The preceding illi suggests the 
pluralittf. 

Trementia — " still quivering " — well ex- 
presses the haste of their hunger: Foi'b. 
But Gossrau thinks this beastly haste more 
i)ecoming to Poljiihemus than our heroes, 
and takes the word simply as a general 
epithet of recently-killed flesh. 

213. Aena — the cauldrons, not for boiling 
flesh (which was roasted, as the preceding 
shows), but for warming water for wasliing 
previous to the meal The poet, however, 
may again be confounding the custom of his 
o-\vn and of ancient times, but see 469, note. 

215. Impleri governs the gen. after the 
Greek model. In Cicero, Livy, and other 
prose writers, it is followed by a gen. It is 
here in a middle sense, "fill themselves." 

Ferinae scil. carnis — "venisou." See uote 
on IL 586. 

216. The readers of Homer -will readily 
12 



call to mind one of his favoiuite formulae. 
See Od. iv. 68. 

Mensae remotae. Not only the remammg 
viands, but even the table itself was re- 
moved after a meal. See Ramsay's Antiq., 
"Meals." In the present instance, the 
mensae were likely cakes. Wagner considers 
mensae to mean "the remains of the feast." 

217. Longo sermone — not tedious, but 
varied by the multiplied surmises and re- 
grets about their lost friends. Requirunt — 
i.e., express their longing desire for, and 
sorrow at the loss of 

218. Dubii seu — sive, — a poetic form for 
utrum — an. 

219. Extrema pati is used of such persons 
as are perishing from the effect of a severe 
infliction, and thence of all who meet with 
a violent death. Nee exaudire is a mild 
way of suggesting the probabihty of their 
being already dead — there is a reference to 
the conclamatio part of the funeral service. 
See Eamsay's Antiq. 

220. Oronti. On this form of the gen. see 
note on 30, above. 

221. Secum — "apaii, to himself," so as 
not to sadden and dispirit his companions. 

223. This passage is formed by an imi- 
tation of several pieces from Homer. See 
Od. V. 5, and II. viii. 71. 

224. Velivolum — the epithet is applied 
also to ships; it here means "sail-floating," 
or " flying," i.c., the sea on which sails fly 
and ships float. AVith the poets, birds and 
ships are reciprocalhj metaphorical. 

225. Sic=sic temere, Burmann. Sic= 
"?<< e?'at," Heyne. Forb. and Wagn., 
however, treat it as an imitation of the 
not uncommon Greek mode of inserting a 
particle after a particip. to renew, as it were, 
and recommence the sentiment expressed 
by the particip. 

227. Tales, i.e., such as Libya and the 
Trojans suggested. 

228. Tnstior, i.e., subtristis — " somewhat 
sorrowful." On this use of the compar. 
see Madvig and Zumpt. Oculos, depending 
on the pass, particip. sufusa The Latui 
poets, and some pr.se writers fond of poeti- 
cal expressions, often use an accus. instead 
of the " abl. of limiting circumstance," as in 
the phrase clcntdus altera pedc. This hap- 
pens usually after passive verbs, and more 
especially after perf participles, to denote 
the part of a ichole to Avhich the statement 
is limited; thus — nnbe candentes humeros 
amictiis: miles fi-actus membra labore. It 
is called " The Accusativk of Reference 
OR Limitatkin;" or, from its great fre- 
quency in Greek, the Accusativus Graecus. 
But it is also used even after neuter verbs 
and adjectives, as tremit artus, Geo. iii. 84 ; 
OS humerosque deo similis, 589, below. See 
also note on li. 210. 

232. Quibiis — relative conjunctions are 
equal to a demonstrative and a conjunction, 
so that quibus=ut iis. Transl. thus: " What 
have the Trojans been able to do that the 
whole globe is shut against them." The 
indie, clauditur after ut in such a sentence 
is not to be found fault with, since Venus 
speaks of the thing as a. fact accomiylished. 



B. I. 234-248. 



NOTES ON THE yENEED. 



B. I. 249-2G1. 



234. Volventibus, sc'H. se. Transitive verbs 
often omit the reflexive pron., and thus be- 
come neuter or middle verbs ; their present 
particip. is often used as passive or reflexive. 
So accingere, iL 235; Avertere, 104, above; 
Vertere, Geo. ii. 33, etc. etc. 

235. Ob Italiam. "All, too, about a bit 
of a settlement in Italy," as we should say 
in conversational style. 

237. Pollicitus, es, or eras, according to 
the common interpretation, with a full stop 
after pollicitus. But Heyne, Jahn, Wagner, 
Forb., and Ladewig place a comma after 
pollicitus, and look upon the clause as an 
anacolouthon (i.e., a departure, in the close 
of a sentence, from the syntax with which 
it commenced ; see note 25, above,) caused 
by the gTief and excitement of the speaker. 
Thus the right construction would be earned 
out if the poet had Aviitten pollicitum to 
agree with te. 

238. Hoc — with this (promise). Solabar 
occasum — this verb is applied properly tx) 
the mind, then to the grief of the mind, and 
thirdly, as here, to the causes of the grief. 

239. Fatis—fata rependens. Comp. Shak- 
spere — "Weigh our sorrow with oiu* com- 
fort." 

241. (luemfinem. Virgil often uses finis 
as/ew. See iL 554; iiL 145. 

242. Anterior. See 248, and Cf. Livy i. 1. 
244. Fontem Timavi, Le., Tima'si\s. This is 

the name of a stream rising not far from the 
sea, and emptying itself into the gulph 
of Tergeste (Trieste). It is said to issue from 
cavems amid the rocks in the territory of 
the Carni, and to have nine different sources, 
which soon form one very considerable 
stream, called magntis in Eel. viii. 6. The 
rise of such a river will naturally be very 
rapid, and, in consequence, it often inun- 
dates the surrounding country. The whole 
length of the river does not exceed one mile, 
and thus the poet makes Antenor pass its 
fountain-head, though he merely sailed by 
its disembogue. The name Timao is still 
applied to some springs which rise near S. 
Giovanni di Carso, and the castle of Duino, 
and fomi a river. Antenor sailed up the 
Adriatic on the Ulyrian side, as being less 
dangerous than the Italian, crossed the gulf 
of Tergeste, sailed past the Timavus, and 
settled in Liburnia. Penetrare means to 
pass on through and come to the extremity 
of— its application to regna in the sense of 
" to reach" is a kind of zeugma. 

246. Proniptum — as prorumpere is some- 
times found in a transitive sense, its past 
part, may be used almost as a pres. pai't. 
act.=prorum.pens se. 

247. Ilk tamen ilk — "Here, however, 
that man," viz., Antenor, to Avhom you gave 
no promise, "has founded the city of Pata- 
vium." The city will be remembered as 
the birth-place of Livy. It is aow called 
Padua. 

248. Bedit nomen. He called them Veneti, 
a corruption of Beneti, a large body of 
whom followed him from Paphlagonia. 

Fixit arma, i.e., he enjoyed undisturbed 
peace. This plirase is taken from the prac- 
tice of soldiers, who, when freed from mili- 



tary sen-ice for life, missi militia, conse- 
crated their armour to some deity, and 
suspended it in his temple. 

249. Compostus pace. Heyne, Gossrau, 
Henry, and others, consider these words as 
descriptive of the last days of the life of 
Antenor, but Wagn., Forb., and Jahn, refer 
them to his death. See Forb. in loc. This 
latter interpretation seems to be supported 
by better arguments than its rival. The 
two precedhig lines sufficiently describe the 
temporal welfare of the prince, to crown 
which a peaceful death — the y&ry mark 
and pinch of happiness — supen/ene'd. The 
adverb nunc, moreover, denotes a transition 
from one state to another ; and, above all, 
componere, pace, and quiescere, are so much 
icords of death as to decide us on the point. 

250. Nos — Venus artfully enforces her 
appeal, by making herself o«e of the Trojans. 
Heyne. Weickert considers it rather as an 
imitation of forensic practices at Eome, the 
patron taking the Uls of his client as his own. 

251. Infandum is inserted as an interjec- 
tion ^indignum. Cf Geo. i. 479. 

Unius — very skilfully introduced^ and 
said with bitter irony. Prodimur — "we 
are abandoned " by you, 

253. I7i sceptra reponis — reiiistate us in 
that sovereign power which we held in 
Troy. 

254. Olli — antique form for illi. 

255. Observe the zeugma (see il 258, and 
note) in serenat; also mponet, 264. 

256. Oscula libavit, " touched lightly the 
lips." Cf. Phaedr. iv. 237, where the fly is. 
made to say '■'■ matronarum delibo osculcC 
Oscula is a dimin. oios. Natae is dat. case^ 
and is used for greater clearness, although 
olli has so recently preceded. 

257. Metu — contracted dat. for metui. 
The meaning is "Cease to fear,"^ '•'Ab- 
stain from fear." See below, ii. 534, Non 
tamen abstinuit, 7iec voci iraeque pepercit, 
which passage readily shows how this se- 
condary signification of parco arises fi'om 
the primaiy one. 

Cythetra—Yeims is so called, because it 
was on the island of Cythera (Cerigo) she 
first trod when she emerged from the sea- 
foam. 

258. Fata immota — this clause is a direct 
answer to Quae te sententia vertit in 237. 

Cernes urbem et moenia promissa, Le., cer- 
nes pi'omissa moenia urbis Lavini, an in- 
stance of Hendiadys. See 2, above, and 
Eel. ii. 8. Lavini is the gen. from Lavi- 
nium, not Lavinum. Virgil, and most of 
the poets of the Augustan age, make the 
gen. of words in ium, and ius in i, and not 
in ii. See 270. 

259. Ad sidera feres — ^Eneas was after- 
wards worshipped as Jupiter Indiges. See 
Li\T i- 2. 

260. Magnanimum,\.Q.,fortem, animosum. 
Neque is here used in preference to nee, 

since it denies more mildly and gently than 
the hai'sher form, a peculiarity best suited to 
the address of Jupiter. 

261. Hie, i.e., ^Eneas, in opposition to 
Ascanius, of whom he speaks, 267. 

Tibi is what is called the Dativus Ethicvs, 
13 



B. I. 262-2; 



NOTES ON THE ^XEID. 



B. I. 274-2S5. 



and depends on geret helium. "The datives, 
mihi, nobis (sometimes tibi, vobisj, are put 
■v\'itli expressions of surprise and 7'eprehen- 
sion, with demands or Avith questions about 
a person, in order to denote a certain de- 
gree of sympathy." Madvig, § 248. "The 
dative of personal pronouns is very often 
used where it is superfluous, as far as the 
meaning is concerned, but it always conveys 
the expression of a lively feeling, and is 
therefore termed Z)a<J!;«,s Ethicus"' (^h^ix.o;) 
Zumpt, § 408. 
Remordet, i.e., iterum iterwnque mordet. 

262. Volvens — "unfolding," "unravel- 
ling." Movebo — " will bring forth to light." 

263. Italia, for in Italia. Contundet — 
"will crush." Fopulos feroces, Le., the 
Eutuli and EtruscL 

264. A zeugma oecurs in ponet: mores 
sieges, as at vL 8-33. See note above, 79, 
and ii. 258. 

265. JEneas is to reign for three years, 
Ascanius for thirty, the Albau kings for 
three hundred, but to the empire of Rome no 
limit is fixed. 

266. Terna hiberna, scil. tempora, Le., tres 
hiemes. 

Rutulis subactis is the dat. case, not the 
so-called abl. absol. 

267. At indicates transition either of cir- 
cumstance, or person, or time. See 261. 

liilo — we may say either nomen mihi est 
lulus, or n. m. est luli, or n. m. est lulo as 
here, but the dat. is preferable, hdus is 
usually pronounced in two syllables, but 
here in three. The son of ^Eneas Avas first 
called Euryleon — in the flight from Troy he 
received the name of Ascanius ; but he was 
never called hdus except by the Roman 
poets in compliment to the CiEsars, who 
belonged to the gens lulia, and who traced 
their origin to Ascanius. 

268. A line very unneces5ar>-, since Venus 
is the person addressed. Hail Virgil lived 
to revise his work, he would doubtless have 
amended it. 

269. Uagnos—&n epithet derived from the 
nature of the year, which embraces the du- 
ration of many months Voleendis — a fut. 
part, piiss. for a pres., as at ix. 7, volcenda 
dies, Le., se volvens. 

270. Regnum, etc. The sentence from 
Triginta to Albam may mean — 1st, That 
Ascanius was to reign thirty years in all, 
and during that time found Alba; or 2d, 
That he would reign thirty years in Lavi- 
nium, and at the end of that period found 
Alba, and transfer his government thither. 
Forbiger prefers the latter as better accord- 
ing -with Virgil's views expressed elsewhere, 
e.g., "smL 42, 47, 48. Lavini is contracted for 
Lavinii, and comes not from Lavinum, but 
Lavinium, as the adj. Laviniensis shows. 

271. Multd vi, Le., magnis opibus, magna 
homtnum rerumque ajyparatu. 

•212. Jam is said of that which has not 
yet (at the time of the prophecy) taken 
place, but which will certamly take place 
in due course. Ter centum — see note 71, 
above. 

273. Regina sacerdos^ the priestess (of 
Vesta) of roval descent— is an expression 

14 



similar to mulier anciHu in SalL Jug. 12, 
and femina vidua, a '■'■widow woman " in 
Nepos. 

274. Ilia, Le., Rhea SilNia, daughter of 
Numitor, called Ilia, from her Trojan origin. 
The legend of Romulus and Remus is too 
well known to require particular annotation. 

275. Laetus tegmine—Ueyiie and Thiel 
explain laetus as equal to utens, ornatus; but 
Forb. interprets it — "wearing habitually a 
wolfs skin, in grateful and joyous recollec- 
tion of the fostering care of that animal." 

278. Rerum metas, i.e., tennims imperii, 
" the bounds of the empire." 

279. Juno, Jupiter, and Minerva, were 
the guardians of the Roman State. 

280. Fatigat — "disquiets with alarm," 
metu being used in an active sense. 

282. Rerum dominos — "the masters of 
the world." The remainder of the line — 
gentemque togatam— may refer to the pros- 
perity of the nation in the arts of peace, as 
the former phrase does to its success in war. 
The followuig cut represents a favomite 
mode of wearing the Toga. 




233. Sic placitum — thus it is decreed. On 
the lustrum, consult Ramsay's Antiq, 

284. Assaracus was one of the sons of 
Tros, Ilus being the other. From the for- 
mer ^■Uneas was descended. 

285. By Phthia, the countrj- of Achilles, 
Mycenae, thecity of Agamemnon, andArgos, 
the government of Diomede, the poet repre- 
sents the whole of Gi'eece as subject to the 
Roman sway. In Homeric times, Argos 
was of so great consequence among its 
sister states, as to be put sometimes for the 
entire Greek nation. Refer in History of 
Rome to the wars of the Romans against 
Philip, King of Macedonia, under T. Q. 
Flaminius, froni b.c. 200, and agamst Per- 
seus, mider ^E.nilius Paulus, b.c. 171. 



B. I. 286-295. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



E. I. 297-S15. 



2S6. The historical references, e.g., spoliis i figure, with Ms hands bound ■v\ith chains 



orientis otiusturn, show- that Augustus is 
here meant, and not Julius Ciesar. Pulchra 
means simply "distinguished," "noble." 
The epithet Trojanus is added, because 
Augustus was received by adoption into the 
Julia gens. 

287. The empire extended, under Augus- 
tus, ti-om the Atlantic to the Ganges, and 
from the Rhine to the wastes of the Libyan 
desert. 

289. The expedition referred to in Orientis 
is that imdertakeu in 30 B.C. to Egypt, etc. 
The fii-st books of the jEneid could not 
make reference to the Parthian expedition, 
wliich was not entered upon till ten years 
later. B.C. 20. 

290. Secura, "freed from anxiety." Li 
our translation of the Bible, the word secure 
is used in this same sense. See Judges 
x%-iii. 10. 

291. Reference is made in this line to the 
shutting of the temple of Janus, b.c. 29, and 
the existence of peace over the whole Roman 
world 

292. Cana — "hoary." "ancient," Le., 
Virtue stern as was that of the ancients. 
Or " clothed in white." See Hor. Od. L 35, 
22, Albo Fides velata panno. 

On Yesta, consult Smith's Class. Diet. 
Fides, Yesta, and Qiminus form the subject of 



behind his back, following the triumphal 
car of Alexander the Great. This picture 
was dedicated by AugTistus in the Forum. 

297. Genitum Maid, Le,, Mercury, son of 
Maia, daughter of Atlas ; the place of his 
birth was Moimt Cylleue in Arcadia, 

298. Bemitiit—pateant — arceret. Observe 
the variation of tense in these verbs — a 
pres. and imperf. subjunctive foUo^ving aii 
historical present. For a discussion of the 
principles involved, see Forb. ad loc, and 
Kritz ad Sail Cat. 34, 1, and 41, 5. 

299. Xesciafati — not knowing that it was 
decreed for them to settle in Italy, and that 
therefore there was no likeliliood of their 
endeavouring to fix their abode in her ter- 
ritory. 

300. Rernigio al. The wings of birds are 
often thus compared to the oars of ships. 
See 224, above. Note the celerity indicated 
by the perf astitit — " has even now takeu 
his position." 

301. The name Poeni indicates the Phoe- 
nician origin of the Carthaginians. Pomus 
is just $fl/v;| adapted to the analogy of the 
Latin tongue. So from the Greek ^oivIkio; 
comes Poenicus in Cato and Yarro, and from 
this the more usual form Punicus. 

305. Volvens. Wuud, pronounces this=: 



dabunt. Quirinus cum fratre may he meant ^ gui i-o?rero;—" after ha\-iug pondered: 
to indicate Augustus and Agnppa, or to ; ^^t Wagn. takes it=du)n voh-ebat—'' a\- 
signify in a general way the cessation of ; though he pondered " throughout the night. 
civU war, and the consequent harmony j 306. Krire and the other infins. deiiend 
among brothers. I on constituit, which is the leading verb ot 

294. Belli portae— the gates of the temple : the sentence, 
of Janus. Niebuhr explains this custom by 1 gog. Hominesne, feraene. Two ne's are 
supposmg ftat it originated m early thues, 1 often used bv the poets for utnim—an. 



when the Roman and Sabine cities, Remu- 



Observe the short final syllable of videt 



ria and Quinum, the nucleus ot Rome, ' lengthened by arsis. See Metrical Index, 
passed through the gate which connected , and Cf. Note EcL iv. 51, vi 44, .>3. 
the two, to render assistance to each other ; 309. Kracta. "The result of their dili- 
wheu necessity required. It was ordered gg^it inquiries." 

by Numa that the gates should be open in : = 310. /„ convexo nemorum, ie., in a re- 
war and shut in peace. They had been , ^h-ed glade surrounded by groves. The 
closed m the reign of ^uma, aiid again at | ngut. of adjs. is ver\- frequentlv used for 
the conclusion ot the Furst Pimic ^^ ar. 1 gu^gts.. e.g., convexa', GOS. Serena, Geo. L 
They ai-e seen closed m the woodcut below. 393, g^ coerula coeli. 

312. Comitatus, used x>assively, though 
the participle of a deponent verb. The act. 
form comito, is frequent, however. 

313. Bina for duo. Crispans. Le., ri- 
brans. Henrj- (Class. Mus. vol. Ai.) alleges 
that no idea of brandishing is contained in 
the word, and, moreover, that the notion 
of such an action is quite unsuited to the 
present passage. Comparing, therefore, 
our own word — "grasp," he interprets— 
" grasping tightly in his hand," " bending 
Ms handroundit," Le., '■'■ clenching the spears 
in his hand.'' 

314. Cui depends in syntax on obvia. 

315. Gerens — there is' a tlu-eefold zeugma 
here. Translate: ''■Having the features, 
wearing the dress, and bearing the armom-." 

Heyne finds fault with the repetition of 
295. Furor is personified and associated i Virginis m this line, but TTagn. defends it, 
with War in his imprisonment in the temple and shows that it is even necessary, for 
of Janus. Yirgil is supposed to have re- ' by it the comparison of Venus to the Spar- 
ference, m these two lines, to a picture by ; ia« maiden is confined to the arma. Wagn., 
Apelles, representing War in a human ' moreover, puts a comma after arma, and 

15 




B. I. 317-327. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. I. 328-343. 



thus Spartanae is more decidedly marked 
out as only the first specimen of two kinds 
of huntresses, famed for their daring and 
exploits. The meaning, then, will run 
thus — "Bearing such armoup as is suited 
for a (huntress) maiden, either a Spartan 
or (talis virginis) such a virgin as the 
Thracian Harpalyce (is when she) urges 
impetuously her steeds, and outstrips the 
fleet Hebrus in her course." 

317. Harpalyce — a daughter of Harpaly- 
cus, king of a Thracian people. She was 
brought up in the woods, and accustomed 
to hmitmg from infancy. 

Hebrum — Heyne, Bentley, Burmann, 
and many other distinguished commenta- 
tors, prefer the conjectural reading, Eurum, 
on the ground, that volucer is not a fit epi- 
thet to apply to a river which is elsewhere 
described as Ions and placidus, and that, on 
the other hand, the wind is a very common 
and perfectly suitable object with which 
to compare extraordinary speed of foot 

But the reading Hebruin is retained by 
Wagn., Forb., Ladewig, Gossrau, etc, for 
these reasons: — 1st, All the MSS. exhibit 
it 2d, A poet in speaking of the natural 
features of a distant country must have al- 
lowance made for him, and in this case, 
particularly, Virgil may be excused for at- 
tributing great speed to the most important 
river of a country, which, in the minds of 
the Romans, was rugged and wild. 3d, 
The close imitation of Silius, iL 73 sqq. — 
'■'■Quales Threkiae Rhodopen Pangceaque 
lustrant Sa.rosis nemora alia jvgis, cursuque 
fatigant Hebrum innupta manusf' and the 
testimony of Silius, Stat.Tiieb. andof Claud., 
that the Hebrus icas a fast flowing stream. 
4th, It is quite natural that Virgil should 
compare the speed of a Thracian nymph to 
the course of a Thracian stream. Heyne in 
his notes on Tibullus, defended the old 
reading there, and is, on that account, ac- 
cused by Wagner of inconsistency tor pre- 
ferring Eurnm in his edition of the poet of 
the .Slneid. The Hebrus is now called 
Maritza — it rises in Mt Haemus (Balkan), 
and flows into the ^gean. 

318. Namque — Heyne believes that espe- 
cial reference is made in this and the fol- 
lowing hues to the palaestric exercises of the 
Spartan women; but Wagn. opposes such 
a view : He adds, farther, that the compari- 
son with the Spartan females is made only 
in the article of armour — other particulars 
are common to all huntresses. Habilem 
means ''tcell suited to the person can-ying 
the bow, be he strong or be he weak." 

319. Dederat comam diffundere — this is a 
Gk. construction for dedit diffundendam. 
See above, 66. 

320. " Bare to the knee, and having her 
amply-flowing robes gathered up in a knot," 
or "by a girdle," as Hejme explains. See 
note above, 228. 

321. Juvenes — a term applied to men up 
to forty-five or fifty years of age. 

324. Prementem — "keenly pursuing." 

325. Orsus, from ordior. Mihi, dat of 
agent, '■'by me." 

327. After a voc should come, but 
16 



.^neas is ignorant of the name of the per- 
son, and therefore omits the word of address. 

328. Sonat hominem. Another example 
of a neuter verb becoming transitive. So 
Saltare Cyclopa. 

329. The double an is not in this place for 
utrum — an, since the two questions are en- 
tirely distinct Phoebi soror, ie., Diana. 

330. Felix, "propitious," "causing hap- 
piness." 

331. Tandem increases the eagerness of 
an interrogation, and corresponds somewhat 
to our " I pray you." 

332. This line is hypermetrical, the qu^ 
being joined by synapheia (i.e., continuous 
scansion) to the following one. See Geo. 
i. 295. 

335. Note the omission of the verb of 
saying. Tali honore, viz., of divine honours. 

337. The Cothurnus or buskin was to pro- 
tect the feet and legs from brambles. See 
Smith's Diet of Antiquities. The following 
cut represents the Cothurnus, or hunting- 
boot, usually attributed to Diana, It is 
not to be confounded with the boot worn 
by tragic actors. 




Punica—see above, 301, note. Age- 
nor was an Egyptian, father of Cadmus, 
Phoenix, Cihx, Europa, etc., and therefore 
ancestor of Dido. He founded Sidon, whence 
Dido is called Sidonia, 446, etc. 

339. Fines is often put for a whole coun- 
try included -vvithin certabi boundaries. 
Here it means, "the territory forms a piirt 
of Libya." Observe the synesis (see note 
above, 70) construction, fines — genus. Cf. 
JEn. iv. 40, Gaetulae urbes genus, etc. For 
other quotations of similar syntax, see Forb. 
ad loc. The phrase in the text==;?nes habi- 
tant Libyes, genus, etc. 

340. Dido—Tyria urbeprofecta. See above, 
note 338, and consult Smith's Class. Diet 

341. Lonya est injuria. "The story of 
her injuries is a long one." 

342. Sequar summa fastigia, i.e., I shall 
specity the most prominent points of her 
history. 

343. SycJtaeus, not Sickaeus. In the quan- 
tity of foreign names, and more especially 
those of foreign origin, the Roman poets 
are very irregular. In 348, and other 
places where the name occurs, the first 
syll. of iSychaeus is short — here, however, it 
is long. Cf^ iv. 20, 502, 552, _etc. So also 
Sicaniis, Sicaniis, SIcanus, Sicania, Sicauia, 
— Apiilus, ApiUia. See iii. 35, and note 
thereon. 



B. I. 344-364. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. I. 365-383. 



AgrL Hiiet conjectiu'ed auri instead, 
since the wealth of a rich Tyrian would 
consist rather in specie than in land. This 
emendation is adopted by Hejme and Peerl- 
kamp, but Wagn. and Forb. retaui agri, 
the reading of the Codices, as more natural 
for a Roman poet, whose ideas of wealth 
were not associated with commerce, but 
rather with estates. 

344. Miserae is the gen. not the clat. She 
is called Miserae by anticipation, in refer- 
ence to her husband's death and her ovm 
exHe. Burmann refers it to the misery yet 
awaiting her in the desertion of ^neas, and 
her consequent death. 

345. Intactam, i.e., not previously mar- 
ried. Pater, i.e., Belus. 

346. Ominibus primis— not "the most 
happj^ auspices," but "the first taken aus- 
pices," for, as she was then wedded for the 
first time, the auspices which were always 
consulted previous to the ceremony, were 
in her case sought to but once. 

Germanus, i.e., Dido's brother, Pygmalion. 

348. Quos inter — a prep, is frequently put 
after its case — more especially with reL 
prons. See above, 32, and Geo. i 161. 
Quos, i.e., Sychaeus and Pygmalion. Ob- 
serve the peculiar phrase venit medius inter 
quos. 

349. The heinousness of the deed is mag- 
nified by the fact that it was committed at 
the altar of a deity — the assasshi being a 
priest of Hercules. Cf. Scott, Lord of the 
Isles, canto ii., stanza xxiv. and xx-\dii. 

350. Securus amorum Germanae — "re- 
gardless of the affection of his sister" — not 
caring to do violence to her feeluigs, and 
give rise to the frantic manifestations of 
grief which her love would prompt. 

353. In soninis, during sleep — but insomnis 
(adj.) " awake." Inlmmati — the atrocity of 
the deed is increased stiU more by Pygmalion 
withholduig funeral rites from Sychaeus, 
and thus compelling his spiiit to wander 
about without permission to cross the Styx 
and settle m the Elysian shades. 

355. Crudeles aras — "those altars of 
cruelty," ie., the place where a cruel deed 
was committed. Such an enaUage of this 
adj. is common. Similarly in Rome the 
Sceleratus Vicm commemorated the mm-der 
of Servius TuUius. 

356. Nudavit. There is a zeugma in this 
word — ^'■Revealed the merciless deed at the 
altar, and exposed his breast, and disclosed 
all the particulars of the unknown crime of 
her family." 

358. Recludit tellure = effodit e tellure. 
The apparition points out the hiding-place 
of the gold, and thus is said to raise it. The 
abl. is frequently joined to verbs compounded 
with re. See iv. 545, and Geo. i. 275. 

360. Parabat — another zeugma- 

361. Crudele odium, Le., ^^ quale est im- 
manis animi.'" Metus acer, '■'•proprie de 
animo exasperato," Forb. 

364. Opes Pygmalionis — either. The wealth 
which he looked upon as his own, in antici- 
pation, after the death of Sychaeus (Heyne) ; 
or. The wealth which, on the death of Sy- 
chaeus, he was entitled to in right of ioheri- 
B 



tance (Gossrau). Forb. and Hemy take 
opes to mean not only gold and silver, but 
also such thmgs as ai-e necessaiy for the 
gx'eatuess of a kingdom: — viz., ships, men, 
arms. 

365. Locos, ace. of place whither — see note 
2, above. Cernis, i.e., cernere potes. Some 
editions read cernes, for a discussion of 
which see Forb. ad loc. 

367. Byrsa. The Phosnician name for a 
fortress or citadel was Bosra, which the 
Greeks softened into 'Buptra, and as this 
latter means a hide, the stoiy was fabricated 
to accomit for the name. Luie 368 is con- 
sidered spurious by some critics. 

369. Thiel remarks that this luie contains 
the substance of the well kno's\Ti form of 
address used by persons suddenly meeting 
one another— "Mnd€ et quo." Tandem 
greatly increases the force of inten-ogation. 

372. Pergam, put absolutely for narrare 
pergam. 

374. Componet — some editions read com- 
ponat. The subj., however, is not at all 
necessary. For a discussion of the ques- 
tion, see Forb. ad loc. 

377. Tempestas forte sua — "A storm with 
its peculiar chances." 

378. Pius jEneas — notm super aethera — 
Virgil's taste has been found fault vsitli for 
introducing his hero using such phrases 
about liimself ; but it is to be borne in mind 
that his words have regard rather to the 
Trojan war and the well known misfor- 
tunes of the man, than to any assumed ex- 
cellence of mind or body. He was pius 
(dutiful) to his father, liis countiy, and the 
gods ; and in regard to these last, he affords 
a proof in the latter part of the line. See 
Horn. II. XX. 298. 

380. Italiam, etc. "I seek Italy, my 
(true) native country, and the early home 
of my race, that sprung from Jove." Genus 
is here equivalent to proavorum sedes, and 
the whole passage alludes to an early le- 
gend which made Dardauus, Avho was the 
son of Jupiter and Electra, and the foiuider 
of the Trojan line, to have come origmally 
from Italy. According to the tradition 
here refeiTed to, Dardanus [was sprung from 
the Tyrrhenian Coiythus, or] came first fi-om 
Corythus in Etruria [afterwards Cortona, 
founded by Prince Coiythus] to Samothrace, 
and passed thence into Asia Jlinor, where 
he settled, and became the stem father of 
the Trojan race. The descent of ^ueas 
from this early monai'ch was as follows : — 
I. Dardanus (son of Jove) ; II. Erichthonius ; 
III. Tros. ; IV. Assaracus; V. Capys; VI. 
Auchises; VII. .^neas. Wagner removes 
the semicolon usually placed after patriam, 
and inserts et before ge7ius, in which he is 
followed by Forb. and others. The old 
reading (patnam ; genus), would introduce 
a veiy abrupt and clumsy reference to his 
ovm individual origin from Jove. Genus 
would, in this view, be the nom. ip apposi- 
tion to yEneas. 

381. Bis denis — See above, note 71. 

383. There is a peculiarity in the adj. 
convul-sae. The meanmg is, "Of these, 
17 



B. I. 384-396. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. I. 397-417. 



slutttered as they have teen iy the wafers and 
the wind, seven with difficulty [or, seven 
only] have been saved." Wagn. 

384. Ignotus. Some translate actively, 
" I myself, not knowing the countiy," etc. 
Forb., however, prefers it in its usual passive 
sense, thus: "although I have been cele- 
brated by fame (notus super aethera), yet 
here in the deserts of Libya I am not recog- 
nised sls, Mne&s:'' 

385. Wee plura querentem passa, i.e., non 
passa eum queri plura. 

388. Carpis. This verb is constantly used 
by the poets for capere, meanuig to take 
what presents itself of its own accord ; the 
metaphor is taken from friuts and flowers 
by the wayside, fi-ee to aU. Forb. 

389. Se perferre ad aliqueni locum seems 
to be a a-ral Xiyofzivov, not being found 
elsewhere. Gf., however, iiL 345. Ran 
in Schedias., p. 39, argues that this verse is 
spmlous, — 1st, because it is absurd to say, 
to a shipwrecked man on an unknown coast, 
'"'■ quxjere limen reginae;" and 2d, on account 
of the recurrence of tlie phrase perge modo 
(see 401) in so short an addi-ess; but botli 
objections are trivial. 

390. Relatam — referre is a nautical phrase 
used of those who are forced back by the 
Avind to the hai'bom- they had sailed from, 
or to the coast. 

392. Vani. This adj. means either one 
who promises what he cannot perfonn, or 
one who puts forth a false or gromidless 
doctrine. Thus it comes to mean as here, 
one who is himself deceived, and tcho in turn 
deceives others. 

On augurium and auspicium, see Ramsay's 
Autiq. 

393. Bis senos, etc. The twelve swans 
dispersed (turbabat) by the eagle (called 
elscAvliere Jovis armiger, and regia ales) re- 
present the twelve ships of -Eneas Avhich 
were afterwards recovered, with Antheus, 
Sergestus, and Cloanthus, 584. Cf Hom. 
II. XV. 690 sqq. The ancient interpreters 
find fault with Virgil for uitroducing the 
swan, which was not a Roman bu'd of 
auguiy, but the poet will be excused shice 
it was sacred to Venus. Servius quotes 
tlie testimony of ^miUus Macer 'that 
maiiners were especially rejoiced at the 
appearance of a swan as augury, because 
these buds cannot be drowned. 

JaJm alleges that there is this difference 
between augurium and auspiciuni, that the 
fonner is sought for, and is indicated by 
certaui birds, and no other, while the latter 
is manifested by any bird, and is not sought 
for. 

394. Aperto— not clear, but shelterless — 
"affording no defence against the attack of 
an enemy." 

396. The proper sense of this line was 
fii-st explained by Weickert. The swans, 
on the departure of the eagle— joj'ful at 
having escaped the danger — again collect 
into a flock, and, flying in a long line, seek 
a place to alight. Part of them— the hind- 
most — as yet uncertain where to settle, ex- 
amine the ground from then- elevated posi- 
tion, to select a halting-place, while another 

IS 



part — the foremost — have already made 
their choice, and are looking down on the 
spot, as they are just on the point of alight- 
ing. 

397. Reduces, sdl. in auram, their proper 
element. Ludunt, "disport" through joy 
at then- deliverance (393). 

398. Polum, i.e., coelum. Anthon adopts 
Bm-mann's conjecture — Solum (the ground.) 

402. The goddess reveals herself at her 
departure, (see iv. 277; v. 658; ix. 659,) by 
her beautiful neck — (rosea may also mean 
"of fresh and florid colour") — her hair 
perfumed with the ambrosial imguent of 
the gods — her robe, formerly girt up, but 
now fio■^^ing to her feet, and, iinaUy, by her 
Mght, any, and graceful gait. 

405. The hiatus between dea and ille is 
permitted, on account of the completion of 
the sense, and the fall punctuation mark. 
See above, note on 16, and on Eel. ii. 53, 
See also Eel. ii. 24. 

407. 2'oties implies frequent appearances 
of Venus to her son ^neas, though Virgil 
records only another, and it a real one, ii 
589. Quogue is to be joined with crudelis. 
So Milton— 

"Mock us with his blest sight, then 
snatch him hence." — Par. Reg. ii. 55. 

409. Ve)-as voces, i.e., that I may speak to 
you as a son to his mother, and not as a 
stranger to a stranger. 

412. This device to conceal the Trojan 
chief is borrowed from Homer, Cf Odyss, 
^m. 14, 39-43, and II. v. 344. The art of 
the poet is conspicuous in this passage : — 
^neas is allowed to hear, under cover of 
the cloud, his own praises, and to have 
proof of tlie affection of his followers ; how 
striking, too, the effect of his sudden emer- 
gence from the heaven-wrapped covering 
at the words of Dido, 575, atque titinam 
rex ijyse — adfo)-et ^Eneas. Multo nebulae 
amictu is the Homeric 'ttoXXyiv ni-poc. 

413. Eos — the poets seldom use the oblique 
cases of the pron. is as enclitic, but only 
when prominent and emphatic. 

414. Ve and aut are not opposed to ne 
and neu, but serve to add something to 
what has preceded. Moliri is used of opera- 
tions which requh-e great labom- and pre- 
paration. 

415. Paphum, a city of Cyprus, famed for 
its worship of Venus, and giving her the 
name Paphia. 

416. Laeta, "joyful," because she delights 
in Paphos, say Heyne and Wagner. But 
WmiderUch and Forb. adopt the more na- 
tural interpretation, viz., joyful on accomit 
of the safety of her son. This is a much 
more solid ground for her delight than the 
mere fact that the people of Paphos did her 
honom-; and besides, the phrase ubi tem- 
plurn illi, does not assign a cause of her joy, 
but only accounts for her selection of Pa- 
phos as her present i-etreat. 

Sabaeo, from the Sabaei, a people of 
Ai-abia Felix. 

417. Ture — the altar of the Paphian Venus 
was not to be stained with blood — it was a 
p)lacabilis ara. 



B. I. 418-432. 



NOTES ON THE ^ENEID. 



B. I. 434-447 



418. Corripuere. The use of this verb in 
such a sense is derived, as Gossrau thinks, 
from the idea of the two ends of a road 
being reached, and, as it were, made to 
touch each other, by the traveller, at a short 
interval of time. 

419. Jamque is an important word sei-v- 
ing to caU attention to things as if now 
present. 

419. Plurimus, "of huge size;" So Geo. 
iiL 52, plurima cervix. 

421. Magalia, huts — ^it is a word of Semi- 
tic origui; Magar, a "\'iUa;" Molem, "tlie 
vast size," scil. "of the buildings." 

422. Strata viarum for stratas vias; So 
opaca locorum, ardua terrarum. The phrase 
is taken fi-om Lucr. iv. 416. See above, 
note on 310, Geo. i. 393. 

423. Instant may be taken absolute^, 
" are eager" scil. in their duties. But Wun- 
derlich and Gossrau, since the dat. op)eri is 
omitted, remove the semicolon after Tyrii, 
and make instant govern ducere and moUri. 
Ducere muros (So IXavvitv riixoi) i.e., 
the walls of the citadel (Hemy, Class. Mus. 
voL -vi.) — ^those of the to-*\ni would have 
been useless at that stage of the buildhig. 

425. Sulco, Le., a trench dug to receive 
the foundations, and not a mark made by 
the plough. 

426. The poet, in this passage, assigns to 
the early Carthaginians manners and customs 
of Ms own time, but see 469, below. Kau, 
in Schedias., rejects this Ime, as unconnected 
vnth the others by any grammatical bond, 
and as unsuited to the context. Wagn., 
however, defends it, as it points out some 
of the various cases wMch the energetic 
labom-s of those building a new city would 
doubtless imdertake, and also because it is 
not at all likely that a Eoma?i woidd pass 
over umioticed the aftans of law and govern- 
ment. A zeugma is to be noted in Ugunt, 
they enact (coiistituunt) laws, and elect (le- 
gunt) magistrates and a senate. 

427. Partus — the harbour was called 
Cothon, according to Sei-vius, Strabo, etc. 
Theatri is to be preferred as a reading 
to theatric, for it is not at all likely that an 
infant colony woidd be building more than 
one theatre, though, mdeed, the plur. does 
not uecessaiily imply more in this place. 
The description, it has been remarked, is 
more like that of the proceedings of a Grecian 
than of a Roman colony. Yet a Roman of 
the days of Augustus cannot be supposed 
to separate a theatre from his ideas of a 
city. Forb. 

429. The alta of 427 refers to the depth 
of the foundations, as viewed from the heights 
above — the alta of this line, to the altitude 
of the pillars, as viewed from beloic. 

431. Exercet. Kritz on Sail. Cat. 11, 
'■'■avaritia animos hominum exercebat," says, 
'^'^Res exercent homines quum eos ita occu- 
paios habent ut in vis toti sint et quasi defixi 
teneantur, eoque aut exagitentur, aut fati- 
gentur." See Geo. iv. 453. 

Sub sole — not merely in daylight, as op- 
posed to night, but during the sunshine hours 
of the day. 

432. Liquentia. The first sylL is here 



long, but in v. 238 it is short. So Lucretius 
(iv. 1252) employs liquidus with the first 
syllable both short and long m the same 
line. 

434, Agmine facto — "in a marshalled 
band." The sagacity and instuict of bees 
are brought out in Geo. iv. In then social 
and militaiy an-angemeuts, they are con- 
stantly compared to the human species; 
here the comparison is i)eculiarly happy, 
smce they are fond of forming new settle- 
ments, and ai-e remarkably industrious m 
laboming to establish their interest. 

436. Fervet, \.%.,fervideagitur. "The work 
is briskly canied on, and the ti-agrant and 
abundant honey is redolent of thyme." 

440. Miscet viris — nee cernitur ulli. The 
poet, avoiduig common fonns of expression, 
adopts Greek idioms. Ulli, the dat. instead 
of the abL with a. 

441. Umbrae. This readhig, as being the 
most difficult, is restored, instead of umbra, 
by Hemsius, who is followed by Wagn., 
Forb., and almost all modem commen- 
tators except Jahn. Wagner endeav- 
om-s to establish a difference between laetus 
and laetans, Avith the gen. and with the abl. 
With the latter case they are said to have 
their common signification "of joy," but 
with the fonner, "plenty, "or "abundance." 
This distmction, however, is not carried 
out by the poets, or even by Virgil him- 
self. See Geo. ii 112. Forb. is of opuuon 
that the Roman poets used the construc- 
tions quite hidiiferently — circiunstances 
of sound or metre deciding the case to be 
employed. 

442. Primiim — this may be an adj. joined 
with signum, or an adverb modifying effo- 
dere: signum., i.e., omen. 

444. Sic (hoc signo) scH. indicavit — " For 
by this token she indicated that the nation 
would be renowned in war, and would 
enjoy abundance and security for ages;" 
— (hteraUy "would be easily supported for 
ages.") 

445. Facilem victu. Heyne interprets — 
"which would have a ready subsistence, 
abmidantly supplied by the fertility of the 
soil." Wagner understands it in a ■^^^de^ 
sense to mean "every kuul of prosperity," 
implj-ing therefore the great resoiurces of 
the Carthaginians, and their gi-eat power. 
Victu is the 2d supme. 

447. Bonis opulentum et numine divae — 
rich with gifts and the divinity of the god- 
dess," Le., the great reputation of the deity 
brought many to her temple to consult her 
oracle and invoke her favour, and by these 
rich presents were oftered : Wagn. and Forb. 
Wmideri. understands don is to mean vases, 
and all the utensils of worship employed in 
the shrine ; and yiumen to signify a statue of 
the goddess of gold, or some other precious 
material. Looking, however, at 15, 16, 17, 
above, we are rather incfined to agree mth 
Jahn in considering numen as indicatmg 
" deae peaesentiaji et majestatem, qua 
adeuntibus horrorem injecerit et petentibus 
auxilium tulerit.''' Cf 1 Kings \m. 10 : 
" The glory of the Lord had filled the house 
of the Lord." 

19 



B. I. 44S-460. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. I. 461-4G9. 



448. " The bronze threshold of which 
rose (was elevated) on steps" — "the ascent 
to the door threshold, which was cf bronze, 
was by steps" — "its beams rested (nixae) 
on piUars of bronze" (aere.) The reading 
nixae (foimd by Servius m many MSS.) for 
the common form nexae has been adopted 
by Forb., following Peerlkamp and Hemy 
who argue that it is sm-prisuig if no mention 
were made of pillars, one of the greatest 
ornaments of temples, and that if Vii'gil 
had wished to notice nothing but bronze 
beams, he need not have varied the expres- 
sion, aerea limina — nexae aere trabes. They 
m-ge, farther, in confirmation of then- opin- 
ions, a remarkable imitation by Stat. Theh. 
vii 33. The common reading, nexae, is thus 
explained by Heyne and Wagn. : " Trabes 
nexae, i.e., pastes next, jiincti Uminibvs aereis, 
surgebant, {X.^.,erantex,) aere.'' What the 
ancients caU aes was a combination of cop- 
per and tin, and ought, therefore, to receive 
the name of '■'bronze,'" and not "'■ brass," 
which is made up oi copper and zinc. 

Observe the synapheia in que, which is 
joined in scansion to the next line. Cf. 
332. 

450. In hoc luco, i.e., where the tem.ple 
was built. Nova — "strange," "unantici- 
pated." A'^ovus is thus used either in a good 
or a bad sense. 

453. Sub temple — "in the lower parts of 
the temple." 

454. Reginam opperiens — How did he 
know she was to come that way? it has 
been asked. Forb. answei-s, that he may 
have heai-d it trom the worlonen engaged 
in building the city. 

455. Artificum manus. " The style of the 
artists." Operum laborem — "Then- gi-eat 
labour" in all the various occupations con- 
nected with building and ornament. Others 
inteii^ret, " The elaborate finish of their 
Avork." The following are the principal 
views of this passage: — (1.) (Miratar) Inter 
se — "Compai'ing them (manus artificum= 
opera) one mth another, he admires them." 
Hej-ne. (2.) (Manus) inter se — " The 
workmen (certantes, vieing^ with one an- 
other." Voss and ScrAius. (3.) Peerlkamp 
conjectures mirantur, i. e., ^neas and 
Achates admire the objects to one another : 
but a phu-. would ill suit the singulars lustrat 
before, and ridet after it, refeiTuig to the 
principal personage. Translate : " He is 
filled with admiration as he compares the 
(various) styles of the workmen with one 
another, and (as he notes) the elaborate 
finish of the work." 

458. Ambobus, i.e., to the sons of Atreus 
as one party, by his wrath on account of 
Briseis and his consequent withdrawal from 
the battle ; and to Priara, as the other party, 
in the death of Hector. In this -view ambo 
is not objectionable as being apphed to three. 
Achillen rather than AchiUem, for the best 
]MSS. make the ace. case of Greek nouns 
in es and as end in en and an. Tliis line, it 
is to be observed, contains the whole argu- 
ment of the Iliad. 

460. Plena nostri lahoris — "fidl of the re- 
ports of our misfortunes and losses." 

20 



461. En is joined with the nom. here, and 
at iv. 597 ; v. 639, and elsewhere ; but with 
the ace. Eel. v. 65, where see note. Forb. 

Laudi is here put for virtus and r-es gestae, 
which merit praise. Heyne. "Even here 
excellence has its own proper reward." 

462. Lacrlmae rerum — Tears (i.e., pity) 
for (human) casualties. See ii 413, and 
also 784, lacrimas dilectae pelle Creihae. 
The Latin genitive is either subjective or 
objective — thus, in the phrase amor dei, it is 
subjective when it means the love which God 
(as the subject) feels towards man ; it is ob- 
jective when it denotes the love which man 
directs to God (as the object loved). The 
objective gen. is, therefore, equal to an accus. 
with a preposition. 

463 . Tibi — another example of the Dativus 
Ethicus. See 261, above. With a strong 
feeling of kindness he applies to Achates 
particularly, the consolation that the storj"- 
of their calamities (haecfama) being knoAvn 
here wiU render the people propitious to 
them . 

464. /rtan/— "unsubstantial" — so called, 
because representing only the outline 
shape, without any substantiality of form. 

466. The seven groups represented ai-e as 
follows: — 1. The battle of the Trojans and 
Greeks, AA-ith varying fortmie, 467-8. 2. 
The death of Rhesus, 469 sqq. 3. Troilus 
in flight, 474 sqq. 4. The procession of 
Trojan matrons can-j-iug the robe for pre- 
sentation to Minerva, 479 sqq. 5. Priam 
redeeming the body of Hector, 483 sqq. 6. 
The battle by Memnon and his host, 489. 7. 
The battle of the Amazons, 490 sqq. Hejme. 

467. The battle referred to is that in 
which Pati'oclus was slain (Hom. H. x-vtL), 
after which Achilles came forth on the fol- 
lowing dav, II. xix., xxii. 

468. Hac—Hac, for Hac— iliac. On Khe- 
sus, see Hom. II. x. 433 sqq., 470 sqq. 

469. Mveis tentoria velis. This is an ana- 
chronism similar to that noticed in 169, 
in reference to anchors. The Grecian and 
Trojan " tents" Avere rather huts made with 
stakes, osiers, and earth. Dr Lersch, in his 
valuable works named in note 632, below, 
discusses the two theories with regard to 
Virgil's treatment of antiquities; \iz., Fh'st: 
" That the poet invariably, and on set pur- 
pose, has, in reference to matters of life, 
public or private, sacred or profane, pre- 
served the ideas and customs of the heroic 
age piure and unalloyed :" — Second : " That 
the poet has, on the whole, preserved the 
ideas and customs of the heroic age, but 
that he has occasionally eiTcd in represent- 
ing theiTi." And after urging objections 
against both schemes, he advances a third, 
That all matters relating to life, public or 
private, sacred or profane, have been 
treated by Vngil in the iEneid in conso- 
nance with Roman notions, and that his 
ideas were derived partly from the state of 
the city and emphe in his own day, and 
partly from the traditions of customs or 
doctrines which prevailed in the infancy, or 
during gi-adual growth of the nation. A care- 
ful study of Dr Lersch's arguments cannot 
fail, we should think, to convince the student, 



B. I. 473-488. 



NOTES OX THE ^NEID. 



B. I. 489-505. 



that this last is the only tenable theory. 
But we must refei- the reader to the works 
thenisehes, as the length of the discussion 
precludes the possibility of our epitomismg 
it here. Rhesus was idng of Thrace, and 
brother of Heciiba, wife of Priam. 

473. The prophecy was, that if the horses 
of Rhesus should taste the fodder of Troy, 
and drink of the Xanthus (otherwise called 
Scamander), Troy would be mvincible. 
Ulysses and Diomede, therefore, attacked 
the encampment of Rhesus and his Thra- 
cians, killed the leader and carried off his 
horses. Homer does not mention this pro- 
phecy. 

474. Tro'llus — youngest son of Priam. See 
H. xxiv. 257. 

475. Impar congressm — "an unequal 
match." 

476. Inani, i.e., rectore privato, "deprived 
of its charioteer." 

478. Obser%-e the last syll. of pulvis length- 
ened by arsis, and see note on 308, above, 
and on Eel. vi. 53. " The moiild is scratched 
with the (point of the) speai- tm-ned back- 
■wai'ds." 

480. Peplum is a word rarely used by the 
Latin writers, and almost limited to denote, 
par excellence, the robe presented to Min- 
ei-va eveiy fifth year, at the Panathenaic 
festival. 

481. SuppJiciter is usually joined -nith 
tristes, but Heyne would make it modify 
ferebant. 

Tunsae, in middle seuse=tundenfes, etc., 
or tundentes sibi pectora. 

A perf. part. pass, is frequently used in 
poetry for a pres. pass., which does not exist. 
Hence it happens that the poets write perf. 
particips. even in those cases (viz. in depo- 
nents) ui which nothing compels them but 
the necessities of the metre. Wagner. 
Cf. ^n. V. 708, and Geo. i. 206. Quibus 
in patriam ventosa per aequora vecfis. 
Consult note 228, above, on " accus. of 
reference or limitation." 

483. Virgil has borrowed this incident 
from the Cyclic poets, for Homer does not 
record it. He (Homer) represents Hector 
as pm-sued three times round Troy previous 
to his death; after which, however, he is 
tied to the chariot of Achilles and dragged 
to the ships. See Hom. II. xxii. 208. 

484. Exanimum. This word seems to 
mean more than merely dead. It suggests, 
according to Henry, the idea of a more 
complete deprivation of life than when first 
bound to the chariot, and of that disfiguring 
of feature by the dragging, which rendered 
recognition by the face difficult. See note 
on ii. 273. 

486. Currus — ^^AcMlles' car, to which 
Hector's body had been bound." Hejnie. 
"Priam's car, which had been brought to 
convey the corpse to Troy." Hemy and 
Forb. See IL xxiv. 44 sqq. 

487. Inermis — ^because he was commg as 
a suppliant, to prostrate himself at the feet 
of the victor. 

488. Ha\dng dwelt so long on the other 
topics, the poet passes shortly over the part 
which ^neas plays, as is becomiug. This 



line refers to a different picture from the 
preceding ones. Forb. 

489. Nigri Mem. Memnon came vdth 
auxiliaries from the country east of the 
Troad, and then under Assyrian sway, 
which, by poetic embellishment, is extended 
into the distant parts of Asia, with its 
swarthy hordes. See 751. " Penthesflea, 
in wild excitement, leads on her bands of 
Amazons, with lunar (crescent - shaped) 
shields." 

490. Penthesilea, daughter of Mars, and 
queen of the Amazons, had come to Troy 
in the last year of the war, but was slain bj"- 
Achilles, after she had done deeds of extra- 
ordinary valom-. The pclta was a small, 
light buckler, varying in shape and outluie. 
A favourite form of it is seen in the accom- 
panying cut. 




492. Subnectens cingula mammae, more 
elegant than subnectens mammam cingulo. 
"Budding a golden belt beneath her un- 
covered bosom." 

493. Bellatrix is to be connected with 
audet, "heroine as she was." 

494. Aeneae, L e., ab Aenea. For the 
dat. after pass, verbs mstead of the abL with 
ab, see the Grammai's. 

Wagner, Quasst. Virg. xxis. 4, takes 
mi7'andus as equal to a pres. part, pass., and 
inteiTprets '■'■ Dum Aeneas haec videt et mira- 
tur." It is shnpler, hoAvever, to view it in 
its usual meanmg — ' ' worthy to be admired " 
by him or all others. Forb . 

497. Stipante — "A numerous company of 
the young thronging behind her." The 
act. voice has here a particular beauty, as 
implying viillingness and delight on the 
part of the attendants, who, doubtless, were 
the noblest of the city. Forb. 

498. On this comparison of Dido to 
Diana, see Hom. Od. vi. 102 sqq. Qualis= 
quo habitu — qua forma. The Avorship of 
Diana flom-ished in Laconia, through which, 
and passing Sparta, flowed the Em'otas 
(now VasUi Potamo) into the Laconic gulf. 
In the island of her natal Delos too, m 
which was Mount Cynthus, the same deity 
was worshipped vrith peculiar honours. 

499. The first syllable of Diana is here 
long, but Virgil in all other places has it short. 

500. Oreades — a Greek name — "mountain 
nymphs." 

502. Pertentant — ''thrill through.'''' The 
attitude of mothers, under similar circum- 
stances, is well described in this line — taci- 
turn lends point to the whole. 

504. Operi regnisque futuris, i.e., the city 
which was her entire kingdom. Instant 
jouied here with the dat. is construed in 
viii. 433, with the ace. 

505. The order is, — Saepta armis subnix- 
aque alte solio resedit fo7-ibus divae, media 
testudine tenipU. " SmTounded mth armed 

21 



B. I. 507-526. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. I. 527-546. 



men, and supported in a lofty position on 
a throne, slie took her seat near the door of 
the temple, beneath the central dome," but 
not in the adytum, or "holy of holies." 
Medius not preceded by in, is used by the 
Romans for aU parts within the exterior 
limits of a place ; but, when in is used, the 
very centre is meant. 

On Impluvium, Testudo, Cavaedium, etc., 
see Ramsay's Antiq. 

507. Jura dahat legesque, i.e., dispensed 
justice. There is a reference to Roman 
customs here — viz., to holding the Senate 
in temples, and placing tribunals of justice 
at the doors of temples. But see Lersch, 
and note on 469, above. 

512. Avexerat is preferable as a reading 
to advexerat. Oras \\athout the prep., see 
above, 2. 

513. Percvasvs, as applied to joy, is more 
appropriate than perculsus — the reading of 
some editions; — the latter refers to affairs 
of great magnitude, by which the mmd is, 
as it were, prostrated. Forb. 

515. Res incognita — "their doubtful pre- 
dicament," i.e., the matter being doubtful 
how the strangers should be received. 

517. Quo Jinqiiant may mean, 1st, where 
they have left their fleet, and where it still 
remains; or 2d, where they arc about to 
say that they have left their fleet. The 
latter is preferable. 

518. Cunctis. This is the reading adopted 
by Foi-b., Thiel, and Gossrau. Jahn and 
Wagn. have cuncti, against which there are 
CA-ident gromids of objection. For a fidl 
discussion of the passage, see Forb. in loc. 

519. Orantes reniam — "begging the tav- 
our " of Dido, and permission to draw up 
tlieir ships on the shore. Clamore, i.e., 
with the shout of her attending croicd. 

520. Ma.rimvs, scil. natu, "the eldest," 
and therefore highest in command. Placido 
implies calmness and dignity of address. 

522. The speech is artfully composed 
to touch tlie benevolent feelings of Dido: — 
" Thou to whom Jupiter has proved so kind 
wilt not fail to assist the wretched. Thou 
to whom he has entrusted the dispensing 
of justice to thy subjects, wilt not be unjust 
to foreigners. Thou who hast planted the 
seeds of civilization in a barbarous land, 
wilt not show thyself inhuman and immer- 
cifnl." Gossrau 

523. Bedit cor.der'e—see above, 66 and 319. 
Superbas gentes, i.e., the Africans. Jus- 

titid means not only laics, but all the insti- 
tutions of civilized life. 

524. Vecti maria—see above, note 67 and 
481. 

525. Infandos ignes — "fires applied (to 
our ships) contrary to the rights of nations." 
Heyne. "Fires which I cannot speak of 
without a shudder." Gossrau. 

526. Fio generi, i.e., hannless, unoffend- 
ing, inasmuch as they had made no attempt 
at plunder, or other injury. It may be 
used, however, with reference to the race 
of which the Pius ^Eneas was chief 

Propius adspice — " look more narrowly 
into our affau-s," i. e., do notjudgeusby 
our first appearance. 

22 



527. Poptdare depends on Yenimm in the 
infin. instead of being put in the subj. with 
ut. This is in imitation of the Greek con- 
struction. Verbs of going, coming, and 
sending are frequently thus used. The verb 
popvlari is used of a place deprived of its 
inhabitants, while populare in the active 
voice means to slay the people as a prelude 
to plunder. Livy, Ovid, and some few more 
use this verb in the act. voice, but other 
^vi-iters of the Augustan age, and those 
which followed them, prefer it as a deponent. 

530. Locus for regio. Hesperia (i.e., a 
western land) is used by tlie ancients in re- 
gard both to Italy and Spain (Hor. Od. i. 
36, 4). 

531. Potens armis, etc. "Powerful by 
the bravely of its people, and rich in the 
fertility of its soil." 

532. Oenotri, called from Oenotrus, a king 
of Arcadia, who planted a colony in S. Italy 
(in Bruttium). 

Minores — " later generations." 

533. Virgil follows the old legend, which 
derives Italia from a person called Jtalus. 
Forb. adopts the derivation from the Oscan 
word vitlu, vitelu=bos, on account of the 
alnmdance of oxen in the country. Iviebuhr 
shows that it simply means " the country 
of the Itali." Gens is here equivalent to 
teiTa. 

534. Hie cursus fuit. Hie is the reading 
of most MSS., and is adopted by Wagner, 
Forb., etc., instead of the vulgar one hue. 
The demonstrative pron. frequently per- 
forms the part of an adj. of place. 

On deficient lines, generally, in the 
iEneid, see Forbiger in h. loc. 

536. Assurgens. This word properly ap- 
plied to the sea itself is here attributed to 
the constellation whose rismg and setting 
was supposed to bring on storms. See 
Classical Diet, on Orion. 

Cum, when used in connecting a result, 
suggests the idea of very great rapidity in 
the sequence, and also of surprise and un- 
expectedness. Of. iii. 301. 

539. Hominum. After this word Heyne 
places a comma, but Wagn. and Forb. a 
note of inten-ogation, by which quod is 
made the important word, and rendered 
equal to guam ferum et inhumanum. 

543. Spierate, i.e., metuite. Fundi et ne- 
fandi, i.q., fas et nefas. Observe atque 
coupling things of a contrary kind. 

545. Pietate is commonly made to de- 
pend on justior, whicli gives a very harsh 
meaning. It is bettor to punctuate after 
alter, connecting pietate with vtajor, and 
translating, " Nor was any one more dis- 
tinguished for moral virtue (pietas erga decs 
et parentes), or for skill as a leader (bello), 
or for personal prowess (armis) : " a nega- 
tive is to be supplied to justior from what 
follows. 

546. Aura. When Virgil speaks of the 
atmosphere, he almost invariably uses the 
plural — the singular is preferred liere 
(Wagn. Quaest. Virg. D) for the sake of 
sound merely, to prevent three successive 
lines from terminatuig in the same syl- 
lable. 



B. I. 547-570. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. I. 571-5S9. 



547. Umbfis is not the Aat.=occu7nbere 
moi'ti (ii. 62), but the ahl. equal to in 
■umhris. Umbris means orctis, and to the 
former word is applied the epithet (c?-udeUs) 
which usually characterises the latter. Cf. 
Hom. Od. XX. -207, and Hor. Od. iL 3, 24, 
Vktima kil miseeaxtis orci. 

548. Xe — the usual reading is Jtec, but the 
best recent commentators adopt ne as more 
suited to the context. 

550. Arvaque is preferred by Heyne and 
others to annaq^ue, smce the latter is incon- 
sistent TTith tlie peaceful and mUd character 
of the rest of the addi'ess, and a threat would 
be here out of place; and since, in the second 
place, it suggests that SicUy is a moi-e de- 
fih-able place for settlement, and that there- 
fore there is no chance of their remaining 
at Carthage to interfere -with Dido's in- 
terests. 

553. Italiam without the prep. — see 2, 
abore. Obsen'e the particip. recepto agree- 
ing with rege though applying to sociis also. 

554. Ut=eo consilio ut, is to be jomed 
in consti-uction -(Aith stringere remos : allow 
us to make the uecessaiy preparations in 
order that we may continue om- journey to 
Italy. Translate: " Permit us to di'aw up 
(on shore) om- shattered fleet, to select in 
the forests timbers suitable to om- pm-pose, 
and to clean (wood for) oai"s, in order that," 
etc. 

556. Habet, Le., retinet inortuani: Spes 
lull — the hope which we repose m Ascanius 
that he wiU found an empke in Italy accord- 
ing to prophecies. 

561. The reply of Dido is conceived -odth 
great art and beautj" — the attitude assigned 
and the sentiments uttered equally display 
the skiU. of the poet. Demissa vultum — for 
the syntax of the ace. vultum see ii 210, and 
above, 228. 

563. TransL : — " Hardships and the re- 
cent establishment of my kingdom compel 
me to take such strict precautions, and to 
protect my fi-ontiers in thek -vvidest extent 
■Rath (armed) guai-ds." 

565- Aeneadum, for Aeneadarum. 

566. Virtutes^ virosque. This is not a 
ffendiadys, but each word has its own es- 
pecial force and significance — "noble qua- 
lities, and distmguished men." 

567. Obtusa — obtundere means to "blimt 
the edge of a thing by striking against it." 
TransL "insensible." 

568. A mild and genial climate was sup- 
posed to render the minds of those Uxiug 
under it more mild and merciful — while a 
cold and severe climate was thought to 
produce wild and savage dispositions. 

569. Hesperiam viagnam, Le., potentem. 
ObserA'^e the arsis falling successively on 
two similar final syllables. This is a fault, 
generally speaking, but here it is considered 
a beauty — bringing out more forcibly, as it 
does, the strength of the adj. See Geo. iiL 
219, Mag-na SUa'. ^n. iv. 345, Italiam 
magnam, and 251, above, umbra magna. 
On the epexegesis by que, see Wagn. Qu. 
Virg. xxxix, 7, and line 2, above. 

570. E7^yx is appUed sometimes to an 
ancient king of Sicily, but here to a moun- 



tain In that island, with a temple of Yenus, 
who is thence called Erycina. The Mt. is 
now S. Giuliano. Forb. 

571. Tutos, "I shaU favom- you, so as 
to dismiss you mmym-ed, and 1 shall help 
you by my resom-ces." 

572. Pariter^ Le., una, ("on equal 
terms,") or, accorduig to others, simul, ("at 
the same time.") 

573. Urbem quamstatuo, vestra est. This 
is what is called "mverse attraction" — a 
Greek construction, on which consult 3Iad- 
^-ig or Zumpt. Latm and Greek Aviiters 
frequently begin a sentence with a noun 
(usually m the nom. or accus.) which is 
neither subject nor object to any verb, for the 
purpose of dra^raig paiticular attention to 
the idea expressed by that uoim. This is 
sometimes called the nominative, or accus. 
absolute, but it may always be refen^ed for 
its construction to some word (or thought) 
foUo-«-ing or going before, either directly 
expressed, or easily taken out of a ueigh- 
boming clause. Such an example as this, 
however, is usually called "Inverse attrac- 
tion," the subst. being put in the case of the 
relative foUowmg, mstead of the rel. adopt- 
hig the case of the subst. Thus Terence 
saj-s, '^ Eunuchum quern dedisti nobis, quas 
turbas dedit," — "That slave you gave us, 
what a row he kicked up !" — a form of ex- 
pression which is by no means uncommon 
in English. 

576. Adforet and compulsus are to be taken 
in close coimection, as forming one idea — 
"forcibly driven here." Certos — "trusty 
messengers." 

577. Jubebo — a semicolon is commonly 
placed after this word, but Wagii. has judi- 
ciously substituted a comma, since the next 
Une is so closely connected -n-ith Jubebo lus- 
trare. 

578. Urbibus — some would read montibus 
— but this is objectionable, and opposed to 
the reading of the majority of good MSS. 

579. Animuin — the plm-. would be the 
more usual fonn in such a phrase, but see 
line 529. The plur., on the contraiy, is 
frequently used in speaking of one person 
only. Arrecti—Kntz ad SalL Cat. L 1, 
di-aws a distuiction between arrigere and 
erigere. The latter is applied to a person 
who, after being dispnited and utterly cast 
do-rni, again recovers courage and strength 
— the former, to him who is so influenced 
by any circmnstance, as to be stirred to 
energjr m reference to the aft'au-. 

584. Units, scil. Orontes, 113 sqq. 

587. Purgat — so we sav "clears off." 

588. Restitit, " stood forth to Aiew." We 
use " stood forth " not only of the action of 
one who moves hunself forward, but also of 
the appearance of Imii who is seen when 
some obstacle is removed fonnerly hidhig 
him fi-om om* eyes. 

Clara luce refulsit means more than simply 
"was distinctly seen" — it impUes also a 
divinely given freshness and beauty, the sign 
of vigom*. 

589. Os humerosque similis. For the sjm- 
tax of the ace. os and humeros see note on 
228, above, and ii. 210. In tliis descrip- 

23 



B. I. 590-606. 



XOTES ON THE .EXEID. 



B. I. 607-623. 



tion of ^neas, the poet has before his mmd 
the poetic conception of Apollo, altogether 
siu-passing in form, but particularly cele- 
brated for his hair and shoulders. 

590. Lumen juventae purpureum, i.e.. Ju- 
venta j^ulcherrima. Lumen means thatfi'esh- 
Tiess and clearness of complexion Tvhich are 
characteristic of the "bloom of youth."' 
Putpureus is used to signify "brightness" 
and brilhancy. e.g., purpurea nix, and hence 
"beauty dazzhng as the light." 

591. Honores — -the pirn*, is very rarely useA 
to express beautv, — it is always the smg. 
honos. The necessity of the metre or the 
desire for variety of diction raaj have influ- 
enced Yu-gil in his preference. The -whole 
appearance of ^S^neas was such as to kinclle 
in Dido the 'first sparks of love — how effec- 
tual the eye is in producing such a result 
ueed not be noticed. Forb . 

Affld?'at— the verb signifies to "breathe 
upon," and hence to inspire, to confer by 
inspiration — a word particulai'ly appro- 
priate__in those kinds of contact which do 
not fail mider the notice of our outward 
senses. See ii 649. Observe the pecuhar 
zeugma in afflarat governing caesariem. 

593. The comparison is this : — As ivorj-, 
precious stones, etc., though of no great 
beauty in themselves, are rendered effective 
as a whole by being skUfiilly grouped, and 
sei in gold, so ^Eneas, now that peculiar 
grace and charms were bestowed on each 
part by Yenus, stood forth in refulgent 
beauty, displaj-ing a faidtless tout oisemble. 

He\me considers the circumfusa nubes to 
represent the gold in the comparison. 

Aui, supply quale est decus. ubi, etc. 

Parius lapis. L e., marble from Paros 
CParo), in the .lEgean. Consult Text Book 
of Ancient Geog., and see Geo. iii. 34. 

597. Sola — Because no other person orrace 
had in their wanderings commiserated them. 

598. Beliquias Danaum, Le., I'elictas (non- 
occisos) a Danais. 

599. Exhaustos, "worn out." 

600. Socias—'&ee 573. " Ofiferest to miite." 

601. Xon apis est— a. rai-e expression for 
" non est in intestate nostra," "It is not in 
om' power;" we have no resources from 
Avhich to recompense you. 

602. Peerlkarap suspects the genuineness 
of this line, on the ground that .Slueas did 
not then know of the other Trojan colonies. 
But Rau defends the verse by saj-ing, tliat 
.i^ucas refers to all the Trojans carried cap- 
tive into different parts by the Greeks, and 
to those left by himself in Crete (iiL 190), 
as well as to the Trojan Acestes, from whom 
they had just parted. 

604. Si quid Justitia est — " If justice and a 
good conscience are anywhere held in es- 
teem," are "■madeamjthingor' (quid), as\ye 
say. The other reading justitiae would 
mean, "If there is any justice on earth," a 
doubt which would come ill from JEneas at 
the time when he had a most distmct evi- 
dence of its exercise by Dido. Forb. 

60G. Tanti tukrunt—this agrees -svith the 
opmion of the ancients, that the quaUties of 
mhid and body are handed down by pai'ents 
to theu- cWldren. 

24 



I 607. With this passage comp. EcL i. 60 
I sqq., V. 76 sqq. ; TibulL i. 4, 65, and Hor. 
I Epod, XV. 7. 

608. Convexa montibus, i.e., latera et am- 
j bitus montium, "So long as the shadows 
i shall traverse the moimtain sides." Others 
I understand convexa to mean the vaUeys. 
j See note on 310. 

Polus pascet — not simply "so long as 
i stars wander in the heaven ;" but it refers 
j to the Epicurean doctrine that the stars axe 
j nourished hj Jiery particles contained in the 
I aether itsel£ See 90. 

610. Quae me cunque terrae, etc. This 
I has reference to the invitation of Dido in 
\ 573, and means, " whether it so happen that 
j I accept of yoiu- offer [though the doubt is a 
' Idnd of polite refiisal], or settle in distant 

lands, stUl your kindness, honos, nomen, and 
laudes, will never be forgotten ; it will not 
require proximity to keep them fresh in my 
mind." Dr Hcnrj- would interpret it thus: — 
"No matter wliither I may be called — no 
matter what becomes of me, tour fame wiU 
last as long as the world itseh"." 

611. Serestum — this is a different person 
from Sergestus mentioned 510, as is seen 
bj- xii. 561, where Ave read Mnesthea, Ser- 
gestumque vocat. fortemque Serestum. This 
line, together with the phrase alios Teu- 
crorum hi 511, and the introduction of Gyas 
here, though not noticed previously, will 
remove all doubt as to the identity of 
the two heroes. Ilionea= IA./av»jfl! — Greek 
Ionic ace. 

614. Casus=fortuna. Ore locuta est ; such 
pleonasms are frequent in classical writers. 
We find them also in the New Test., e.g.. 
Matt. v. 2, " He opened his mouth and taught 
them." So Sequi a tergo. 

G16. Immanibus oris — "these savage 
coasts," i.e., these coasts whose people are 
savage. 

617. IlkuEneas — "that illustrious ^neas." 
See Waini. Quest. Virg. xxL 6, for this use 
of ille. 

Dardanio Anchisae. Observe the hiatus 
between these words. The final vowel of 
the first is not eUded, being in arsis. See 
note on 16, above, and on EcL ii. 53. 

618. On Simoifis, and the proper names 
generally, consult Class. Diet. 

619. Teucrum, Le., Teucer, sonofTelamon, 
and brother of the elder Ajax. On his re- 
turn from Troy to Salamis, his father would 
not receive him, and he then settled m 
Cj-prus, which was given to him by Belus. 

620. By the assistance of Belus, king of 
T\Te and Sidon, who had possessions in 
Cj'prus, Teucer is said to have defended 
himseff against the inhabitants when they 
attempted to prevent him from building 
Salamis. See Hor. Od. L 7, 21. 

621. Josephus says that the name of the 
father of Dido, Le., Elisa, was Mutgen or 
Matgen: others call hun Met tin us, Alettes, or 
Methres. 

622. Cyprus Qiodie, Kebris) has m all 
time been celebrated for its fertility and 
wealth. 

623. We have here an instance of proto- 



B. I. 624-636. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. I. 637-651. 



zeugma, as it is called, i.e., a predicate 
(cognitus) common to several subjects Ccasiis, 
no77ien, reges), but agreeing in gender and 
number with one only, and that the one 
nearest to it. Another example occiu-s, 
S43. An instance of Mesozeugma is met 
•with at ii. 462, Avhere see note, and oi Hypo- 
zeugina at Eel. i. 59. 

624. Reges Pelasgi — by a poetic embel- 
lishment for "The leaders of the Greeks." 
These most ancient inhabitants of Greece 
are often put for the nation. Consult 
Grote, Hist, of Greece, vol. i. 

625. Ipse has particiflar force: — "Not 
others only, but even Teucer hunself, enemy 
though he was." 

626. Ortum ab stb^pe Teucrorum, i.q., 
Trojanorum. The Trojans were called 
Teucri, from the elder Teucer, by whom 
Dardanus was entertained when he had 
passed over from Samothrace to the Troad. 
Teucer, son of Telamon, mentioned here, 
traced his origin to them, since his mother 
was Hesione, daughter of Laomedon, whom 
Telamon had received from his companion 
Hercules as a gift. As Teucer had been 
exiled by his father, he mentions only his 
mother's side of the house. See iiL 108. 
Virgil uses stirps as sometimes masc. and 
sometimes fem. — the former when speak- 
ing of trees — the latter when of mankind. 
See xii. 208. 

630. Non ignm-a, etc. " Taught hy thai 
power, which pities me, I learn to pity them" 
— Goldsmith. 

632. Templis indicit honorem. If this is 
to be miderstood of a pubUc thanksgiA-ing 
to the gods, for the safe arrival of ^neas, 
it is to be looked on as another of the 
cases in which the poet departs from the 
customs of antiquity and suljstitutes those 
of his own time. In the heroic age, as we 
see from Homer, an animal was slam in the 
private house of the host for a sacred feast, 
and to this banquet the newly - arrived 
guest was admitted. Heyne. On the sub- 
ject of the ancient customs introduced in 
the ^neid, see Lersch, "i)e morum in Vir- 
gilii jEneide habitu,'" and also his '■'■Antiqui- 
tates Virgilianae." See also 469, note. 

635. Tei-ga suHm — Tergum is constantly 
used by the poets to signit^^ the whole ani- 
mal, because it is the most fleshy, and 
therefore the most excellent part of the 
carcase. With this whole passage, Cf. Horn. 
Od. viii. 59 sqq. 

636. Dii — Heyne, Brunck, Jahn, Wagn., 
Ladevrig, and a host of others, take this 
word as a contracted form of Diei, and in- 
terpret, — "Bulls, swuie, and lambs, the 
gifts to celebrate the joyousness of the 
day." Forbiger, however, opposes this 
vieAV on three principal grounds: — 1st, 
The unusual form of the gen. of dies, 
M'hich at Geo. i. 208, Virgil has written die. 
2d, Considering the mode of li\-ing followed 
by the ancients, and the manner in which 
the poet usually describes such feasts as that 
mentioned, it cannot be imagmed that after 
minutely specifying the various parts of this 
costly and varied banquet, he would pass 
over in silence wine, the great inciter of joy. 



3d, It is not to be believed that a poet of so 
fine and delicate taste as Virgil, would call 
bulls, swine, and lambs, laetitiam diei. He, 
therefore, imderstands laetitiam Diei (i.e., 
Dei) to mean wine, and refers to 734, laetitiae 
Bacchus dator, in confirmation. In reply to 
Wagner's objection that Bacchus is never 
designated by the word deus by itself, he 
quotes ^n. ix. 336, Multoque Jacebat Mem- 
bra deo vict'us, where deo can mean nothing- 
else but wine. He suggests, as a question 
for deUberation, wiiether or not the sen- 
tence may be taken thus, tauros, sues, agnos, 
laetitiamque dei mittit munera. Peerlkamp 
conjectures laticemque Lyaei. 

637. Splendida is usually said to be equi- 
valent to splendide here, but a nearer ex- 
amination will show that it contains much 
more than a mere adverb. So taciturn, 
502, above, is much stronger than tacite. 

639. Vestes "coverlets." Ostro does not 
depend on lahoratae, but is an " abl. of the 
material," on which see note 655, below. 
Superbo, i.e., splendido. 

640. Ingens argentum — "A large number 
of silver vases," with raised work (caelata) 
of gold, recording the deeds of Dido's an- 
cestors. 

644. Prae7?!2Yi/^—" despatches hastily," so 
that his messenger might reach Ascanius 
before Dido's servant, -with the present, 
should convey the joyful news of peace and 
help. 

648. Pallam, a long and ample cloak, 
reaching from the neck to the feet, worn by 
deities, prophets, and tvomen — said to be de- 
rived from "^aXXitv (to shake, move 
quickly), on account of the movement of its 
lOAver extremity as the wearer walked. It 
was simply a square piece of cloth folded in 
a peculiar way. In the woodcut, the 
wearer is represented as in the act of 
fastenmg the Palla at the shoulder ydth a 
fibula. 




649. "A vail bordered -with acanthus 
leaves in-\\T0ught." Or velamen may mean 
an entire peplus. 

651. Peter et — last syU. leng-thened by 
arsis, on Avhich see note 308, above. Note 
the zeugma in peter et, — "was repamng to 
Troy, and contractmg her unlawful nup- 
tials." 

25 



B. I. 654-683. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. I. 684-698. 



654. Monile baccatum, i.e., "a necklace 
adorned with pearls." Pearls are often 
called baccae, from their shape. 

655. DupUcem, i.e., of two materials, — a 
golden diadem studded with gems. Gemmis 
and auro are " abls. of the material." See 
above, 639, 167 ; ii. 765. 

656. Haec cekrans — either "about to 
bring these things hastily," or, "about to 
execute with speed these commands." 

657. Cytherea — see note 257. This 
artifice of Venus is suggested to Virgil by 
ApoU. Rhod. iii. 7 sqq. Venus, fearing lest 
Dido's kimlly feeling might be altered by 
Juno's interference, inflames with love the 
queen of Carthage, and even consents (iv. 
107 sqq.) to her marriage with the Trojan 
hero. 

658. Faciem— corporis for mam, "in per- 
son." 

661. Ambiguam — of doubtful faith— that 
could not be trusted in. Bilingum — double- 
tongued — two-faced — "treacherous." It is 
not to be wondered at that a people wholly 
devoted to mercantile pursuits should ob- 
tain this character, which gave origin to 
the proverb, "P'^wzca ^ffes," similar to our 
" custom-house oath." 

662. Sub noctem — the events just men- 
tioned occun'ed in the evening, and Juno 
therefore broods over them during the 
night. 

Urit atrox Juno — "Juno is inflamed to 
savageness ; " or, " The hostile spirit of 
Juno galls (or goads) her ; " for urere is 
often used=a«grere, vexare, x)iingere. 

664. Meae vires, etc., i.e.. Thou art the 
person by whom I show myself strong and 
effective. Solus is one of those words that 
have no voc. (This is denied by Priscian, 
V. 14, 77.) 

665. Tijplidia — Typhoeus one of the sons 
of Tartarus and Terra, who rebelled against 
Jupiter, and Avas lim-led beneath I&txia. 

668. Jactetur — last syll. lengthened by 
ai'sis. See above, 651. 

669. Nota tibi (sunt), a graecism for 
notum est tibi. 

672. Cardine — "crisis." "She (Le., Juno, 
suggested by Junonia preceding) wiU not 
be remiss at such a crisis." 

673. Flammd — par excellence for amor. 
Capere ante, for antecapere. 

675. Ut is to be suppUed in this line after 
sed, from the preceding ne: sed (ut) teneatur. 
Mecum — " equally with myself." 

680. Sopitum — sopor and sopire are used 
of deep sleep. 

Cythera — ra, Ku^yipa.— it is called alta 
because the island stands high out of the 
sea. See 257, note. 

681. Idalium — a mountain and grove in 
CjTirus. Super is used for in or ad when 
mention is made of places of elevated posi- 
tion. Cf. vi 203, 515, viL 557. 

Sacratd sede, i.e., in templo. 

682. Nequa, scU. ratione, or via. Medius 
occurrere, Le., in medio negotio; or like our 
plirase "to run through" a thing. 

683. Faciem — not the face only, but the 
whole body. See 658, above. 

26 



684. Notos vultus, i.e., proprios vultus. 
The metaphor in induere is too common 
to require explanation. The repetition of 
the stem puer is a beauty rather than a 
blemish. 

686. Laticem Lyaeum, for Lyaei. Bacchus 
was called Lyaem — Xtja,7os, from ^^vnv — 
because he dispels cares and anxieties ; so 
Liber. 

690. Gaudens — delighted at taking part in 
the plot, and with pleasure contemplating 
the opportunity for indulging in his favour- 
ite occupation of inflaming mortal minds 
with love. 

692. Fotum. This word is properly ap- 
plied to the action of fowls m cherishing 
their young, but is transferred to men and 
deities, and implies a degree of love and 
affection along with the idea of nursing. 

Irrigat — ^the moistness of night suggests 
the application of Uquidus to somtius — 
vyfio; i/Tvo; — and of such terms as 
irrigare=the Homeric ipciviv. 

Gremio — "in her lap." 

697. A ulaeis — the tapestry of the couches. 
In Geo. iii. 25, itmeans curtains. Superbus 
is often applied to things highly orna- 
mented, magnifica, which manifest the pride 
of the possessor. 

698. Composuit, i.e., assumed a becoming 
attitude of body, and a serene and dignified 
aspect of countenance. 

Aured is to be scanned as a dissyllable, 
by synizesis. See above, 2. 

Mediam locavit. Took the middle seat, 
Le., the place of honour, as was her 
queenly right. Not only the Romans but 
the Africans also followed this practice. 
See Sail. Jug. 11, 3. Ne medius ex tribus, 
quod ((pud Numidas honori ducitur, Jugur- 
tha foret. On the Triclinium, represented 
in the accompanying cut, and on banquets 




generally: see Ramsay's Rom. Antiq., — and 
Beckers' " Gall us." But we must not 
imagine that Dido was seated with J3neas 
and Ascanius close at her right and left on 
the couch, as in the following illustration, 
for that would have been indecorous and 
bidelicate. We cannot refer this feast too 
rigorously either to Greek or Roman cus- 
toms, since the character of Dido, a woman 



B. I. 701-711. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. I. 712-725. 



and a queen, was one unknown to such 
entertainments. 




701. Manibns — dative dependent on dant. 
The towels (mantelia) were for wiping the 
hands, not for rubbing the tables. Tonsis 
villis, "with closely cut pile," — the pile was 
soft, and cut or plucked so as to be of equal 
length. Cererem, i.e., panem. The follow- 
ing cut represents some ancient loaves : — 




702. Expediunt — " bring forth and distri- 
bute to each guest." 

703. Instead of longo, the common read- 
ing, Wagn., Forb., etc., prefer longam as 
being more difficult, and therefore more 
likely to have undergone alteration than 
the more usual longo ordine. MSS. give 
both forms. Longa penus vae&ws, ihQ "pro- 
^isions an-anged in a long line." Ordine is 
to be construed with struere. Struere is not 
for the gerund, but, together with penum, 
fonns the subject of est. See ^n. v. 638. 
On the peculiarities of penum, consult the 
Diet. Penus, says Cic. N.D. est omne quo 
vescuntur homines — it means an abundant 
stock of provisions, a stock which will last 
for a long time. Hence Klaussen in his 
work on the Penates, derives their name 
from Penus, ^'■quod peepetuam conservandae 
familiae curam agunt." 

704. Flammis adolere penates =flammas 
adolere in Penatibus, Le., in domo, in pene- 
tralibus, in foco — "To make the hearths 
blaze vdth fires ;" or " To light up the altars 
to the Penates with fire." The phrase is 
similar to incendere aras. The object was 
to offer sacrifice, as well as to cook viands, 
and not as Schirach thinks, for preparing 
sacrifices only. Forb. 

706. Onerent et ponant — thus the best 
MSS. read, and not onerant and ponunt. 
Sunt qui is sometimes followed by the indie, 
but here that mood would be unsuitable, as 
the actual occupation of the servants is not 
stated, but only then- duty, what they were 
required to do. 

707. Per limina, i.e., in domum. 

708. Jussi, "invited." Tori picti, '■'■em- 
broidered couches,'" adorned with needle- 
work. 

711. Pictum, scU. .4cm. 



712. Pestifuturae (il\&^2i&sio\\), "destined 
to be her bane." 

716. Implevit amorem, "satisfied his fa- 
ther's love," i.e., remained in his father's 
embrace, and received all his endearing 
tokens of affection, tUl ^neas was satisfied 
and released him. Falsi, i.e., quifallebatur. 

717. Haec is opposed to ^neas, 715. 
Cupid seems to carry kisse s from ^neas to 
Dido. 

718. Gremio fovet As Ascanius must 
have now reached an age too old to be 
fondled in the lap, Heyne thinks these words 
to refer to the attitude which would be taken 
by two individuals reclining at table next 
to each other. Wagn. and Forb. urge, in 
opposition to this view, that the phrase in- 
sideat proves that gremio fovet must be 
taken Uterally. The poet, disregarding the 
age of Ascanius, sacrifices truth to poetic 
imagination. Cf. 692 and 698, above, and 
iv. 84, as also Hom. II. xxi. 506. 

719. Insideat — This form is preferred to 
insidat by Wagn. and Forb. as more con- 
sistent with the meanmg of the passage. 
Insidere means to take a seat, or to begin to 
sit down, whereas insidere means to have 
taken one and to be occupying it — Insideat, 
therefore, agrees better with gremio fovet. 

720. Acidaliae — Venus was called Acidalia, 
fi'om Acidalius, a fountain near Orchomenus, 
in Boeotia, where she used to bathe in com- 
pany with the Graces. Abolere Sychaeum 
■ — to obliterate all recollection of Sychaeus, 
her former husband, and thus to anticipate 
(praevertere) the chance of a re-kindling of 
her aftection for him, which might interfere 
with that for vEneas. 

723. Quies prima, i.e., as soon as they 
had finished the banquet proper. Mensae, 
not the banqueting board with its supports, 
but the smaller tables on which the dishes 
were brought in and presented to the guests. 
These small tables were changed with each 
successive course, so that mensae came to 
be apphed to single dishes. 

724. With this line Cf. Hom. II. i 469, 
470. Vina coronare has been interpreted hi 



^ 






two ways: — 1st, To fill brimming cups, to 
'■'■heap theglasses." This is the Homeric sense 
of the corresponding term I'TnffTi-^a.vro. 
2d, To encircle the cups with garlands of 
flowers, which was the Roman custom. A 
specunen of the Crater is given above. 

725. The influence of Bacchus is not long 
in being felt. Volutant, a word which well 
27 



B. I. 726-732. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. I. 734-744. 



conveys the idea of sormd traversing a spa- 
cious hall. 

726. Laquearibiis — this word is applied to 
the hollows between the beams of a ceil- 
ing = Lacunar. These interstices were 
usually adorned mth carving and painting, 
as seen below. On the scansion of Am-eis, 
see above, 2 and 698. 




7-27. FiinaJia, "torches:" the fibres of the 
papyrus, or other plants, twisted in rope 
fashion, and smeared with wax or pitch, as 
seeji in the Avoodcut. 




729. Pateram gravem gemmis et auro, i.e., 
a massive golden patera adorned with gems 
— its shape is seen in the woodcut. This 
is another instance of Hendiadi/s, on which 
see note 2, above. 




731. A' prayer is offered to Jupiter, God 
of Hospitality, ^ivto?. Bare jura means 
"to have estahlished the rights of guests 
and hosts " On this use of the pres., see 
Eel. viii. 45. 

732. Diem, i.e., the day of which the 
night now being spent forms the continua- 
tion. Velis — ("be, .if you will ") — a word 
usually employed in reference to the de- 
crees of the deities. So, cum Bits voknti- 
hus. 

28 



734. Laetitiae dator. See above, 636. 

736. Laticum honorem, i.e., vinum in 
deorum honorem libatione effusum. Latices 
is frequently used absolutely for wine. 

737. Libato, scil. honore, not vino, which 
would make nonsense, for she could not 
drink of the wine after it had been poured 
out. 

Summo ore — ^merely touched it with her 
lips, as became a woman, particularly ac- 
cording to the ideas of the ancients. As a 
queen and as the president of the feast, she 
set the example, but, as a woman, she ab- 
stained. 

738. Increpitans does not imply reproach 
or reproof, or banter, but merely invitation, 
"■ challenging." Bitiae is a Phoenician name : 
it occurs agam, ix. 672, 703, and xi. 396. 

739. Pleno se proluit auro, "drenched 
himself with the full golden cup." So our 
phrase, "Moisten one's clay." Cf Hor. 
Serm. i. 5, 16 Multa prolutus vappd. 

740. Crinitus — Bards, who were neces- 
sary adjuncts to feasts, wore long hau', in 
imitation of Apollo. It was considered 
unmanly by the civilized Romans. 

741. Quern — the vulgar reading is quae, 
which Heyne prefers. Forb., Jahn, and 
Wakefield, approve quern, on the grounds : 
—1st, That the subject of the song is spe- 
cified -H-ith ample distinctness in the follow- 
ing lines. 2d, That personare is sometimes 
used absolutely without an object, e.g., Tacit. 
Annal. xvi. 4, and that the verb, by its verj- 
want of an object, excites in oiu' minds a 
greater interest and curiosity to hear the 
rest. 

Personat, etc. "Accompanies the cithara 
with a loud voice." Cithara, hence our 
word guitar. 




742. The demonstr. hie marks out lopas 
as to be carefully distinguished from Atlas. 

Errantem lunam, i,e., lunce errores. 
Vaga luna, Hor. Sat. i. 8, 21, for she changes 
position more visibly and more frequently 
than any of the other planets. Solis labores, 
i.e., the eclipses of the sun and their cause; 
or his Herculean labours in overcoming the 
twelve signs of the zodiac. 

744. Arcturus{!'^f>X''ro? oZpo?) — Averj- 
brjght star of the first magiiitude, in 
Bootes, or Arctophylax whose rismg (5th 
Sept. and 13th Feb.) and setting (22d May 
and 29th Oct.) were accompanied by violent 
storms. 

Hyades—c&WQA pluvias, from vnv — "to 
rain," were seven stars in the head of Tau- 
rus, whose rising, from 7th till 12th May, 
was attended with daily rains. The Roman 
rustics called them Suculae deri\ing the 
name from i^S, sus, which etymology, 
though condemned by many learned men, 
is nevertheless defended by Nitzsch, on 



r46-750. 



NOTES ON THE iENELD. 



B. I. 751-753, 



Horn. Od. vol. ii. p. 42, and Schiller, on 
Hor. p. 7. Forb. 

Geminos Triones. i.e., the Great Bear and 
the Little Bear. The Great Bear was also 
called the Waggon a.f^a.'ia.., Charles' Wain, 
the ancient Italian name being Septem 
Triones, or Septentrio Major — tJie seven 
ploughing oxen. The Little Bear was like- 
wise called Septentrio JMiiior, and thus, 
Yirgil says " geminos Triones.'' See Smith's 
Diet of Biog. and Mj-th.. article Arctos. 

746. Tardis means the summer nights, 
which are not long in duration, but long in 
coming on. He speaks of the variations m 
the length of the days at ditiereut seasons 
of the year. 

747. Plausu is the reading of the best 
MSS., instead of the more common ^Zay5M7« 
ovplausiis. The phrase is confirmed by a 
similar one, Ingeminant hastis, for liastis 
ingeminant ictus, in ix. 811. 

750. There is m this line a beautiful in- 
stance of epanalepsis, that is, the same word 
beginning and concluding a line. See xil 29. 



751 Aurorae filius, scil. Memnon, son of 
Tithon us and A urora. He slew AntUochus, 
son of Nestor, and was in turn slain by 
Achilles. His mother was said to weep for 
I his death, m her tear, di"ops of morning dew. 
j See above, 489, and consult Class. Diet. 
! 752. Diomedis equi, viz., those horses 
I which Diomede took from Rhesus. Dio- 
; mede did, it is true, take horses fi'om ^neas 
j also, accordmg to Homer, but there is no 
! reason for supposing that it is to them Dido 
; refers ; indeed, we must give her credit for 
more politeness and prudence than to sup- 
pose such a reference It is much more 
likely that she inquires the particulars of 
the night attack on Rhesus, which the pic- 
ture described, 472, showed her to be ac- 
quainted ■^^^th only in a general way. Dio- 
mede, however, and his father Tydeus, are 
both represented as skilled breeders and 
trainers of steeds. 

753. A prima origine — fi-om the first be- 
ginning, viz., ii-om the pretended flight of 
the Greeks and the building of the horse. 



29 



B. II. 1-3 > 



NOTES OX THE .ENEID. 



B. II. 4-8. 



BOOK SECOND. 

ARGUMENT. 

.Sn'Eas, in coinplianee with Dido's request, details tlie particulars of the captiu'e of Troy, 
50 far as he liad witnessed tliem. After expressing- reh\ctance to fight his disagreeable 
battles over agaui, the hero goes on to tell of the despondency of the Greeks iu the tenth 
year of the war, together wth then- stratagem of the horse. Lurldng in Tenedos, they 
send a cunning feUow, Sinon, to prepare the way for the reception of the wooden horse, 
which they pretended to be a retum for the stolen PaUadiuin. The Trojans are credulous, 
and believe the Avhole, but Laocoon sees through the deceit, and exposes it. His warnings, 
however, are vain ; and he is himself slain by two serpents sent against him by Minerva 
(1-24:9). The Greeks retum from Tenedos — the horse is opened, and the city is taken 
(250-267). .Sneas is warned by Hector's shade to consult for his safety, but he is too 
valiant to follow the suggestion before he has tried what might can do. He makes an 
attempt, and is for a Avhile successful, till having assumed the armom- of some Greeks 
whom they had slain, his associates ai-e mistaken by the Trojans, and many of them killed 
by their own Mends (26^-437). Then follows the sack of Piiam's palace, and the mmxler 
of the king himself (438-558). ^neas at last abandons all hope of saving the city, and 
therefore sees after his family, with which, consisting of father, wife, and son, he endeav- 
ours to escape from the ruins (559-729). Creiisa (his wife) loses herself in the crowd; 
and on his return to the city to seek for her, her shade meets him, and tells him some- 
thing of futurity (730-794). He retreats fi'om Troy a second time, and finds many men 
and women ready to accompany him to exUe (795-804). 



This book is perhaps the most interesting 
of the twelve composing the iEneid. The 
poet hhnself entertained a high opinion of 
its merits, as is evidenced by the fact that 
it was one of those which he read before the 
Emperor as a specunen of the poem. See 
He>me, Excursus to Book II. 

1. Observe the difference of tense of coii- 
ticuSre and ienebant, the former denoting a 
momentary and perfectly completed action 
(Greek Aorist.); the latter a continued one. 
"In a moment all were hu.<hed iu silence, 
and A\-ith eager interest fixed their eyes 
upon him," or "composed their counte- 
nances." Intenti, earnestly awiiiting the 
recital. The phrase is not==intenta ora, 
but expresses that thej* were deeply ui- 
terested in the subject, and did not attend 
through mere pohteness. Cf. JE. vii. 250 ; 
■\"iii. 520. 

2. Torus, properly means a swelling pro- 
tuberance, as that of an overcharged vein : 
hence, from the swelling undulations pro- 
duced by the stitches, it signiifies a quUtcd 
cushion, or mattress. It is here called alto, 
as the more splendid of them were raised 
liigh by frame-work, extra stuffing, and, 
moreover, by pillows. Infandum, " un- 
utterable," "unspeakable," or "that ought 
not to be told," i.e., horrible. 

3. After y«6e5 (wze) renovare dolorem, sup- 
ply narrando, upon which eruerint depends 
through ut. Relative propositions, which 
in strictness ai-e to be referred to some verb 
of telling or feeling, not expressed, are not 
unfrequently made to depend hi this way 
on verbs signifying an affection of the mind 
(especiallv the verb miror). On narrure 2it, 
see Eel. vi. 31, 65. 

Ladewig thus explains the sjTitax: do- 
30 



lorem governed by renovare, has the follow- 
ing clause, trom Trojanas to Danai, at- 
tached to it in apposition, and quae coupled 
to it as a coordinate notion. 

4. Lamentahile, "deplorable," "ill-fated." 
Adjs. in hilis are usually passive, but fre- 
quently active also, as m Geo. i. 93, penetra- 
hiJefrigus. 

5. Ut Eruerint — quaeque — for examples 
of a similar transition from noun to verb, or 
verb to noun, in two coordinate clauses, 
see Eel. v. 47 ; ^n. L 742. Translate />-ee7;/, 
" Those events which, most pitiable as they 
were, I myself -witnessed, and those cala- 
mities, which in great part fell upon myself." 
Cf. Forbiger iu loc. 

6. Fando — tchile relating — the gerund is 
here put in a somewhat rare use for the 
pres. pai't. act., and intUcates not the cause, 
but a contemporaneous event. See Mad\a.g 
Lat. Gr. § 416, and obs. 1; and Cf Livy viii. 
17. Novi deinde consides, populando usque 
ad moenia atque urbem pervenerunt. Id. 
xxi. 34. 

7. Myrmidons and Dolopians — troops of 
Achilles and Neoptolemus. See Hom. IL 
ii. 684 sqq. 

Duri UJixi, (M\\QV=strenuus et fortis, as 
in Geo. ii. 170, or relentless, hard-hearted, 
as elsewhere stsvus Uli.ves, irnmitis Achilles. 
On the fonn Ulixi in the gen., see above i. 
30, note, and Mad-sig Lat. Gr. § 42, or 
Schmitz, § 63. On the troops of Ulysses, 
see Hom. II. ii. 631 sqq. 
. 8. Temper et (sciL sibi.) a lacrimis. For the 
difference of temperare with accus. (=to 
moderate) and witli Dat. {to restrain), see 
Diet, and Mad\ig Lat. Gr. § 244, obs. 2. 
Cf Geo. L 360. 

'■'■ Humida,'" dewy — a frequent epithet of 



B. II. 9-20. 



NOTES OX THE ^XEID. 



B. II. 21-35. 



night In wann countries de-^vs fall heavier, 
as the moistiu'e, lai'gely evaporated diirmg 
the day, is condensed in greater quantity by 
night. 

9. Praecipitat (se.) etc. Nox is personi- 
fied and represented as driving tlu-ough the 
heaveu in a chailot At the time here 
spoken of she is supposed to have passed 
the zenith, and to be careering doAvn " hea- 
ven's slope" at the approach of morning. 
"And the siuldng stai-s im-ite to sleep," 
i.e., NOT setting, but like 2sox, on their 
downward com^se. 

10. Amor (=desiderium) cognoscere, Greek 
construction for cognoscendi, so audire, next 
line ; or rather cognoscere is the nom. of the 
subject, with amor in apposition. Cf. jEn. 
V. 63S and L 704; see note 350, below, 
and Kiitz ad SalL Cat. xxx. 4. 

11. Supremum lab&i'em — " the final 
struggle," i.e., destruction. Cf. the use of 
Ksi/zvu in Greek. 

12. Hoi-ret — refugit. The aoinstic use of 
the perf. refugit (ia a momentary sense) 
"well expresses the instantaneous recoil of 
the mind of ^Eneas fi-om the task imposed, 
while the pres. horret is equally appropriate 
as apphed to a contin ued feeling. For similar 
examples, see rRn. x. 726, 804. Some con- 
sider refugit as used in a habitual sense, 
" always recoils." 

13. Tncipiam=suscipiam — "I shall under- 
take, attempt, the matter." 

Fracti bello, Le., wearied out and almost 
crushed. Cf. Hor. Sat. L 1, 5. Repuisi, 
''baffled," it being fated that Troy should 
not be taken rill after a nine years' siege. 
Cf. Horn. n. iL 328. 

14. Labentibus, not=lapsis, but including 
those past along with that noic running 
its com-se, the work being stiU unaccom- 
phshed. 

16. Intexunt=texunt, see x. 78-5. "And 
form its sides of fir-planks." Abiete to be 
pronounced and scanned abjete, 3 sylls. On 
this synizesis see ^n. i. 2 ; vi. 33. Beutley 
ad Hor. Od. i. 8, 1, etc. etc. 

17. Votum (esse) — "vowed to propitiate 
a safe return." 

18. Hue includunt—Ct Geo. iL 76. An 
instance of constructio pr-aegnans. Hue is 
explamed by caeco later i wliich follows. 
After includunt we should expect simply a 
word of rest, but we have hue, a word hu- 
plying motion towards, itsed mstead; and 
thus there is suggested not only the point 
arrived at, but also the motion necessary to 
bring the object to that point. Similar is the 
vulgar Scottish use of into, as in the phrase. 
' ' You wih thid it in to the cupboai'd. ' ' From 
thus contahung the two ideas of motion 
toward and rest in. the form of sjTitax has 
received the name " Constructio praegnans." 
It is of veiy common occm-rence in Greek 
wiiters. Delecta virum corpora^delectos 
viros, so odora vis canum. 

19. Penitus, "thoroughly" — to be joined 
with complent (pack, cram) — complent 
stronger than implent. 

20. Armato milite, "with armed sol- 
diers " — sing, for plm\ — see below, 495, and 



^n. L 564. An instance of similar hardi- 
hood and patriotic devotion has been sup- 
phed in more recent times in the kingdom 
of HoUand, in 1590. when on one occa- 
sion some forty Dutchmen, secreting them- 
j selves in a vessel laden with turf," passed 
] the seai'ch of custom-house officers, and 
havuig landed unchallenged, retook the 
town of Breda fi-om the Spaniards. The 
story of the TVooden Horse is derived by 
Ykgil from the Odyssey and the Cyclic 
poets, but it has been raised by him'into 
paramoimt unportance, though but an idle 
fiction. 

21. Tenedos (or Leucophrys, caUed by the 
Tm-ks, Bogdscha Adassi) — ^in sight of the 
Trojan coast (40 stadia distant), most 
celebrated (on account of temple of Apollo 
Snnntheus, or by means of the songs of post- 
homeric bards), and rich so long as Priam's 
power stoocL Dives opum, either from the 
temple, or commerce ; on the construction, 
see Mad\-ig, § 290. e. 

23. Trans. — " Xow there is but a bay and 
a haven supphring an anchorage for ships, 
and that a very insecure one." 

Male is often used like non satis, 
parum, min7js, and is therefore almost=7iaH, 
but not so strong. It miplies a fault, either 
too great or too little. See below, 735, and 
Mn. iv. 8. Carinis synecdoche for navibus. 
See below, 25, Mycenas. 

24 Hue eondunt, see above. Hue inclu- 
dunt, 18. 

25. " We thought that they {eos, omitted.) 
had departed, and had set sail for Mycenae 
(i.e., Greece, a pait for the whole), takuig 
advantage of the favourable breeze." Thus 
Heyne and TliieL 

27. Doricx cxstra. Yirgil derives this 
term from posthomeric wTiters. Homer 
calls the Greeks Achaei, Argivi and Danai, 
but never Doiians. The Dorian migration 
is said to have taken place SO years after 
the Trojan war. For similar examples of 
cacophony, see .ffln. viii. 286, tempo'RA.-RAjnis: 
V. 222, CM/v'^EE -REmis, etc. etc. 

29. Tendebat, used to pitch his tent {hut 
rather). 

31. Minervae — according to some (Heyne, 
Thiel, etc.) the dat. on donum, " the gift to 
Minerva," (see S6, 44, 4S^, according to 
others (Wagnier, small ed., and Forbiger,) 
the gen. ; Cf. below, 183, and above. 15. For 
other intransitive verbs, followed by au 
accus., Cf. below. 542. EcL ii. 1. 

Thymoetes — consult Class. Diet. His 
wife and child had, according to the legend, 
been slain by Priam, hence he deemed he 
had a sutiicient ground to act treacherously 
{dolo, 34). Obsers-e mirantur, plm-. after 
Stupet, sing., the subject of bothbemg^ia/'s. 
This is au instance of the construcrion, 
Synesis, on which see .^n. i. 70, note, and 
iii. 676. 

35-38. " But Capys, and those who enter- 
tained more prudent sentiments, urge them 
either to throw headlong into the sea the 
treacherous device and suspected gifts of 
the Greeks, or (if it please them better) to 
destroy them by the application of fire, or 
(adopting a different coui-se) to probe," etc. 
31 



B. II. 36-53. 



XOTES OX THE ^NEID, 



B. II. 54- 



For ve instead of que after subjectis, there is 
no manuscript authority, at all events the 
change is unnecessary, the latter being often 
used as a disjunctive. 

36. On Pelago, see i. 181. Dative for 
accus. 

39. Incertum — not a mere ep it Jteton ornans 
= ''fickle,'" but uncertain, doiibtful, not know- 
ing what to do in the present ixstaxce. 
The crowd are divided m their opinions, and 
are doubtful how to act, some being zealous 
(such is the force of studia) for one course, 
and some for another. 

40. Primus ante omnes, foremost before 
aU others, i.e., of the crowd descending from 
the citadel. 

41. Suinma arce — "From the highest 
part of the citadel" See Schmitz Lat. Gr. 
§ 361. 

42. Et procul, the verb of declaring is 
omitted frequently in excited nan-ation; 
" and when at a distance cries aloud," 

40 sqq. The horse is here exposed as a 
mere ruse de guerre, to beguUe the Trojans, 
the real object of it being to provide a ma- 
cliine simUai- to the towers used in sieges by 
the Romans — on which see Ramsay's Antiq. 
mider Turris, p. 400. 

Aut separates ideas essentially different — 
vel (mutilated imperative of volo), those 
between which the difference is unimpor- 
tant, or one of name only. See ]Mad^•ig L. 
G. § 436. 

47. Desuper urbi. "To come into the 
city from a higher position," Le., from the 
citadel to command the city. (if. i. 165, 
420; iv. 122, etc. 

48. Aliquis=alius quis — "some other;" 
"some deceit or other is concealed." 

49. This line has become a "household 
word," and a standard quotation against all 
and sundrj-, who, in the slightest degree, 
expose themseh-es to the suspicion of 
hj-pocrisy and duplicity. Obsers-e the indie, 
est, not sit. 

50. Validis viribtis—a. mere poetic exag- 
geration — "with great force." 

51. In lat us inque alvuin — HejTie and 
Wagner consider this as a Hendiadys=in 
curvum latus—h\xt Thiel, more properly, 
regards the repetition of the prepos. as fatal 
to such an explanation, and therefore takes 
the phrases separately — the speai- not only 
penetrated the wooden frame-work, but it 
also entered to some distance within the 
ca^'ity, so as to womid one of the Greeks — 
which idea is countenanced by the expres- 
sion gemitum dedere. Curvaia compagibus 
— bent (curved) by reason of the johits of 
the timber. Transl. "■ The curved and jointed 
belly:' 

52. 2lla, scil. hasta. For similar uses of 
ilia, see Kritz ad Sail. Cat., 45, 2. In this 
and the followhig lines, commentators find 
an instance of onomatopoeia. 

53. Wagner understands cavae as an ad- 
verbial adj. joined to insonuere, and would 
transL "gave forth a hollow kind of somicl" 
Gossrau agrees, and would transl. "sounded 
so as to show that they were hoUow." But 
Forbiger prefers to jom cavae cavernae — 
quotuig similar expressions of poetic 

32 



archaisms from Lucretius and Plautus, eg., 
sonitus sonans — anxius angor — prilcJira 
pulcritudo. 

54. Si fata deSm — "and if the fates of the 
gods had so allotted (that the fr-aud should 
be detected) — if oiu' minds had not been 
mfatuated, he (Laocoon), (or ' it,' the ch- 
cumstance of the groan, etc.) woidd have 
induced us to violate with the sword the 
hiduig-places of the Greeks," etc. 

Impulerat is here much stronger than 
impulisset would have been. Some regard 
laeva as an instance of zeugma, apphcable 
both to fata and mens. 

56. Stares — Some (Wagner comparing 
^n. xii. 684, where there is a similar change 
from nom. to vocative) read sta?rt to avoid 
the homoioteleuton -with maneres, but \c\i\\- 
out MS. authority; the double que casts 
doubt on such a reading. 

57. Revinctum manus — For the construc- 
tion, see note i. 228, andMad\igL. G. § 237, 
C; also Schmitz L. G. § 259, 1. Cf. Eel. i. 
55, depasta florem. 

60. Hoc ipsiun strueret, " effect this veiy 
thmg," ^■iz., to be brought before the king 
and questioned. 

61. Fidens animi=confdente animo, "-n-ith 
confident, undaunted mind." 

62. Seu re>'sc(i-e, sen occumbere — ^the infs. 
are either governed by paratus or placed in 
apposition to utrumque. " Prepared either 
to put his wiles in practice, or to meet cer- 
tahi death." On the sjmtax of occumbere, 
see Diet, and Madvig L. G. § 245. 

64. Circumfusa ruit, " throng around" — 
obsen-e the change to plur. in certant — So 
above, 31, 32. 

65. Ab una crimine, i.e., e.r scelere unius 
— "from one example of treacherous and 
wicked conduct," or "from the crime of 
one, learn the character of alL" 

67. In medio conspectu — in a central point 
of ^'iew, i.e., exposed to the gaze of alL 
" For as he stood open to the gaze of all, 
-with an agitated air, defenceless." 

68. The spondaic termination is admir- 
ably suited to the position and feelings in 
wliich the captive Suion is represented. 

71. Super is here an &dv.=^mo7'eover. Cf. 
Geo. iii. 263. 

73. "By which lamentation oiu- feelings 
towards him were changed, and every at- 
tempt at violence was checked." 

74. Cretus, particip. of cresco, or rather of 
obsolete creo, from which cresco is formed. 

75. Ut memoret, etc. — "We urge him to 
state on what ground he entertained confi- 
dence in spontaneously deUvering himself 
up as a captive." 

76. This line is wanting in many MSS. 

77. Fuerit quodcunque — Wagner compar- 
ing lAyy XXX. 17, Quidquid aliud fecerit 
* * EA Patres comprobare ; and Xen. Cyr. 
^^ii. 2, 12, Tup-t^^i Tcivra. o-rov 'i^ii, 
refers quodcunque to cuncta, in the sense, 
" aU particulai's of whatever kind each be." 
But Servius, Thiel, Weickert, Forbiger, etc., 
understand the phrase to mean, " Whatever 
shall result to me," from the plain state- 
ment. Their opinion is based principally 



B. II. 79-90, 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. II. 91-102. 



on the form fuerit in the subjunctive 
mood. Siipflius finds additional confir- 
mation of this interpretation in the position 
of quodcunque fuerit between cuncta and 
vera. 

79. JIoc primiim, seil. /ate&or. Finxit= 
fecit: Cf. Hor. Od. iv. 3, 12, noUlem 
finyere. 

80. Improha must be translated separ- 
ately from /ama, and along with the second 
clause only, "Though Fortune has made 
Sinon (cf. Hor. Sat. i. 9, 47,) miserable, she 
will not be wicked enough to make him 
faithless too and false." 

81. Fando, either (1) used passively, as 
habendo, Geo. ii. 250 ; tegerido, Geo. iiL 454, 
or (2) actively, as in 6, or (3) as an ab- 
stract verbal subst., which last is preferred 
by Forbiger. 

Aliquod is to be joined with nomen. Some 
books read aliqnid, which wUl then be 
governed by/awcZo. 

Transl. : "If perchance in the course of 
conversation (by rumour) there should have 
reached your ears any mention of Pala- 
medes, descendant of Belus, and his renown, 
made glorious by fame, whom, under a false 
accusation of treason, the Greeks put to 
death, guiltless though he was of the in- 
famous crime which was laid to his charge, 
because he dissuaded them from war; but 
whom they lament now that he is dead: to 
be a companion to him, related as I was to 
him by blood, my father, a poor man, sent 
me to the war at its very commencement." 
Or, " In my early years:" But dukes natos 
(138) opposes such an interpretation. 
Ladewig, however, prefers the latter mean- 
ing, from the circumstances that (1,) Sinon 
is called juvenis; (2,) the words pueritia 
and adolescentia had a wide extension; and 
(3,) dukes natos does not necessarily imply 
great age. 

82. Belldes — patronymics from nouns in 
vs of the 2d decl. have the penult short, 
thus Priamid.es from Priamns — tliose from 
nouns in eis of the 3d dccl., or from cles 
have the penult long, as Promethides from 
Prometheus. In the word before us we have 
one of the few exceptions to the rule. See 
Priscian, ii. 7, 37. For the story of Pala- 
medes, see Class. Diet. 

85. Demisere neci — formed on the model 
of such phrases as demittere Oreo, umbris, 
Mo, stycjiae nocti, etc. Cf. Horn, -^ux^? 

88. " So long as he (Palamedes) retained 
his royal dignity undiminished, and pos- 
sessed influence in the assemblies of the 
(Grecian) princes, so long I too enjoyed," 
etc. This use of stabat in the sense of 
"continuing prosperous" is freqi\ent. See 
JEn. i. 268 ; Geo iv. 209. 

89. In JVomenque decusqve some consider 
a hendiadys to be employed=wo;K("«2s decus, 
but this is unsatisfactory; nomen seems to 
va\^\Y renoxcn,reputation, dxAdecus, dignity, 
consideration, influence. 

90. Pellacis — artful, wheedling. Some 
copies read fallacis. On the gen, Ulixi see 
note i. 30, 

C 



91. Hand ignota, i.e., bene nota, by the 
figure Litotes. 

92. '■ Distressed in mind I dragged on my 
life in retirement and sorrow, and in soli- 
tude (mecum.) brooded over (bemoaned) the 
unmerited disaster of my guiltless friend." 

95. Argos used for all Greece, see 25, 
55, 78. Eabcea was his native place. Heyne 
prefers agros, as a private soldier is spoken 
of — but in the whole phrase remedssem 
victor ad A., though from the mouth of a 
common soldier, tliere is nothing strange. 

97. Hinc=exhacre. Labes — '■'■plague spot.'' 
A spot on the surface indicative of disease. 
Cf. Hom. II. xi. 603. x-a-.toZ I'' a. pa oi 

•TTlXlV OCpX'/j. 

98. Terrere, spargere, and qua^rere are 
so-called "historic infinitives." 

99 Conscius quaerere arma. On the 
meaning of these words there is great di- 
versity of opinion. In the first place, arma 
is interpreted, (1) " counsels which Ulysses 
devised to ward off the danger that threat- 
ened him from Sinon;" or (2) treachery 
and stratagems which he was preparing 
to put in force against Sinon (as machinoB, 
^'/iX,ccvct'i, rivx^iO; are sometiiTies used). 
Secondty, conscius is understood to mean 
either, (1) conscious of the danger that 
threatened himself; or (2) being an accom- 
plice, i.e., having assumed to himself ac- 
complices, e.g. (Dalchas — see below, 267^ 
[thus Heyne and Wagner] ; or (3) conscious 
of the act of injustice he had perpetrated 
against Palamedes. Forbiger would tran- 
slate as follows: "And conscious of (or — 
conscius being often used absolutely in a bad 
sense — conscience-smitten by) liis act of in- 
justice (to Palamedes) sought the help 
(arma=operam) of others." 

100. Enim (cf. the use of yap in Greek) 
seems to refer to a suppressed clause which 
may thus be supplied: That I am right in 
asserting that Ulysses used all means for 
my destruction is evident — "/or he did not 
rest till," etc. For the sudden break oft" 
(aposiopesis) at ministro, cf iEn. i. 135, 
quos ego — .sec/, etc. 

101. Sed autem — the combination of these 
particles, though frequent among comic 
writers, is found nowhere else in Virgil. 
Wagner and others consider it equal to 
tandem. But it seems rather to be used for 
the purpose of contrasting his own feelings 
on these painfvd subjects with the indiffer- 
ence which might naturally be expected to 
exist among the Trojans concerning them, 
which, indeed, the rest of the line implies. 

Neqvidquam and frusti^a differ in this, 
that frustra refers to the subject mid the dis- 
appointment of his expectation — nequidquam 
to the ''mdlity" in which a thing ends. 
See Doderl. Lat. Syn. Note the difference 
between quid revolvo and quid revolvam, 
and see Madvig, § 353. 

Ingrata — objectively, '■'■for which you 
icill not thank me." 

102. Quidve moror — there is in common 
editions a note of interrogation after these 
words; but Wagner and Forbiger place a 

S3 



B. II. 103-118. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



E. II. 121-133. 



comma merely, and indicate the question 
after sat est; jamdudum s. p. forming a 
separate clause, connected in sense with 
what follows. On uno ordine habetis, cf. 
64. 

103. Id — (1) this, viz., that I am one of 
the Greeks — thusHeyne: (2) (If to hear) 
this one thing (which I liave just related) be 
sufficient to enable you to form a judgment 
of all the leaders of the Greeks — so Wagner; 
(3) id = ea (to be referred to what has gone 
before), i.e., if you reckon all the Greeks on 
a footing of equality, be they friends to 
Ulysses, or his enemies, it is enough for 
you to have heard so much as I have already 
[Stated. Jahn. On jamdudum, see Zumpt, 
Lat. Gr., § 287. 

104. On velit and viercentur, in the sub- 
junctive, see Madvig, § 352. On Atridae 
see above, note on 82; and on the mean- 
ing, cf. Hom. II. i. 255, "H xiv yASnaat 
Tlplaf/,0?, etc. 

Mercentm — Cf. similar use of -prpiaffSai 
(■7rpta,if4.yiv civ, etc.), in Xen. Mem. Soc. ii. 
5, 3. 

107. Prosequitur— he proceed<;—used here 
absolutely. 

109. Discedere — ^^ to separate " to their 
homes. 

111. Interdusit. When speaking of things, 
intercludere is almost equal tnimpedire, (in- 
lercliidere aJicui fugani) and is therefore 
applied to persons, governing sometimes 
the simple abl, or being somethnes followed 
bya6 (aliqna re): it is used absolutely here, 
quominus irent, or some such pbrasc, being 
understood. 

Terruit euntes - Heyne, referring to a 
well known participial construction in 
Greelc, would interpret — "when wishing to 
depart, prevented them from setting sail." 
But Forblger prefers to consider euntes here 
as equal to ituros, though this is, perhaps, 
the only verb (eo) of Avhich the prcs. part, 
is, in Virgil, put for the fut. Scitantem, in 
114, is equal to a fut., but retains its proper 
foree as a pres., since it signifies "(We send 
Eurypylus) and he inquires and brings 
back," etc. 

114. On Eurypylus consult Class. Diet. 
On scitantem, see above, note 111. Some 
books read sdtatum, supine. 

116. Virgine, sell. Iphigenia — see Class. 
Diet In sanguine et virgine caesd there is 
a hendiadys ( Vv ^tcc ^voiv ;) the phrase 
is equal to "the blood of a slain virgin, " 
but see i. 2, note. According to the com- 
mon version of the story, the maiden was 
not really slain, but carried off by Diana, 
and a hind substituted in her place. 

118. The verb ?/i;7re(>.i^'r5i),==»a>.X/s^£rv, 
means primarily to sacrifice under favour- 
able omens, so that the gods signify to the 
worshippers by some visible token that they 
are appeased. Secondly, it signifies to 
propitiate the gods by sacrifice, as in this 
passage : and thirdly, it is used in a general 
way of mere sacrificing. As to construc- 
tion, it is sometimes put absolutely, without 
an object— sometimes the object is ex- 
34 



pressed in the accus. (liostias Ktare) or 
in the abl., as here, or with both conjoined 
(sacra litate hove—0\\A, Fast. iv. 630). 

121. Before cui fata parent, supply Tne^w- 
entium, of them fearing (because they were 
in uncertainty), for whom, etc. The object 
of parent may be easily supplied from the 
preceding sentence, 118. Miiller considers 
fata as the accus. governed by parent, the 
subject of the verb being Graecorum duces, 
suggested by mittimus, above. But this 
seems too forced; a supeniatural agency 
needs to be represented in both clauses. 
See Gossrau's opinion, quoted in Forbiger, 
p. 164. 

122. Hie, " upon this.'''' Protrahit, " drags 
forth." 

123. Quae sint ea nvmina — "what these 
indications mean," what is the wish of 
Apollo, i.e., who is the person indicated. 

124. Flagitat — "demands with vehe- 
mence" — impatient eagerness. See Dod. 
Lat. Syn. under Petere. 

Canebant, i.e., predicted — the prophets 
used verse, hence canere, to prophesy or 
foretell. "Foretold to me the heartkss 
villany of the plotter." 

125. Taciti, i.e., secum — "in their own 
convictions ;" or, saw what was to liappen, 
though they lifted no voice against it." 

126. Tectus, '■'■dissembling," (Heyne) — 
" In retirement," (Henry and others.) 

127. Aut — we often find copulative con- 
junctions used for disjunctives (alternatives), 
and likewise disjunctives for copulatives as 
hej-e. 

129. Compositb — ^more usually ex ordine 
composito. It means here " agreed on with 
Ulysses." 

i30. " And what each feared for himself, 
that he permitted to be tumed." The 
shuffling character of Calchas is suggested, 
Heyne thinks, by Hom. II. i. 69. 

133. Salsae frvges, i. e., roasted com 
crushed, and mixed with salt. On vittae 
and salsa mola, see Ramsay's Antiq. Voss. 
on Eel., p. 429, has shown that the Roman 
salsae fruges or mola salsa differ from the 
Greek ouXox,i''ra.i. This is, therefore, 
one of the many cases in which Virgil attri- 
butes to other nations the customs of his 
own. But see i. 469, note. The ceremony 
of sprinkling with the mola salsa was called 
immolatio, hence immolare. The vitta was 
properly tlie riband which was employed in 
forming the infula, but it is sometimes put 
for the in full itself, as seen in the woodcut. 
See 224, with illustration. 




B. II. 134 145. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. II. 146-169. 



134. Tlie part of the hypocrite is vreU ] 
carried out here. Siuon, though candidly | 
£ivowing his escape, yet professes contrition ' 
for liis apparent deficiency in religious zeal j 
and devotion. Vincula, not tlie fillets, but ' 
the bonds with ■which he was bound and 
brought toicards the altar, (the victim stood ' 
free before the altar). Peerlivamp thinks , 
that vincula refers to the place of confine- ] 
ment, the prison in which Sinon may have ! 
been kept pre^■^ous to his pretended immo- , 
Lition: Or the phrase may mean simply ; 
" I escaped," since vincula rumpere is often \ 
used for the simple verb aufugere. See ' 
^En. viiL 6-51. "When Sinon is first brought 
before us in 57, he is still bound, and re- . 
mains so till Priam orders him to be re- ' 
leased, 146; but this was the act of the , 
Trojan shepherds, and therefore no objec- ■ 
tion can be raised on this ground against ^ 
Peerlkamp's interpretation. 

Aderat, parari, eripui. Observe the 
change from the historic inf (so-called) to i 
the finite verb. j 

135. Obscurus delitui — " I lay hid so as to ! 
be concealed' — ^this is what is called the \ 
jiroleptic use of the adj. For other examples i 
see Geo. iL 353, and consult i. 63, above ; ! 
X. 103, 314, etc. ; see Mad\'ig, § 481, obs. 2. 
Compare the Eng. phrase, " kill a man 
dead,'" " struck blind." " Washed my fore- 
head cool," in Dream of Eugene Aram. 

136. Dedissent here = datari essent, the 
pluperf. subjuncti\e often standing for the 
periphrastic fut. : see Wagiier. Heyne con- 
siders the latter clause of this line spurious ; j 
if it be allowed to remain, he would punctuate 
thus: dum vela, darent si forte, dedissent. 
Wagner, however, defends the genuineness 
of the verse, and points it, darent, si forte 
dedissent. 

138. Dulr£s nntos — see note on 81, end. 
Cf Horn. II. v. 408. 

139. Fars for fors sit. is often used by the 
poets as an adv. Reposcent — "demand as 
a substitute,"— avT/a/Tsrv. Cf. Liv. iiL 
tio, au.rilium datum reposcere, 

142. Per. After per an accus. would be 
expected, as above, with superos, but the 
tr/iole clause is in this case f/)e object — "by 
whatever imcontaminated faith," etc. It is 
imnecessary to supply inte7neratam fidem 
in the accus. Cf Soph. PhiL 469, "^foi vuv 
ffi Tarfo; — "^fo; r £< n ffoi kcct oikov 
iffr) 7rpo(r<piXi;. Sec also ^.n. x. 903. 

Fides, HejTie defines as "jusfi rectique 
observantia, h.l juris divini et hmnanitatis.'' 

143. Animi — on the nature of the genitive 
see MadvisT, § 279, and on the use of it as 
here, § 292^. 

145. His lacrimis, ie., to him relating 
these things with tears. 

Ultrb — this word is stronger than sponte. 
or voluntate — it means "■contrary to 
(or beyond) ichat you icould expect." A 
most decisive example to prove that this is 
the fuU fcrce. occurs in Li\y i. 5, Captum 
regi Amulio tradidisseTLTRO accusantes, i.e., 
(resolving the phrase) " (the robbers) not 
content with escaping accusation at the 
hands of Remus, even went so far as to 



charge him." See Diid. Lat. Sj-n. sub. voc 
The stem i//<r means "beyond," "farther." 
and the termination o signifies locality — a 
point in space ; hence vitro denotes "to (or 
at) a pomt beyond: " hence the meaning we 
have assigned to it above, from which are 
derived others — such as "excessive," "be- 
yond all bounds." See 279, below. 

146. Levari properly means to loosen, to 
lighten of a burden, but here, to tal'e off com- 
pletely, as sometimes the Eng. verb lighten. 

148. Bine— from this time forth. 

150. Qud=quorsum, "with what intent 
have they bmlt this mountain of a monster 
horse?" 

154. Ignes, i.e., the sun, moon, and stars; 
non-violabile — "which cannot be injured with 
impunity.''' 

i 55. Enses — "in vidiosepro singulari," says 
Forb. Vittae deum, i.e., fillets which are 
used in the sacrifices to the deity. The cut 
represents a cutter, or emis — a saciiiicial 
knife. 



fms 




157. Fas, (est— not sit, as Serv. suggests: 
the aflSrmative is a decided one) — " Right 
in the sight of heaven." TransL : "No di\-ine 
precept forbids me." 

Sacratxi jura, Le., "holy ties of com- 
mon citizenship." See below, tenear patriae 
nee legibus ullis. 

158. Sub auras, and in auras — see note 
759. below. 

163. /mpm— Tydides is called so, either 
because he was the most prominent actor 
m the capture of the palladium, or because 
of Ms habitual disregard for thuigs divine, 
e. g., his womiding of Mars and Venus. 

165. Fatale — "fete bearing" — ^the safety 
of the palladium was one of the securities 
of Troy's existence. 

A veilere — " to di-ag down" — ^it was chained 
to the temple. 

168. Virgineas rittas deae, i.e., virgineam 
deam — cf. 31. innuptce. 

169. Commentators have not been able to 
come to a unanimous opinion on this pass- 
age; they differ as to the source whence 
the figiure is borrowed. Hejme says, "fi'om 
a mass piled to a great height slidmg 
down." Wakefield (on Lucr. i. 1038), 
draws it from the sudden fall of a stone 
whose stays time has been gradually 
underm-ining. Wagner takes it from a ship 
urged up a stream by rowers, but driven 
back when they slacken. Others take the 
figm"e from the backward course of a river, 
dammed up by some suddenly-fomied em- 
bankment or other obstruction. All these 
render it necessarj- to consider retro as a 
tautological word, of which use there are 
doubtless examples, though many of those 
which Forbiger has given (at Geo. i 200, 
where the same half line occurs) mav be 

35 



B. II. 171-178. 



NOTES ON THE JENEID. 



B. 11. 180-193. 



explained without necessarily supposing a 
tautology. The figure appears to us to be 
taken from a person walking (or a mass 
of matter being dragged) up an incline 
losing his footing or hold, and being, there- 
fore, reluctantly driven to the plain whence 
he started. We would, therefore, translate, 
" From that moment the hope of the Greeks 
began to fail, and losing its liold and sliding 
backward, to be borne to its former position. " 
This idea seems to be confirmed by the 
words themselves- -the two phrases, fluere 
and suhlapsa referri are explained in the 
next line by fractae vires refeiTing to fluere 
(became unsteady, insecure), and aversa mens 
(compared with 162, fiducia Palladis aux- 
iliis stetit) to suhlapsa referri. 

171. Ea signa — " such tokens," Le., tokens 
of the aversa mens. 

Tritonia. This appellation of Minerva 
has been variously derived — some say from 
TptTM, which, in ^ol, means a head, so 
that rptToyivita. would mean head-born, 
i.c , from Jove's head; others trace it to 
Triton, a river of Boeotia, floAvmg into 
Lake Copais, and this is the opinion most 
generally received by modem scholars. 

172. '■'■Flashing flames blazed from her 
wildly staring and maddened eyes." The 
salms sudor was an e\il omen. On salsus 
sudor, see Aristot. probl. ii. 3. 

174. Ipsa, i.e., the tchole palladium op- 
posed to several parts, espcciailjr to himini- 
bus, etc. 

Bictu—see Madvig, Lat. Gr., §§ 97, 412. 

175. The hasta and par ma are seen in the 
accompanying figure of a Eoman soldier. 
For a description of each, sec Ilamsay. 




178. Omina ni repetant. This is another 
instance of Virgil attributing Roman cus- 
toms to the heroic age of Greece, (but see 
i. 469) ; for, says Servius, if an evil omen oc- 
curred, it was usual for a lloman general 
to return from the camp to the city, if 

3G 



at all near, to take the omens afresh. The 
meaning of the passage is, however, very 
obscure — the difficulty lying principally in 
the words numen reducant. Perhaps the 
simplest method is to consider numen as 
equal to palladium, translating thus, " Un- 
less they again seek omens at Argos, and 
brmg back the deity which they have (just 
recently) carried away over the sea, and 
taken with them in their cui-ved ships." Be 
it distinctly noted, however, that the last 
line quod pelago, etc., does not belong to the 
prophecy of Calchas, but is added by Sinon 
himself, in explanation of the latter part of 
it, as the change of mood sufficiently shows. 
For a full discussion of the question, see 
Forb. in loc. 

180. "And now that they have set sail 
for their native Mycenae with a favourable 
breeze, (their object is, i.e.,) they go to pro- 
cure reinforcements of troops, and to secure 
propitiated gods as their companions" — the 
apodosis to quod petiere is found ui parant 
and aderunt. The clause from quod to 
Mycenas forms an accus. of reference or 
limitation, depending on a verb suppressed, 
but easily deduced from parant. 

184. Piaret^expiaret — " atone for." 

186. Coelo. The poets often vise the dat. 
after a verb of motion instead of the accus., 
Avith ad or in. See Eel. ii. 30. 

187. Observe the sequence of conjunctions, 
ne, aiit, (of the altei-native of one idea), 
neu—et ne (i.e., et, ut, non) of a different 
notion. 

Possit — pres. subj., since it forms part of 
Sinon's speech: had it been a repetition of 
that of Calchas, the imperf., posset, should 
have been employed. 

188. The meaning is, that it might not 
hold the people bound to their former super- 
stitious confidence, and protect them with 
the present and all-powerful influence of the 
palladium, since they would cease to hold 
it in that reverence with which they viewed 
the heaven-sent unage of Minerva. 

190. Exitium—futurum esse — this inf. de- 
pends on the plu'use "he said," implied in 
Ji/ssit, 186, above; see Zumpt, § 620, and 
Ki-itz Sail. Cat. xxi. 3. 

193. Ultro. It appears unnecessary to 
wrest the meaning of this word from its 
usual signification, as is done by Wagn. and 
Forbig., who make it equal to Tipeaohv, 
used of a foe from a distant quarter ; see 
above, note on 145. 

Pelopea (for Pelopeia), i.e., Argos and 
Mycenae, sec Class. Diet, on " Pelops." 
The following is the line of thought in the 
passage from 183 to 194 : — "This horse is in- 
tended as an ottering to Minerva, in lieu of 
the palladium ; but it has been made thus 
large that it may be impossible to bring it 
within the gates, and that you therefore 
may cease to esteem it equal to your former 
representation of the deity, and despising 
it may oft'er it violence, and so bring upon 
you the wrath of Minerva. If you do so, 
sure destruction will follow, but if on the 
other hand you give it a place in your city 
at any cost, then Asia, not satisfied with 



B. II. 194-208. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. II. 209-224. 



being delivered from her etie7nies, will even 
go so far (see on idtj'o 14b) as to tnake an 
attack, in her turn, upcn Greece." 

194. Eafata, "such fates,'" Le., the same 
as would await you did you -siolate the 
sacred image. 

198. MiUe — used for a round number — 
the ships enumerated by Homer are 1186. 

199. ^;c— "upon this"'- — "at this point 
of time."' AUud—\.e., another, with refer- 
ence to Sinon's appearance, 57. 

200. hnprovida pectora — is an example 
of the proleptic use of the adj., on which see 
note L 63, ii. 13o. TransL — " Confuses our 
minds so as to make them unwaiy," (in- 
capable of forethought). 

201. The stoiy of Laocoon is aptly intro- 
duced, and told Avith great spirit and ap- 
propriateness of description. The minute- 
ness of detail and variety of phraseology 
have called forth the admkation of all com- 
mentator.?. It contains, too, a symbolic i 
representation of the destruction of Troj" ; 
the serpents come from Tcnedos, and so do | 
the Greeks in their return from pretended I 
tlight; the serpents kill the priest, the j 
embodiment of the Trojan religion, as the | 
Greeks afterwards violate the deities of the 
Trojans, and abrogate their sacred rights. 
Moreover, the special phrases, tendunt, ug- 
mine certo, etc., ai-e borrowed from military 
usage. 

Neptuno — Laocoon was properly priest 
of ApoUo, though chosen by lot to offi- 
ciate on this occasion to Neptune, to whom, 
as joint patron of Troy, along with Apollo, 
they deemed it due to offer sacrifice for then- 
delivery. See Henry, Class. Mus., vol. vi. 

202. SoUenmes ad aras — " at the holy 
altai-s," Le., the altars where solemn sacri- 
fices were wont to be made ; or sollemnes, 
like ingentem, may apply solely to the great 
solemnity and sacredness of then- offering 
on this occasion. 

203. Gemini=duo, with the idea, how- 
ever, of close similarity and parallelism m 
shape, size, appearance, and action, as 
brought out in the sequel. Alta, Le., maria, 
which is often omitted hi prose as well as 
in poetrj^. 

205. Incumbunt, " lie upon, with the 
idea of burdening, as it were, "oppress." 
Compare Milton, Par. Lost, L 192, quoted 
by Henry: — 

Thus, Satan, talking to his nearest mate. 
With head uplift above the wave, and eyes 
That sparkling blazed: Ms other parts 

besides 
Prone on the flood, extended long and 

large. 
Lay floating many a rood ! 

206. Jubae sanguineae, Le., "their blood- 
red necks." C£ Horn. IL iL 308, '^pa.x.ouv 

208. Legit — " sweeps," with the idea of a 
quiet and peaceable motion. 

Sinuat is better than sinuant, as the 
description ought here to be confined to 
the hinder parts, the heads and front being 
mentioned before as erect and steady. 



209. It is better to remove the comma 
after sonitus, and thus make saJo the all. of 
the instrument, depending more immediately 
011,7??. "A rushing noise ensues, in conse- 
quence of (by means of) the foaming of the 
sea; " Le., the sea lashed into focLm by the 
violence of the waves, for the foam itself 
makes no noise. 

210. Ocidos, depending on suffecti as the 
accus. of reference, or limitation. See L 228, 
note, and Mad\ig, Lat. Gr., § 237 ; Zumpt, 
§ 458; Schmitz, § 259, 2; cf. uffra 273, 
and EcL L 55. 

212. Gerto agmine, "in unde^iating 
course." 

215. Miseros artus=miserorum artus, by 
hypallnge of the adj. See ^n. L 4, memo- 
rem Junonis ob iram, for ob iram memoris 
J tin on is. 

Morsu depascitur=mordet. 

216. Transl: " (Laocoon) hunseff coming 
to the help (of his childi-en) and bringing 
weapons of defence, they seize and pinion 
with their huge spiral-coils ; and now, twice 
encfrcling his waist, t-uice winding then- 
scaly bodies around his neck, thej- overtop 
him by the (lieight of their) heads and lofty 
necks." If the head of Laocoon were meant, 
we should read caput. 

221. Pei'fusus vittas — another accus. of re- 
ference. Cf. 222, below, and see note on 
lines 57 and 210, above. 

223. Qualis (i.e. qu,des) mugitus, governed 
by toUit. The natural order would be 
qualis mugitus taurus tollit (the last word 
being supplied from the former sentence) 
quum, etc. It very frequently happens in 
Latm as well as in Greelc, that a prhicipal 
word, propei-ly belonging to the indepen- 
dent clause, is inserted in the subordinate. 
See Geo. iii 387. Translate : "Such mom-n- 
ful beUo\(ings as the bull raises, when he 
rushes wounded from the altar, and eudeav- 
om-s to shake off from his neck the en-ing 
axe." Observe the habitual sense of the 
perfects. 

224. The following illustration, "Dido 
Sacrificuig," avUI show the securis, vittae, 
mola salsa, etc. 




B. II. 225-250. 



XOTKS ON THE ^NEID. 



B. II. 251-258. 



225. Summa delubra— the highest places 
of the shrine. 

226. Teguntur, in a middle seTise=" shel- 
ter themselves." The image here spoken 
of is, of course, different from that which 
had fallen from heaven ; it is the large one, 
visible to all, not the smaller and more 
sacred one, kept within the holy place. 

229. Expendisse scelus — '■'■paid the full 
penalty of his crime." 

230. Qui Zae5erii= " inasmuch as he has 
injured" (they say). Note the subj. here in 
the indirect rehearsal of the opinions of 
others. 

233. Condamant — " Call out with one 
acclaim." 

234. "We break down the walls, and 
expose the inner buildings (moenin) of 
the city." Thus Wagner and Niebuhr. 
Wagner is of opinion that Avhen moenia is 
placed after muros, it means the city with 
its buildings; but when before muros, it 
means the /or</^C(»;/ons. On the difference 
between the two words, consult Dod. Lat. 
Syn., and liiltz on SaU. Jug., 94, 4. May 
we not interijret the present passage as 
follows, considering the second part of the 
Ihie as an expansion, or as a consequence of 
the first, muros, meaning the walls, as such, 
and moenia, denoting their purpose, (with a 
desponding reference): ''We make a wide 
breach in the walls, and {thus, in our mad- 
ness) lay open the defences of our city." 

235. Rotarum. lapsus = I'otns labentes, 
" rolling wheels." They put slides beneath 
the feet of the horse to ser\e as wheels. 
Compare the expressions remigio alarum, 
Mw. i. 301; vi. 19. Labor is a favourite 
verb in this sense ; thus ^En. i. 147, rotis 
levibus perlabiturundas, and also 240, below, 
illabitur urbi. 

237. Scandit, "scales," mounts, as it were, 
step by step, s/om7(/, thus Horace, "rfum cn- 
pitolium scandet cum tacitavirgine Pontifex." 
Fatali in an act. sense, "■fate-bearing." So 
likewise infelix in 245. 

238. Armis=armatis hominibus. Circhm 
is an adv. 

239. Sacra, scil. carmina, "hymns" (of 
joyous thanksgiving). 

240. Minans, threatening, i.c., of a tower- 
ing height ; cf. i. 162, note. Mediae urbi de- 
pends on illabitur and not on minans ; cf. 
Eel. ii. 30. 

242. It was deemed an unfavourable omen 
to touch the threshold going out or coming- 
in — it was the stopping that in this case 
alarmed them, as the mere touching coidd 
not be ob\iated. 

244. Immemores, etc., "heedless of the 
warning, and blind with mad zeal." 

246. CassandrasQd Class. Diet. She 
had slighted Apollo's love, and was pimished 
by him in the manner specified in next line. 

248. Quibus vltimus dies — this clause is 
introduced to explain the appropriateness 
of the term miseri, as applied to the Trojans. 

249. On the reUgious customs referred to, 
consult Ramsay's Antiq. 

250 sqq. This passage has been justly 
admired by critics. The calm and pcacethl 
moonlit night— the joy of the Trojans at 

08 



the departure of the Greeks, and the con- 
sequent loose given to indulgence, and the 
perfect security which all felt, are strongly 
contrasted with the din, confusion, danger, 
and destruction which so instantly ensue. 
The description cannot fail to euUst our 
warmest sympathies on behalf of the 
wretched Trojans. 

Vertitur — according to the ancient be- 
lief that the heaven described a revolution 
every day — the earth standmg stiU. 

R'^it ocenno JVox — Cf. supra. 8, JS^ox 
coelo praecipitdt. The idea is suggested 
by seeing the sun descend into the ocean, 
and darkness immediately come on, whUe 
night, on the other hand, departs as the sun 
rises from the Avaves. The monosyllabic 
termination is, in a rhythmical point of 
view, objectionable; but by its very strange- 
ness, it calls the attention to something 
striking and grand (Geo. i. 247), or to 
something of importance and moment, 
though not elevated or sublime (-En. v. 
481), or to what is very small and ridiculous 
(Geo. i. 181; Hon Art. Poet. 139). See 
Quinctilian viii. 3, 20. 

251. The spondaic time of this verse 
suits well the meaning. 

255. Tacitae, etc. Some would under- 
stand silentifi lunae to mean interlunium, 
the "dark of the moon," in which sense 
luna silens is found, since a state of dai'kness 
was better suited to the stratagem of the 
Greeks ; others, however, following ancient 
tradition, that Troy was taken about full 
moon (see also 340, below), give to the Avords 
their most common acceptation. This mode 
is much more poetic, and represents the 
moon in a more distinctly personal aspect — 
that she, "the eye of night," must have 
seen the proceedings of Troy's enemies, but 
yet presei-ved a silence which betokened 
her favour to the Greeks. See 257. 

256. Cum regia puppis — ' ' Avhen the royal 
ship had raised aloft the signal torch." 
Wagner proposes to arrange the foUowhig 
lines thus for the greater simijlicity of con- 
struction : — 

Et jam Argiva phalanx, flammas quimi 
regia puppis 
Extulerat, tacitae per arnica silentia lunae, 
Littora nota pctens, instructis navibus ibat 
A Tenedo ; fatisque, etc. 

257. Fatis dethn iniquis for diis iniquis, 
i.e., infestis. See note on 215. "The 
partial," "one-sided," decrees of heaven; 
or simply, '■'■ ynpropitious," without any 
idea of partiality. 

258. Damios, et pinea claustra laxnt— 
'■'lets out the Greeks and opens the pin>^ 
wood doors." It often occurs in Greek 
and Latin writers (very rarely in English) 
that one verb, expressive of a general notion, 
governs two substantives, but must receive 
with eacli a signification suitable to the 
governed \\'orA. The verb is usually more 
particularly applicable to the nearest object, 
while a cognate signification, easily derivable 
from the general idea, must be supplied by 
the mind to the more distant object. This 
construction is called zeugma (b^^'J'/-'-''' 



B. n. 2.51)-273. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. ir. 274-283. 



^ivyfvfit) or syllepsis. See Zumpt and 
Madvig, Index under zeugma. The sen- | 
tence supplies also an example of the figui-e 
called vffT-pov •prp'oripov, (for an explana- i 
tdon of whicli, see note 3-33, below), the 
liberation of the Greeks, though first indi- 
cated by the poet, being of course posterior * 
to the opening of the doors ; but see 3-53. i 

2-59. Ibat — :iuum extukrai — et laxat. The \ 
sequence of tense in these verbs is found 
fault with by some commentators, but is 
well defended by Forbiger as follows: — ; 
"The Argive fleet icis adcancing (the im- ' 
pert ha%ing its proper idea of continuance) 
when, suddenly the royal ship had raised 
aloft [Le,. in a moment, sitddenly, raised] 
the signal-torch (the thing being so quickly i 
done as to be past and completed as soon : 
as i)erceived), upon which Sinon at once \ 
opens the doors — an action of so short dura- 
tion that it is advantageously expressed by i 
the present tense," See the parallel pas- 
sases quoted by Forbiger, and cf Zumpt. § ''\ 
oOS. j 

Sinon — Greek words in cav, uvo:, usually ; 
lose the final n of the nom. in Latin, as ! 
ApoUo, but the poets (as also Nepos and ' 
Curtius) often retain the full form. See 
Zumpt, Mailvig. etc. 

261. The word duces does no^mean leaders 
of the expedition, but merely expresses ', 
their rani in (he army in a general way. i 

263. Xeoptolemus. or Fyrrhus, son of! 
Achilles, and, consequently, grandson of! 
Peleus. On patrouyuiic forms, consult 
Zumpt or Madvig. On the proper names, 
consult Class Diet. ( 

Primus — either ''first to descend," or ; 
"first among men,'' since his braverj- m j 
battle was no less celebrated than his "sMll 
in the healing art i 

264. Fabric I tor — ^tlie maLer, builder of' 
the horse. See Horn. Odyss. viiL 493. | 

267. Conscia agmina — see 99 — iQ.,jun-\ 
gunt (sibi) agmina conscia (doli). 

268 sqq. This passage seems to be motild- I 
ed on the form of Hom. H xxiiL 62 sqq., ' 
where the shade of Patxodus appears to i 
AchiHes. 1 

Mortalibus aegris—^uXo) Bporoi. 

259. Etdono, etc. "And by the kindness ; 
of heaven, steals upon them with most 
grateful influence." There should be only a 
colon after serpit. 

270. In somnis — on the plur. here, see 
Madvig, § 50, obs. 3 ; Zumpt, § 92. 

271. Visits ('estj=i^c!i-i — an appropriate j 
word when speaking of dreams. ! 

272. Ut quondum refers both to raptatus \ 
bigis, and ater, etc. j 

273. Trojectus per pedes lora—hj a Greek [ 
construction (the part, of pert pass., tised ; 
for part of perf mid., attracting to it an t 
accus. case) loris per pedes trrjectis. Cf I 
Hor. Sat L 6, 74, pueri laevo suspensilocnios j 
tibuiumque l.icerto. And see note on 210, ' 
above, but especially L 228, note, j 

Tumentes — Dr Henrj- (iLD.) alleges 
that the feet of a dead man would not swell 



from the compression of a rope : for this 
reason, therefore, and from comp.<uing £ji.. 
L 4S3, and Soph. Aj. 1031— "E«r&;^ fjt.h 
a^i\Puliv (^lov — he considers that Virgil 
does not mean to represent Hector as com- 
pletelv dead when dragged roimd Trov by 
Achilles. 

274. C£ Ovid Met, vL 273 for a very simi- 
lar passage. 

275. Redit is here pres., and is not con- 
tracted for reddt. as the quantity of the final 
syllable shows. The present tense strongly 
brings out the vividness of tlie apparition 
before the mind of JiLneas, representing all 
the concomitant circumstances which had 
occurred on the occasions referred to as 
again passing in review before him. "Who 
at this moment appears be/ore me, as he re- 
ttirns from," etc. 

Exuvias indutus — see above, 273, and 
note there referred to. On the form AcMUi, 
see note on L 30. On the slaughter of 
Patroclns by Hector, and the assuming of 
the armour of AchUles, see Horn. XL x-s-iL 194. 
On the burning of the ships, see Hom. 11 xiiL 

Achilli — Yirgil uses two forms of the 
gen. of this word, either Achilli or AchiUis — 
the ear, in the opmion of Wagner, being the 
only guide to choice. The form in i is 
adopted when an adj. of the 3d decl accom- 
panies, or when a sigmntismus (repetition 
of the s sound) would be caused, as here. 
The form without the final s is made, either 
by contraction of Achillei into Achillei, and 
that again into Achilli; or (as Wagner 
fninks. see note L 30) from the Doric form of 
such nouns in Greek, e.g., A;>;;<a>!;, ou 
=L of the 1st decL, or the ^oL form of 3d. 

276. On the dat. puppibus after a verb of 
motion, see note on 36. above. 

277. Birbam — crines — tulnera, aU de- 
pend on gerens. which is equal to habens. as 
above, 9£: Geo. iL 122. 

278. » ulnera. Either (1) the wounds 
which he had received from time to time 
throughout the wjir: or (2) those which 
had been inflicted by the Greeks imme- 
diately after his death, and the lacerations 
received by being dragged roimd the walls. 
See Hom,* IL xvii. 369-375. This latter 
opinion is more consistent with the whole 
description of the birbi. crines. etc., dis- 
figured in tlie last struggle, and seems to be 
confirmed by the phrase circum patrios 
muros. 

Mark the separation of the prepos. circum 
from the governed noun, in Greek fashion. 

279. Ultro — see notes on 145 and 193, 
above. "I myself, too, (as well as he) 
in tears, seemed not to wait for Hector 
[the person coming] to open the conversation, 
but contrary to what might be expected to 
address the hero," etc. 

281. Zmx— not glory, but defence, safe- 
guard, "light and lamp." See 2 Samuel 
XXL 17. 

283. Exspectate—-' eagerly desired." 
We should here expect the nom., but the 
vocative is retained, being attracted by the 
foresoins: noun. Zumpt, § 492, Madvig, § 
299,'obsr2. 

39 



B. II. 287-301. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. II. 302-322. 



JJt is commonly joined ATith aspicimus in 
the sense of quo/t/odo, how happens it, and 
is variously explained; (1) by the words 
post mnlta ckfessi (Thiel) ; or (2) ut refers to 
the sad pUght in which Hector appeared 
(Gossr.) ; Init (3) Wagiier and Forbgier (fol- 
loicing Wunderlich), attach it to defessi, on 
the gToimd that the Avords post multa — 
defessi are perfectly otiose in the other mode 
of rendering. 

287. Ida nihil, scil. respondit — "he made 
no reply." 

Moror is often used as nearly equivalent 
to aire. See Hor. Epist. i. 15, 16; iL 1, 2G4. 
Vana — "questions now iiseless." 

289. Beu! fuge—ihis mteijection, when 
joined with the imperative, indicates great 
"earnestness on the part of the person ex- 
horting. Hand. Tursel!. in p. 68. 

290. Alto a culmine Troju. Cf. Horn. II. 
xiii. 772. mXito 'Tra.aa. koct azp'/i? "-IXio? 

292. Hac — ^hx-tikZ?, "with this right 
hand of mine ;" a gesture accompanying the 
utterance of the sentiment. Cf. M\\. viii. 
570; Hor. Sat. I. ix. 47. 

293. Penates—see Keightley's Mythol. and 
^n. i. 68, 703. Suos is to be applied to 
sncra as well as to Pennies. An adj. is often 
thus used, behig expressed but once to two 
nouns. Prose writers; place it either before 
the frst, or offer the second ox the two 
substs. tlius qualified; but poets very often 
place it between the two words, as here. 
Cf. iv. 588, Litora (i.e., vucua) et vacuos 
partus. 

295. Magna, etc., which, having com- 
pletely traversed the sea, you Avill build 
after a long delay, but (to compensate for 
this) the city will be a great one. The re- 
ference in Magna is, of course, to Rome. 

297. Hector seems to have brought forth 
the fillets and image of Vesta from the 
temple of the deity, but whence the penates 
came the poet docs not say. Ovid (Fast. 
vL 295) speaks of Vesta as represented by 
theever-ltirningfire, but without any image. 
See the commentators. 

298. Diverso htvtu, i. e.. luctns e diversis 
iirbis pnrtibw-. I/ei/ne. " The city is thrown 
into confusion by cries of Avoe from various | 
quarters;" or rather — "Meanwhile there j 
arises in the city a confused noise of wail- 
ing and clamour from diHorcnt quarters;" 
miscentur moenia referring to one kind of 
mixing and variety, diverso luctu to another. 
See note 487, below. 

299. Secretn, i.e., removed from the Scaean 
gate, and that part whei-e the Greeks had 
entered the city. But secreta recessit. taken 
in connexion with tecta arboribus, seems to 
imply more than this, viz., that the house 
stood apart by itself, none or few being 
near it, and also that there was little 
thoroughfare that way. 

300. Recessit — this verb is used of places 
which are retired and solitary, hence the 
subst. recessiis, a quiet retreat. 

301. Ingruit means "to advance with 
threats and i7nportunity" (Doderl.), an idea 
peculiarly applicable in our present case. | 

40 



302. Excutior means to be roused hastily 
by a loud noise. Summi fastigia tecti by 
hypallage for summa fastigia tecti. 

303. Adscensu supero, see 225, above, 
effugiunt Inpsu. 

304. On the double simile in this and fol- 
lowmg lines, see Hom. II. ii. 455 ; xi. 155, 
and iv. 452. Lucret, i. 282. 

Austr is— T^wt generally for any wind. 

305. Torrens, x'-'^H-"-??^' — "a torrent 
made rapid by (receiving the waters of) a 
mountain stream, devastates the fields and 
levels the luxuriant ci'ops," etc. 

307. Inscius — ig-norant of the cause. Ac- 
cipiens, hearing. 

309. Manifesta fides, ie., the truth of what 
Hector had said, viz., that the city was 
taken : " and now the truth is but too evi- 
dent," as we say. Some interpret yjrfes " bad 
faith" of the Greeks, but this is not to be 
approved of. 

310. Deiphobi, son of Priam and Hecuba; 
see yEu. vi. 495 sqq., and Hom. II. xiiL 
463 sqq. 

Dare or trahere ruin as (see beloAv, 465) to 
fall to ruin. 

311. Vulcnno, i.e., igni, see i. 177. Prox- 
imus ardet Ucalegon — " (the house of) 
Ucalegon his next neighbom- is in a blaze," 
see Hor Sat. i. 5, 71, sedulus hospes paene 
arsit (i.e., his house pctene arsit) ; cf. Juve- 
nal's close imitation, iii. 198. Jam poscit 
aquam, jam frivola transfert Ucalegon. 

312. "The broad Sigean bay shines 
brightly with the flames." The Sigean 
promontoiy was at that point of Troas 
where the Hellespont widens out into the 
jEgean. 

313. Virgil follows the Tragic poets hi 
his mention of trumpets. Homer knows 
nothing of the tuba and lituus; but seo 
note i. 469. 




315. Glomerore manmn, so, elsewhere, 
glomerare agmina, hostes, legiones, etc. Bello 
is the dative, "for war." 

317. Praecipitant nientem, Le., "huiTymo 
to a hasty (rash) decision." 

318. PitnthUs — us long, as being the re- 
presentative of the Greek off» contracted 
for 00?, therefore voc. w, Greek (02) ov. 

319. Othrijades—O&pv-u^-/!; from O^pve. 
Airis Phoebique, Le., "of the temple of 

Phoebus on the citadel." Hendiadys, see 
i. 2. 

321. Trnhit — remark the peculiar applica- 
bility of this word, which suggests the diffi- 
culty felt by the chUd to keep up with his 
g-randfather. There is a zeugma in trahit 
applied to deos and nepotem, 

322. Quo res summa loco. These words, 
and the following, qunrn prendijnus urcem, 
have given rise to much difference of opinion 
among conmientators. Forbiger adopts, for 
res summa, the meaning sulus reipublicae. 



B. II. 32-1-335. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. II. 3S6-350. 



Henrj'' understands the first phrase to mean 
"the hottest battle." Thiel makes it the 
citadel. In the following phrase, Wagner 
malces qunm=quo7nodo, how (are we to 
reach or regnin the citadel?) Forbiger, 
following Servius and Weichert, interprets, 
"What post of strengtli is noAv left, which 
we may lay hold on?" (i.e., we cannot gahi 
the citadel itself). This last gains confii-- 
mation ft-om a comparison of 319 and 320. 
Fanthu, voc. from Panthus = Tlavioos, 
contracted HocvCovs. See above, 318.^ 

324. Summa dies — f^optrifiov or m'/o-if^ov 
vf^ap. Cf. Horn. II. vL 448, and Hor. Od. 
1. 15, 33. 

Ineluctabik — "inevitable;" literally, "out 
of which we camiot fight om* Avay." Cf. 
Em-. Alcest. 889 (or 864, Bothe), t^;^'/; 
ovff'jrot.'ka.icroi '/ikii. 

325. Fuimus-QL Eur. Troad. 554, Bothe, 
"TTpiv •TTorr '/ifjt.iv. (iificacsv oXfio;. /SsjGa^cs 
Tpoix.. " Tliere was (0, seldom blessed 
word of was);" Sidney, Arcadia. The pro- 
priety of tense has been much praised and 
imitated. See Schiller, Mary Stuart, iv. 11. 

326. Ferus — stronger than saevus, and= 
ff^srXios. Argos, the accusative, being 
neut. in the smg., but masc, Aigi, in the 
plur. 

329. Victor, i.e., propositi, voii compos, 
perhaps with reference to 95, above. Cf. 
also Mn. ill. 439. 

Incendia miscere=turhare, i.e., adds to 
the confusion by applying torches, or applies 
torches m all dh-ections, so that the blazes 
raised by him meet and unite. The perfidy 
of Sinon, and his total disregard to the 
promptings of gratitude, are thus more pro- 
minently brought forth. 

330. Bipntentibus — not simply open, but 
"with both valves loide open thrown." 

Alii is here opposed to those coming out 
of the house, not to the followuig alii, in 
the sense of "some — other." 

331. Quot millia — "As many thousands 
as ever came " — a hjT)erbolical expression. 
The darkness and teiTor would naturally 
make the Greeks appear more numerous to 
the Trojans than they really were. 

332. Avgusta vinrum = Angustas vias. 
This absolute use of the neut. adj. for a 
subst. is very common with the poets after 
the time of Augustus. It is found also in 
prose writers. Cf Livy xxvii 18, 10. Tac. 
Annall. i. 61. [Kiitz Sf.ll. Cat. 59, 2.] See 
also^n. i. 310, 422; ii. 725. 

333. Stat similar to est, but stronger. 
Stat ^'^ cjuippe suhlatus et erectus ensis" — 
Heijne. "The unsheathed sword blade is 
raised with glitterhig pouit ready for the 
work of death." 

334. Parata neci, i.e., necare. Primi, 
" foremost," either as being stationed in the 

first entrance to the city, or as having first 
offered resistance to the Greeks rushing in. 

335. Caeco Marte — " Wind "—either (1) 
referring to the darkness of night, but to this 
interpretation there have been objections 
previously stated ; or (2) "maddened," not 



guided by composure and presence of mind 
— "blind rage," "slash, dash away at 
random." This latter is the explanation of 
Forb. and Gossr., and seems luiquestionably 
the right one. See 357, below. 

336. Numine — "^vilL and instigation of 
the deities;" for the events of his sally 
and the information received from Venus 
on his return, led to his speedy departure 
from Troy, and to the safety of his father, 
his son, and the Penates. 

337. Erimjs. Heyne interprets, " the 
ardour of fighting" — but a hero could 
scarcely call such a feeling tristis Under- 
stand it therefore, with Wunderlich, to 
signify a deity excitmg to battle, and the 
cavse therefore of sorrow. On the mode of 
writing Eriuys, cf. Blomf. Aesch. Prom. 
525. 

339. Rhipeus, and the others here intro- 
duced, are not Homeric heroes, but are 
created by Virgil. 

340. Ohlati per Innam — "seen by us, and 
recognised by the light of the moon." Ob- 
Inti is to be considered as referring to aU 
the individuals here mentioned, and not to 
Hypanis and Dymas alone, as some would 
punctuate the lines. 

342. From illis to audierit, 346, is par- 
enthetic. 

343. Insano here means "extravagant," 
"excessive," "passionate," "mad;" "-Rixam 
et insonos amores," Hor. Od. iii. 21, 3. See 
below, 776. 

344. Geyier — "son-in-law," to be. 

345. Parentis — '■'■ divinelij inspired.''' 

346. Audierit. Wagner prefers this read- 
ing to attdierat, on the ground that it does 
not express simply what was done, but sug- 
gests what ouglit to have been done. 

347. Incipio, put absolutely for incipio 
dicere — his, insuper — "I begin to encourage 
them, besides (i.e., although they had al- 
ready braved thedangerof battle)." Sei-vius. 

348. Super =T. insuper, and his = ad hos. 
Heyne considers super Jm = posthaec, but 
the idea of time has been already expressed 
in qaos ubi vidi. 

350. Cupido sequi. Many grammarians 
lay down the principle that the infin, mood 
here and in similar expressions is equal to 
the gerund, and that it depends on the sub- 
stantive, which is apparently the subject of 
the clause. The meaning of the infin. and 
of the gerund in this construction is, how- 
ever, very different, as has been well demon- 
strated by Ramshorn, Lat. Gr , § 168 A, 
note 1; Kritz Sail. Cat. 30, 5; and Forbig. 
Geo i. 305. The inf. is not dependent 
on the subst. alone, but on the subst. and 
verb combined, which convey a joint verbal 
notion, e.g.,' cepit consiliuju invndere-=de- 
crevit invader'e; cupido incessit sequi=cupi- 
vit sequi; aniinus est=vult, etc. The con- 
struction with the inf. and with the gerund 
diff'ers in this, that in the former mode of 
expression the infin. itself becomes the sub- 
ject, the subst. the predicate, the verb esse, 
etc., being a mere copula; while m the latter, 
tJiat with the gerund, the subst. is the sub- 
ject of the sentence, and on it the gen. of 
the object (expressed by the gerund) de- 
41 



B. II. 351-360. 



NOTES ON THE JENEID. 



B. II. 363-385. 



pends, the verb esse containing the predi- 
cate — thus tempus est face7'e==facere esttem- 
pestlvum, but tempus fiiciendi est=suppetit 
tempus lid faciendum. ' For other examples, 
see above, 10; ^n. i. 704; Geo. i. 305; 
Sail. Cat. 30, 5 (Kritz), vios est vendere. 

351. The verb excess(h^e is peculiarly ap- 
plicable to this kind of thing. The Roman 
custom of summoning- (evocatio) aU the 
deities of a beleaguered city to come forth 
before its destruction is here referred to. 

353. Aforiaiiiuret rudmus — t\\is inversion 
of the order of succession of eveuts closely 
connected together, or resulting one from 
the other, is very common with the poets. 
It is called by the grammarians, iiiTTipov 
"TTponpov, that is, in plain English, "the 
cart before the horse;" or, to use our own 
English tcvm, p}'eposterous. The figure (so- 
called) is a mere fiction arising from a 
careless examination of the full force of 
a phrase, and the consequent failing to 
detect a beauty. To take this example; 
who does not see that tiie second phrase 
tends to heighten the first, as if he said, 
"Let us dii — ay, any coward can do that 
— nay, rather let us court death by rush- 
ing to meet him." Again, in one of Words- 
worth's sonnets on the French campaign 
in Russia, in 1812-13, there occurs the 
phrase — 

Whole legions sink— and, in one instant, 

find 
Burial and death. 

This is not hiislcron-proferon, but an avfuJhj 
finthful picture of tlic suddenness of destruc- 
tion — the burial almost preceding death. 

355. The comparison of men to wolves is 
often employed by Homer. See II. xi. 72; 
xvi. 156, 353. 

358 Per tehi, per hostes. The repetition 
of the prepos. instead of a conj. is often 
employed by poets and orators with sin- 
gular force ar.d beauty. Such an orna- 
mental rei)etition is, however, to be carefully 
distinguislied from that which is made by 
all writers when the governed words do not 
refer to the same thing. 

360. Ccird — this adj. is applied to many 
nouns which denote unsubstantial, or va- 
I)Oury objects, e.g., nox, nubes, imngo, um- 
bra, etc. The idea is derived from the 
facility with which they envelop substantial 
matter, and suit themselves to all shapes. 

This line has been brought forward by 
some critics (Wagner) as an instance of 
Virgiliiis dor/nitans, on the ground that it is 
inconsistent w\thMO,obliiti per lun(tm. Thicl, 
however, defends Virgil by supposing (1), 
that he speaks of such a period of the moon's 
age as would imply that she set about mid- 
night; and (2), that therefore the first arri- 
val of the Greeks, and the collecting of the 
Trojans, was eflfected under her light, and 
that the second act of the great tragedy 
which begins with this line was performed 
in the darkness and gloom which continued 
up to the time of 801. But to this it is 
objected (1), that a tradition existed that 
Troy was taken at full tnoon, when a mid- 
42 



night setting is impossible; and (2), that 
if the night was dark during the latter 
part of it, the change of armour at 389 
would have been unnecessary. Forbiger 
considers the adjs. used in reference to night 
(397, 420, 621) as merely ornotive, and 
not intended to describe the peculiar ap- 
pearance of that identical evening. It ap- 
pears from 402 sqq-, 410, 422, and 423, 
etc., that the darkness was not such as 
397 and some other verses would seem to 
allege. Why may we not then imagine it 
one of these blustering and somewhat 
stormy nights, when clouds driven by the 
wind (see 758) occasionally obscure the 
moon's disc? The change from clear to 
cloudy skj% from bright light to interrupted 
and dim blinks of moonshine, will well 
represent the sad alteration which had taken 
place on the fortune of Troy. A few hours 
ago and she was lulled in security and sup- 
posed safety — her moon riding high in a 
now cloudless sky — when suddenly her 
firmament is overcast, and though rays of 
hope occasionally break through the gloom, 
yet she cannot but feel that the hour of 
darkness and dismay has come. 

363. Doyninnta, "liaving exercised sway." 
Inertit, i.e., as Forb. prefers to understand 
it, the bodies of the helpless, viz., " old men, 
women, and infants." But it will add to 
tlie hoiTor of the scene if we understand it 
of strong, able-bodied men also, who ai'e 
slain ei'e they awake. 

367. Quondam, " sometimes," " occa- 
sionally." Etiam is to be joined to victis. 

368. Crndelis, i.e., excessive; compare 
oiivo;, in Greek, and the vulgar usage of 
"cruel" and " dreadful," in English. 

369. Pavor — obsen'e the last syll. length- 
ened by Cdcsurn. On its meanhig, see 
Doderlehi, Lat Syn. 

Phirima mortis imago—''- Death in many 
a shape." Observe plurinius with the sing. 
i-nago. On this svntax, cf. Eel. vii. 60; 
Geo. i. 187; ^n. vi' 659. 

373. Sera, used actively, equal to quae 
serosfacit. 

Zli. Sensit delapsns (i.e., se delapsum esse) 
r,cr6zr If/.'riiTuv. Tliis is an instance of 
iittriiction Avhich, though common in Greek, 
is imitated by Latin prose writers only with 
verbs of "desiring," and "seeking after." 
Poets, however, extend it to verbs of "per- 
ceiving and declaring." Gossrau wishes to 
take sensit absolutely, supplying crrorem 
suu7n from the context; see his learned ex- 
cursus on Bk. ii. 

378 Observe the pleonasm in retro re- 
pressit, and the zeugma in repressit pedem 
cum voce. 

379. Cf Horn. II. iii. 33 sqq. Aspris for 
asperis, so pericliim, viuclum, etc. 

380. Nitens humi— ''in walking: pressit 
— "has trodden upon" On humi, see i. 
193. Refiigit — the perf., signifying "habit," 
or "ivont." 

381. Jras, i.e., iratnm caput. Abibat — 
"endeavoured to escape" 

385. ^Is;j2rai— "favours." It is primarily 



B.II. 



-403. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. II. 408-441. 



used of the favotiring: breeze that speeds 
a ship, then of the breath of divine in- 
stigation, and, lastly, of help or assistance 
generally. 

386 Wunderlich would understand nni- 
mis to mean the minds of the companions 
of CorcKbus, but for this interpretation there 
seems to be no grounds whatever. It must 
mean, "exulting in his success, and, there- 
fore, elated in muid, and emboldened." 
Observe the zeugma. 

388. Dextra -- "propitious " — an adj. 
qualifying /or^/mrt 

389. Insignia — the armour, more espe- 
cially the shields and helmets, which bore 
the devices. 

390. Qiiis requirat in kosfe, (in the case 
of an enemy) liol'^s, an virtus (sit, i.e., ad- 
hibeatur) . "All is fair in war." 

393 Clipei insigne decorum — eiihQX "the 
sliield" simply, or "the shield, adorned 
with some emblazonment." 




Induitur — "equips himself in" — Greek 
middle voice. See i. 228. So the vulgar 
Scotticism, '■'■ He is well put on," for "He 
di-esses himself well." 

396. Haud nostro, i.e., averse, unpropi- 
tious. Hand is prefixed to substs when the 
notion of the attributive noun is to be taken 
away, and the contrary idea to be enforced. 
Hand. Tursell. lii. p. 25. 

398. Oreo for in Orcum, as before, dat. 
for accus. of motion. 

401 Condunt'xr — Wakefield ad Lucr., v. 
954, interprets, ".se cumnlaiim ivjiciunt.'" 
Note the force of the middle voice. 

402. Translate — "Alas! by no means 
(nihil) is it right for any man to be confi- 
dent (i e., over-confident in self) when the 
gods are adverse." The line is a proper 
introduction to what follows, and not a 
concluding reflection on events detailed in 
the preceding paragraph. 

403. Trahebatui — "was dragged along 



as a captive " The phrase and connection 
seem to imply nothing moi-e. 

408. Injecit sc medium — observe the pre- 
dicative force in m.edium. " He plunged 
into the thickest" (of the fight), i.e., he so 
flung himself forward, as to be in the 
thickest, etc. 

411. Obruimur — last syllable lengthened 
by caesura. 

412. Erro:e — "on account of a mistake 
arising from our wearing Grecian crests." 
A very good example of the primary mean- 
ing of the gen. (juharum) expressing the 
origin or source whence. 

413 Gemitu, etc. "Then the Greeks, 
spurred on by vexation and wrath, on ac- 
count of the rescue of the maiden." Ira, 
erepiae virginis — on the syntax compare 
lacrimae rerum, ^n. i. 462. Ajax, i.e., 
Oileus, who by reason of his love for Cas- 
sandra, was acerrinms. 

416. Anthon translates as follows: — "As 
at times, a hurricane having burst forth, 
opposing blasts strive fiercely together, 
both Zephyrus, and Notus, and Eurus ex- 
ulting in his eastern steeds." Cf. Horn. II. 
ix. 4 sqq. 

418. Tridentisaevit. " The foam-covered 
(spuma maris adspersvs) Nereus rages 
wildly with his trident." The trident is 
sometimes assigned to Nereus, who is not 
to be confounded with Neptune. The three 
prongs of the trident symbolised the triple 
dominion of Neptune over lakes, rivers, and 
seas. Spu»(eus is perhaps rather " the 
foam-raising." 

422. Mentita — taken by Servius as equal 
to a pres. part., "weapons falsely repre- 
senting their bearers to be Greeks;" but 
Forb. prefers to receive it in its common 
passive sense, ^qmyaltiit to simidata, falsa, 
i.e., "counterfeit " 

423. Ora sono discordia — "The foremost 
recognise our shields and counterfeit wea- 
pons, and by our voice note our external 
appearance, which agreed not thereto." 

424. Hick — from ire licet, or more pro- 
bably contracted for i licet. 

426 Unus, when joined with the superl., 
indicates the highest possible degree j it is 
equal here to prae ceteris. 

431 Observe the skill of the poet in the 
turn which he gives to the narrative, and 
in the deep emotion with which ^neas ac- 
counts for his own safety. 

433 Vices, "vicissitudes," "dangers," 
" and if it had been fated for me to fall, 
that I merited it (at the hands of the 
Greeks) by my acts of bravery." 

436. Vulnoe Ulixi — a wound inflicted 
by Ulysses. Observe the peculiar form of 
the gen. in ?, on which see i. 30; n. 275. 

437. ProtinUs is said to refer to time, 
protenits to space, but the distinction is not 
fully borne out by examples. 

440. Sic is to be joined with indomitum 
— "so ruthlessly, do we see," etc., or 
"so furious a battle." In the line above, 
betla is used for proelia, as often in the 
poets. 

441. The testudo here mentioned was one 
made of shields, and not the warlike ma- 

43 



B. II. 442-458. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. II. 4-59-471. 



chine of later times. 
Antiquities. 



Consult Eamsay's 




442. The present tense is nsed, the better 
to bring us in medins res, and tlius to im- 
part life, spirit, and quickness to the nar- 
rative. How much more lively, and how 
much more indicative of magic speed is 
haerint than tlie prosaic admoventur. 

Pariet/bus is to be pronounced paryetibus 
by synizesis. 

443. "With their left hands they present 
their bucklers to the weapons, to defend 
themselves ; with tlieii- right they endeav- 
our to grasp the battlements of the roof. 

446. Hia — "with such weapons as these." 
Ultima, TO. io-pf^ocra. Conveltunt — " pull 
at," i.e., "try to pull down." 

448. Observe the difference between de- 
cux, decoris, and decor, decoris. 

451. Instaurare aniinmn, for rejicere, re- 
creare, is veiy seldom found, if ever, else- 
where. " Our fiery spuit was re-ldndled." 

453. Observe the variation of expression 
in this sentence, and the ornament bestowed 
on a matter of so humble a kind — limex, 
fores, usus and posies, being all employed 
to the same object. W (er^o is not confined 
to pastes relicti, but applies to the whole 
sentence, as Dr Henry rightly remarks, 
Class. Mus vol. vii. Translate,//-ec/^, thus: 
" In the rear (of the building) there was an 
entrance, and a secret door, and a passage 
which attbrdcd communication between the 
different parts of Priam's palace, [pervius, 
i.e., ita potebat ut fuDiilia ■> egia per pluves 
domus sive, palatii paries dispersa, ex unci 
in alteram Jacile trnnsire posset, vitato 
imtico limine,] and [there was] an un- 
guarded postern." 

456. Incumitata. Greek and Trojan ma- 
trons were not in the habit of going forth 
alone. See Hom. II. iii. 143. Suepius so/e- 
b'lnt — such pleonasms ai-c frequent among 
ourselves. 

457. Adsoceros, "to her parents-in-law," 
i.e., ad socerum et sacrum, viz., Priam and 
Hecuba ; so below, 579, patres=patrem el 
matrem. 

Tr(ihebat—t\\\s verb suits well the half- 
walking, half-running, tiptoe gait of a child 
led by the hand. 

458. Evado, "I mount," i.e., arfscewrfewrfo 
supero. Fasiigium means the extreme 
point of a thing; here, therefore, there is a 
supertluity of epithet, shnilar to Ovid. Met. 

44 



ii. 1, Regia solis erat sublimibus alia colum- 
nis. 

459. Irrita, "useless," not that they 
failed to inflict wounds, but that they were 
imavailiug to prevent the destruction of 
Troy. 

460. "AtuiTct standing on tlie precipi- 
tous ledge of the building, and raised high 
in air, with very lofty pmnacles (or, raised 
laigh in air from tlie topmost roof), from 
which (tower) all Troy, and the ships of 
tlie Greeks, and the Achfean camp were 
wont to be seen, having attacked on every 
side with iron weapons, where the highest 
storeys rendered the joinings less firm, we 
tore from its lofty position and hurled for- 
ward (on the foe)." Turrim is governed 
by rtggressi convellimus, but it suits the 
translation best to take the ace. first. 

462. Note the mesozeugma ia solitae 
agreeing with naves, the middle subst. of the 
three to which it belongs. For an example 
of proiozeugma, in which tbe adj. agrees 
with the first only, see ^n. i. 623, 4. Casus 
mihi cognitus * * * nomenque tuum. re- 
gesque pelassi. A case of hypozeugma 
may be found in Eel i. 58. 59. 

466. Trahit. Although the two pre- 
] ceding verbs conveilimus and impulimns 
I are past tenses (Aorist), yet trnhit is pre- 
! sent, because its action immediately follows, 
j and the time is present in reference to that 
j expressed by them. Cf. 481-4 

Dare ruinam means, to ^^fall vn'lk a 
I crash,'' but t>a/iere ruinam suggests far- 
ther a considerable time occupied in the fall, 
and a greater extent of space covered by 
the fragments. 

470. Exsultat expresses the quick motion 
of PjTrhus bounding, now here, now there, 
now' forwards, now backwards, his brazen 
weapons emitting a gleaming light. 

471. Cf. Hom.^Il. xxii. 93. Heyne pro- 
nounced the words in lucem to be either 
corrupt, or at best very tame and unmean- 
ing, from the apparent redundancy in the 
in lucem and ad sulem . Wagner and others 
admit the redundancy, but excuse it on the 
ground that the whole point of the com- 
parison lies in the gleaming brilliancy of 
Pyrrhus being represented by the shming 
splendour of the serpent with renovated 
skin, and that therefore the idea of light 
and brightness may with propriety be re- 
peated. Forbiger, however, denies that 
there is any redundancy. He asserts that 
in lucem and ad solem are by no means 
identical, the former being opposed to sub 
terra, and meamngsimply "to the dayhght," 
"to life ;" the latter to frigida bium-, imply- 
ing the warming and re^•ivifying heat of the 
sun's rays. The order, which is somewhat 
intricate, is as follows : — Qualis ubi coluber 
pastns mala gramina, quern i^colubrum) 
frigida bruma tegebat tumidum sub terra, 
nunc, novus exuviis positis, nilidusque ju- 
ventd, convoivit in lucem. lubrica terga sub' 
lata pectare arduus ad solem, et micat 
Unguis trisulci'i (in) are. 

The tongue is called trisulca, though only 
divided into two parts, because its quick 
motion gives the appearance of three. 



B. II. 472-492. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. 11. 498-51G. 



472. Bruma, i.e., brevima, brevissima, 
tlie shortest day. 

473. The sei-pent is said to be most 
venomous and noxious after having recently 
cast his slough. 

476. Virgil -svaltes the gen. Achillis or 
Achilli according to the words in juxtaposi- 
tion — if the letter s frequently occurs in the 
connexion, Achillis Avill be avoided— thus 
Achilli will be used with adjs. of the 3d 
decl., e.g., imndlis Achilli. See. i. 30 ; ii. 
275. 

477. Scyria pw/j^'s— the youth ofScyros. 
This island, one of the Cyclades, is at pres- 
ent Ciilled Skyro. 

479. Bipenni — "two-winged axe," as in 
the woodcut. See Ramsay's Antiquities. 




483. Apparet. For the difference in tense 
between this verb and the preceding ca- 
vaoit and dedit, see above, note 4C6. 

On the Roman house, see Ramsay, or 
Smith's Diet, of Antiq. The order of pro- 
gress is here distinctly marked; — (1st) from 
the street into the vestibule; (2d) into the 
atrium, through the janua ; and (3d) into 
the house proper from the atrium. 

485. Armatos vident—'-'-ThQyiihe Greeks) 
see armed men posted," etc. See 449, 50. 

487. Gtniitu. clmnor, and such words 
are said misccri when they proceed promis- 
cuously from many, or different persons — 
hence, the place where the clamor, or gemi- 
tus arises is also said ??nscfri. Cf. above, 
298, '•'■ miscentur moenia luciu; and JEw. 
i. 124, misceri murmure pontum. 

Cavae — ' ' vaulted " — the epithet refers 
particularly to the hollow reverberation of 
sound in the chambers. 

488. Ululare is an instance of onomato- 
poeia (i. 53) — the term is applied to the wail- 
ing of women especially, but the house is 
said ululaie, inasmuch as it echoes the ulu- 
ialus. 

492. Sufferre — "to bear tip agamst," 
"withstand," the attack of Pyrrhus. The 
ace. after svffe: re is here omitted, as it fre- 
quently is when it mav be easily supplied 
from the context. Cf. ^n. i. 12, 60. 

Ariete (to be pronounced as three syl- 
lables, aryete) — Virgil often attributes the 
customs of his ov/n times to those of former 
days, but see i. 469, note. The aries was 
not invented m the Trojan times, and the 



word here means the frequent and violent, 
blows, as it were, of a battering-ram. 




i. Fertur cumulo — "is bcme with its 
heap, or mass of waters." Cf. ^n. i. 105. 
Insequitur cumulo praeruptus aquae 
mons. 

499. Furentem — Heyne prefers fremen- 
tem, on account of furens occurring in the 
preceding line, but Jahn and Forb. prefer 
the common reading, " ob hanc ipsam com- 
parationem fokentis Pyrrhi cum fueenti 
amney 

501. Nurus is used here in a somewhat 
wide sense, to include not only daughters- 
in-law, but also married dnugluers. Priam 
is said to have had fifty sons and fifty 
daughters. 

Virgil has in this passage imitated En- 
nius : — 

O Pater ! Patria ! O Priami domus ! 
Vidi ego te, adstante ope barbarica, 
Tectis coelatis, laqueati?, 
Am-o, ebore, instructum regifice. 
Haec omnia vidi inflammari, etc. 

Andeomache. 

503. Illi — this pronoun is used to denote 
what is well known, splendid, or remark- 
able. Translate — " Those fifty fa??ious 
chambers." 

It has been objected to bnrbarico, that, 
as it is a word applied by the Romans to 
mean Phrygian, it is in very bad taste to 
introduce a Trojan thus characterising his 
own country. But why is this necessary? 
May not JEneas Wf^e burbarico of the ene- 
mies of Troy in eastern Asia, with as much 
propriety as a Roman employed it in re- 
ference to a Phrygian ? 

506. Forsitan requiras. Almost all the 
best writers use forsitan with the subjunc- 
tive, to express a suspicion concerning a 
thing which is actually the fact. See Mad- 
vig, § 350, obs. 3. 

509. The order is — Senior nequidquam 
circumdat liumeris trementibus aevo arma 
dill desueta. 

510. Cingitur — (middle voice) — "begirds 
himself with " — it governs ferrum in the 
accus. On the principle of Greek con- 
struction frequently referred to before, see 
above, 393, induilur insigne, and i. 228. 

511. Moriturus means " desti7ied to die'' 
— moriens, '■''in the act of expiring." 

513. Ara—th.e altar of Jupiter Hercaeus. 

515. Kequidqua7)i — "without success:" 
referring to the result. Frustra — " to no 
purpose : " referring to the intention. See 
above, 101. 

516. Praecipites, i.e., se praecipitantes, 
" hastily taking shelter." Condensae — 
" crowding together," or, as an idea of fear 
is implied, " cowering together." 

45 



B. II. /il9-541. 



NOTES ON THE ^XEtD. 



B. II. 542-549. 



519. Mens, "infatuation" — it = y-ivo;, 
or 6vfj(,'o{, and signifies any more %-iolent 
excitement of mind, whicli urges a man to 
action. 

521. Drfensoribus isth — as iste has re- 
ference always to the second person, 
this phrase lias usually been translated, 
" such defenders as }-ou." But Forb., fol- 
lovraig Dr Heniy, prefers to consider the 
ixtis as referring to the weapons just enu- 
merated, and interprets : The time does not 
demand such help nor such modes of de- 
fence, (such defenders) as those weapons of 
yours ; co'.ne rather to the altar, and have 
recourse to prayer. For instances of defeii ■ 
sor apphed to inanimate things, see Caes 
Bell Gall iv. 17, where suhlicne are caUed 
arfrnsores. So also is the bow of Hercules 
in Claud in Kuf. i. 80. 

522. Non., scil. posset noa armis defendere 

523. Tandem, "I pray you." 

526. De cnedf Pyrrhi. "From a wound 
given by PjTrhus," i.e., having escaped 
being killed outright. 

529. Infesto vulnere, "■with deadly ff/ni,'' 
or " weapon." Luslrat, " traverses" in 
search of a place ()f rifnge. 

530. The repetition of j-im adds much to 
the vividness of ths description — " and now, 
even now, he holds lihn in his grasp, and 
is in the act of transfixing him with his 
spear." Anthon. Prewere is not equal to 
ttansjigoe, but rnther to urgere, "to press 
upon," which latter term is frequently ap- 
plied to the huntsman in keen pursuit of 
the wild beast. 

533 "Although he is now held in the 
very midst of death," i.e , although death 
assails him on one side in his son, and on 
the other in his owm impending fate. 

534. Irneque—voci and irae are so closelj* 
combined (the former giving expression to 
the latter) that the poet uses the simple 
copula que after the preceding negative 
ni'C, when in prose a second nee would fol- 
low. 

535. At — In prayers for good to accrue 
to any one, or for e^•il to befall him, at is 
used to express violent excitement of mind. 

53fi. Piftiis — "commiseration," "sym- 
pathy," "kindly feeUng." 

537. Persolvnnt, etc.— " May the gods 
return to thee in full measure a woithy re- 
tribution, and pay thee the rewards thou 
dost so richlv merit." 



it is more accurately defined by the abl. 
with the prep, in, this abl indicating that 
thing hi which is exercised the absolute 
action, or that which causes or gives rise to 
the action, and expressing that in which the 
affection of the mind is manifested. Thus, 
talis in fiostetnfuif, which forms one whole, 
bound together in close coherence, and 
which makes the subject of the sentence 
particularly emphatic, differs hi conception 
from talis in hoste fnit. In the latter, talis 
fiiit is used absolutely, m haste being added 
as an after-thought for nearer definition 
=quod attinet ad hostem. Achilles was not 
of such a character, in the case of his enemy, 
Priam, — I mean. In the case of an enemy, 
an opportunity was offered of displajdng 
I himseh' such as he was in his general 
I character. In this case more particular 
stress is laid on the object. 

542. Erubuit — an instance of an intrans. 
verb governing an ace. This construction 
is fi-equently found in both Latin and Greek. 
Cf ^n i. 67, and 524; consult Zumpt, 
Lat. Gr., § 383, andMadvig, § 223 ; see also 
Gossrau on ^.n. ii 31 and 542. 

544. Sine ictu — "Avithout inflicting a 
wound." 

546. Et couples repulsum (est) to pependit. 
The omission of est led Heyne, Wagner, 
and Wakefield to prefer e or ex summo. 
But from a comparison of Geo. i. 234 and 
other places, Forb. shows that the subst. 
verb is frequently omitted, even in sentences 
introduced by a relative, when that relative 
is equal to a demonstrative [and a conjunc- 
tion, as quod here = f< hoc] Translate, 
"Avhich was at once checked by the dull 
sounding brass, and hung down harmlessly 
from the extremity of the boss of the 
shield." Commentators are divided in 
opinion as to the meaning of this passage. 
HejTie, Ruaeus, and others consider that 
Priam's spear point was entangled in the 
leather covering of his adversaria's shield ; 
while Symmons, Anthon, and others, refer- 
ring to line 470, where Pj-rrhus is described 
as telis et luce coruscus ahenu, deny that such 
a covering could have existed. Protinus, too, 
seems to imply that no external envelope 
retarded, in tiie slightest degree, the weapon 
of the aged king. The simple explanation 
seems to be that the spear, so soon as its 
progress was checked, fell with the wooden 



end depending to the ground — the point 
538. Fecisti me cernere, instead of „;; i having impinged upon, and perhaps shghtly 
cernerem, bv a Greek construction. Such a I indented, the brazen buckler so as to detain 
>*vntax is frequently employed when a re- >* ^^ ^^ast a moment (;/ not longer) on the 



suit (as here), and not an intention 
spoken of 

541. Talis in hostefuit. The peculiarity 
of this construction is well pointed out by 
Kritz Sail. Cat. 9, 2, and approved by I 
Forbiger. Kritz asserts that this twofold 
construction of the ace and abl can find j 
place only when the verb signifying some ; 
affection of the mind can be conceived of in i 
two ways, either (1), so that by means of | cally. 
the prep, in with the ace, it is closely at- ] 549. Memento 
tached to some object; or (2), that being j 
used in a general sense, and absolutelv, i 

46 



balance. 

547. Referes — ibis. Thiel remarks that 
tliis future, used for the imperative, com- 
monly denotes a certain degree of familiarity 
and confidence, but is here employed to ex- 
press irony and derision, ergo increa.sing its 
force. Referes, however, is used strictly as 
a. future, expressing certainty of fulfilment. 

548. Tristia — "sad," "shocking," ironi- 



don't forget." Narrare 
Neop, degen. There is no necessity for sup- 
plyuig e&se with degenerem; the adj. agrees 



B. II. 550-561. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. II. 5G3-567. 



with Neopt, which is an accvsatimis de quo., 
as grammariiUis say. There is an inversion 
in tlie syntax, the aclj. degenerem, though 
dependent <.n Neopt, being in reality the 
more important icord for the meaning of the 
sentence. The whole is said in keen irony, 
and may be thus translated : " Don't for- 
get" (memento) to give to him a "full, true, 
and particular account " (narrare) of my 
" shocliing deeds, and of the degeneracy of 
Neoptolemus" — this last expresson refers 
to Priam's words, recorded in line 540. 

550. Trementem, soil, aetate, nan formi- 
dine. See 509. 

551. Lapsante.m — ^VirgH is the first writer 
to use this word. Forb. 

552. It M'as customaiy, particularly with 
lungs, to wear the liair long. Priam had 
not assumed a helmet along Avith the other 
pieces of armom-. 

553. Extulit, "raised in air his flashing 
sword, and buried it in his (Priam's) side 
to the hilt." Ten us and verms always fol- 
low the governed case. 

554. This and tlie following lines, though 
containing plain and evident reflections on 
the death of Priam, are finely introduced, 
and are eminently calculated to excite 
commiseration for his unhappy fate. Finis 
is sometimes masc. and sometimes fern, in 
Virgil. See i. 241; iii. 145. 

556. Populis and terris are ablatives 
governed by superbum, and not by regna- 
torem. The ruler of Asia, exalted in dignity 
by (exercising sway over) so many nations 
and kingdoms. Forbiger had formerly 
adopted the \ie^Y of Heyne and Wunder- 
iich, that the woixls mentioned were in the 
dative, dependent on regnatorem, but he 
retracts this opinion, rightly as we think, 
in the 3d edition. With the whole passage 
compare Ovid Met, xii. 615, 16. 
Jam cinis est, et de tarn magna restat Achille 
Nescio quid, parvam quod non hem com- 
pleat urnam. 

558. Sine nomine — either in the sense of 
"without value or consideration," or "un- 
able to be named" from the want of the 
head to distinguish it. The fate of Pompey 
the Great is supposed by some to be alluded 
to here; a view which is countenanced by 
the use of the words ingens (refening to 
his serAices and political greatness), and 
litore, whicli is more particularly appro- 
l)riate, as applied to the death-spot of the 
Roman. Some have substituted limine for 
litore. 

559. At marks a change in the subject, 
and implies that no anxiety on account of 
his father and relatives had befox'e this time 
disturbed his mind, but now, etc. Forbiger 
remarks on the skilful use made hy the poet 
of the incident of Priam's death, to bring 
back the narrative to its main object — viz., 
the departure of .^neas from his native 
country. 

560. Subiit — "came up before," scil. w?en- 
tem,. 

561. Aequaevum, i. e., with Anchises. 
Creusa was daughter of Priam and Heeuba, 
and wife of -lEneas. 



563. Casus luli — "the danger of lulus " — 
the mischances which might befall him. 

564. Respicio — he had been so arrested 
by the fate of Priam that he neglected to 
observe what was going on in his own 
immediate locality, on the roof of the palace. 
He now looks around and finds himself 
alone. He is on the roof looking down mto 
the impluvium. of Priam's palace. 

Copia is used in the sing, in reference to 
soldiers, when regard is had not to any 
organised and disciplined body, but merely 
to a numerous and tumultuous host. See 
Kritz Sail. Cat. Ivi. 1. 

bOiG. It is to be borne in mind that .Eneas 
and his companions were fighting from the 
tower of the palace. Aegra — because ex- 
hausted by fighting, or because they were 
perishing by a most shocking death— the 
scorching of the flames. 

567. This, and tlie following twenty-one 
lines, are not found in the best codices, and 
are passed over, without illustration, in the 
commentaries of Servius, Donatus, and 
Pomponius. Tucca and Varius, who un- 
dertook the revision of the poem after Vir- 
gil's death, are said to have cancelled them, 
either because they deemed it disgraceful 
to the hero of an Epic to lay violent hands 
on a female, or because the verses appeared 
to contradict ^n. vi. 510 sqq. They are, 
however, of the same character as the four 
with which, in some copies, the Jineid be- 
gins, and are found in those MSS. which 
exhibit the four referred to. Moreover, 
their diction and finish mark them out as 
Virgilian, and, besides, the context would, 
without them, be incomplete. For, if Vir- 
gil did not Avrite these verses, line 589 
should exhibit hie or turn instead of cum, 
unless, indeed, we adopt the suggestion of 
Jahn, tliat lines 565 and 566 may be paren- 
thetic, and that the connection will thus go 
on from lustro (564) to cum (589). But, 
farther, if the suspected passage be omitted, 
the sudden arrival of Venus, to urge ^neas 
to do wliat he was about to carry into effect 
of his own accord, will appear more uu- 
called-foi-, and her references, in indomitae 
irae (594), to the state of her son's mind 
as detailed in 575, and in Tyndaridis fades 
(601), to 567 sqq., wifl be wholly useless 
and mexplicable. In answer to the two 
main objections noted above, it may be 
urged — (1st,) That ^neas was fairly ex- 
cusable for entertaining the thought of 
slaying Helen, seeing that he looked upon 
her as not only the cause of the whole war, 
but also as the betrayer of her recent 
friends ; and when, at the moment he had 
been keenly reminded of the probable fate 
of his father, wife, and child, through her 
sinful weakness. The poet, it seems, had 
anticipated this objection in 583 sqq., and 
answered it in 585 sqq. — (2d,) In palUation 
of the apparent inconsistency with vi. 510 
sqq., we need only be reminded tliat Virgil 
took his materials from various sources, and 
that he did little more than draft a full out- 
line of the poem to be polished and com- 
pleted by revision, but that he did not live 
to carry out Ms intentions. Heyne, Wag- 
47 



B. II. 567-579. 



XOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. II. 581-587. 



ner, Thiel, Gossrau, and Forb. retain and 
defend the whole passage. 

567. Jamque adeb — adeo, joined to the 
adverbs of time nunc and jam, has a re- 
stricted force. 

Super — eram from super esse by Tmesis. 
This disjoining of the verb is found even in 
prose writers. 

568. Servantem, i.e., "Im-kingin," "Iceep- 
ing herself close in." 

569. Tyndarida, i.e., Helen, the daughter 
of Jupiter, or, according to another story, 
of Tyndareus by her mother Leda. On the 
formation of feminine patronymics, con- 
sult Zumpt, Madvig, or Schmitz, Lat. Gr. 

573. Erinys — on the mode of writing 
this word, cf Blomf., iEsch., Prom.. 
Vinct. 525, and glossary; Hermann Praef 
ad Soph. Antig., ed. iii., p. xix. sqq., and 
also EUendt Lex. Soph. 

574. Invisa — "unobsen'ed," or '■'■hated 
one as she was," as below, 601. But see 
568, 9, above. 

575. Exarsere ignes animo, for animus ira 
exarsit. 

576. Sceleratas jooenas— either, " punish- 
ment on a wicked wretch" — (Heyne and 
Wagner) — or "a punishment for her crime," 
(Wund., Thiel, and Forb.) — or "a punish- 
ment by which another crime would be 
committed." Gossrau. 

577. Scilicet is expressive of strong irony. 
" A prettii story, forsooth, that she," etc. See 
Kritz Sail. Jug. *41, 3. 

Patrias Mycenas — Sparta was, pi'operly 
spealcing, her native place, but Mycenaj is 
put for the whole country, as Agamenmon, 
its Iving, was the generalissimo of tlie 
Grecian army. 

578. Adspiciet. In Greek and Latin the 
fut. is employed to ask in a tone of indigna- 
tion what one does not wisli to take phice, 
or what he thinks wiU. not occur. Ibit — 
"go in procession!" 

579. Conjugiian, i.e., conjugem, the ab- 
stract for tlie concrete noun, as often. So 
servitium for serti. See Kritz Sail. Cat. 
14, 1. 

Patres=parentes — see above, soceros, 457. 
Wagner condemns this line as spurious for 
these reasons : — 1st, Because Helen is said 
to be about to rei'i.s/7 her husband at Sparta, 
tliough he is even now at Troy, and will 
necessarily be restored to iier before their 
departure. 2d, Because her parents are 
said, by Homer, to be already dead. 3d, 
Because it is ridiculous to mix a turba 
Iliadum with the mutual salutation of 
friends long separated. Forbiger adds a 
fourth, founded on the omission of que after 
patres. In reply to these objections, it may 
be stated, 1st, that conjugium means not 
only her husband, but also all the pleasures 
of married life, and the duties of the maiiiage 
relationship, as domum means the enjoy- 
ments of domestic happmess. 2d, That 
though Homer represents Leda as dead 
previous to this date, yet Euripides (Orest. 
249) makes Tyndareus survive the murder of 
Clytaemnestra. The expression is a general 
one, and does not mean Patres and natos 
[she had only one child, Hermione, before I 
48 



leaving Greece], to be taken in their literal 
sense. Such modes of speaking are com- 
mon with ourselves. Besides, even were 
her parents dead, she might well be said 
to return to them when she revisited the 
place of their tombs. 3d, That the saluta- 
tion of friends would naturally be more 
hearty when they saw the female captives, 
since it would be to them a sure proof that 
that city had been comiiletely humbled 
which had dared to violate the rights of 
hospitality, to trample on the sacred law of 
marriage, and debase the character of a 
woman, and that, too, a relative. 4th, That 
the line consists of two members, conjugium 
and domum forming one of these, and having 
a kindred signification — patres and natos 
composing the other, and being also kindred 
in meaning ; and that, therefore, since the 
que after conjugium is not at all necessary 
to the syntax, the poet is by no means 
chargeable with inconsistency in omitting 
it after 2>atr'es. Gossrau adds a fifth objec- 
tion, viz., — That Helen could not be sup- 
posed to exult for joy on her return in 
seeing her father, husband, and children, 
since, had she really loved them, she would 
not have left them. But to this, again, it 
may be replied, that Helen was under the 
orders of an irresistible destiny, which, being 
now fulfilled, she may reasonably be sup- 
posed to feel a longing desire for her former 
country and friends, and to be anxious, by 
future affection, to atone for her past foUies. 
581. In expressing indignation at the 
prospect of an event yet future, the Latins 
use tiie future tense, and they farther em- 
ploy the Futurum exactum, as here (arserit, 
etc.) in such a way that it (the fut. exact.) 
indicates the cause of the iiidignation noti- 
fied by the simple future. 

584. Femineu — adjectives in eus very fre- 
quently (as here) assume the place of an 
objective gen. (see i. 462) of the Idndred 
subst., thus, hosiilis metus for metus hostium. 

585. JYefasfor nefaria, as scelus for scelesta, 
etc., applied to Helen, and meaning " the 
abomination," "the unholy one." Merentis, 
the gen., "from her deser^ing it;" or, ac- 
cording to Heins. and Wagn., merentis= 
merentes, and is used passively (meritas), 
being similar to sceleratas poenas, 576. 
There is, however, no example of merens 
similarly used, and the gen. after sumere 
seems a less violent construction than that 
favoured by Wagn. 

586. Laudabor exstinxisse, shortly for lau- 
dabor jiropterea quod extinxerim, "I shall 
be connnended for having blotted a guilty 
wretch from the face of earth, and for 
having inflicted punishment on one deserv- 
ing it." 

587. On account of the harshness of the 
construction, explesse uUricis flccmmae, 
Heyne and Burmann would read nlt7-ici 

flammd. But Wagn. and Forb. defend 
"the common reading: they consider the 
gen. lilt. flam, as depending not on explesse 
alone, or on animum alone, but on the com- 
bined notion of the two, which, they say, 
suggests the adj. cupidum to govern tlie gen. 
This, however," does not appear necessaiy — 



B. II. 588-599. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. II. 601-610. 



satiare, implere (vmplenUirveteris Bacchi, Mn. 
i. 215), and verbs of a similar kind are follow- 
ed by the case here used on the principle of 
the "antecedent notion" (see Jelf Gk. 
Gram.), which the gen. contams; and the 
expression finds a parallel in om- vulgar 
phrase, "to give one his fill of." Ultricis 
J!ammae=ultionisflmr)ma,meamng vehement 
desire for it ; and it will afford me pleasure 
(hereafter) that I had taJcen my Jill of 
burnrng vengeance, and had brought solace 
to the ashes of my friends. 

Satidsse cineres — the dead were supposed 
to know of, and rejoice in, the punishment 
of their fonner advei'saries on earth. 

588. Jactabam — "I was ejaculating." 
See note on 2Fa\. i. 102. 

589. Cum. See note to 567. The order 
is: — Gum alma parens, non ante tarn, clara 
oculis (soil, meis), obtulit se videndam niihi, 
et refulsit per noctem in purd luce confessa 
deam (betraying the goddess, Le., reveaUng 
herself to be a goddess), atque (talis) qualis 
et (tanta) quanta solet videri coelicoKs. This 
passage is closely imitated from Horn. II. i. 
193 sqq. 

Ifon ante must refer to some interviews 
previous to the time of this history, for no 
others are mentioned by Virgil before the 
present case. Servius is forgetful, when he 
alleges that the meeting of Venus and 
jEneas near Carthage is the one refen-ed 
to, for that event was manifestly posterior 
to the one here recorded. 

590. Per nocti-m. These words do not 
contradict line 569 (Dant clara incendia 
lucem), as Peerlkamp asserts, for it is by no 
means necessary to imagine that the blazes 
illumined every spot far and wide around. 
Nor can fault be found with line 621, on 
similar ground. 

In purd luce — "in undimmed light," Le., 
non nuhe obducta, as Minerva in 616. 

593. Insuper — ''■besides," "in addition 
to" catching by the hand. Praeterea inti- 
mates something that completes what has 
gone before: insuper, something in addition 
to what has gone before : ultro, something 
that exceeds what has gone before so stiik- 
ingly as to cast it into the back-ground. 
Doderl. See above, 145. 

695. Gura nostri, i.e., affection towards 
me, to be shoAAai in defending and saving 
Anchises. 

596. Non is here used for nonne, but it is 
more emphatic and forcible. The future is 
used in negative questions, which at the 
same time serve as exhortations. 

Adspicere is used by the poets as equal to 
circvmspicere, invisere, anquirere. 

597. Superet=superstes sit. Ne should be 
joined to superet rather than to conjux. 

598. Quos — circum ; for a similar separa- 
tion of prep, and case, see above, 278. 

599. Resistat — tulerint — hauserit. The 
variety of tense is worthy of notice. The 
words ai-e not put for restitisset, tulissent, 
and hausisset, but are designedly used to 
express that the care of Venus is still ex- 
ercised, even while they are speaking, and 
that there is still danger, as there has been 
for some time past, of the sword drinking 

D 



their blood. Our English idiom, requiring 
past tenses in hypotheses, has led some 
commentators astraj^ 

601. Tibi must depend on evertit, as the 
Dativus inconimodi, and not on invisa, as 
thus invisa will be more forcible, and the 
hatred will be made to appear more general. 
" It is not the hated person of the Laconian 
Tyndaris (Helen), nor is it the much- 
blamed Paris; {but) it is the unrelenting 
decrees of the gods, of the gods I say, that 
have overthrown for j^ou this kingdom, and 
that are now levelling Troy from its highest 
pinnacle." 

602. Of Hom. II. iii. 164. Gulpatus, "the 
blamed Paris" = scelestus, as culpa some- 
times = scelus. The repetition of divum 
(anaphora) gives a tone of peculiar solem- 
nity to the intimation. Some books would 
spoil the beauty of the passage by substi- 
tuting verum for the first divUm, in which 
the secret agents in the accomplishment of 
the great event are presented to the view of 

604. The following passage is particularly 
beautiful. It is based partly on Hom. IL 
V. 127, xii. 13 sqq., 27 sqq., and partly on 
the descriptions of other poets. To draw 
away ^neas from the danger of the fight, 
to lead him to save his own family, and at 
the same time to preserve Helen, who had 
ever been her favourite, Venus opens the 
eyes of her son to behold the heavenly mes- 
sengers, and convinces him thereby of the 
utter inutility of resistance. By this device 
of divine interposition, the poet saves the 
character of his hero. 

606. Galigat. This verb, which usually 
means visus caligine laborare, caecutire, (to be 
blind, used of a person), is here equal to caligi- 
nosum esse (to be full of darkness). Some 
take it as transitive, " blinds you." Hejme 
objects to this and the next line, as being 
parum commode interposita. But Wagner 
defends them, on the ground that they sup- 
pl3' the reason why Venus took away the 
cloud from her son's eyes, viz., that seemg 
the real state of matters, he might at once 
listen to her advice, and act upon it. 

609, Undanteni. This word is often ap- 
plied to ascending flame and smoke, from 
the resemblance which they present to the 
successive surges of the sea. 

610. Tridenti. Some books read tridente, 
on the principle that the abl. of substs. in 
W.S is made in e, but that of adjs. in i. But 
the authority of the best MSS. is in favour 
ofi. 

Neptunus. Cf Hom. II. xii. 27 sqq. The 
enmity of Neptune to the Trojans is said to 
have been caused by the refusal of Laome- 
don to pay to him and Apollo the stipulated 
sum for their labours in rearing the Avails 
of Troy. An attempt has been made to 
explain this stoiy, by saying that since the 
temples in ancient times were so many 
banks for the deposit and safe keeping of 
treasures, Laomedon (i.e., the ruler of the 
people) had boiTowed from the temples of 
Apollo and Neptune the amount of gold 
necessary for the expenses of his fortifica- 
tions, but had failed to repay the debt, and 
49 



B. II. 611-634. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID 



B. 11. 636-645. 



hence his calamities. See Mitford, Hist, of 
Greece, vol. L, p. 104. 

611. Totamque — que is equal to ^'■nay" 
" aye moreover." 

612. The Scaean gates looked to the 
Grecian encampment and the sea — hence 
they were much exposed, and are most 
frequently mentioned. Troy ha&five other 
gates. Saevissima, "most savage of aU" 
(the gods). 

613. Join fur ens with vocat, and thus the 
second pai-ticip. accincta, without a copula, 
wiU not be objectionable. " With her sword 
girt on, summons in frantic haste her aUied 
band from the ships." 

616. Niinbo. This must have been a 
dark cloud, since the goddess was unpro- 
pitious ; but it became red and glaring by 
means of the light from the flames of burn- 
ing Troy playing upon it. Consult the 
Classical Diet, on Minerva and the Gor- 
gons. 

617. Ipse Pater, Le., Jupiter. Vires secun- 
das, i.e., assistance which shall produce a 
favourable issue. Sufficit is here transitive, 
" supplies plentifully." 

619. Eripe fugain. Since, from the en- 
tire ruin of the city, you can rescue nothhig 
else, seize upon flight at least, Le., the 
power of escapmg. Jahu. 

621. See note on 590. 

62-5. Iliuiii — Truja. The repetition of the 
most prominent noun has a pecuhar force 
and pathos. 

627. Accisam. This word means the /rs^ 
attempts to fell. The order is, ac veluti cum 
agricolae certatim instant eruere antiquam 
ornum in summis montibus, accisam ferro 
crehrisque bipennibus, ilia usque minatur, etc. 
Observe the ejiexegesis in ferro and bipenni- 
bus. Much of the beauty of the comparison 
lies in ornum, the stately wild mountaui ash, 
which on the highest point of the lofty peak 
has for years "braved the breeze." There is 
no apodosis in this sentence, but it is easily 
supplied by the mind; uideed, it may be said 
to be implied m lines 624, 5. As the ash, so 
at length old Troy gave way. 

629. Comam — ace. after a pass, particip., 
frequently noticed before ; see i. 228. The 
comparison of the foUage of a tree to the 
hair of the head is a favourite one with the 
poets. Thus Milton— 

The winds 
Blow moist and keen, scattering the 

graceful locks 
Of these fai'-spreading trees. 

631. Traxit ruinam. See note on 465, 
above. To one Avho has heard the last 
groaning sound of the falling tree, sent forth, 
as it were, from his whole trunk, and with 
all his expiring energy, the word congemuit 
■will appear remarkably appropriate. 

632. Descendo, sell, de arce. Those who 
consider 5G7 sqq. spurious, supply de turri. 

Deo — Some would read dea as Venus is 
spoken of, but such a change is unnecessary, 
suice deus, like ^iOy^ means a divinity, either 
male or female. See JEn. viL 498, where 
deu<> is used of a female. 

633. 4. Heyne finds fault with the repc- 
50 



tition of flammam, flammae ; but Wagner 
points out that tela and fiammae in the 
second hue, respond to hastes mulflammam 
m the first ; that the repetition is therefore 
necessary, and that all x.cc%,oipMvt)v may be 
obviated bj' putting a little stronger em- 
phasis on dant locum and recedunt, passing 
over tela and fiammae. 

636. Petebam, i.e., adibam, approached to 
carry off. 

638. Integer aevi sanguis, ie., integri aevi 
sanguis. Transl. : " Who have the blood 
of vigorous Ufe, and whose energies are 
finnly grounded on their own natural 
strength." 

640. Agitarefugam means, first, to debate 
as to flight ; and secondly, to take to flight. 

641. Ducere=producere. Me is placed 
first in the line, and thus receives additional 
emphasis — "as for me." We very often 
find the personal pronouns, when expressed, 
placed near the beginmng of the Une for 
greater emphasis. 

642. Obsen-e una in the plural; consult 
Zumpt, or Madvig § 71. Anchises refers to 
the capture of Troy by Hercides, on account 
of the perfidy of Laomedon hi not paying 
the hero the reward stipulated for the res- 
cue of Hesione. See Class. Diet. 

643. Superavimus, Le., superfuimus — " we 
have lived to see, and moreover have out- 
lived." 

644. "Thus, thus laid out"— either, 
just as I am, without farther trouble, or 
without waiting for death— repeat the fare- 
well formula (vale, three times), and thus I 
shall anticipate death in the preparations 
for my burial. Some suppose that he threw 
himself on the ground in the attitude of a 
corpse, to show his complete resignation. 
Consult Smith's, Ramsay's, or Adam's An- 
tiquities on the funeral ceremonies. 

645. Manu. Wagner, alleging (see Qu. 
Virg. xviiL 2, 1) that ipse manu is in Vir- 
gilian diction equal to mea manu, under- 
stands the speech of Anchises to hint at 
suicide — moreover, he would insert aut after 
inveniam. But in no MS. is there the 
slightest trace of such an aut having ever 
stood in the line, and even if it were sup- 
posed to be placed after inveniam, what 
sense would thereby be gauied ? For if he 
had resolved on suicide, why should he yet 
wait till the enemy should slay him ? How 
languid would such an opposition be ! To 
Wagner's explanation of ipse manu, by sui- 
cide, there are two grave objections furnished 
by the passage itself. 1st, The word inveniam 
would be wholly unsuited as appUed to a per- 
son determined to slay himself. 2d, .iEneas 
shows by his speech, 660 sqq., that he enter- 
tained no such idea of his father's meaning. 
Forbiger would, therefore, interpret: "I 
myseU" shall, by resisting the foe to the last 
in self-defence, ensure death at their hands, 
on account of my opposition." " The 
enemy then will treat me, old as I am, in 
the same way as others, and will rather 
consign me to an honourable death than 
carry me off to capti^^ty." Moreover, he 
adds, they will slay me even for my spoil 



B. II. 646-684. 



NOTES OX THE iEXEID. 



B. II. 685-703. 



Those who wish other explanations of this 
passage, several of which are mentioned by 
Forb., will do well to consult his work. 

646. FcKiUs Jactura sepulcri — "the loss 
of a tomb is to me a matter of little mo- 
ment" This ophiion is very much at 
variance \\'ith that generally received by 
the ancients, who thought the soul of an 
imburied man was doomed to wander about 
for 100 years before being allowed to cross 
the Styx. 

649. Fulmmis ventis. The ancients be- 
lieved that wind always accompanied light- 
ning (an idea which might readily be 
imagined, since the fluid stiiking and rarefy- 
ing the air, rendered it more difiicult of 
breathing), and that it was even the cause 
of thimder and lightning both. The scien- 
tific knowledge of om* own times proves 
that one part at least of the above opinion 
is well founded; but we cannot here enter 
into the subject farther. 

Anchises was said to have been maimed 
for divulging his intimacy vrith Venus, and 
to this it is supposed reference is made by 
him. 

650. Fixus, i.e., loco. Perstahat memo- 
rans, "persisted in repeating his determi- 
nation." 

651. Effusi lacrimis, Le., in lacrimas, 
"dissolved in tears." Obtestati sumus, or 
some such word, is to be supplied to govern 
the clause introduced by sed. 

652. Vertere ^ evertere. Cuncta, the for- 
tune of all, for the others were determined 
not to abandon him. 

654. Obser\'e haeret applied in different 
senses to incepto and sedibus. (Zeugma.) 

661. Mi janua leto patet — "a means of 
approach to that death which you couii: is 
open." Iste has always a reference to the 
second pers. 

665. Eripis for eripuisti, but stronger, as 
implj-ing " thou hast rescued me heretofore, 
and art even now can-jing out plans which 
shall keep me free from hann." 

667. Cernam — this pres. tense is unusual, 
but the sense requires, " to see as I do this 
day." Erat (664) refers to the counsel 
adopted by Venus in reference to ^neas 
at a time now past — the results, however, 
are still felt. 

670. Numquum — "by no means." So we 
sometimes use never. 

674. Patri, Le., mihi, ^neas. 

678. Quondam implies a taunt to ^neas, 
as if he no longer cared for his wife, when 
he was thus ready to abandon her to her 
fate. 

682. Levisapex — " a slight tapering flame." 
Burmann takes apex to mean the thin coni- 
cal top of the Phrj-gian cap ; but line 685 is 
opposed to this view. The phenomenon was 
supposed to portend regal power to the 
person on whose head it appeared. See 
uEn. viL 71 sqq., and Li^y, Bk. L, c. -39. 
The science of electricity accoimts satisfac- 
torily for such appearances. 

683. Tactu depends on innoxia, and not 
on lamhere. 

684. Lamhere — this is a favourite word to 
express the flickering of a blaze, which so 



closely imitates the plaj-ing of the tongue 
round" an object. 

Mollis (Le., moUes) agreeing with comas, 
and thus the awkwardness of two epithets 
to flamma will be avoided. Pasci — com- 
bustible matter being the food of fire, the 
blaze is said to browse upon the hair. 

685. Trepidare — means to run around 
lulus mider the influence of dread and 
anxiety, but there is not contamed in the 
word any idea of running up to. Metu de- 
pends on pavidi. 

686. Sanctos — as sent from heavem 

688. Coelo, i.e., ad coelum, as often in tlie 
poets. Tetendit, obsen-e the zeugma. 

690. Adspice nos; hoc tantiem. Wagner, 
comparing such plu-ases aspugnampugnare, 
furorem furere, aequora currere {=cursum 
maritimum currere), would remove the 
semicolon after nos, and interpret, "cast 
upon us but this one propitious glance," as 
if it were /iunc tanturn adspectum nos adspice. 

But the more simple explanation is to be 
preferred — "Look upon us: this only do I 
beg — for one glance is suflicient to excite 
thy compassion." Gossrau omits the punc- 
tuation marks after tantutn and et, and, 
■sdewing et as placed in a somewhat unusual 
position, would interpret thus: "And, if 
we merit so much kindness as this (tantum 
hoc), on account of our piety, then father," 
etc. For a full discussion of the passage, 
see Forb. 

Ladewig favours the interpretation of 
Wagner, making hoc depend on adspice (as 
id in the phrase id te hortor). Anchises 
was seeking for a second augury to confirm 
the first. See Judges \i. 39. 

692. Fragore. Wakefield, Lucr. v. 318, 
explains this as meaning a bursting of the 
heavens, and a di^•iding of the clouds. 

Q;/e="when." This conjunction is often 
used when the writer hastens from one 
subject to another, or when he indicates 
that something is hastily executed after 
another, so that no time, as it were, elapses 
between the two events. See Wagn. QuaesL 
Vii-g. XXXV. 6, and cf. ^n. iiL 9 ; vL 499 ; 
Geo. ii. 80. 

693. Laevum — "on the left," which was 
propitious. Cf. Geo. iv. 7. 

694. Stella — a kind of meteor. 

696. Ida — a mountain near Troy, much 
celebrated for its pines, pitch, etc. ; it stUl 
retains the ancient name. Claram — "dis- 
tinctly," "visibly." 

697'. Sulcus— the meteor left a furrmc — 
track, in the heaven, which was conspicu- 
ous by its greater brightness after the 
brilliant nucleus of the fiery body had de- 
scended lower to the horizon. 

703. Testro in numine Troja est. Anchises, 
who was skilled ui augurj-, drew from the 
omens that lulus would prove a glory to 
his race, and would restore the kingdom of 
Trov in another land. Therefore he says, 
"Troy (i.e., the Trojans— the Trojan race 
and interest) is an object of your guardian 
care and solicitude : it is not yet entirely 
overtln-own : it will rise from its ruins, and 
once more rifle in power." This is the 
explanation adopted by Burmann, Wun- 
61 



B. II. 705-727. 



XOTES ON THE ^XEID. 



B. II. 729-745. 



derlich, Wagner, and Forbiger. Hejnie's 
is different, but does not deserve mention. 

705. Clarior — "more distinctly." 

706. "And the burning piles roll the (in- 
tense) heat nearer." The expression is 
equal to incendium sei'pit propius. 

101. Ergo age is said yv\t\\ a certain de- 
gree of reproach and mcitement, as hasten- 
ing one who has been unnecessarily causing 
delay. 

Imponere — pass, unper., used as Greek 
middle verb, " place yourself " 

708. Subibo humeris, i.e., vnH take you 
up upon my shoulders. 

70y. Quo — cunque separated by tmesis. 

711. Longe servet. They are to keep 
separate, lest a crowd should excite sus- 
picion, and foil theh" purpose. The ser- 
A-ants, too, were sent by chfferent routes. 

712. Animis advertite, quae dicam, for the 
more common expression, animos advertite 
ad ea quae dicam. 

714. De^ertae Cereris temphim, by enallage, 
for desertum tempi. Cer. Servius suggests 
three reasons why this epithet is applied to 
the temple of Ceres — 1st, Because of her be- 
ing deprived of her daughter ; 2d. Because 
her priest, Polyphoetes, had been slain in the 
war; and 3d. Because her worship had, of 
necessity, been suspended during the ten 
years' siege. Wagner and Forb. say, " Be- 
cause the temple was in an unfrequented 
and solitan,^ place out from the city." 

715. ReUgione=cidtu, "religious vene- 
ration," "worship." 

718. Me, belle e tanto—Tnther ex, which is 
the more usual form of the prep, used by 
Virgil when it is placed after the governed 
subst., or between the subst. and adj. This 
excuse is ingeniously devised by the poet 
to make tlie history agree with the common 
story, that Anchises bore the sacred things. 
Cf above, 1C7, and see 1 Chron. xxii. 8. 

719. Orpheus is said to have introduced 
into Greece the custom of purification pre- 
vious to touching anything sacred. Blood 
was supposed to pollute with the most in- 
veterate contamination ; cf 167. The 
custom of using running water for such 
purposes origmated in a sufliciently evident 
idea, and was canied so far as that atten- 
dants on solemn occasions poured a stream 
of water out of ewers on the hands of those 
who were to take pai-t in the religious 
ceremony. 

721. Latos humeros, i.e., humeros turn late 
quam licehat instratus sum. This is an 
example of the well known construction — 
"the accus. of the remoter object" after a 
pass. verb. See L 228, and Eel. i. 55. 

722. Vesfe—pelle, i.e., reste ex pelle leonina 
confecta. Super — insternor, by tmesis — or 
take super as an adv. 

724. Who does not realise the scene here 
described? The appropriateness of impli- 
cuit and non passibus aequis does not require 
to be dwelt upon. 

725. Per opaca locorum. Cf Geo. i. 393. 
and ^n. i. 422; Kritz Sail. Cat 57, 2. 
Tlie phrase=opaca loca, as strata viarum= 
stratas vias. 

1-27. Glomerati ex agmine. Hej'-ne and 
52 



Wagner join these words in sjmtax, with the 
meaning, "gathered into a compact mass, 
having been collected from the enemy's 
hne." Forb., follo-v\-ing Thiel and Wunder- 
lich, looks x\])on glomerati as an adj.=c?e«si, 
and ex adverso agmine, SLS=stantes in acie 
adversa, as £? is used in Greek. Thus adverso 
agmine, which means " a line of troops close 
in front," is opposed to tela, which means 
weapons hurled/ro)?i a distance. 
129. Suspensum. "In alarm." 

730. Portis, Le., a southern gate leading 
to Ida and Antandros, and away from the 
post of the enemy. 

731. Oinnem viam, i.e., all the dangerous 
part of the journey. Heyne adopts Mark- 
land's conjecture of ricem for viam, but this 
seems totally unnecessarj-. 

733. Pr^ospiciens. Not through fear, but 
his elevated position gave him a wider 
range of -siew. 

735. Wagner would scan nescio as a dis- 
syll., and thus avoid a Une composed entirely 
of dactyls. Only egd, duo, Scid, and nescid 
have the o short m YirgiL It'escio quod is 
equal to aliquod. 

736. Confusam eripuit mentem. This is 
an example of the Proleptic (anticipatorjO 
use of the adj., by which a thing is repre- 
sented as already done, though in reality it 
is to follow as a consequence of the action of 
the verb on which its subst. depends. The 
phrase is somewhat similar to the EngUsh 
one, "kill a man dead," "strike one dumb." 
Cf Hood, Dream of Eugene Aram; 

Anon I cleansed my bloody hands, 
And washed my forehead cool. 

For other instances see Geo. i. 320; ^n. i. 
69, 100 ; and above all, JEn. iii. 237, Scuta 
latentia condunt. 

738. Henry would join misero yv\t\\.fato, 
on the ground i\\Atfato, without an epithet 
of this kind, is frigid, and that heu renders 
misero, as applied to mihi, supei-fluous. 
He m-ges, fartlier, that ^neas, in using 
the term misero, has regard to Creusa's 
misery as well as his o^vn loss. But 
Hejme and Forb. explain the sjmtax 
thus : conjux vtihi misero erepta, fatone sub- 
stitit, an erravit de via, an lassa resedit (sat 
doAvn through exliaustion), incertum est. 
Wund. alleges that substitit, etc., are used 
in the indie, instead of the subjunctive by 
a Graecism. But Forb. considers lines 738, 
9, as taken by themselves so as to constitute 
an independent question— the answer to 
which is found in incertum est. The sub- 
junctive would thus be unsuitable. 

741. Reflexi. This word is used in an un- 
wonted signification — it is here equal to 
" remember," but its usual meaning is "to 
mrtuence to a change of sentiment." 

742. Tumulum antiq. Cer., i.e., a hill on 
which was a temple of Ceres of old date. 
On the omission of ad, see note jEn. i. 2. 

745. Incusavi deos hominesque. This is 
the usual formula in reference to those who 
complain grievously of their lot. The 
phrase is also used to ^v^wify everybodij with- 
out e.rciption. The line is hj^^ermetrical, the 
2!<ebeingjoinedbys!/«a;7/(ejato thefirst word 



B. II. 74G- 



NOTES ON THE .EXEID. 



B. II. 772-804. 



of the next verse. Weichert supports the 
various reading ckumque, so as to avoid this 
excess of syllables; but . I ahu argues against 
him, that the old form deiim is never used 
in this particular formula, "Wagner con- 
ceives Virgil to have used the liypermeter 
here to avoid the homoioteJeutoii in the 
words \vixtumqiie, xirumque, hominumque, 
deiimque. Dryden suggests, that "It was 
not for nothing that this passage was re- 
lated -w-ith all these tender circumstances : 
— ^ueas told it — Dido heard it." 

746. Crudelius, "more grievous," "more 
afflicting." 

749. Cingor — armis, refers particulai-ly 
to the re-adjustment of his shield, which 
had necessaiily been displaced to make way 
for his biu-den. Peerlkamp pronounces the 
line spurious: because (1st) Repeto recurs 
so soon again (753) ; and because cingor 
is a term applied to the putting on not of a 
shiekl, but of a suo?-d, which iEueas would 
not have laid aside. 

750. Stat, Le., decretum est apud me. The 
fuller form is stat sententia. 

754. Observata per noctcm, i.e., with as 
much accuracy as I could, seeing it was 
during the night that I had taken observ^a- 
tions, and was now examining the marks 
again. 

755. Silentia — ^poetic plur. See Schniitz 
Lat Gr., § 76, n. 1; Mad%ig, § 50, obs. 1; 
Zumpt, § 92, n. 1. 

757. Me refero, Le., visurus si forte, etc. 
Such a verb is often omitted before the 
particles si, and si forte. Cf. Nepos, Hann. 
8. The repetition of si forte indicates the 
most ai'dent desii-e for a thing which was 
in itself very doubtful and improbable. 
Wagner encloses the second si forte in com- 
mas, making it=J' 'rv;)^')t. 

759. Ad auras, Wagner, (Qusest. Virg. 
xvL) collating the passages where in auras 
and ad auras occur-, endeavours to show that 
ad auras surgere is said with regard to those 
things which raise themselves from the 
earth so far as yet to touch it, or at least to 
be elevated but a small way above it; while 
in auras surgere means to rise clean into 
mid-air. See above, 699, and EcL L 57. 

761. Asijlo (a, not and (rv7.u.u, / despoil) 
— sanctuary of Juno, because she favoured 
the Greeks. The spoil was carefully guarded 
for equal distribution. Vu-gil places the 
temple of Juno in the citadel, thinking of 
that wMch was built to her on the Roman 
capitoL 

762. Phoenix — Ulixes. See Class. Diet. 

764. Mensae — tables, inclucUng also tri- 
pods, and such like. Auro is the abl. of the 
material. Consult the Grammars, and see 
-^n. L (300. 

768. Umbram — various reading umbras — 
but when umbra=nox, the darkness of 
night, Virgil uses the sing. 

771. The story which follows is necessary 
to justify Jilneas ui contracting a manlage 
with Lavinia; but Ave shall see, in Book iii., 
that it leads to dithculties, if not contradic- 
tions. It is doubtless one of the passages 



which the poet would have altered had he 
lived to revise his work. 

772, Infelix, i.e., " lucklessly lost tome." 
She could not be called infelix who had now 
been received under the protection of Cybele 
(788) and made a deity, (iiota major imago — 
beauty, size, and height of body being pro- 
perties of the deities). 

774. Steterunt. The penult is here short- 
ened as frequently. See Eel. iv. 61, and 
Geo. iv. 393. 

776. Indulgere insano dolori. " Give way 
to excessive grief." 

779. Fas is nom. to sinit, and not to est, 
imderstood; there ought therefore to be only 
a comma after it. 

780. Longa exsilia — {obeunda, " ai'e to be 
undergone,") "tedious wanderings in distant 
lands." Exsilia is often used for exsilium. 
Arandum — a favom-ite phrase in reference to 
sailing. 

781. Lydius Thybris, L e., Etruscan. The 
epithet Lydian is employed in accordance 
with the anciently received opinion that the 
Etruscans were a Lydian colony. 

Instead of et at the beginning of the line, 
some books read ut, and some at. Wagner 
and Forb. approve of et. 

782. Ojnma signifies that ^neas was to 
come to a rich and well cultivated coimtry, 
and not to one waste and barren. 

783. Res laetae — "prosperity," "a rich 
kingdom;" parta — "has been destined." 

784. Lacrimas Creiisae, Le., propter Creii- 
sam effusas — "tears for Creiisa;" on the, 
syntax, cf. note, ^n. L 462. 

785. On the proper names here found, 
consult Class. Diet. Sedes superbas, Le., 
regiam superborum dominorum. Perhaps 
"lordly halls" would express the idea. 

787. Dardanis — on feminine patronymics, 
consult Zumpt, Madvig, or Schmitz, Lat, 
Gr. 

788. Magna D. Genetrix — Cybele detains 
her to be one of her companions. Cf. Paus. 
X. 26, L 

789. ''Plenus affectiis re?-SM5,"says Heyne. 
Cf. Propert. extr., 73, 74. Nunc tibi com- 
mendo communia pignora natos. 

792. Ibi is used of time, for turn. 

yer repeated is used for aliquoties — "se- 
veral times "—a definite number for an in- 
definite, as we say "a hmidred times," 
"fifty times," etc. 

Dare circum — tmesis for circumdare. 
Collo is the dat. case. 

798. Pubem=populus — "an adult body." 

800. Deducere is the technical word em- 
ployed for the planting of a colony, and 
hence its adoption here. 

SOL Surgebatjugis Idae. The poets were 
wont to represent the stars as rising from 
the nearest mountains, and settmg behind 
those on the other side. 

Ida — a Mt. of Troy close to the city. 
Lucifer — the morning star, Le., Venus, 
sometimes. 

803. Spes opis, Le., of rendering help to 
my countiy. 

804. Cessi, used absolutely, "I departed," 
or " I yielded to fortune." 



S3 



B. III. 1-4. 



KOTES ON THE ^XEID. 



B. III. 5-7. 



BOOK THIED. 

ARGUMENT. 

After the overthrow of Troy, ^neas builds a fleet of twenty ships at Antandras, and 
having set sail in company with a considerable number of fellow-exiles, lands first in 
Thrace. There he begins to found a city; but the shade of Polydorus (a son of Priam, 
who had been slain by king Poljannestor) warns him to avoid the ciu-sed land, which he 
immediately abandons (1-72). Reaching Delos, he consults the oracle of Apollo -nith 
regard to his journey and final settlement, but, by a misinterpretation of the response, he 
steers for Crete instead of Italy (7-3-120), Here, again, ill omens and a plague retard the 
building of his rising city; but being accurately and distinctly instructed by the Penates, 
who appeared to him in sleep, he finally directs his course to Italy (121-191). But he is 
overtaken by a storm, and is wafted to the islands, Strophades, infested by the Harpies 
(192-269), thence to Actium, where he celebrates games in honour of ApoUo (270-290). 
Passing CorcjTa, he lands in Epirus, and finds it ruled over by Helenus, one of the sons 
of Priam, to whom, after the death of P\Ti-hus, the kingdom had fallen, and along -with 
it Andromache (fonnerly the wife of Hector). He is received with great kindness by 
these his former fi-iends, and instructed by Helenus in all the labours and dangers that 
yet await him on his voyage (291-505). Crossing to the Itahan shore, he coasts south- 
ward, and approaches the cUstrict of Sicily near to ^tna, where he narrowly escapes the 
Cyclopes, by information of a Grecian, who had been abandoned on the island by Ulysses, 
and again stands out to sea (50G-GS-3). The warnings of Helenus enable him to escape 
the dangers of Scylla and Charj-bdis, and after a circuitous course to reach Drepanum, 
where his father Anchises dies; and whence setting sail he is driven to Carthage 
(684-718). The action of this Book extends over a period of seven years — from the sack 
of Troy till the arrival of >Eneas in Afiica, The historical, geographical, and mythological 
references are very numerous, and afford proof of the great leamuig of Virgil m these 
departments of hterature — learning which he is never slow to display. Though containinpr 
some highly-wrought and beautiful passages, and such a delightful episode as the meeting 
with Helenus and Andromache, yet, on the whole, the Third Book is inferior to those we 
have already gone over. YkgU seems to have kept the Odj-ssey in view throughout as his 
model. 



1. lies Asiae, the lingdom of Asia. So 
-^n. viii. 626, ard Hoi*. Ep. ii. 1, 2, Res 
Italas. The kingdom of Pri^m extended 
eastward to the river Acsepus, and south- 
ward to the promontoiy of Lecteum, oppo- 
site Lesbos. Nine princes were tributaiy to 
him, and suppUed contingents during the 
war. 

2. Immeritam — '■'■ unoffending,'" undeserv- 
ing such a fate. The crimes of Laomedon 
and Paris were the cause. Cf. Hor. Od. 
iiL 2, 21, and ilL 6, 1. Erertere gent^m, 
compare tlie phrase condere gentem, and 
note i. 33. Supei'bum is not used in a bad 
sense, but is equal to '■'^ excdted," ''famotis.'" 

3. Ilium, "the citadel;" Troja, "the 
to-wn." Neptiinia, built by Neptune, in 
conjunction with ApoUo. Cf Horn. II. xxL 
446 sqq. 

Fumat. Probus and Wakefield (on 
Lucr. v. 443) deem this an abbreviation for 
fumarit. But it is better to consider it, 
with Forb. and others, as a pres. used with 
design, and affoi'ding a peculiarly appropri- 
ate sense. The fall of Troy was instanta- 
neous, hence the aoristic perf cecidit — but 
the smouldering ruins co«?i/? (/e to emit .smoke 
for a long time, even tUl ^neas 7-esolves to 
emigrate, or is ready to depart; hence 
fumat. Humo=ab humo. Ser^-. 

4. Biversa, "remote," "in aditlerentpart 
54 



of the globe." It applies to ^neas and his 
followers only, and not to other bands under 
Antenor, Helenus, etc 

Desertas — "thinly peopled." For a 
discussion of the different readings and in- 
terpretations see Forb. 

5. Auguriis — viz., the apparition of Hec- 
tor, ii. 293 ; the assiu-ance of Venus, 619 ; 
the falUng star and the thunder, 695 ; the 
warning of Crcusa, 780 ; and the lambent 
flame, 682. Other auguries, not specified, 
may be meant. Peerlk. 

6. Sub Antandro— close to and lower than 
Antandros, [what aftero-ards became] "St 
Dimitri." The tO'^^'n was situated at the 
foot of Mt. Alexandra, one of the heights of 
Ida, from the vicinity of which much timber 
was procurable. Molimur, "we prepare 
■s\ith much labour." 

7. Incei^ti, etc. This passage has been 
adduced as an instance to prove that even 
''bonus VirgUius aliquando do?'mitat," or, 
that this is one of the places which the poet 
would have altered, had not death prevented 
a second revision. The prediction of Creusa 
(ii. 781), it is alleged, ought to have render- 
ed hun sure whither his course led, and 
where his wanderings were to end. But 
it IS to be remembered, (1). That Creusa 
had foretold longa exsilia, which prevented 
the hope of an immediate settlement in 



B. III. 9-17. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. III. 18-31. 



Italj-; (2), That ^neas Icnew of no country 
called Hesperia, as 163 shows, and that the 
legend referred to in Lydius Thybrk, was 
most Ukely equally unknown to him ; and 
(3), That, on calm reflection, ^neas might 
not have felt full confidence in the prophetic 
indication of his wife, which, indeed, is evi- 
denced by the phrase (186), Quis ad Hespe- 
ria venturos litora Teucros crederet? 

Sistere is occasionally used intrans. See 
Geo. L 479. Detur — for examples of dare 
governing inf , see ^En. i. 66, 79, 319. 

9. Et. This conjunction (also gwe), like 
the Greek x,a,i, frequently connects two 
parts of a sentence when one event is said 
to folloic dose upon another. It may fre- 
quently be translated by '■'■when" as Geo. 
ii 80 ; ^n. ii. 692, etc. 

Fatis. HejTie takes this word as the 
abl. = "by," "in consequence of the warn- 
ings of the deities;"' but Wagner more pi'o- 
perly considers it as a variety of the phrase 
dare vela ventis, and thus makes it a dat. 
Fatis, as the abL, after auguriis agimur, 
woiild be redundant. 

10. Wagner decides that et, in 9, responds 
to vix, 8, and treats cum as equal to et turn, 
(x.a.) TOTi br,), as qui is equal to et is, and 
generally, a relative to a conj. and a demon- 
strative. See ^n. vi. 91. 

12. Penatibus et magnis Lis. Heyne in- 
terprets the one phrase as epexegetical (i. 2) 
of the other: but Forb. considers them 
different, Vesta being decidedly included in 
the latter expression. See his note, in loc., 
and cf L 704. 

13. Mavortia — the abode of Mars. Greek, 
as well as Latin poets, delight to assign 
Thrace to Mars as his favourite haunt. 
Horn., Soph., Eurip., Ovid, Hor., etc., might 
be quoted in proof. See Forb. in loc. Refer 
to map of Ancient Europe. 

Procul — either "close by" the Troad, or 
"fixr away" from Carthage; or, procul 
colitur, "is extensively cultivated." 

14. Regnata — an example of a pass. part, 
formed from an intrans. verb. Cf Hor. Od. 
ii. 5, 11, Regnata rur a Phalanto; Ululatus, 
Mn. iv. 609 ; Triumphatus, vi. 837. 

Acri Li/curgo— the " stem, unyielding, 
Lycurgus " — referring to the opposition 
offei-ed by him to the introduction of the 
worship of Dionysus, and the use of wine. 
Cf. Hom. II. vi. 130 sqq. 

15. Hospitium antiquum, i.e., between it 
and Troy there was a " bond of hospitality 
of long standing." Ties of hospitality were 
considered by the ancients as the most sacred 
of all obligations, binding not only on the 
indi\iduals who had first contracted them, 
but also on their descendants. See the clas- 
sical writers, passim. Not only single per- 
sons, but also states, were thus connected. 

Sociique Penates — their Penates, too, 
were confederate with ours. Poljonnestor 
had married Ilione, eldest daughter of 
Priam. 

17. Prima moenia — "my first city," viz , 
.^nos; it was situated near the mouth of 
the Hebrus {Maritza), opposite Samothrace. 
It is now called ^nos or Eno. It was in 



existence, liowever, long before the arrival 
of iEneas, but Virgil endeavours to connect 
it with his name, confounding it perhaps 
with ^nia on the Thermaic Gulf (Gulf of 
Salonika), the inhabitants of which re- 
garded ^neas as their founder. 

18. JEneadas, etc. "I call the town (the 
inhabitants rather) ^neadae, a name de- 
rived from my own." 

19. Dionaeae matri, Le., "To my mother, 
Venus, the daughter of Dione," according to 
one genealogy. When Venus is called 
Dionaea, affection is always implied. 

Matri divisque. When offerings were 
made to one deity in particular, it was cus- 
tomary to invoke that god first, and the 
others afterwards. Cf the Greek phrase 
Zsy x,a,] 6 10 1, and such like. 

20. Auspicibus, " the favourers." Cf. Hor. 
Od. L 7, 27, '■'■Nil desperandum auspice 
Teucro'' 

Nitentem — '■'■fat and sleek," rather than 
" white." The colour was a matter of minor 
importance. Cf Hor. Ep. i. 4, 15, Me pin- 
guem et nitidum bene curatd cute vises. 

21. Coelicolum. This abbreviation of the 
gen. plur. is found more especially in the case 
of Patronymics in es and a, of certain com- 
poimds with cola and gena, and of some 
names of nations. 

22. Tumulus — not a funeral mound, but a 
"heap of sand" gradually raised over the 
unburied coi-pse of Polydorus by the action 
of the wind and waves. See Eur. Hec. i. 26, 
and 697 sqq. 

Quo summo — there is here an inversion of 
the syntax: — Transl., "on the summit of 
which." Such examples are very common 
— summus mons, proxima alluvies, etc. etc. 

23. JIastilibus horrida myrtus. Polydorus 
was slain with javelins, which he represents 
as taking root and shooting up from his body. 
The mjTtle is specified because " litora 
myrtetis laetissima," Geo, ii. 112 and 447. 
Horrida is applied to anything which pre- 
sents a rough or prickly exterior. 

24. Viridem sylvam — "the green shoots." 

25. Tegere, i. e., velare, is the verb pro- 
perly used with reference to crowns and 
garlands in sacred rites. The mjTtle was 
sacred to Venus, and hence peculiarly fit- 
ting in this case. 

27, 28. We have here an example of the 
indefinite (quae) responded to by the de- 
monstrative huic, instead of the usual con- 
struction of the antecedent followed by its 
relative; see note 95, below. For sim- 
plicity we may arrange the words thus — 
guttae atro sanguine (Le., atri sanguinis) 
liquuntur huic arbori (le., ex hac arbore) 
quae prima vellitur (ex) solo, ruptis radi- 
cibus. 

29. Tabum is any fluid (more especially 
blood) in process of corruption. 

30. Gelidus sanguis, etc. = sanguis fit geli^ 
dt(s et coit — "my blood runs cold, and freezes 
through fear." This is an example of the 
proleptic use of the adj. See note on Mn. 
i. 63, and ii. 736. 

31. Insequor convellere, etc. " I proceed 

55 



B. III. 34-42. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. III. 44-52. 



to tear up the tough shoot of another (stem), 
and thoroughly to examine into the cause 
still secret to me." This passage has been 
almost literally translated by Spenser, 
Faery Queen, L 2, 30 :— 
He pluckt a bough, out of whose rift there 

came 
Small di-ops of gory blood, that trickled 

down the same. 
Therewith a piteous yellhig voice was heard 
Crying, " O spare, with guilty hands to tear 
My tender sides in this rough ruid embar'd: 
But fly, ah! tiy far hence," etc. etc 

34. Agrestes nymphas — the Hamadryades. 
See Class. Diet. 

35. Gradivum, from Grddior, i.e., ^'"inag- 
nis gressibus incedit in pugnis " — the majes- 
tic mien of the god is thus suggested. 
Some derive it from gravis deus, and others 
from gramen, but these latter etymologies 
are not to be approved of. The first syll. 
is here long; it is occasionally short, re- 
taining the proper quantity of its primitive. 
Proper names do not so strictly follow the 
rnle of derivatives as common nouns. See 
Bentl. on Hor. Od. iiL 25, 9, and Forb. on 
^n. i. 343. 

Getae — put for their neighbovu-s the Thra- 
cians, for the former lived north of the 
Danube in Dacia, See Mr James in Smith's 
Diet, of Geog. 

36. Rite is usually employed in reference 
to the services of men to the gods ; here it 
applies to the gods who, according to their 
custom, assist mankind. 

Secundarent — "render favourable." Le- 
varent — "take away the unlucky appear- 
ance of," "lighten." See Hor. Od. ii. 
17, 29. 

38. Ohluctor adversae arenae — "press 
against (avr-pii^ed) the sand." 

40. Wagner considers vox reddita to be 
a mere epexegesis of genritiis. Forb., with 
more judgment, views them as separate 
and distinct: — first the groan, expressive 
of grief and pain is heard, and then follow 
the words explanatoiy of the mysterious 
circumstances of the blood and sighs. 

41. Join jam yv'ith parce, iiotA^ith sepulto. 
Jam is used to urge immediate attention to 
what ought to have been pre\iously done. 

42. Parce, "forbear;" Non, join with e.r- 
terniim, as by this aiTangement tAvo ideas 
are brought out : (1), I am not a foreigner; 
but (2), Troy saw my birth. The non, 
however, belongs, in a measure, to both 
members of the sentence, so that ««< follows 
without detriment to the sense (cf. iEn. x. 
529), the meanmg being, "Troy brought 
me forth not a stranger to you, nor is it 
the blood of a stranger (cruor, supply 
externns) that flows thus fi'om the stem." 
See Jahn and Forbiger. But we confess 
that this interpretation appears to us forced 
and uimecessaiy. ^neas lay under two mis- 
apprehensions : (1), that the voice was that 
of an inhabitant of the country, or at least 
not a Trojan, for such a one he by no means 
expected to find buried there; and (2), that 
the blood came from a mere senseless trunk. 
Polydorus, therefore, m'ges two reasons 

5o 



Avhy he should abstain from further lacera- 
tions: (1), because the blood issued from a 
hmnan bemg, and not from the stock of a 
tree; and (2), because that human being 
was his own townsman and kinsman. 
Stipite is thus the emphatic word in the last 
clause, and the msertion of externm seems 
perfectly gratuitous. 

44. "Flee this land of cruelty — flee this 
coast of avarice," i.e., the soil and territory 
of tMs merciless and avaricious king. 

45. Homer represents Polydorus, who was 
the youngest son of Priam, as slain by 
Achilles in a battle before thcAvaUs of Troy. 
The tragic poets, however, and especially 
Eurip. (Hec. 3 sqq.), whom YirgU follows, 
coined the version here given. PoljTnnestor, 
king of Thrace, was married to Ilione, 
eldest daughter of Priam. Em-ip. makes 
Hecuba tear out his eyes in revenge. 

46. Jacidis. Hej-ne pronounces this word 
the dat. = in jacula, i.e., excreveriint in 
arbores. But Wagner (whom Forb. fol- 
lows), appealing to 134, arcemque adtolkre 
tectis, prefers to consider it in the abL, " by 
reason (or, by means) of sharp-pomted 
lances." 

47. Ancipiti — "double," arising both from 
the appearance of the blood, and from the 
words of Polydorus. It may also mean 
''perplexing.'' 

Mentem — accus. of reference or limi- 
tation. Note i. 228 ; ii. 210 and 273. 

48. Obstupui — "astonied stood," Milton. 
Steterunt, etc. The remainder of this hue 
is rejected by Botheas spurious, on account 
of its havmg occurred so recently, ii. 774 ; 
but this is no objection, else hundreds of 
lines might be struck out of Homer. 

And my feU of hah* 
Would, at a dismal treatise, rouse and stir 
As hfe were in it. — Shakspere. 

50. Infelix — "unhappy," "unfortunate;" 
not on account of the destruction of Troy, 
and the adverse fortune which he at that 
time experienced, but because of the failure 
of his plans to preserve the life of his son, 
Polydorus. 

51. r/irei'cjorfgr?, i.e.,Polymnestor. Threi- 
cius is a verj- common form of this adj. with 
the poets, but it is not found in the better 
sort of prose A\Titers ; for, in Cic. Oft", ii. 7, 25, 
Thraciis is read. 

52. The genuineness of the latter part of 
this verse is suspected by Wagner. Poly- 
dorus was sent away from Troy by Priam, 
not at the beguming of the war when the 
city was first'invested, but after the siege 
had continued for a long time. [A blockade 
was a plan of attack adopted much later 
than the heroic age. See i. 4G9, note.] But 
he seems to have forgotten the word 
fiirtim, 50, which would be useless and 
"inexphcable were the doubtful phrase ex- 
plahiing the cause of the secrecy omitted. 
Even admitting Wagner's objection, we 
are to make gi-eat allowance, as he him- 
self in his Quaest. Virg. often does, for 
an unfinished poem, for poetic necessities, 
and for the transference of the customs of 
his own day back to the remote heroic age. 



B. III. 54-68. 



NOTES OX THE .EXEID. 



B. III. 69- 



The sense is: Priam sent away Polydorus 
secretly (without the knowledge of the 
Greeks), when he became doubtful as to the 
success of his amis, and saw that the city 
was kept closely blockaded (cingl=cinctam 
teneri). 

54. Res Agam — "the interest of Aga- 
memnon." 

55. Fas omne abrumpit — "breaks through 
every sacred tie," particularly the rights 
of hospitality. 

56. Potitur. This verb is occasionally 
declined after the third conjugation. 

57. Sacra fames may mean, 1st, accursed 
greed, because sacra is used of what is con- 
secrated, Le., devoted to the infernal gods; 
or, 2d, excessive greed, because sacra, like 
the Greek otog, means great, extensive. 
Fames, "inordmate desire." 

59. Refero. This is a forensic tenn, con- 
stantly employed by historians in speaking 
of " laying " a matter before the senate. 

61. Instead of linqui, some books read 
linquere, but the former is to be preferred. 
See Forb. in loc. 

Dare classibus anstros. This is not an 
Tiypallage for dare classeni austris, but is a 
natural and regular expression, seeing that 
it depends on the will of the mariners whether 
the saUs be spread to the wind or not. 

62. Instau'ramus—smi\>\Y "perform," not 
renew, for no funeral rites had been pre- 
viously celebrated. 

63. Tumulo — not "for a tomb," but, as 
there was somewhat of a mound alreadj^, 
it is, "a large quantity of earth is added ~to 
the mound" which had already been formed 
by the action of the wind on the sands, 22, 
the cornel shoots catchmg and retaining 
objects diiven upon them. 

Slant arae. Heyne thinks one altar only 
is meant; but Forb., comparing 315, below, 
where Andromache erects two to the manes 
of Hector, and Eel. v. 66, whei-e ]Menalcas 
vows two to Daphnis, suspects that two 
must be hitended here also. 

64. Moestae— exhibiting tokens of sorrow, 
in an active sense. 

65. Demore — "as custom required." Solu- 
tae crinem. See L 480, and on the construc- 
tion, note i. 228. 

66. Infer-imus—axi appropriate verb as 
applied to libations of icater, milk, wine, 
and blood, which together or singly formed 
usual offerings to the dead From this verb 
inferiae is formed. Forb. 

Tepido lacte — warm milk, newly drawn 
from the udder. Ci/mbia — long, narrow 
bowls, shaped like a boat. 



67. Sacri sanguinis, i.e., " of holy blood, " 
blood of the consecrated victim. 

68. Condimvs — "we lay to rest." This 
is in accordance with the opinion of the 
ancients, that the spirit remained in the 



tomb along with the corpse until the body 
had been dissolved by putrefaction, (hence 
such phrases as manes elicere, excire, sepul- 
chris) ; and that in the case of those un- 
buried, the spirits roamed about until the 
raising of the tomb, and the offering of the 
inferiae. 

Supremum — not to be taken as an adv., 
but as the ace. of the object depending on 
ciemus. This is the inclamatio or concla- 
matio, which was performed three times — 
First, when the body was carried out of the 
house ; second, when it had arrived at the 
pyre; and, third, after the conclusion of the 
ceremony and the finishing of the tumulus. 
A common form of this acclamcdio was, 
" Have, vale, pia aninia." With this passage 
read carefully in a text book of antiquities 
the funeral ceremonies of the Romans. 

69. Prima fides — in Spring, when the 
weather became favourable for navigation, 
and they could -with confidence venture out 
to sea — " as soon as they could have con- 
fidence in the deep." 

70. Placata venti dant maria — the winds, 
by ceasing to blow, leave the seas peaceful. 

Lenis crepitans — lenis = leniter — " gently 
whispering." Forb. We feel inclined, 
however, to give lenis its full sense as an 
adj., for two ideas are thus suggested, the 
one of which seems uecessaiy to modify the 
other. 

Auster does not mean the south wind, as 
that breeze would not be favourable to 
those sailing from Thrace, but is put for the 
^vind generally. 

71. Deducunt — "haul down," for the 
ships were dragged up on shore during the 
winter. 

73. On Delos, see Class. Diet., or Smith's 
Diet, of Geog. Medio mari, i.e , "in the 
deep sea," as below, 104 and 270. Some 
suppose medio is employed because Delos 
was considered the central island of the 
Cyclades. 

74. This line is remarkable for the preva- 
lence of the spondee, and for the two exam- 
ples of hiatus, the first of which is excused, 
as it is in arsin, and the second as occurring 
in a proper name. See Eel. iL 24, 53 ; .Sin. 
i. 16. 

Neptune was supposed to delight in the 
iEgean Sea, hence the epithet jEgaeus. 
Matri, i.e., Doris. 

75. A?xitenens — "the archer," To^o^popo:, 
i.e., Apollo. Pius is applied to him, on 
account of the gratitude he showed to the 
island of his birth. Any one will easily see 
that tliis reading is much preferable to 
prius. 

76. Mycono e celsd. The various readings 
of this line are too numerous to be specified. 
The meaning is, that Apollo bound Delos 
to Mycouos and Gj'aros, as two holdfasts. 
On these islands, consult Class. Diet, or 
Smith's Diet, of Geog. The more common 
legend represented Delos as made station- 
aiy, in order to receive Latona previous to 
the bnth of Apollo and Diana. 

77. Immotam — "firmly fixed," whereas 
it had been floating about before. Contem- 

57 



B. III. 79-92. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. III. 94-108. 



nere ventos — "to despise the winds," as being 
now sheltered by the surrounding Cyclades. 

79. Veneramur — "we approach with 
tokens of worship." 

80. Anim, a son of Apollo, and a most 
celebrated priest. The union of the kingly 
and sacerdotal offices in the same uidi%4dual 
is consistent with Homeric times. There 
is, doubtless, a compliment intended to 
Augustus, as chief ci\'il ruler, and Pontifex 
Maximus, and an approval expressed of 
the junction. 

si. Redimitus tempora. See i. 228, note. 

83. Hospitio. Thiel considers this as the 
ahl. absol, " there being a right of hospi- 
tality between us." Others take it as the 
dat for ad hoipitium, to form a tie of 
hospitality. But it is better to take it as 
the a6^. "inconsequence of," by reason of, 
the right of hospitality formerly established 
between Anchises and Anius. 

84. Venerabar — "I approached in ad- 
miration and -with prayers." Vetusto — 
Macrobius thinks that this implies not so 
much the age of the temple as the fact of 
the immoveable, steady position of the 
island, which, being free from earthquakes, 
left the first erection still standing. 

85. " Give us, O God of Tiiymbra (see 
Class. Diet.), apermanent (sure) settlement." 

87. Altera Ti-ojae Pergama is explained 
by relltquias, etc., which follow. 

88. Qiiem sequimttr. On the indie, mood, 
of. iL 322, note on ii. 738, and iii. 367. 

89. Pater— A.Y)0\\o Delius is called Tiv'i Tcup, 
par excellence. Augur ium is used of all 
modes which the gods adopt to indicate 
their will to man, and here means an oracle. 
lUabere—an idea constantly brought out by 
the poets ; it may be translated, " Inspire ;" 
" Descend into with prophetic inspiration." 

91. Laurm — the bay tree in front of the 
temple of Apollo, sacred to him. Liminaque 
—the que is lengthened by arsis. See note 
i. 308. 

92. Mons, viz., Ciintlui.% at the foot of 
whicli was the temple. Mugire is used pro- 
perly of a hollow sound proceeding from 
subterranean regions (iv. 490). Heync re- 
marks that this passage has reference to 
the Delphic oracle, and the way in which 
its revelations were made, since in it the 
wind rising from the cavern on wliich the 
tripod was placed, caused a noise similar 
to that here described. 




Cortina — "a round dish," sometimes put 
for the tripod itself, (see the woodcut,) either 
because it was supported on three feet, or 
because it was placed on the tripod as a 
covering. Adytis—ih^ inner part, the " Holy 
of Holies" — the ci^ura.. 

94. The oracle is ambiguous, as usual. 
Dardanidae is the most suitable epithet to 
apply to the Trojans under the circum- 
stances, as it pointed to their ancestor Dar- 
danvs, and his country Italy, to which they 
were to go. 

95. Quae — eadem. This is a good ex- 
ample to illustrate the construction of the 
indefinite pron. qziae followed by the demon- 
strative eadem,, instead of the more common 
one of the antecedent and relative. When 
this syntax is met with, it is usually ex- 
plained as an involved and intricate order 
of the rel. and antecedent, but a little re- 
flection shows that such is not the case. 
It is unnecessary to do more than simply 
call attention to a most striking example of 
the construction in Acts x\'ii. 23 : " Whom 
therefore you ignorantly worship, him de- 
clare I unto you." Who can fail to discover 
the vast advantage to emphasis from this 
foi-m rather than from the plain and every- 
day phraseology, " I declare him unto you 
Avhom ye ignorantly worship;" or, "I de- 
clare unto you him whom ye ignorantly 
Avorship." See above, 27. 

97. This and the following line are a 
literal translation of the words ascribed to 
Neptune by Homer, II. xx. 307, 8. 

Ni/v Is }yi 'Aiviixo fir/i TpuKftftv u.va.t,it 
Kk) -raiaMv <^cc7ois, rot ksv fciroTitrh 
y'lvuvTcci. 

99. Mi.rto tumvUu, viz., on account of the 
doubtful interpretation. 

102. Volvens monumenta — "pondering 
over the ancient legends." 

104. Creta Joris — Jupiter's birth-place. 
See Creta and Jupiter in Class. Diet. 
Anchises was excusable for mistaking the 
oracle. The arguments advanced by him 
to prove Crete the place signified by the 
god are, the descent from the Cretan Teu- 
cer— Mount Ida— the worship of Cybele, 
with the Corybantcs and the Idaean grove. 
See note on 7, above, and on 186, below. 

105. Mons Idaeus, the largest in the island, 
the other two most notable being Lyctus and 
Dicte. Ida is now called Psiloriti or S. Giove. 
C'unabida, "the cradle," "first home." 

106. Centujn urbes. Hom. II. ii. 649 calls it 
Ix.a.TOf^-Tro'kii, but in the Odyss. he gives 
the number as ninety. This discrepancy is 
urged as a proof that the Iliad and Odyssey 
were not written by the same person or per- 
sons. 

108. Teucrus — a transference of the Greek 
form nuKpoi into Latin letters; the common 
form is Teucer. 

According to the most ancient fables, 
Teucer was a native of the Troad, the son 
of the river god Scamander and an Idaean 
npnph. Later traditions represented him 
as the son of a Cretan noble, Scamander, and 



B. III. 109-125. 



NOTES ON THE .EXEED. 



B. III. 126-137. 



Idaea, a Cretan nymph. Compelled by a 
fomine to migrate from his native island to 
Phrj'gia, in company with his father, he 
there manied the daughter of Dardaniis, 
settled permanently in the country, and 
gave his name to the Trojans. 

Rhoeteasoras, i.e., Trojanas — so called from 
the promontory Rhoeteum on the Helles- 
pont. 

109 and 110. Virgil has again translated 
literally. See Hom. II. xx. 216-218. 

111. Einc, etc. "Hence (from Crete) 
came the mother (of the gods) who dwells 
in Mount Cybele (in Phr>-gia) —the brazen 
cymbals of the Corj-bautes, too, and the 
Idaean gi'ove: — hence were derived the 
mysteries of her (Cybele's) rites, and hence, 
too, yoked lions drew the chariot of their 
queen." The Corybantes are confounded 
with the Curetes, though distinct from them. 
The Corj'bantes (Y>-hose name, as well as 
that of the Curetes, was derived from y^poi, 
xovpos, or from y~opus) were the armed 
priests of Cybele, and worshipped then- 
deity with dancing, the loud din of armour, 
and the sound of cyinbals. Cj'bele is as- 
signed two lions yoked to a car, in token that 
maternal affection can tame the most savage 
natures. 

115. Gnosia regno, i.e., Cretan, from 
Gnossus, the principal to^vn of the island. 

116. Nee distant longo cursu — about 150 
miles. C«r5M, abl. of measm-e. Adsit, ''he 
propitious." 

118. Aris=ad aras, according to Heyne. 
Forb., however, considers it the dat, and 
explains ''victimas quae in oris concrema- 
rentitr.''' He explains similarly Geo. ii. 380, 
Caper omnibus aris cceditur. 

119. Neptune is conciliated as god of the 
sea, prospectively for their voyage — ^Apollo 
as having given the response. A black 
sheep is offered to Hiems, as the storm it- 
self is dark and gloomy, with its threatening 
clouds — a uhite one to the zephyrs, as 
serenizing and mild. 

122. Idomeneus, son of Deucalion, and 
grandson of Minos, had led a band of Cre- 
tans to the Trojan war. On Ms return, be- 
ing endangered by a storm, he vowed 
to sacrifice to the gods, if spared by them, 
whatever first met him on reaching his own 
house. Merioues. his son, became the melan- 
choly -victim. A pestilence haAing -visited 
the island some time posterior to this, the 
crime of Idomeneus was considered the 
cause, and he was in consequence exiled; 
he settled in the Sallentine territory, in the 
south of Italy. 

123. Eoste — an enemy, viz., to the Tro- 
jans, for the Cretans, as we have seen, 
had gone against Troy. 

124. Ortygia. Delos was so called from 
oprv^, a quail, these birds aboimding in it 
at one period. 

125. Kaxos — the largest of the Cyclades, 
most favourable for the cultivation of the 
^ine, and thence fabled to have been the 
birth-place of Bacchus, as it was the princi- 
pal seat of his worship, — hodie, Naxia or 
Naxo. Baccfiatam jugis, " whose sum- 



mits were the scenes of bacchanalian re- 
vels." This is an instance of the particip. 
of a deponent verb being used passively. 
See Geo. ii. 487. Donusa, now Denusa, one 
of the Sporades. to the west of Patmos. It 
is called ViriJis, not so much from the 
colour of its marble as from the verdure of 
its fields. 

126. Olearos — (called afterwards Anii- 
paros, from its position west and opposite 
to Paros), one of the Sporades. and famed 
for its grotto. Paros, one of the Cyclades, 
famed for its snowy white marble, cut in 
Mt. Marpesus, hence the epithets niveus, 
nitens. fulgens, etc., applied by the poets. 
Hor. iiL 28, 14, calls all the Cyclades 
nitentes. 

The Parian, or "Arundel marbles," con- 
tauiing the annals of Athens from b.c. 1582 
to B.C. 264, were cut on this marble. They 
were discovered by Zi. De Pierese. from 
whom they were purchased by the Earl of 
Arundel, and presented to the University 
of Oxford. 

127. Cycladas — so called from being 
placed around Delos, with that island as 
the centre. 

For concita, some books read consita — 
"thickly studded," but this does not agree 
well -with sjjarsas. Ti'ansL, therefore, "they 
cruise through the straits, chafed by reason 
of the many islands." The waves pent up 
in the narrow channels had not room to 
expand, and gradually diminish in size, and 
therefore rose higher and boUed more 
fiercely than out at sea. rendering the navi- 
gation dangerous. Forb. shows that the 
common reading, consita, and its explana- 
tion, would prove Virgil guilty of a geogra- 
phical blunder of a very serious kind. 

128. Vario certain ine. Forb. considers 
vario as more properly belonging to clamor 
(enallage). to express the variety of manner 
and of sound with which the sailors uttered 
their mutual exhortations. 

130. A puppi — "in the rear," and thus 
favourable. 

131. Curetum. See above. 111. 

132. Optatae urhis — either "eagerly longed 
for city," or "of the city whose site I had 
pre\iously selected." 

133. Pergameam—&\\ adj. — the city was 
called Pergamum. 

134. Arnare focos, i.e., domicilium sibi 
par are et privata tecta. 

Tecti's. Gossrau and others take this as 
the clat. " for the houses," Le., for their pro- 
tection. But Forb. looks upon it as the 
abl, "to raise a citadel by buildings" of 
greater altitude than the private houses; 
the construction is similar to Jaculis in- 
crescere, 46, above. 

135. Fere Wagn. joins to sicca. Forb., 
hoAvever, would connect it with suMuctae, 
or rather apply it to 136 and 137 as well. 
There would thus be an eUipsis to be sup- 
plied as follows ; — ''Jamquefer'e nova colonia 
in eo erat ut condereiur, cum," etc. 

136. Connubiis — on the synezesis, connulyis, 
see note L 2. 

137. Daham — another instance of zews^wia. 

59 



B. III. 139-162. 



NOTES OX THE ^NEID. 



B. III. 163-179. 



Tabida — '■•causing to decay'' in an active 



139. Satis — "upon the crops." Ih^pestis 
■was a miasma. 

141. Sirius — "the dog-star, "-whose rising 
is followed by the hot season, is put for the 
heat whicli it was supposed to cause. Ster- 
ilis — this is another example of the p?'o7eptic 
use of the adj., on wliich. see note, ^n. i. 
63 ; iL 736. " Sirius scorches the fields, so 
as to render them barren." 

143. i?e»?en5o— used passively — see above, 
12.5, note, and ^n. ii. 181. 

145. Quam finem. Vu'gil malies finis 
sometimes masc. and sometimes fern. See 
note ^n. i. 241; ii. 554. Gelhus believes 
that the ear alone decided which form was 
to be used. Unde=ex qua re. 

147. Terris, for in terris, the prep, being- 
omitted veiy frequently by the poets. 

148. Effigies divum, Fhriigiique Penates — 
an instance of hendiadys (iv oix. dvoiv), 
the two phrases meardng the same set of 
deities, though the form of expression would 
seem to mdicate that tlitferent personages 
were intended. See note on 12, above, and 
JEn. L 2 and 258. Que is epexegetical, i.e., 
it so connects two phrases, more or less 
different from each other, that they coalesce 
into one notion. See EcL ii. S— umbras et 
frigora, and ^n. L 2. 

151. /«5o?n;H'5— "asleep-," but insomnis — 
"awake." The latter readmg is preferred 
by Hejme, on account of the two plirases, 
muUo manifesti lumine, and, 173, nee sopor 
ilhid erat, which he thinks inconsistent 
■with a dream. But Jahn, AVund., and 
Forb., adopt in somnis, interpretmg nee 
sopor illud erat, "nor was it a mere empty 
di-eam," sed (173) coram agnoscere vuUus— 
videbar. 

Jahn remarks, that the very imaginhig of 
the moonhg-ht peering through the chink ui 
the wall, -\vas manifestly part of a dream. 
Videri, also, is a word properly used m 
dreams. 

152. Fenestras — ^'■apertures " — insertas, 
sciL parietibus. 

154. Quod, etc.— (id) hie canit — see note 
95, above. 

157. Sub te, i.e., te duce. 

158. Idem for iidem — used with great 
force after the double nos. 

ToUemus in astra. Servius and others 
thought this a reference to the apot/ieosis of 
CcTEsar. But Hejnie, Thiel, Forb., etc., are 
of opinion that it simply denotes the great 
height of power to which the Roman nation 
would reach; and the folio whig clause, 
imperium urbi dabimus, seems to contirra 
this latter interpretation. 

159. Moenia — Rome, not La-^-inium, as 
the preceding Imperium urbi dab. shows, 
^neas was desired only to prepare a city, 
77iagnis — "for his great descendants" — a 
phrase which exactly suits La^•i^ium, as the 
grandmother of Rome, through her daughter 
Alba. 

162. Cretae for in Creta. The names of 
islands are sometunes treated, even among 
60 



prose -writers, as the names of to-wns. See 
note on ^^n. i. 2. 

163-166. These verses are transferred from 
^n. i. 530, where see notes. 

167. Dardanus was the son of Jupiter by 
Electra the wife of Kuig Coiythus. He left 
Italy -nith his brother Jasius, and migrated 
to Samothrace, whence, on the death of the 
latter by the thunderbolt of Jupiter, he 
passed over to Phn,-gia He there married 
Batia the daughter of King Teucer, and by 
right of iuheritauce received the Trojan 
kingdom. From that time the Troad was 
called Dardania, and the Trojans Dar- 
danidae. 

168. Pater is to be applied to both Dar- 
danus and Jasius, as being patres,founders, 
of the race, and not on accoimt of then- great 
age. Some, however, have imagined that 
pater is purposely applied to Jasius to sig- 
nify that he lived" to a good old age, thereby 
contradicting that fonn of the legend whicb 
represented him as slam by his brother 
Dardanus, who would thus, as a murderer, 
be no very respectable ancestor for the 
Romans. 

170. Corijthum — theto-wu near lake Trasi- 
menus, afterwards called Cortona, a most 
ancient city of Etrm-ia. He5Tie understands 
King Coiythus to be here meant, and not 
the city which was of his fomidation. Cory- 
th us will in either case mean the whole dis- 
trict of Etruria and Latium. 

171. Ausones was the Greek name for the 
most ancient inhabitants of Latium. Bictaea, 
i.e., Cretan, see 105. 

172. This line is in close connexion 
with 176, so that 173, 4, and 5, are paren- 
thetic. The anacolout/wn (see note -En. 
i. 237) suits well the -violence of feeling of 
.Eneas. 

173. Necsopor — "norwas it amere empty 
dream," see 151. In sojior illud— the usual 
attraction of the pron. is here neglected : we 
would expect ille. 

Ne'er was dream so like a -waking, 
and so with shrieks 



She melted into air. Alfrighted much 
I did in time collect myself, and thought 
That this was so, and no slumber. 

Shakspere. 

174. Velatas — their heads adorned with 
fillets. 

176. Supinas—yrith the palms upward. 
If they prayed to the sea gods, they stretched 
their hands towards the sea ; if to the infer- 
nal deities, they extended them towards the 
earth. In Tendo we have another instance 
of zeugma, ii. 258. 

178. Intemerata 7»Knera— "wine offered 
-with piu-ity of muid and piety of sentiment." 
Serv. "Pure, unmixed -none." Wagner. 
The adv. intemeratus is rarely used of tilings 
possessing substance, but always of affections 
or states of mind; so ii. 143, intemerata 
fides. 

Focis — " on the hearth," because that 
was the altar of the Penates. 

179. Facio certum — the prose form isfacio 
certiorem; "I certify," "inform one of." 



B. III. 180-199. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEH). 



B. III. 200-216. 



Pando — "unfold," "explain;" ex ordine, 
"ill the order of occiin-ence."' 

ISO. Prolem amhiguam — the "doubtfaL" 
^'■twofold g-enealo2^-." because the Trojan 
race could be derived both from Dardanus 
and from Teucer. the genuine parents. Ob- 
serve agnorit governing the ace., and also 
the infin. as co-ordinate. 

181. ^'ovo veterum errore locarum. For 
lengthened annotation on this difficult and 
much canvassed passage, vre must refer 
students to the commentators, contenting 
ourselves vrith the mention of that explana- 
tion which appears most simple and con- 
sistent with the context As ^hieas had 
formerly (13 sqq.) erred in Ms attempted 
settlement in Thrace, having considered 
that a.-5 the land destined to him by fate, so 
now, a second time, he is forced to abandon 
his supposed Idngdom. and again set forth 
in quest of the ever-receding territory. He 
did not err. however, iu his interpretation 
of the oracle, but in his choice of pAace. 
TransL: ''He acknowledged that he had 
been led astray by a second mistake with 
regard to the lands of ancient celebrity" 
(in the liistoiy of the origin of the Trojans). 
The late Dv Moor (Glasgow University) 
suggested, -misled with regard to these 
ancrent countries (Crete and Italy) by the 
later voyage," i.e., he confounded the voy- 
age of Teucer with the earlier one of Dar- 
danus. 

183. Cassandra — see ^n. iL 246, and 
consult Class. Diet. Observe the alliteration 
in casus Cassandra canehat. C£ /F.n. v. 866, 
and Geo. i. 157 and 389. 

18-5. '-That she often spolce of Hesperia, 
and often too of an Italian kingdom." 

186. Ad Eesperiae litora tenturos — c£ 
note on 7. 

187. Crederet. moveref. The pluperf. tense 
would be more natural according to our 
idiom. See Mad^-ig, Zumpt, and Schmitz, 
on use of irnperf. subjunctive. 

188. Moniti, viz., by the Penates. 

189. Ovantes, "rejoicing." On the ovatio 
consult Eamsay's Antiq. 

190. Compare this line with the remarks 
made in note on 181. markuig the form of 
quoque as strengthening the interpretation 
put upon novo. 

191. Trale—Tput for the whole ship, as 
often elsewhere. Cf Hor. Od. L 1, 13. 

Currimus aequor. On this construction 
see note on ^n. L 67. 

192 sqq. With this description of a tem- 
pest, cf. Horn. Od. xiv. 301 sqq. It sm-- 
prised them when rounding Cape Malea 
(see 193). 

19-5. " Bringing dai'kness and a tempest 
^the water, too, grew dark with mui'ky 
waves." 

196. Magna aequora surgunt — "the vast 
sea plains rise into billows." Volvunt mare, 
"cause the sea to sweU." 

198. Invoh-ere diem ?nm6f— "turned day 
into night;" Le., "took away the view of 
the sky, and the light, and the sun." 

199. Ingerninant, etc. — "the lightning 



flashes burst incessantly from the riven 
clouds." C£ Bums — 

The lightnmgs flash from pole to pole. 
Near and more near the thunders roU. 

And Milton — 

The clouds. 
From many a horrid rift, abortive poured 
Fierce rain, with lightning mixed. 

200. Caecis — Le., " enveloped in dark- 
ness," so that we cannot distinguish where 
we are, or whither we are going, — •' dark," 
"dangerous." 

201. Negat. 2s ego means to '■'■say no." 
After nee in the next line dicit is to be sup- 
plied from this word. Transl. : "Even 
Palinurus himself declares that he cannot 

distinguish. and avows {dicit) that he 

does not remember (i.e., know) his course 
in the open sea." {media undo). 

203. Adeo is to be closely joined with 
tres — " for three entire days of uncertainty" 
(incertos). or " actually three days." "Wagn. 
doubts whether it should be joined to tres 
or to incertos — " thus uncertain." Incertos 
means so dark as that the navigation was 
uncertain. Soles for dies is a common change 
of notion. Caeca caligine depends on in- 
certos and not on er ramus. Such pleonasms 
are frequent — so caecis in tenebris, Lucr. 
The cacophony arising from the close posi- 
tion of the sylL ca in the end of the one 
word and in the beginning of next, has 
been much reprehended. Thus also Doricx 
I CAS^rcr. 

206. Aperire — "to bare," "disclose," 
" display to our view." 

Vohere fumum, viz., from the houses of 
the hihabitants, a sight pleasing to the 
Trojans, as it showed that the land was 
not waste and unpeopled. 

207. Cadnnt. Le., "are lowered," for in 
shallows they propelled the ship only by 

j the oars. 

I Insurgimus j^emis — "we rise to the oar 

: stroke." This and the phrase adnixi in the 

': following line express -with great force and 

j disrinctness the full strain of mind and of 

i muscle put forth by each sailor. 

I 208. Verrunt — "sweep the dark blue sea" 

! Torquent — "toss." Caerula — see note on 

mj\. L 310. 
j 210. On the Strophades, Harpies, Phineus, 
j and other proper names, considt Class. Diet. 
I 211. This line is very remarkable in scan- 
j sion; not only is hiatus tvrice admitted, but 
1 the final sylls. of Insulae and lonio are 
treated as in Greek, Le.. one of the two 
times {'• morae") of the long sylls. is re- 
jected before the next word beginning with 
, a vowel, and the remaining " time " thus 
represents a short syll., — othei'wise, half of 
; the syll. is thrown away. See Metrical 
Index at end of voL, and note 74, above. 

213. Priores mmsas. See Class. Diet. 
under Eaipyiae. 

21-5. Ira deurn — " manifestation of the 
wrath of heaven," '\judgment of heaven." 

216. Virginei rolucrum vultus.i.e.. "though 
birds in shape of body, yet they had the 
faces of women." The larger sized bats 
61 



B. III. 217-237, 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. III. 239-256. 



seem to have given rise to such descriptions; 
it is perliaps an admixture of the bat and 
the vulture. 




A Haept. 

217. Ventris prolvvies — " Sordis effusio. 
Vitavit ne diceret stercus." Serv. The 
filthyexudation suits better the vulture tribe. 

220. Laeta, i.e., ping uia — "fot." 

221. Caprigenum — an old adj. used by 
Pacuvius (534-62'l, u. c), and Attius (594- 
670, u. c.) 

Nvllo cvstode — animals sacred to the gods 
Tvere allowed to M-ander in the pasture 
without restraint and unguarded. 

223. In partem praedamque. i.e., in par- 
tem praedae, by hendiadys. See note on 
148, above, and i. 2. 

224. Toros — scats of turf raised in the 
manner of couches. 

225. Subitae is much more expressive 
than the otlicr reading, subito. 

227. Diripiiint — " they seize and devour." 
Deripiunt would mean "they carry off to 
some other place." 

228. Tum,=porro, "moreover," not 7)os<w, 
"thereafter." Observe the omission of the 
subst. verb. 

231. Arts is considered by He>Tie as equal 
to focis. But Wund. takes it in its proper 
acceptation, "altar;" for at every feast a 
portion was first presented to the gods. 
Virgil, therefore, as he had mentioned the 
fii'st offering to Jupiter in 224, dismisses the 
subject briefly now, so as not to prove ver- 
bose and tedious. Reponimits, etc. — "we 
rekindle the fire on the altars." 

232. Ex diverso coeli^ex diversa parte 
coeJi. See note 208, above, and ^^n. L lllO. 

234. Tunr=hoc tempore — now when they 
made a second descent. Observe the change 
of construction from capessant to gerendum, 
though both depend on the same verb, edko. 
See Eel. v. 47; -vi. 74; lEn. 11. 5; Geo. i. 2-5. 

237. Tectos disponunt — latentia condunt, 
i.e., disponunt ut tegantur — et ita condunt 
ut lateant. "VVe liave here two very remark- 
able examples of the proleptic use of the 
adj., on which see note SLn. ii. 736 and i. Co. 

62 



239. Specula — ahigh position commanding 
an extensive view, "a watch-tower;" but 
speculum, "a mirror." 

241. Foedare stands in apposition to proe- 
Ua, as at Geo. iv. 554, stridere does to mon- 
strum. Wagner makes the infin. depend ou 
tent ant. 

Obscoen as— either "filthy and disgust- 
ing" in appearance and in smell, or "iU- 
omened," "unpropitious." They are called 
volucres pelagi, as being grand-daughters of 
Ocean us, 

242. Vim = ictum,, "mark of violence." 
Tergo, i.e., corpore. 

The elements, 
Of whom your swords are tempered, may as 

well 
Wound tlie loud winds, or ^ith be-mocked- 

at stabs 
Kill tlie still closing waters, as diminish 
One dowle that's in my plume. — Shaksp. 

244. Semiesam (to be pronounced semye- 
sam) is the more approved reading, instead 
of semesam. In relinquunt we have another 
remarkable instance of zeugma. 

246. Infelix vates — "prophetess of evil." 
Muvrt xecxuv. Uom. II. i. 106. 

247. Fro caede—'' as a retiu-n for;" said 
sarcastically, "a pretty reward, forsooth, 
for the slaughter," etc. 

Bellum—beUum. This repetition of the 
same word is called anaphora. 

248. Laomedontiadae. The name is ap- 
plied to remind them of the treachery of 
Laomedon, and thus to taunt them with the 
impiety of the race from the earliest time 
down to the present. 

249. Harpyias insontes. Bothe plaees 
the adj. first, thus restoring the reading 
which prevailed before Heinsius. This 
order Jahn, too, approves, as more accord- 
ant with tiie practice of the poets in placing 
the adj. before its subst. But the order in- 
dicated above is preferred by Heyne, Wag- 
ner, and Forb., on the ground that the 
epithet, coming after the caesura, acquii-es 
more force by the necessaiy emphasis in 
pronunciation. 

Fatrio, i. e., rightful because granted by 
the gods ; or because insulae, and therefore 
oceanic. See above, 241. 

2-50. Cf. Horn. II. i. 297. 

252. Mihi praedixit. Jove was esteemed 
the supreme counsellor, and omniscient. 
His will he communicated to Apollo, and 
the latter, in his turn, imparted the know- 
ledge of futurity to whomsoever he pleased. 

Maxima — "eldest." Homer keeps the 
Harpies and the Furies distinct, Od. xx. 
77, but they are often confomided by other 
poets. 

256. Join ante-quam. In viL 112 sqq., we 
have the fulfilment of this oracle, which 
caused so much perplexity to the Trojans. 
The wheaten cakes on which their other 
viands were in the first instance laid as on 
dishes, were devoured after the food which 
they had borne had been consumed. Virgil 
has been censured for the introduction of so 
silly an mcident into an epic poem ; but per- 



B. III. 257-279. 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. III. 280-292. 



haps some legend of Latium, ha\'ing' this as 
its subject, suggested the mention of it here. 
257. Ambesa^ — prolepsis of adj. See note 
237, above. 

260. Deriguit — "firose with horror," 
"their courage was prostrated," cecidere 
animi. 

261. Pacem — "pardon for their crimes," 
says Hejnie. But Forb. intei-prets it "sue for 
peace," Its common signification, which he 
alleges is proved by the opposition between 
non armis and sed precibu^, together with 
240 sqq. Exposcere is appUed with particular 
reference to precihus, but also has relation 
to votis and armis as weU. There is there- 
fore a zeugma in the word. See ^n. L 79, 
and iL 258. 

264. Meritos honores — "prayers," says 
Heyne; " sacrifices," says Wagn.,-\\ith more 
show of reason. 

267. Deripere funem — "to loosen the ?a7?d- 
fast Avith aU speed." On juhet with infin. 
consult the Grammar. Excussos laxare ru- 
dentes, another instance of prolepsis of adj. 
" To MVirai-eZ and let go the sail ropes." Heyne 
accounts for the large share Anchises has in 
the management of affaii-s— 1st, on accoimt 
of the great reverence paid in the heroic age 
to seniority and to parentage ; and 2d, be- 
cause Anchises was well versed in augury 
and divination. 

269. VocabaU instead of the more common 
Tocabant, for Vu-gil usually makes the verb 
agree with the last of a series of subjects. 

270. On the islands here mentioned con- 
sult Class. Diet. Obser^-e that the last syl. 
of nemarosa is not lengthened before the 
double consonant z. 

275. Eormidatus Apollo, Le., the temple 
of ApoUo, dreaded by mariners on accoimt 
of the rocks on which it was built. Heyne 
thinks that the temple of the Actian ApioUo 
at Actium is meant, and not that on Leucata. 
The mention of the games makes for this 
opinion, while the southern position of the 
promontory, and the site of the city in. the 
northern part of the island, militate against 
the opposite view. Aperio, the word used 
for "coming into view," as abscondere is to 
recede from sight. 

276. Parvae vrbi. The Delphin com- 
mentator supposes Leucas to be meant, 
but Hej-nc believes it to be Actium. The 
mention of this town, and of the sports, is 
no doubt made m compliment to Augustus, 
who established (a. u. c. 726) quinquennial 
games, to commemorate his victorj- over 
Antony, 31 B.C. He founded, moreover, 
the town of NicopoUs. 

278. Insperatd — with reference to the 
dangers recorded above. " The land which 
we never expected to reach." 

279. Lustramur Jovi. There was a neces- 
sity for expiatory and puriiicatory offerings, 
in order that the games might be duly cele- 
brated. But why, it is asked, were these 
offerings made to Jupiter rather than to 
Apollo, in whose honour the festival was 
held? Because, when sacred rites were 
performed in honour of any deity, Jupiter 
was invited in partem; and, moreover, ex- 
piatory and puriiicatory sacrifices were pro- 



perly made to Jupiter, as the avenger of 
murder, and of everj- crime for which atone- 
ment was to be made. Heyne. 

Incendimus aras votis — "we cause the 
altars to blaze, in fulfilment of our vows," 
i.e., we bui-n fi-aukhicense and victims on 
the altars. Cf. Hor. Od. i. 4, 8, Vulcanus 
ardens ueit officinas. 

280. Actia — this form is sometimes used 
for Actiaca, as at ^En. -^iiL 675 ; Hor. Epist. 
i. 18, 61. See above, 276. 

Celebramus, which is properly applied to 
the games, is, by a poetic Uberty, refeiTed 
to the ;9?«ce which is celebrated (crowded), 
by the large concourse of people assembling 
to take part in. or to view the sports. 

281. Palaestras. This word means not 
only the gymnasium, or place where the 
exercises were practised, but also, as here, 
the gymnastic art, and the struggles of the 
combatants. The plur. number is used to 
suggest the various kuids of contests. Pa- 
trias — such as they were used to in then- 
O'wn country. 

Oleo labente — the oil with which the com- 
batants were anointed flowing do'wn from 
their bodies. 

282. Evasisse, " to have safely passed by." 
See ii. 731. 

284. Sol circumvolvitur — "the sun by 
his revolution completes the year," Le., the 
fourth after the overthrow of Troy. Gos- 
srau takes the verb as deponent, and others 
write separately circum volvitur, but the 
above explanation of Forb. renders the two 
latter modes unnecessary. Wakef. Lucr. 
i 1028, thmks that the year is called mag- 
nus as appearing longer in its duration to 
exiles and wanderers. 

285. Asperat undas glacialis hiems. Cf 
Hor. Od. i. 5, 7. 

286. Votive shields, inscribed with the 
name of the captor and of the person from 
Avhom captured, were common gifts to be 
suspended in temples. The poet refers to 
the celebrated shield which Abas, a most 
ancient king of the Argives, suspended in 
the temple of Juno, to be borne in proces- 
sion by him who should gain the prize in 
the Argive games. Virgil feigns that this 
shield was taken m the Trojan war from a 
descendant of the famous Abas, slain by 
JLueas. 

287. Postibus adversis — "on the front of 
the temple," Le., " on the doors facing you." 
Carmine, i.e., tiiulo, epigrammate. 

288. Haec arma, supply dedicavit, orfixit, 
from the line above. 

291. Abscondimus, rarescere, 411, and 
aperire, 275, are nautical phrases, the 
meaning of which is obvious. See 27-5. 
Phaeacum arces, Le., the hUls of Corcyra. 
The Phaeacians (who with their king Al- 
cinous are celebrated in the Odyss. of Horn.) 
were the most ancient inhabitants of 
Corcj-ra (Corfu), havmg been expelled from 
Sicily by the Cyclopes. Protenus, "con- 
tinuing our com-se." Protenus applies to 
space; protinus to time, but this distinction 
is not always borne out by examples. 

292. Legimus — "we cruise along the 
coast of Epirus, and enter the Chaonian 

6S 



B. III. 294-314. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. III. 315- 



harbour," (portu for poriui), i.e., Pelodes, 
the lake on which Buthrotum (now Butrinto) 
was built. See Smith's Diet, of Geog. sub. voc. 
Buthrotum. Epirus,i.e., ^"^S'pffi "the cowi;/- 
nent,"" as opposed to CorcjTa, by whose in- 
habitants the name was first given to it. 

294. Occupat=accedit ad aures — reaches 
our ears. The verb is perhaps intended to 
convey the idea oi engrossing the attention. 

295. On Helenus, Andromache, Pyrrhus, 
etc., see Class. Diet. Per is used for in 
when speaking of an extensive space, the 
individual parts of Avhich are presented to 
the mind. 

296. Conjugio is put for conjuge, as scep- 
tris is for regno. 

297. Iterum to be joined with patrio — 
" a husband, again a countryman." Heyne 
would delete this and the preceding verse, 
because, if they be aUoAved to remain, they 
render the question of ^neas, Hectoris 
Andromache, etc., 319, ridiculous. But 
^neas merely repeats, in 319, with distrust 
the report which he had heard, and which 
seemed to him incredible. But even sup- 
pose he first heard the news from Andro- 
mache's own lips, it is to be remembered 
that he is here naiTating the stoiy to Dido, 
and may therefore be allowed to anticipate 
the discovery he made. Weichert. 

299. Compellare is in opposition to ainore, 
for which construction see JEn. v. 638, ii. 
350, and i. 704, note. Casus — "vicissitudes." 

301. Cum is by Wagn. preferred to turn 
as a reading in this place, for a reason 
Avhich is urged in ^n. i. 536, note. 

SoUemnes — not ^'uplendid" — but "custo- 
mary," "periodical," "annual." 

Dapes libabat — was presenting part of the 
food to the Manes and Lares. Dapes \oa.i;) 
is said to be applied to the banquets of the 
gods, while epulae refers to those of men_ 
X'>'^ (i-e., honey with wine and milk) is the 
Greek terra. 

302. Falsi Simoentis — "the counterfeited 
Simois." A glance at the map of America 
is sufficient to supply numberless examples 
to prove the existence of a feeling similar 
to that which is here exlnbited by Helenus 
and Andromache. 

303. Cineri, scil. Hectoris. 

304. Jfanes vocahat Hectoreum ad tumv- 
lum, by a common inversion for Hectoris 
Manes vocabat ad tumulum. 

Inanem — a cenotaph. His tomb was at 
Troy. 

305. Geminas aras. See above, 63. 

306. Arrna, i.e., armatos — men armed in 
Trojan fashion. Amens — "bewildered." 

308. Deriguit, etc, — " she became para- 
lysed while beholding me." 

309. Labitur — " she falls," " faints ;" 
longo tempore, i.e., post longum ternpus. 

310. Adfers, scil. te; verus nuntius, scil. 
tut — are you the real person Avhom your 
appearance announces ? Vera fades means 
the appearance of a living man as opposed 
to the apparition of a spectre. 

313. Fvrenti — "to her frantic with grief." 

314. Subjicio, ii9ro(id>J.u, "reply." Ilisco, 
64 



" I stammer forth." The word is ap- 
plied, principally by the comic poets, to 
those who open the mouth with an intent 
to speak, but being prevented by grief, or 
fear, or some other violent feeling, from 
continuous enunciation, utter words in a 
broken and abrupt manner. 

315. Extrema — "dangers," "diflSculties." 

316. This line is a reply to Andromache's 
question, 310. 

318. Excipit \-o.&2ai?, he (or it) "takes up 
in succession as one of a series;" or, " to 
take up what has fallen." See also 332, 
below. Dejectam. — " depressed," " cast 
down," as from hope, etc. Excipere is 
therefore well opposed to it. Bigna — be- 
coming thee and thy former rank. 

319. Hectoris, scil. uxor. The words 
Jilia, uxor, etc., are often omitted before the 
gen. See Geo. i. 138, and ^n. vii. 36, and 
consult the Grammars. 

Servas. This verb is used as almost equal 
to habere. So (P'jXamiv for t^^nv. "Are 
you. Hector's Andi'omache, now the spouse 
of PjTrhus ?" Wagner considers this as an 
exclamation of sorrow at her lot, rather 
than a question. See, however, note on 
297. 

Pyrrhin\ The e of the enclitic particle 
ne is fi-equently elided, more especially in the 
comic poets. 

320. Although ^neas had referred in the 
mildest manner to her state of concubinage, 
by using connubiiim, the term for lawful 
wedlock, yet Andromache is forcibly re- 
minded of her semdle condition, as she 
manifests by her attitude. 

321. Priameia virgo, i.e., Polyxena. To 
understand the reference in this line and the 
following, consult Class. Diet, on Achilles, 
Paris, and Polyxena. Una felix — "singu- 
larly fortunate." 

324. Tetigit cubile. Cf. Horn. II. L 31. 
Xi^og ccvrioajira.v- 

325. Diversa. See above, note 4. 

326. Stirpis Achilleae — " the son of AcJiil- 
les,'' viz., Pyrrhus. 

327. Servitio enixae — "toiling in slavery," 
but better, " bearing childi'eu in slaveiy." 
Pausanias relates that she bore to Pyrrhus 
three sons, Molossus, Pileus, and Per- 
gamus. 

328. Hermione, daughter of Helen and 
Menelaus, and therefore grand-daughter of 
Leda. See Class. Diet, on these words. 

329. Wunderl. would make the que after 
famidam couple secutus (est) to transmisit. 
But Wagn. and Forb. interiiret it thus, 
'■\famulo me dedit, et qtiidem me ipsamfam- 
u'larn'' — "gave to Helenus, a sl^ve, me a 
slave too" — a slave like hunself. Habendum 
— " to be possessed." 

330. Ereptae conjugis — "his betrothed 
wife, who was wrested from him." 

331. Sceierum Furiis, i.e., the Furies — the 
avengers of men's crimes. Orestes had 
slain his mother, Clytaemnestra. 

332. Excipit — " surprises." The verb is 
used properly of attacking wild beasts from 
a place of ambush, but it is frequently 
transferred to men. See 318, note. 



B. III. 333-343. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. III. 344- 



Patrias aras — an altar erected by Neop- 
tolemus at Delphi to his father Achilles as 
a hero. The enormity of the deed is en- 
lianced by the circumstance that it was 
perpetrated at the altar, which was looked 
upon as tlie asylum of the wretched. See 
^n. i. 349. 

333. Pars, sell. Epirus, which Neopt. 
had added to his paternal Phthia, 

Reddita. This verb is more than simple 
dare. It means to give up to one that 
which is, in some sense, his right, or that 
to wliich he may have estabhshed some 
claim. Helenus, as the son of a king, might 
expect that, after faithful guardianship of 
the interest of his royal master, he would 
come in for some sliare of the Idngdom at 
the death of the latter. 

334. The Chaones, who derived their origin 
from the Pelasgi, were much more ancient 
than Helenus and Chaon, but Virgil takes 
every opportunity of glorifying the Trojans, 
by connecting them witli names famous in 
history or in legend. Chaon is said, by Ser- 
vius, to have been a brother or acquaint- 
ance of Heleiuis, and so attached to him 
as to have sacrificed his life to save that of 
his friend — in grateful remembrance of 
which the prophet-son of Priam called 
after him the district of Epirus imder his 
rule. 

336. Pergama Iliacamque arcem — another 
instance of epexegesis, on which see ^u. i. 
2, 569, note. 

337. Burmann finds fault with this line, 
on the ground that Andromache ought to 
have known what winds would bring ^neas 
from Troy to Epirus, and, to ob^^ate the 
difSculty, has recom'se to a conjectural emen- 
dation. Hejme shows that there is no diffi- 
culty, for Andromache is merely asking what 
is the cause of his coming ; was it a storm 
that forced him, or was it fate, or the direct 
interference of some individual deity? 

339. Quid pmr Ascanius? Superatne? et 
vescitur aura, quae tibijam Troja. * * * 
This is the reading and punctuation of Wagn. 
and Fork, who, from one MS., adopt quae 
for quern, the more common lection. The 
lines have caused great variety of opinion 
among the leanied, but it would be incon- 
sistent with the nature of these " notes" to 
follow the critics in tlieir voluminous com- 
mentaries. We therefore merely give the 
explanation of the two distinguished scholars 
just named. " What of the boy Ascanius ? 
Does he live? and does she breathe the vital 

air who to you when still at Troy?" but 

here a look or gesture of JEneas indicates to 
Andromache that Creusa is no more, and 
she abruptly termmates her inquiry after 
the mother to return to the boy. See For- 
biger's more lengthy note. 

341. Cura=desiderium, "longing." The 
two foUowing noble lines are suggestive of 
the sentiment that he will be more incited 
to glorious deeds who keeps in mind before 
him that he is the sou of an illustrious 
father. 

343. Avunculus — "Uncle," by the mo- 
ther's side, for Crevisa, mother of Ascanius, 
was sister of Hector. 
E 



344. Ciehat — ciere, or cire, Greek >civi7v, 
means to excite, call forth, — the verb is= 
edebat, " uttered." Incassum (from Supuie 
of Car eo), "in vain." 

346. On adfert, see note 310, above. Suos, 
"his countrymen." 

348. Multum, used adverbially. Lacrimas- 
fundit=Lacrimat, to which multiim is with 
entire propriety joined. Cf such phrases as 
multum differre, multum f alii. 

350. See above, note 302, on the names 
introduced here. Scaeae, properly the left 
hand gate ; the name of the principal gate 
of Troy mentioned by Homer. 

351. It was customary among the llomans 
for men returning home after a long absence 
to embrace and kiss the door-posts of their 
houses. 

354. Aulai — old form of gen. for aulae. 
The in usually placed after this word is 
omitted by Forb. 

Libabant pocula Bacchi, i.e., they poured 
wine in libations from cups. 

355. Paterasque tenebant, is to be con- 
nected with libabant, so that the sense will 
be, — " they offered libations, holdmg gob- 
lets." 

357. Tumidus is an adj. applied to Auster 
from the effect of the vrind— "The south 
wind, which causes the sails to swell." 
Carbasvs (plur. Carbasa) is properly a kind 
of flax first found in Hispania Tarraconensis, 
but is applied to anything made thereof, as 
garments, sails, etc. 

359. Trojugena — Trojan -born (Troja- 
gigno), inietpres divUm, i.e., vates, "Medium 
of connnvmication between the deities and 
mortals." 

360. Observe the very remarkable zeugma 
msentis, which is applied in a somewhat dif- 
ferent sense with each of the governed ac- 
cusatives, and must in each be represented 
by an appropriate English verb, thus — "who 
feelest the inspiration of Phoebus; who un- 
derstandest the indications of the tripod and 
of the laurel of Apollo ; who canst read the 
stars, and interpret the language of birds, as 
well as the omens of the fleet wing." Apollo 
is called Clarius, from the town of Clarus, 
near Colophon in Ionia, where he had a 
far-famed temple and oracle. On Augurs, 
Oracles, etc., consult Ramsay's An liq. The 
folloAving cut represents the tripod or stool 
on which the Pythian priestess at Delphi 
sat to announce the will of Apollo. 




B. III. 362-379. 



NOTES ON THE JEXEID. 



B. III. 381-399. 



362. Proxpera religio, i. e., prophecy or 
religious rite, indicating good fortuiie : witli 
tliis phrase, cf. above, 216, infelix vates. 
Omnem cursum, i.e., aU tlie voyage that 
remains. 
364. Repdstas=remotas. 
367. Obscoenam famem — either "dreadful 
hunger," Uke dira, 256; or "foul," "loath- 
some," as it compels people to eat disgust- 
ing and nauseous things (Heyne); OT=maIe 
auspkata, malo omine praedicata, viz., by 
the Harpies, the ohscoenae volucres (Sclurach, 
approved by Forb.) 
370. Pacem — "favour," "good-w-Ul." 
Resolvit — " imbmds." When m the act of 
sacrificing, the head of the priest was bound 
with a oitta, or infida, Avhich, hoA^'ever, 
was taken off before he proceeded to declare 
the will of heaven— the hah being allowed 
to fly loosely about. See woodcut, ii. 224. 

372. Suspensum — '' horrore turbatum" 
" awe -struck." Multo is, in Wagner's 
opinion, equal to vehementer, to be joined 
with susj^ensum. It seems more natural, 
however, to refer it to numine, to hidicute 
'^ \\\Q pi-esent majesty of the deity, in all his 
glory, in his own temple," as if (be the 
phrase quoted without profanitj') his 
"glory filled the house." 

374. The followmg prophecy of Helenus 
is founded on that of Circe, Hom. Odyss. 
xii. 37 sqq. The parenthesis begins A\ith 
nam and ends with ordo. Tlie whole pas- 
sage may be thus translated: "Son of a 
deity; — for there is distinct ground of confi- 
dence that you are traversing the deep 
under no common auspices (mujoi-ibus uus- 
piciis, i.e., Jui>iter himself, and no inferior 
deity, beuig your guide and protector) : in 
such a way does the king of tlie gods 
arrange the decrees of fate, and regulate the 
cii'cling changes of events: such a scries of 
circumstances is in process of fulfilment : — 
I shall relate to you," etc. This translation 
will sufficiently explain the meaning of 
manifestu fides, and major, ausp.,^s'hm\\ two 
latter words Forb. had previously inter- 
preted, "auspices greater than usually are 
aUotted to mankind;" now, however, he 
takes tlicm in the sense above given, which 
Wagn., in his smaller edition, also approves 
of. The force and use of nam are best seen 
by taking it and its clause after tlie apodo- 
sis, i.e., after 377, 378, and after e.rpedium 
dictis of 379. It has particular reference to 
the two words tuiior and hospita. 

377. Hospita, "friendly," (Heyne) — 
"strange," "foreign," (Forb.) 

379. " For the Parcae prevent Ilelenns 
from knowhig the rest (i.e., of the founding 
of Rome, audits future greatness), andSat- 
urnian Juno forbids them (the Parcae) to tell 
liim more." The common reading has a 
comma after scire, thus makmg te, under- 
stood, the subject of this infin. ; but AV'agn. 
removes the punctuation mark, and makes 
UeJenum the subject of the verb, because if 
Virgil had not Avished Helenum to be the 
subject, he avouUI (to avoid ambiguity) have 
Avritten proldbent te; and, moreover, que is . 
never joined by our poet to the second Avord 
of a clause unless Avhen a prep, precedes ' 
66 



{Sub pedibusque, EcL v. 57), or in the words 
namque and jamque. Bryant proposes to 
remove the Avords from fari to the end of 
the Une to aA'oid the difficulty ; but this is 
iinnecessary, for Avhen the subject is changed 
(from Parcae to Juno) in the tAvo clauses, 
so may the object (Helenum and Parcas). 

381. To a person looking at the map of 
Italy and Epkus, it would appear that the 
shortest route for ^neas to haA-e pursued 
AA^ould haA'e been to cross the narrow part 
of the Adi'iatic, and so to traA^erse the pen- 
insula overland to Latium; but from this 
course Helenus dissuades him, adAisuig 
rather that he shovUd sail roimd Sicily 
(Trinacria undo), and then plough the 
Ausoinan (Tyrrhenian) main, or that part 
of the mare inferum Avhich is betAveen the 
Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas, i.e., the parts 
around t\\efretum Siculum. 

383. Longa — long is Observe the alhtera- 
tion, on AA-hich consult note 183, above. 

384. Lentandus. This is a poetic A'erb, 
and means "to render flexible," and then 
"to bend." There is generally an idea of 
difficidty implied. 

386. Infer ni locus, i.e., Avemus Q'Aopvo;, 
the '^ birdless," because bhds Avere said to 
be unable to fly across it AAnth safety). It 
Avas reckoned one of the entrances to Orcus, 
on account of the pestiferous exhalations 
Avhich it sent forth. It was situated between 
Cumae and Puteoli, and is uoav called Lago 
Ai-erno. 

Insula Circae Aeaeae — " the island of 
Circae from Aea," a town in Colchis. This 
island Avas supposed to lie near Cape Cir- 
caeum, in Latium, a notion which the poet 
adopts. Oa the proper names consult Cliiss. 
Diet. 

387. Componere is more than the simple 
ponere, i.e., condere. It contains the idea of 
peace and tranquility enjoyed during the 
building, Avhich idea <«^rt farther strengthens: 
or, perhaps, it refers rather to the legal and 
municipal regulations made after the com- 
pletion of the Avails and houses. 

389. This prophecy is repeated, Avith a 
slight alteration, at Aiii. 42 sqq., and its 
fuffilment giA-en at viii. 81 sqq. Ad umlam 
fiuminis secreti — " on the bank of the stream, 
at a Sequestered part of its course." 

391. The number of the young represents 
the yeai-s during Avhich Ascanius was to 
reign, and the colour of them refers to the 
name of the city. Alba. 

391. Consult 255, above, in the prophecy 
of the Hai-py Celaeno. Observe n£c=eC ne. 

395. Viam — " a Avay of escape." 

396. H((s, hanc — these Avords are used as 
if the speaker wevc pointing to Italy, on the 
opposite side, nostri aequoris, i. e., the 
Ionian and Adriatic seas. 

398. C'uncta moenia — "all the cities" — 
'■^malis Graiis," "CAil-disposed Greeks." 

399. Locri, i.e., the Epizephyrii, in Brutii ; 
they Avere a colony of the Opuntian Locii- 
ans, Avhose chief city Avas Naryx, or Naiy- 
cium, opposite Eub(jea (Negropont). The 
poet folloAvs tlie legend which makes these 
Locrians the companions of Ajax Oileus. 



B. III. 401-420. 



XOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. III. 421-440. 



-who, when their fleet was shattered on the 
promontory Caphareus, and their leader 
killed, were driven to Briitii. 

401. Lyctius, i.e., Cretan, from Lyctvs, a 
town of Crete, near Mt. Dicte. On Ido- 
meneus and Philoctetes, see Class. Diet. 

Transl.: "Here (is) that small (city) 
Petelia, supported by (or built on) the wall 
(which was the work) of Philoctetes, the 
leader from Meliboea." 

403. Steterint is from sisto — "shaU have 
come to a stand," " shall have anchored." 

404. In litore, viz., at the to^vu, Castrum 
Minervae. as 531 shows. 

405 The covering- of the head during 
sacrifice, the object of which is explained in 
407, Li\n,- (i. 7, 3) alleges to be an Alban 
custom. The Greeks luicovered the head 

Velare is by some called the historic in- 
fin. But Wagn., Jahn, and Forb. consider 
it the pass. iraper.=an act. imper. with a 
pron. Thus velare comas=veIa te comas (as 
to your hair), or vela it/as comas. On the 
rites and cei'emonies of the Romans in re- 
ference to sacrifice, consult Ramsay's Antiq. 

406. In honore dmrum — "whilst sacri- 
ficing to the deities; " or, "whilst worship- 
ping." See Geo. iii. 486. 

409. Casti, i.e., dutiful to the gods, and 
watchful against acts of impiety; "upright 
in life." 

410. Digressum — "departed," -\iz., from 
Italy. 

411. Clamtra angusti Pelori, i e , angusta 
claustra Pelori — "the narrow strait of Pe- 
lorus, " properly, the harriers (rocks) ichich, 
at the promontory ofPelorus (Capo di Faro), 
approach so near as to narrow the sea. 
Rarescent, shall rise dimly on the sight, i.e., 
Avlien they shall appear separate, or open 
on the -\-iew, so that you can distinguish 
them, and recognise a channel between; 
for to mariners at a considerable distance, 
Sicily and Italy appeared to be joined, and 
it was only a close approach vrliich proved 
them to be divided. 

413. To iindas supply dextras from the 
preceding dextrum. 

414. It was a common opinion among the 
ancients that Italy and Sicily had once 
been joined, but that an earthquake (ruina) 
had rent them asunder. This tradition 
gains some credit by the evidence of geolo- 
gists as to the nature and outward confor- 
mation of the rocks on each side of the Strait 
of Messina The cliffs on each side of the 
Strait of Dover present like points of resem- 
blance. 

415. Aevi, i.e., temporis. 

416. Protinus is to be joined to niia — 
"continuously one," "one continent." 

417. Venit medio =m medium — "be- 
tween." 

419. Diductas=di.<<junctas — " disunited." 

420. On Scylla and Charybdis, see Class. 
Diet. The rock of Scylla (Sciglio), about 
200 feet high, was on the coast of Cala- 
bria, near the town of Scylaceum, and 
contained caverns, into the rugged crevices 
of which, the water, ru.shing with impetu- 
osity, caused the di-eadful sounds and fan- 
tastic shapes that suggested to the poets 



the monstrous form and savage nature of 
the destructive Scylla; there were smaller 
rocks around, which, perhaps, gave a rude 
representation of a human figure. Tra- 
vellers have stated that a current sets in to- 
wards the rocli. carrying with it any object 
exposed to the influence of its stream. 

Charybdis (obsolete X"-'"' or X'^'^^'^y 
hisco, and poifidsaj, sorheo) is a whirlpool of 
the Fretum SicuJum, near the entrance to 
the harbour of Messina ; or it is rather, 
perhaps, the raging billows of the strait, 
caused by the pent up waters being lashed 
by a south %\ind, and driven against the 
precipitous cliffs of a rocky coast, thus 
causing an eddying motion, and a variety 
of cuiTents, calculated to sink, and, as it 
were, suck in, the ships which are unfor- 
tunate enough to get ■%\ithin its maelstrom. 

421. Tet\ for aliguoties, as at ii. 792. 

422. Abruptuvi=profundum — "into its 
depths," "the abyss." 

423. Erigit — "tosses," "flings up," pro- 
jicit in altum. 

4:2b. Exsertantem. Tliis frequentative 
verb is very rai'ely found. 

427. Pistrix — this word is otherwise 
-written j9/"/s<?'/.i', and pristis, which last is 
preferred as the name of a ship, derived 
from her 'Tra.fa.cni^ov, the sea monster 
Pristis. 

428. Commissa cawcfas— "joined as to the 
tails," i.e., "having the tails of dolphins 
attached to the bodies of wolves or dogs. 

With this Scvlla of A'ii-girs, compare 
Milton P. L. Bk.'iL 650. 

429. Lusirare 7netas, "to round (ov double) 
the Cape of Pachynus" (Capo Passaro), the 
southern point of Sicily. 

430. Cessantem — "leisurely," proceeding 
sloAvly and cautiously. Circumflectere— 
this -vvord is derived from the phrases of 
the race course, in which it was a lucety to 
timi closely round the meta without scrap- 
ing it with the wheel. 

432. Canibus caerideis — "with her black 
dogs;" they were called hipi before, 428, but 
a very slight knowledge of natural histoiy 
will suggest a justification of the poet in his 
vaiMation of the expression. 

433. Priidentia=providentia, "foreknow- 
ledge." Gossrau. 

435. Pro omnibus, "in place of all others." 
"as an equivalent to all others." Prae 
(before all others) is another readuig, pre- 
ferred by Hand, Tursell. iv. p. 581. 

437. P)imiim—hdore the other deities. 

438. Cane vota. Vows were conceived in 
a fonnula called carmen, hence canere 
is properly used of the repetition of this 
form. See Hor. Epist. ii. 1. 13S. 

Lihens, means with readiness, perfect will- 
ingness, neither sparingly nor remissly. 
Dominam, Vkt'ttoivo.-;. Helenus hint.s, so far 
as he is allowed, at the uatrigues of Jimo, 
against which ^neas has to guard, -^-iz., the 
storm, in Bk. i.— the love-match with Dido 
— and the burning of the ships, v. 604. 

440. Mittere — "thou shalt be conducted" 
by heaven's guidance. 

67 



B. ni. 441-464. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. III. 466-471. 



Italos. Observe the want of the prep., 
and consult note, ^n. i. 2. 

441. On Cumae, see Class. Diet. So 
Romanam urbem for Romam. 

442. On Avernus, see above, 386, note. 
The lake is called Divimis, i.e., sacred, be- 
cause connected with the infernal regions 
and their deities. 

Sonantia silvis — "sounding amidst the 
woods." The epithet is transferred to 
Averna, instead of being applied to the 
woods, for as a lake is spoken of and not a 
river, the more natural sense would be, 
"Avemus among the sounding woods." 
The lake is called in Geo. iv. 493, Averna 
stagna, and the idea is that of a dark and 
still sheet of water, exhaling pestilential 
vapours from its putrid surface, notions 
quite opposed to sounding billows and 
moving waves. 

443. Insanam, i.e., "inspu-ed," plenam 
deo. Sub ima nipe, i.e., in the cave. 

444. JVotas, ie.. Uterus; nomina, i.e., 
verba. Instead of the two finite verbs, 
canit and mandat, coupled by a conj., we 
should rather expect the particip. of the 
one and the indie, of the other. This fable 
refers to the days of most remote antiquity, 
when leaves served for paper and caves for 



446. Digerit in numerum — "she arranges 
in order," i.e., in the order in which the 
events ai-e to foUoAv one another. 

448. Tenuis ventus, i.e., even so light a 
breath of wind as is caused by the opening 
of the door. 

4-50. Deinde responds to the preceding 
cum., as deliinc in 464, below, io postquam. 

452. Inconsulli — this adj. is used here as 
" unadvised," i.e., " without procuring ad- 
vice," a sense which it bears in no other 
place. It usually means cither one whose 
advice is not taken, or one who acts rashli/ and 
without counsel. Sibi/Uae — see Class. Diet., 
and consult Niebuhr's Rom. Hist., vol., i on 
the Sibylline books. 

4-53. Dispendium, which is the opposite of 
compendium, is properly (1) "■expense,'''' (2) 
"damage," (3) "loss." J/oro means <//??e, 
which is wasted by delay (;«oraudo). The 
sense, therefore, is, "Letnot the loss of time, 
however much, be to you a matter of so 
great consequence * * as to prevent you 
fi'om approaching the prophetess," etc. 

454. Increpitare means cither to rouse to 
action, or to "repi'oach;" both senses are 
here combined. 

455. Sinus, your sails; secundos, filled with 
a favouring breeze. 

457. Ipsacanat — " request that she sing," 
or " let her of her own accord, and at her 
own pleasure, sing," which sense of desiring 
the subjunctive contains. Some editors, 
however, remove the period after posras, 
and connect canat with it through ut, under- 
stood. 

458. nia fibi, etc. The prophecy of the 
Sibyl may be read at JEn. vi. 83 sqq. 

459. Observe the copulative que used in- 
stead of the disjunctive conj. 

464. Gravid — the last syil. lengthened by 
arsis. See note, ^n. i. 308. 



466. Ingens argentum — see note, Mn. i. 
640. Dodonaeos, "such caldrons (lebetas, 
either caldrons for cooking, or lavers for 
washing the hands) as are in the temple 
of Jupiter at Dodona." Heyne. Wagn. sus- 
pects that Virgil boiTowed the epithet from 
some Greek poetwho had heard thatHelenus 
had settled at Dodona. These lebetes were 
hung up on the oaks of the sacred grove at 
Dodona, and by their somid, when beaten, 
the priests prophesied. 

467. Loricam comertam hamis, etc. — a 
coat of mail made of bone or metal plates, 
fastened together with small chains, these 
chains being three-ply, and of gold. Others 
make it, " each third thread being of gold." 
The woodcut shows this Lorica in its 
finished state, and also (on a large scale) 
the mode of fastening two plates together 
by the wu-es or hami. 




468. The Conus and Crista are seen in 
the accompanying illustration: — 




469. Arma Neopt.—see above, 333. Sica 
=convenientia, i.e., "appropriate." 

470. Eguos — horses, for which Epirus 
Avas famed. Duces — Heyne understands 
this word to mean grooms, but Wagn. and 
Forb., with more reason, interpret "pilots," 
as Dionysius relates that .SIneas actually 
received such from Helenns. 

471. Remigium — "a band of rowers." 
Hejme and Gossrau interpret, "the equip- 
ment of oars " — apparatus remorum, be- 
cause in the Homeric times rowers were not 
slaves, but the heroes themselves. But Wagn. 
remarks that the mention of oar-blades is 
too trivial in connection with the splendid 
gifts of Helenus; and adds, farther, that 
Virgil does not always bring forward the 
customs of the Homeric times, but substi- 
tutes those of his ovn\ day, (see i. 469, note,) 
as even the word supplere, which (with sup- 
plementum) was a word commonly used in 
the military affairs of the Romans, here 
indicates. 

Socios — armis. The word simul shows 



B. III. 473-484. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. III. 484-486. 



that by soclos the remiges (rowers) just 
mentioned, are not meant, but those -who 
had been the associates of ^Eneas since his 
departure from Troy. Anna, therefore, 
does not mean oars, but oj-mour better than 
they had with them, their own lia\ing- been 
necessarily much damaged by exposure, 
want of care, and other causes. 

473. Ferenti vento, a,vi[/.M ^opaj, <'an im- 
pelling breeze." 

474." Multo honore, i.e., verbis honorificen- 
tissimis. 

47-5. Anchisa. On the Tarious modes of 
declining tliis word, consult Gram, and 
Diet. 

476. Bis — "twice;" once recently, and 
once on the destruction of Troy by Her- 
cules, on account of the perfidy of Laome- 
don. 

477. Hanc arripe — "make for this in 
your ships;" direct yom- ships towards 
this. 

478. Praeterlahare for praeternavigare, 
but the usage is very rare. It is used of 
the course of a river, iEn. ^-i. 875. 

482. Transl. : "And Tdth no less care 
Andi-omache, moved to sorrow at the last 
moment of our departure, presents garments 
embroidered with a thread (literally 'woof') 
of gold, and most especially (et=et maxime) 
a Phrygian chlamys for Ascanius — nor does 
she faU short of the honour due him (As- 
canius) ; moreover, she loads him mth gifts 
of the loom, and thus addresses him." 

483. Picturatas. Yirg. is the fii'st writer 
knoicn to use thisword iovpictus; it became 
common afterwards, hov.'ever. Hejme doubts 
whether these robes were wrought in the 
loom or with the needle, but Wagner thinks 
that the latter is more likely, ti-om the men- 
tion of textilibus donis in 48-5, below, and 
from arpassage which occurs in Silius, \\i. 80. 

Subternine, Le.,subteg/ne7i, fromsubteximen, 
as tela from texela. On the art of weaving, 
consult Ramsay's Antiq. The subtetnen, 
weft, or woof, was the cross thread which 
passed alternately above and below the 
warp. It is not diiven closely up to its 
place, but only loosely inserted in the illus- 
tration. 




484. The chlami/s was a Greek upper 
robe worn in war, in hunting, and ui Jour- 
neying. Women and boys also wore it. 

iVec cedit honori. This clause has greatly 
perplexed commentators, and its genuine- 
ness has been often doubted. We shall 
simply enumerate some of the many ex- 
planations of it which have been ottered, 



without entering into the arguments of those 
who propose or support each: — 

1st. Nor does she do dishonour to the 
dignity of his rank {honori) in the number 
and value of the gifts offered; i.e., she be- 
stows such gifts as he merited. Servius. 

2d. She is not bchmd (i.e., less sparing 
than) her husband in the noble gifts she 
presented — reading honore, and supplying 
Heleno. Scam'us, Heins., and Bothe. 

3d. She does not give way to (yield be- 
fore) the honour (the beauty and value) of 
the gifts presented, or the laudatory expres- 
sions used, sciL, by Helenus to J3neas and 
Anchises. Heyne. 

4th. Chlamys, understood, being nom. to 
cedit ; nor does it (the chlamys) yield to the 
beauty and value (honori) of the other gifts, 
i. e., nor is the chlamys inferior in beauty 
and value. Wagner. 

.5th. Honori=honorato, by a Graecism. 
Nor, although a s^ave, does she (in her gifts) 
fall short of (her husband) the honoured 
(priest and king). Thiel and Henry. 

6th. Non cedit (donis) honori (Ascanio 
debito), i.e., she suits her gifts (and more 
especially the Phrygian cloak, to which these 
words have particular reference) to the rank 
of Ascanius. Forbiger, following Servius. 

Of these, 1 and 6 are perhaps most worthy 
of notice. The passage is one which Vfrgil 
would doubtless have altered, had his Ufa 
been spared to revise his work. 

The woodcuts represent the chlamys : the 
first, as it appears on the wearer, and the 
second, as in the fold. For a detailed de- 
scription, see Rich's Companion to the Lat. 
Diet, and Greek Lex.; or Smith's Diet of 
Antiq. 




486. Accipe et haec. Wagn., in his larger 
edition, had found fault with et, because we 
have not been told that Ascanius received 



B. III. 487-514. 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. III. 516-531. 



any other gifts from Heleiius. But, in his 
smaller and more recent edition, he ap- 
proves of Forbiger's explanation, viz. : — 
*' Besides these gifts which Helenus has 
given you (all), do thou, O boy, accept 
these also from Andromache." 

487. Longum — "lasting," for he had ex- 
perienced it when a child, at Troy. 

488. Tuorum — " of your relative ;" the 
plur. used as sing., on which see note, .ZEn. 
1.4. 

489. Super is used adverbially, and the 
subst verb is understood = soto superstes, 
" sole surviving." 

490. Sic oculos, etc. This is translated 
from Hom. Odyss. iv. 149. Observe the 
zeugma in ferebat. 

491. Astyanax, son of Hector and Andro- 
mache, was said to have been thrown from a 
high tower of Troy, and thus killed. 

493. Vivite felkes—a usual mode of bid- 
ding farewell. Fortuna peracta, i.e., you 
have exhausted the calamities which fate 
had appointed, and have now reached your 
destiny. So porta quies, 495, below. 

496. Semper cedent ia retro — these words 
have reference, no doubt, to the words of 
Helenus, in 396, desii-ing ^neas to sail 
round Sicily, mstead of crossing Italy over- 
land. 

497. Effigiem Xnnthi — see above, 349 sqq. 
499. Minus obvia — " less exposed." 

502. Cognatas nrbe.% i.e., Rome and Bu- 
throtum, to which, in the time of Yirgil, a 
lloman colony was sent. Forb. disapproves 
of Heyne's idea, that the poet meant to 
flatter Augustus by a reference to Nico- 
polis, which the emperor built after the 
battle of Actium (31 B.C.), and iu which he 
placed Acarnanituis, with the privilege of 
free citizens, the city being, at the same 
time, pronounced cognate with Rome. 

503. Epiro, Hesperia — the prep, in is 
omitted. 

505. Ea cura, viz., to make the two cities 
one Troy in affection. 

506. Ceraunia, or AcrocerauniaC^s^asfvaj), 
from then- lightning - nttvActnv^ height. 
Juxta is sometimes put after its case, even 
by prose writers. 

507. Brevissimus, — "shortest," a&ow^fifty 
miles, undis=per und'is. 

Italiam. On the omission of the prep., 
see note, ^n. i. 2. 

508. Opaci umbrantur, i.e., "are shaded, 
so that they become dark," by the proleptic 
use of the adj., on which see note, ^En. ii. 
736. 

510. Sortiti remos — either "having de- 
cided by lot who should abide at the oars 
daring night, and who enjoy sleep ; " or, 
"being wearied with rowing, which we had 
performed in turn." 

512. Orbem medium (coeli), i.e., the 
zenith. 

Nox horis acta, i.e., perlioras acta, decur- 
rens, nearly equal to horis exactis. 

514. Explorat ventos. The pilot properly 
examines the state of the weather about 
midnight, at which time the whid changes, 
or rises, more especiullv ou the coast, where 

70 



the sea and land breezes alternate, on ac- 
count of the varying degrees of heat in the 
atmosphere. 

Capiat aurihus suggests the lightness of 
the breeze, the direction of which it re- 
quired an effort to discoA'er. 

516. On thislme, see the notes, ^n. i. 744. 

517 Oriona — see Class. Diet., and note, 
^n i. 536. Armatum auro—X9"''^'^?^'> be- 
cause, says Servius, "e< balteus ejus et gla- 
dius clarissimis fingitur stellis." 

Virgil, in his enumeration, conjoins stars, 
not that they rise and set together, but be- 
cause some of them prognosticate changes 
of weather, and others can be seen only in 
a clear and calm sky, from which latter 
Palinurus anticipates a favourable voyage. 

The line is sjjondaic, as will be at once 
discerned. The antepenult of Oriona is 
sometimes long (as here, and at ^n. i. 535), 
and sometunes short (as at Ovid ]\Iet. viiL 
207). 

518. Constare — "are composed and tran- 
quil." Coelo, i.e., in coelo. 

519. Bat signum, viz., icith a trumpet, not 
with a torch. Castra, scil. navalia, nautica. 
It is thus used, iv. 604. 

520. Alas — "the wings," i.e., in nautical 
language, '■'■tfie clews." The met;\phor3 
taken ft-om the flight of birds are so often 
applied to ships, and vice vo'sa, that it is 
unuecessary to do more than simply call 
attention to the fact. So Scott, in speaking 
of the eagle, says. 

She spreads her dark sails on the wind. 
While Byron, describing the course of a 
ship, says, 

Swift flew the vessel on her snowy wing. 

522. The Trojans land at Castrum Miner- 
vae (531), near Hydruntum (Otranto), 
where the shore is loto and soft; hence 
huniilem. 

524. The repetition of Italiam expresses 
the great delight of the voyagers on its first 
appearance. Cf. Xen. Anab. iv. 7, 24. 

525. Cratera, i.e., poculum induit corona 
— "crowns;" but Avherc, says Heyne, did 
they procure the flowers ? 

527. Stalls in piippi — the poop, where the 
images of the deities were. This is not to be 
confounded Avith the Tupeiff'/if^oy, "figure- 
head." See Ramsay's Antiq. 

528. He invokes the deities of the sea, as 
the element to be traversed, and those of 
the air and the earth, as the som'ces whence 
storms arise. 

529. Secundi. The adj. here has especial 
force — much more than an adv. would have 
had: it is not simply, "blow favourably," 
but "be favourable to us, and bloAV as will 
best suit our course.' 

530. Crebrescunt — "freshen." Portus, 
scil. Veneris, not far from Hydruntum, a 
town of Apulia, where those sailing for 
Greece were wont to embark. It is now 
called Porto Badisco, and is not far from 
Castro, the ancient Castrum Alinervae. 

531. In arce Minervae, i.e., in the mount 
where was a temple of Minerva, built by 
Idumeneus. 



B. III. 533-549. 



NOTES ON THE .ENELD. 



B. III. 551-567. 



533. Porttts, etc. The harbour -was 
formed by two lines of rocks running out 
into the sea ft-om either side of it, and so 
bending towards each other, in a cii'cular 
form, as to make a natural breakwater, 
tlefendiug the liaven from the force of the 
billows which came from the east, (146 
Euroo ftictu). The adj. Eurous is found 
only here and in Priscian, Periog, 871 ; the 
usual form is Eoiis. Forb. 

535. Ipse latet—QithftT (1,) It (the har- 
bour) lies calm and sheltered ; or, (2,) It is 
concealed fi-om the view of those approach- 
ing, by the ainns of rock -which run out into 
the sea. 

536. Turriti scopitU — "the rocks shaped 
like towers," fling their arms into the sea 
(■nith a gi'adual diminution in the height of 
the part exposed above water, decrescunt), 
forming a pier on each side. 

Templum refugit. When the travellers 
were at a considerable distance from shore, 
the temple appeared quite near the sea, but 
as they approached, it seemed to recede, 
because it was placed on high gTound, aud 
the slope of the hill between it aud the shore 
was gradually micovered to Aiew. 

537. Primum omen. The Romans were 
particularly observant of the first omen 
which presented itself after their landing in 
a country. 

540. The colour (white) of the horses was 
a propitious omen, and as horses are used 
both in icar and peace, Anchises concludes 
that there ^viU be war, which, however, wiU 
terminate in a treaty favom-able to the in- 
terests of his family. 

541. Curru, for curruL 

544. Arrnisonae — this adj. is found no- 
where but here, and in one passage of Clau- 
dian. Forb. 

546. Praeceptis=ex praeceptis. Maxima, 
Le., tanquam maxima, "as the most import- 
ant." 

547. Argivae Junoni — either Juno favour- 
ing the Argives, or Juno who was wor- 
shipped at Ai-gos \nX\-\ particular veneration. 

549. Cornua — properly, the knobs on the 
end of the yard arms. Obvertimus, scil. 
pelago. The cut wUl explain the mode of 
furling and unfurling the sails. The anten- 
nae, or " j"ard arms," ai'e here seen covered 
vath. the sails (velatarum). 




551. The legend t\\&t Tarentum was found- 
ed by Hercules is doubted even by Virgil 
himself in the phrase si vera estfama. The 

, name is said to be derived from that of 
i r«;*«s, a son of Xeptmie. See He\Tie, Excurs. 
' xiv. Hercules was at least the tutelary god 
j not only of Tarentum {Taranto) but also of 
: all that region. 

I Historical records state that the to-^vn was 
i founded by the Parthenii under Phalauthus 
j about 700 B.C. 

552. The temple of Juno Lacinia on the 
promontory Lacinium next appears. This 

I cape, now called Capo deUe Colonne, from 
the remains of the pillars of the temple, is 

' about six miles fi-om Croton, on the east 
coast of Bruttium. 

553. Caulon, or Caulonia, another to-wn 
of Bruttium, founded by the people of Cro- 

j tona, and afterwards called Castrum Vet- 
i rimn (Castro Vetere), about twenty miles 
; south of Scylaceum (SquiUace). 
! Xavifragum — so called on account of the 
\ frequent and severe stonns which occur 
: between the promontories Japygium and 
I Cocintiis; for those who have -x-isiied the 
coast say that it is not rocky. 

554. On ^tna, consult Hughes' Mod. 
Geog., art. 47 : and Class. Diet. 

555. In this and the following lines we 
have some of the sjmiptoms which precede, 
or accompany a volcanic eruption — the 
roaring of the sea, the moaning of tiie earth, 
the irregular cuiTents, the sudden risuig of 
the water, and the upheaving of the sand. 

556. Voces, scD. maris, fractas ad litora^ 
i.e., "of the waves breaking on the shore 
with a loud roaring noise." 

558. 37rti/?'M«i does not here imply derision 
or irony, but is equal to sine dubio, " of a 
truth."' 

Haec ilia — "this that we now see, is tJutt 
Chai-ybdis which Helenus formerly spoke 
of." The words in italics indicate the 
peculiar force of the pronouns hctec and ilia 
in this place, as well as in many others. 
Consult the Grammars. 

560. Eripite — '' rescue us and our ships 
from danger.'" Observe the omission of the 
ace. 

561. Ac and atque are frequentlj- used by 
the poets, and by later prose writers, for 
quam after comparatives. 

562. Rudentem proram — "the creaking 
prow," as it was pressed upon by the force 
of the waves. 

564. Curvato gurgite — "the swollen aiid 
bent ridge of the wave." It is the Homeric 
Kvprov Kv^ct. -VMth this whole passage 
compare Horn. Od. xii. 201 sqq. 

565. Desedimus — other readings are de- 
sidimus, discedimus, and descendimus. Wagn. 
shows that the pert, of desido is desedi^as 
possido has possedi; and that the perf. desedi 
does not essentially differ from the pres. 
sedemus, so that it is rightly comiected 
A^ith the pres. ?(??//«? MS. 

567. In roraiUia astra, as in lambit sidera 
(574), we have an allowable hjT)erbole. 
The particip. rorantia, after nxevh'of seeing, 
is used for the infiu. bv a Greek constmc- 
tion. 

71 



B. III. 569-594. 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. III. 595-614. 



569. On Cyclopes, see Class. Diet. Ob- 
serve the difference in tense in reliquit and 
allabmur, which, liowever, is no irregn- 
laiity, but is required by the nature of the 
circumstances described. 

570. In the following description Virgil 
is largely hidebted to" Lucretius, vi. 690 
sqq., and Horn. Od. ix. 136 sqq. Virgil, 
however, differs from Homer as to the part 
of Sicily inhabited by the Cyclopes, and in 
some other points, on which see Heyne. 
Ipse, "of itself" 

572. Pi^orumpit, in an act. sense, "dis- 
charges," "casts forth." The measure of 
these lines, and the frequent repetition of 
the letters r and t, have been remarked as 
particularly well suited to add to the horror 
of the scene. In Homer's time there does 
not seem to have been an eruption of ^tna, 
but the mention of the Cyclopes' caves 
seems to imply that some had previously 
occurred. Pindar is the first writer to 
mention distinctly an eruption of the moun- 
tain. In Virgil's time several took place — 
in the years B.C. 49, 44, 38. 

573. Turbine piceo et candente faviUa, i.e., 
with volumes of smoke mixed with embers 
and aslies. 

576. Liquefacta saxa, i.e., molten rocks; 
lava, flowing in streams; the Homeric 

There stood a hill not far, whose grisly 

top 
Belched fire and rolling smoke. — Miltox. 

578. This is in accordance with the well 
known opinion of the ancients, that the fire 
bursting forth from Mtw^ proceeded from 
the mouth of some monster which had been 
struck with lightning, and buried beneath 
the mountain. Enceladus, one of the giants, 
is the monster mentioned. Typhoeus. 
Typhon, and Briareus, are vaiiously stated 
as the buried giants. 

Semiiistiiv}. To be pronounced by syni- 
zesis semjustum. See above, 136, and i. 2. 

580. Flamniam, viz., that breathed forth 
by Enceladus. 

583. Immania wonstra, " the awful idIic- 
noniena," monstrosum phaen&menon. 

584. "Nor (by reason of the darkness) 
can we see what cause produces the roaring 
noise." 

585. Aethra, (aldpcx.) is the bright clear- 
ness which is observed in a cloudless sky. 
It is therefore used for aether, i. e., the 
higher and purer region of the atmosphere. 

587. With this fine, cf. Horn. Od. ix. 144. 
Intempesta means " unseasonable for en- 
gaging in any work." See Geo. i. 247. 

589. Ilumentem umhram., scil. noctis, 
which, on account of the dew, was called 
humida. 

591. Nova — " strange." Cultu refers to 
the clothing and external appearance of the 
person. 

593. Lira illuvies—the subst, verb is 
omitted, as it frequently is. 

594. Tegumen—his garments were pinned 
together with thomy prickles : at (for sed), 
"but," cetera (for ad cetei'u, or in ceteris), in 

72 



other particulars, e.g., voice, features, man- 
ner, and the rags of his clothes. 

595. Et=et quidem, " and moreover hav- 
ing the armour of his country in whicli 
equipped he had been sent to Troy." Vii'gil 
makes a difference between the Trojan and 
Greek armour, as is seen above, 306, and 
ii. 389. 

599. Testor — "I adjure, or beseech you," 
=obtestor, "implore." 

600. Spirabile lumen — Lumen, light, is put 
for the air, the conductor of light, "vital 
air." 

601. Tollite me (scil. in navem) — " take 
me away with you." Terras — on the ace. of 
place whither, without a prep., see note, 
^n. i. 2. 

602. Scio — to be scanned as a monosyll. 
(see i. 2), " I acknowledge." 

Damiis e classibus. The Gentile adj. 
Dandis is here used as a possessive: so 
Dardana arma, ii. 618; see i. 273. Classes 
was used of the different parts of an army 
embarked on ship-board, but the more an- 
cient Komans applied the term cktssis to any 
army, the idea of the ships being left out of 
consideration. 

604. Nostri sceleris may mean either my 
guilt, or our guilt, Le., the guilt of the whole 
nation. 

605. Spargitc=disceiptum spargite, i.e., 
"Rend me in pieces, and scatter my frag- 
ments over the sea." On the syntax, see 
note ii. 736. 

606. Pereo. Observe the final syll. length- 
ened by arsis. See above, 464. Note also tlie 
hiatus before hominum, on which see ^n, 
i. 16. 

Hominum, " of men," with emphasis, as 
opposed to wild beasts, the severities of 
weather, and the monstrous Cyclopes them- 
selves. 

607. Volutans, scil. se as in Mn. i. 234, 
volventibus (se). 

60S. Ilaerebat On the construction of this 
word consult the Diet, and Grammar. 

Qui sit means of tchat character, na- 
ture, etc., a person is: — Quis sit means what 
is his name. Qui is therefore the appro- 
priate word here, since it was of more 
importance to the Trojans to know some- 
thhig of the condition, nature, and origin of 
the man, rather than to be informed of his 
name merely, which could convey but little 
infonnatiun of consequence. See Eel. i. 19 
I for a fuller notice of the point, and consult 
" Scottish Educational and Literary Jour- 
nal," vol. ii. p. 320, where the opinions of 
Wagner, Kritz, Zumpt, and other gram- 
marians are set forth and discussed with 
great ability and cleimiess. 

609. Deinde, etc., "and farther, to state 
openly and fully (fateri) what vicissitude of 
fortune afflicts him." 

611. Praesenti pignore, "with a confi- 
dence-inspiring (or efficacious) pledge of 
faith," like the phrases praesens auxilium, 
praesens reinedium. 

613. On the form of the gen. Ulixi, see 
note, .;En. i. 30; and ii. 275, 476. 

614. This episode of Achaemenides is 
Virgil's own invention, to enable him to 



B. III. 615-647. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. III. 648-670. 



brills' m Homer's story of the Cyclopes; 
Ovid, who follows Virgil, is the only other 
author that makes mention of him. There 
is, however, an anachronism in the story, 
for Ulysses -visited the Cyclopes in the be- 
gbmin'g of his wanderings, and tineas much 
later. He\me. 

Patria in the line above is not an adj. 
but a subst. in apposition to Ithaca (Theaki) . 

Nomen, scil. mihiest. Genitore, scil. natus. 

615. Fortuna, -vtiz., my humble condition. 

617. Imtnemores, sciL mei. Cf. Horn. Od. 
ix. 453 sqq. 

618. Bum Unquunt — deseruere. Obsei-ve 
dum joined with a pres. tense, followed by 
a perf., which indicates a time now past. 
See Geo. iv. 560, Caneham dum Caesar 
fulminat. 

Sank and dapibus are ablatives of quality, 
as testes superbo ostro. 2En. i. 639. 

621. Kec visu facilis — "no one can look 
upon him, or address him without terror." 

624. Resupinus — stretched on his back on 
the floor. It seems to be more than 
merely bending backwards so as to cm-ve 
Ms body and direct his face upwards, though 
this is a common attitude with men puttmg 
forth their utmost exertion in lifting an ob- 
ject preparatory- to dashing it down again 
on the earth. The giant Pol>T)henms did 
not require such straining with pigmies. 

629. Sui, i.e., of his peculiar character of 
craftiness. Personal prons. are often thus 
used to express some characteristic of an 
indi\-idual. 

The epithet Ithacus, applied to Ulysses by 
Virgil and Ovid, has always reference to 
his cunning, as Saturnia (Juno) implies 
cruelty, and Dionaea (Venus) affection. 

630. Simul for simulatque. 

631. Per antrum is stronger than in antro, 
as it suggests the idea of great length ex- 
tending throughout the cave. 

634. Sortiti vices — " each having allotted 
to him his part of the duty." 

636. Latebat. The heaw eye-lashes, the 
shaggy eye-brow, and the hideous forehead, 
are all plainly set before us by this single 
word. 

637. Argolici cUpei — a Grecian shield 
which was rotmd (and not squai'e or ob- 
long), and covered the whole body. 

Phoebeae lampadis — "the orb of the sun;" 
referring only to the shape and size, not to 
the brightness. 

639. The prevalence of dactyls, and the 
frequent ehsions of this line, with the ab- 
rupt break off in the iiext, depict forcibly 
the haste and excitement of the speaker. 
The word rumpite, too, is more suitable 
here than soJvite would have been. 

641. Qualis Polyphemus claudit, i.e., qualis 
quantusque est Polyphemus qui claudit, or 
quum claudit. 

646. Deserta lustra clomosque^^^ the de- 
sert haunts and dens of the xcild beasts." 

647. Ab rupe is joined by Heyne and 
Henry with Cyclopas, to express that the 
Cyclopes wandered about on the rocks. 
But the sing, rupe is opposed to this, and 
the more natiu-al construction is to connect 
the phrase with prospicio. 



648. Tremiscere is again used transitively 
at xi. 403, with an ace. of the object. See 
also viii. 669. 

653. Addixi — " have wholly given myself 
up to." The word is used of gladiators and 
others, who abandon tliemselves entirely to 
the power of another; or perhaps to the 
addictio of debtors. 

656. Fa5tomo?e— "of huge size," abl. of 
quality. Gossrau remarks that the slow 
movement of the measm-e, and the homoio- 
teleuton (similar ending) of the lines, suit 
well the vast size of the monster and the 
slo%vness of his gait. 

658. This line is composed with wonder- 
ful skill. The spondees, the equal caestiras, 
the frequent elisions, and the harsh sounds 
of the words, most admirably express the 
nature of the monstrous Polyphemus. 

659. Trunca pinus —'■ a. pine tree lopped 
of its branches, (borne) in his hand, directs 
him, {eum, understood) and steadies his 
steps." It is almost itnnecessary to refer to 
the well known passage of Mifton, P. L. L 
284, which will occur to every miud — 

His spear, to equal which the tallest pine 
Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the mast 
Of some great ammiral, were but a wand. 
He walked with to support uneasy steps, 
Over the burning marie. 

661. Mali. Some copies read maJis, 
which Wakefield prefers. This line is filled 
up in some editions by the words de collo 
fistula pendet, a siUy and unsuitable addi- 
tion. 

662. We have here another instance of so- 
called /ie/sfero« proferon, {va-npov TpoTipov^, 
on wiiich see note, ^^u. ii. 353, aequora renit, 
though anterior in time to tetigit fluctus, 
being nevertheless put after it. 

663. Inde — "from it," Le., the sea. 

665. Medium is, not to be taken literally — 
it means simply " out at sea," or " the open 
sea," as above, 73, etc. 

667. Sic jnerito is to be joined to recepto 
supplice: "Who had so deserved as that 
he should be taken under protection," — 
qui sic {hoc, id) meruerat ut reciperetur. 

668. Etproni, etc., "and bending forward 
(to the stroke), we sweep the sea plain 
mth struggling oai's." 

669. Sensit,scU..sonitumremorum Sonitum 
vocis, Le., the voice of the sailors engaging 
in the celeusma: for although they cut the 
cable in silence (taciti inciderintfunem), yet 
now, when out some distance to sea, there 
was no necessity for farther refraining, 
especially as the oar -plash would suffici- 
ently incUcate to the giant the position of the 
fugitives. Thus Wagn., Burni., and Forb. 
ButHejTie takes vocis^soni (as voces pelagi, 
556), the sound of the oars, or of the water 
struck by the oars; an interpretation which 
few will approve of. 

Flectere vestigia is a more usual expres- 
sion than torquere vestigia. 

670. Dextra affectare, i.e., "to try to 
grasp," "to reach, to lay hold of, (the ship) 
with his right hand." Most copies read 
dextram, after Servius ; but this could only 
mean, "to grapple the hand of a person." 

73 



B. III. 671-682. 



NOTES ON THE iEXEID. 



B. III. G84. 



671. Nee potis, etc. "Nor whilst he fol- 
lows (sequendo) is he able to equal the speed 
of the Ionian billows " which bore on the 
ship. Cf ^n. X. 248, veniosaequantesagitta. 
It is not to " bottom the sea," as it is usually 
explained, after Heyne. The Ionian sea 
washes the east coast of Sicily. 

672. Every schoolboy will here anticipate 
us in quoting Shaksp. Jul. Caes. 

Have you not made an universal shout 
Ttiat Tiber trembled underneath her banks 
To hear the replication of your soimds 
Made in her concave shores ! 

673. Contremnere. Most editions read 
'intremuere, but Wagn., SUpfl., Gossr., and 
Forb. adopt the former, since contremiscefe 
means to tremble with a gy^eat commotion, 
while intremiscere signifies to tremble with 
a less violent movement. The addition of 
omnes farther confirms the adopted reading. 

Penitus — "far inland;" not only the 
coasts, but the inland regions. 

674. Immugiit — a verb properly applied 
to subterranean sounds. See above, 92. 

C76. Complent. This is another instance 
of the construction s//nesis, or ad inteUec- 
t>im, explained in note, ..En. i. 70, which see. 
The proper subject is the sing, noun genus; 
but this word, taken in conjunction with 
Ci/dopum, suggests a plur. to the mind of the 
poet, who accordingly writes complent. Col- 
lective nouns are, it is true, construed with 
either sing, or plur. verbs, but our present 
example is more than a simple collective. 
Cf. Geo. iv. 378, and consult Wagni. Quest. 
Vii-g. viii. 4. Obsei-ve that ruit is sing., 
describhig the general and confused rush 
of a mass towards the shore, but complent in 
plur. because the Ciiclopes stand out in their 
individuality when they line the shore. 

678. Aeinaeosfratrcs — the other Cyclopes 
dwelling round ^tna, and as it were 
brothel s in savage nature and external ap- 
pearance. The adj. does not mean " huge 
as ^tna." 

680. Aerius is an adj. commonly applied 
to objects which tower into the all', as trees, 
mountains, and citadels. 

Quercus, the oak sacred to Jupiter ; c/- 
pressus, the cypress, to Pluto or Diana 
Infcra, so next hue, alta Jovis syiva, 
lucusve Dianne. 

681. Consttitrunt. The penult of this 
form (3d plur. perf) is very frequently 
shortened by Virg., as at Eel. iv. lil, etc. 
In constiterunt we have an instance of the 
frequentative perf , which (like the Greek 
aorist) equals solent cimsisterc. Many ex- 
amples of it are found in the Georgics, but 
it is sufiieient to refer to Geo. i. 49. lllius 
immensue ruperunt horrca messes, where 
r»perunt^=rutnpere solent. The meaning 
may be thus traced : — They hatie in former 
times burst J and when the same circum- 
stances recur, they are found ciwn noiv to 
burst; therefore we are justified in con- 
cluding that they will still continue to 
burst. 

682. Transl. : " Keen terror drives us in 
headlong haste to loosen the sheets (ex- 
cutcre rudentcs) for any quarter, and to 

71 



spread our sails to (any) Avinds (that are) 
favourable (for escape "). Anthon. 

684. This and the two followhig lines 
are rejected by Wagn. and others, on the 
following grounds: — 1st, That it is absurd 
here to repeat the injunctions of Helenus 
called to memory by the Trojans, above, 
558. 2d, That the words leti discrimine 
parvo afford no suitable sense, however 
twisted; and 3d, That the phrase lintea 
dare is a a^ra^ Xiy'of^ivov in Virgil, (i.e., 
is found only in this one place). The 
first and third of these objections Forb. 
thinks of no force ; the second he disposes 
of by his explanation of the passage, which 
we content ourselves with giving, while we 
pass over the "thousand and one" inter- 
pretations offered by other commentators: — 
The injunctions of Helenus warn us that 
both courses between Scylla and Charj'bdis 
(whether cruising along the right hand 
shore we approach Scylla, or sailing close 
to the left we near Charybdis), esse par no 
discrimine leti, i.e., are little removed from 
destruction — will easily lead to death and 
destruction — unless we steer a course ex- 
actly in the middle (and as this is very 
difficult for us to do), we determine to sail 
back again. 

It is with great diffidence that, in the 
midst of the failures of learned men in ex- 
plaining this almost impracticable passage, 
we venture the following suggestions : (1,) 
We punctuate with a comma after Heleni, 
inter, and parvo, and with a semicolon after 
cursus; then, considering monent as used 
absolutely, in the sense cf " act as a warn- 
ing to us," <.nd inter as placed after its case, 
we regard utramque in apposition to Scyllcvin 
and Charybdim, and viain in apposition to 
vtraniqne. The translation would then run 
thus : " On the other hand, the injunctions 
of Helenus warn us (what fate we may ex- 
pect) if the ships do not hold a steady and 
unveering course (exactly) betAveen Scylla 
and Cliarybdis, each of them a way leading 
to death, with but slight difference," i.e., 
cither, there being but a slight diflerence in 
regard to the certainty of destruction; or, 
with but a small (narrow) track safe for ships 
separating them; (therefore) "we deter- 
mine to sail in a retrograde course" (either 
up the Ionian Sea again, or back to the har- 
bour of the Cyclopes). To this the great 
objection is the position of inter in a differ- 
ent line from its case. (2,) Put a comma 
after Charybdim, and a semicolon after cur- 
sus ; then, as guum and si are often thrown 
forward into a clause instead of headingit, let 
us suppose ni, a compound of si, similarly 
projected, and translate as follows, maldng 
cursus the nom. to teneant and viam the 
accus. after it:— "On the other hand, the 
injunctions of Helenus warn us against [or 
of] Scylla and Charybdis, if our course 
were not to hold steadily the exact middle 
of tlie way between the two, with a hair- 
breadth separation from death." This mode 
supposes an aposiopesis after Charybdim, 
which Virgil would likely have supplied 
in a revision of the poem. (3,) Put a comma 



B. III. 6S7-701. 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. 1*1. 702-715. 



after Cltaryhdim and parvo, and a semi- 
colon after cursus, and take parvo discii- 
inine as the so-called ablative absolute, the 
whole line being parenthetic: — " On the 
other hand, the injunctions of Helenus warn 
us of Scylla and Charybdis, there bein;? but 
a petty barrier (defence, a safeguard) against 
destruction [viz.. the narrow track safe for 
ships] between the two ways, unless the 
ships hold a steady (middle) course." For 
discrimen thus used, see ^n. ix. 143, 
Fossarumque morae, leti discrimina parra. 

Tenere cursixs means to hold right on 
our course; not to veer to the one side or 
the other. 

6S7. Ab sede Pelori. The places off 
which winds blew were called by the poets 
their homes. On Pelorus, see above, 411. 
j\Ji\sus, ■' sent " by the kind interference of 
the gods. 

688. Vivo saxo. See note, ^ii. i. 167. 
SuTo is an " abl. of the material " 

6S9. Pantagiae. See Cla«s Diet, for this 
and the following names. The mouth of the 
river is hemmed in, on both sides, by rugged 
rocks; "tiro saxo^'' a natural bulwark of 
rock. 

Jacenlem — lo7o lying — almost on a level 
with the sea. Servius 

This and the followmg line are considered 
spurious by Wagn., for four reasons: 1st, 
Since Homer (Od. ix. 10-5 sqq.) relates that 
Ulysses sailed from the country of the 
Lotophagi to that of the Cyclopes, these 
places could not have been pre^^ously 
visited by Achaemenides, nor could the 
latter have gone very far fi-om the place 
w^here he was concealed. 2nd, The word.s 
comes infelicis Ulixi are pointlessly repeated 
from 613. 3d, The word retrorsum is a u.7ra^ 
Xiyofiivov, and foreign to epic poetry. 4th, 
The Codex Wittianus has not the verses 
embodied m the text, but appended on the 
margin. From these considerations he con- 
cludes that the lines were added by some 
grammarian of later days. Hildebrand, 
Peerlk., Slipfl., Gossr., Forb., etc., agree 
with "Wagn. in holding the verses suspected. 

692. Sicanio stnu, Le., the bay which 
formed the Forlus Magnus (Pouo Mag- 
giorej of Syracuse. On other names see 
Class. Diet. 

697. Ji/ss>, viz , by Anchises, whom we 
have hitherto seen take charge of auspices 
and religious rites. 

698. Exsupfiro—praeterve/ior^^lYiasshy." 

700. Radimus, "we scrape," "we shave "' 
GiteraUy), Le., we sail close by. It may 
mean, we ruh upon the smiken rocks of 
PachjTius. But compai-e the phrase radAt 
iter tiquidum, applied to the flight of a bird. 
The verb is used of rivers flo'wing past, and 
touching a place. 

701. Caviarina mimquam concessa mo- 
veri. The legend is, that on one occasion 
the lake near the town being partially diied, 
a pestUence arose from the malaria, and that 
when Apollo was consulted as to the total 
drainage of the marsh, he replied f^h y-'vii 
Kaf/,u,ptv(tVf u/iiv'/iTOs yap a./:iiivcuv- The 



I inhabitants rejected the ad\ice of the gocl, 

' drained off the lake, and freed themselves 

1 from the plag-ue : but the enemy thereby 

' gained access to the city, and thus the 

Camarinaeans were punished. Virgil repeats 

the story, not as a matter of fact, nor as 

coming from ^neas, but rather as an em- 

j bellishuient of his own. 

j 702. 6e/rt— see Class. Diet Immanis is 

1 commonly understood as applying to the 

j to^^^^ Gela, because it had been the residence 

j of tyrants. But the more feasible mode is to 

join it withj?z/p», finding an explanation iii 

, the fact that one of the coins of Gela had 

i upon it an ox with a human face. Tliis was 

emblematic, says Forb., of the character of 

j the river, calm and serene on the surface, 

j but\iolent and dangerous by the eddies and 

whirlpools in its depths. A passage of 0\-id 

(Fast. iv. 470) lends strength to this idea, et 

te, vorticibus non aderaide. Geld. Observe 

that Virgil gives the final a of Gela the 

Greek quantity, Le., long. 

I 703. Acragns — Agrigentura (Girgenti), 

> situated on Mt. Acragas. The fertility of 

1 the soU, and the great trade with Carthage, 

j made it a wealthy and luxurious city. The 

I inhabitants reared horses for the Oh-miic 

I contests, and Tkeron of Agrigenlnrn is one 

j of those celebrated by Pindar in his Epuii- 

j cian Odes. 

j Quondam = postero tempore, and not 
" o/im." 

Magnanimiim— this is the only adj. whose 
' gen. plur. is contracted by Virgil here and in 
; ^"i. 307. Miserum, Mn. vL 21, is not a gen. 
; plur., but the neut. smg. thrown m paren- 
thetically as an exclamation. 

705. Sctinus — a well known town of 
Sicily, whose neighbourhood abounded with 
wild palms. 

706. Vadadvrasaxis Lilybeiacnecis. The 
promontory of Lilybaeum (on the west of 
SicUy, now called Capo Bueo) extends three 
miles into the sea; its rocky body being 
covered by the water to the depth of about 
three cubits. Hence there are oada (shal- 

I lows) whose bottoms, being fonned by the 
rocks {saris caecis, Le., latentibus) of the 
promontoiy. are durn. 

707. Drepiinum., or Drepann {Trapnni), 
north of Lilybaeum, and near Mt. Ei-yx. 
The coast is called illnetubdis, on account 
of the barren and sandy soil, almost devoid 
of vegetation, which environs Drepanum. 
Servius, followed hy Schirach and Tiiiel, 
considers the epithet suggested to .Eneas by 
the recollection of the death of his father. 

710. On the death of Anchises consult 
Heyne. Excm-s. x%ii. He remarks the 
skill of the poet in disposmg of the saga- 
cious, far-seeing Anchises, before the ar- 
rival of ^Eneas at Carthage, and his intimacy 
with Dido. Other ancient writers (and 
among them Cato, as Servius testifies.) 
allege that Anchises reached Italy along 
viith ^neas, but it would have been mi- 
suited to Virgirs pm-pose to adopt this part 
of the legend. 

715. Hinc. ^neas thus returns to the 
pomt which is indicated at ^En. i. 34, Vix e 
conspectu^ eta 



B. III. 710^718. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. III. 718. 



716. Unas — the only one 
amidst all the others listening. 

717. Fnta divmn, i.e., the events ap- 
pointed by the gods referring to all things 
which had befallen the Trojans, and not 
to the oracles and prophecies only. 

Renarrabat — by relating went through 
them again, as it were ; or as re often means 
duty, or fulfilling an expectation, this verb 
may signify " narrated in conformity with 
his engagement." Cf. ii. 3, Infandum 
Kegina jubes reitovare dolor em. 

718. Fine facto quievit. Wund., to 
avoid the apparent tautology, intei-prets 



quievit, "he retired to sleep;" so that, 
moreover, the contrast will be more distinct 
between the end of this and the commence- 
ment of the following book. At, hoM'ever, 
expresses contrast in itself, and marks, suflfici- 
ently, transition from one svibject to another. 
Interpret, therefore, with Wagn. and Fork, 
"He finished his recital, because he had 
come to the end of his story;" an explana- 
tion which the real nature of the so-called 
abl. absolute fully justifies. But perhaps 
Virgil intended to imitate Homer in the 
close of Bk. i. and opening of Bk. il of the 
Iliad, which see. 



76 



B. IV. 1- 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. IV. 9-13. 



BOOK FOURTH. 



ARGUMENT. 



Dido ha-vnng become violently enamoured of ^^ncas, consults her sister Anna on her cir- 
cumstances, and by her is advised to consent to maiTiag-e with the Trojan prince (1-53). 
Dido's feelmgs further described (54-89). Juno consults with Venus; both agree to the 
union now so much desired by Dido, Juno de\ising a plan by which to bring it about 
(90-128). The queen proposes a hunting excursion, which accordingly takes place; but 
while all are earnest in the pursuit of the game, a violent thunderstorm is sent down by 
Juno, causing the hunters to fly in different directions : ^neas and Dido, however, acci- 
dentally take shelter in the same cave (129-172). Soon after this event, Jupiter, roused 
by the remonstrances of larbas, sends Mercury to JEneas with an authoritative command 
to leave Afi-ica and make for Italy (173-278), which order the son of Venus prepares to 
obey (279-295). Dido immediately suspects the intentions of ^neas, and expostulates 
with him, but in vain (296-449) ; and, accordingly, being unable to bear up against her 
grief, she determines to die (450^73). Concealing her purpose from her sister, she erects 
a huge pyre, and pretends that it is intended for the celebration of magic ceremonies, by 
which she may be enabled to shake off her affection for ^neas, and to forget him alto- 
gether (474-^21) . Her grief now increases to frenzy ; but by this time ^Eneas has weighed 
anchor, and stands out to sea in the middle of the night (522-583). In the morning. Dido, 
maddened by the sight of the Trojan ships in the distant offing, breaks out in a paroxysm 
of love-sick sorrow, and imprecates calamities on her once cherished guest (584-629) : 
and having dismissed all her attendants, she slays herself on the pjnre (630-705). 



1. AL See note on last line of Book iii. 
Cura is often put by the poets for amor. 

3. Multa virtus differs from magna virtus, 
in that the former denotes merit (excellence) 
often exercised, and proved by many deeds, 
while the latter signifies a vh'tue surpassing 
other vu'tues by some especial excellence. 
JahiJ. Valour, high hirth, personal appear- 
ance, and the charms of conversation, are 
the four causes exciting Dido to love. 

4. MuUus honos — either the great glory 
of the nation, or the distinguished parentage 
of ^neas, son of Venus. 

Observe that infixi agrees with the subst. 
nearest to it, vultus, and is not put in the 
neut. gender, as might be expected. 

7. Aurora is put for the morning time, 
and for all affairs performed in it, and thus 
we have her passing over the earth and illu- 
minating it (lastrabat). Phoebea lampade, 
i.e., by the sun, by the figm'e tapeinosis 
(i.e., lowering, or deteriorating), as gurges 
is put for the sea. Lustrare means primaiily 
to purify — hence from the practices of the 
priests in going round the city preparatory 
to purification, it came to mean to encom- 
pass, traverse, haunt, etc Here it is equal 
to illustrare or collustrare, as at 607, below. 

8. Unanimam — "most loving." 

Friends fast sworn, 
Whose double bosoms seem to wear one heart. 
Shakspere. 

Adjectivesderived from anmw5 are written 
in two ways, either is, e, or us, a, um. Vu'gil 
u.ses, in preference, the nom,, dat., ace, and 
abl. sing., and the nom. and ace. plur. of the 
is form; and the nom. (neut.), gen., and ace. 



sing., and the dat. and abl. plur. of the us, a, 
um, form. Euphony seems to have decided 
for unanimam, here, to avoid a similar end- 
ing in unanim-E-ii and sororEii. Male sana, 
i.e., in.mna, f/^ccivof^ivn. 

9. Vu-gil has been praised for introducing 
a sister as a confidant rather than a nurse, 
as the Greeks usually did. In this he fol- 
lows Apollonius Rhodius. 

Insomnium, in the smg., is said to mean 
sleejylessness, while the phu-. is more parti- 
cularly applied to frightful and distressing 
dreams, 

10. Novus seems to be ptit for eximius. 

11. Quem sese ore ferensl i.e., quali oris 
habitu, incedit — quanta est in ejus ore dig- 
nitas. 

Quam forti pectore, et (quam fortibus) 
arm is 1 Armis is said to be from armi 
(the shoulders), not from arma (armour), 
because Dido is speaking of the external 
appearance of the 7nan; m confirmation of 
which opinion Mn. xl 644 is quoted. We 
confess, however, that, lookuig at the adj. 
forti, and considering tlie mstigators of 
love mentioned in 3 and 4, we are more 
inclined to the common mterpretation, 
"deeds of arms." 

12. Eqiiidern — "I, for my part." Tliis 
adv. is most frequently found Avith the first 
person, which seems to lend some strength 
to the opinion that it is = ego quidem. 
Wagn. derives it from e intensive (as E- 
Castor) and quidem. Persius and others 
ttse it with the second and third persons. 
Eum is to be sujiplied before esse. 

13. Degeneres means those w-ho can boast 
of no ancestors, as well as those who have 

77 



B. IV. lG-35. 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



E. IV. 36-57. 



fallen away from the virtue of their fore- 
fathers. It is liere used in the former 
sense = ignoble, loio. So mettis degener, 
Lucan: clamor degener, Seneca. Cf. Hor. 
Od. iv. 4, 29. 

Quibtis=quantis. See above, 10. 

16. Ne=utnon. Jugalivinclo — "the nup- 
tial tie ;" the reference is to beasts of biu'den 
attached to one yolce. 

17. Primus amor, etc.— "My first love 
deceived me, so as to baffle me (in my pros- 
pects of happiness) by the death of my hus- 
band." 

18. After pertaesum. fuisset supply me, 
and consult the Gram, on the construction 
of impersonal verbs. On ta^dae, consult 
"Marriag-e Ceremonies," Ramsay's Antiq. 

19. Instead of potui we might expect a 
subj. mood, but the indie, expresses much 
more distinctly the determination of ]5ur- 
pose which Uido at first avowed. Potui 
succumbere, at non succumbaoi : possem suc- 
cumbere, si res ita ferret. Wagn. 

C'ulpae — a sin against the memoiy of her 
former husband. Roman women were 
commended for being univiral. 

21. Sparsos, i.e., conspersos. Fraterna 
caede — with a pamcidal act, viz., in Pyg- 
mahon slaying his brother-in-law, Sy- 
chaeus, JEn. i. 347. 

22. Hie. Santen (ad. Ter. Maur., p. 252) 
alleges that Virgil makes Jiic short oidy 
twice — here and at vi. 792. 

Labantem impidit, i.e., impvlit nt labaret. 

24. Prius — antequam. A similar pleonasm 
is found in the Greek ir^iv, "^ph n in- 
stead of ante some books have sancte, which 
is a conjecture of Markland's. 

26. Erebus — a god of hell. Noctem pro- 
fundam., i.e., the deep abode of the Inferi, 
where there is always night. 

28. There is particidar force in the plur. 
amores. So odia, irae, metus, etc. Consult 
Gram., and see i. 11, note. 

30. The mention of these tears at once 
shows the g:"cat i)oot, and the skilful deline- 
ator of human feeling. While Uido wishes 
to appear constant and rigid, and uninflu- 
enced bj' love, the gushing tears betray tliat 
lier mind is labouring with, and even waver- 
ing under, the concealed passion. Heyne. 

31. Refert, i.e., i-espondet. Luce, " tlian 
life." 

32. Sola — " as a widow." Perpptua ju- 
venta depends on 7nuerens. "Will you be 
l)reyed upon by sorrow througliout the 
whole period of your youtli, and despise 
unirriage." 

34. Id, "tliat," viz., whether you con- 
tract a new marriage or no. Cinereiii, scil. 
Sychaei. Manes sepultos for manes sepul- 
toritm., for when the funeral rites were 
duly peiformed to a dead body, the shade 
was supposed to be peaceably "laid," 
though it walked the earth until that time 
in the same shape as the living man, yet 
without substantiality of form. 

35. Esto refers to what follows rather 
than to what precedes. 

In aegram is suggested the reason of her 
<lespising former suits (inariti ior proci), as 
7S 



well as an excuse why she should now, 
after so long a time, listen to the solicita- 
tions of ^neas, whom she loved. Flecte7-e 
aliquem = Jlectere animutn alicujus, which 
latter is the usual phrase, the other being 
poetical. 

36. Libyae depends on wan^j—" suitors 
of Libyan origin." 

Tyro, i.e., a Tyro, the "ablative of 
ORIGIN," as qui Caerete domo, x. 183. Cn. 
Matius Cremona, i.e., Cremonensis. larbas, 
king of the Maxitani in Numidia. 

37. Africa terra. All names of countries 
were originally adjectives. So Itala terra. 
Wagner supposes dives triumphis to refer 
to the constant wai's among the tribes of 
Africa. 

40. Gaetulae urbes. The Gaetuli were a 
barbarous tribe living south of Numidia. 
Part of tliem "^^•ere nomad in their habits, 
and part lived in huts, which Virgil digni- 
fies by calling urbes. On the construction 
urbes — gen us, see i. 339, note. 

41. Itifreni — "riding without bridles." 
Cingunt, scil. tuum regnum. Inhospita 
Syrtis — The Syrtes, major and minor, on 
the north coast of Africa, were dangerous 
shallows and quicksands. But it is the re- 
gion on the coast near these that is here 
meant, with its savage hordes. 

42. Deserta siti — "thmly inhabited by 
reason of the di'ought." 

43. Barcaei, the people of Barce, a city of 
Cyrenaica. But the poet speaks by antici- 
pation, for this town was much later in its 
origin. 

45. Juno is mentioned cither because she 
was the great deity of the Cartliaghiians, 
or, as Wagner prefers, because she presided 
over marriage. 

47. Quam urbem, i.e., qualem, quantam 
urbem — quae regna, quanta, quam potentia 
regna. 

50. Tu, emphatic; the pron. is usually 
expressed when advice or precepts are 
given. 

Litatis. On the meaning and syntax of 
this verb, consult note, Mw. ii. 118. 

51. Indulge hospitio, i.e., be frequent and 
liberal hi acts of Idnduess towards your 
guest. 

52. Desaevit, not "ceases to rage," Avhich 
would be inconsistent with the next line. 
But de gives to saevit an intensive force, 
"rages furiously." 

Aquosus Orion. The rising of Orion was 
said to bring rain. 

53. Non tractabile, i.e., saevum, asperum, 
procellosum. We call that tractabile which 
we can easily employ to our advantage, 
and non-tractabile, the opposite. 

■j'). Solvit pudoreju is not to be taken in 
a 1 ad sense, but simply means "overcame 
her keen feeling as to wliat was becoming 
to the memory of her husband." 

5(). Deluhra — per aras — to all the temples 
and the dillerent altars placed throughout 
the city. 

57. Bidentes properly means sheep of 
two years old, and the name is either a cor- 
ruption of biennis, or is compounded of bi 
(bis), dens, from the vulgar notion that 



B. IV. 5S-S1. 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. IT. 82-100. 



sheep at that age had two teeth particularly 
prominent. 

58. Lecjiferae Cereri. As agriculture im- 
proved, ci-\iUzation increased, and principles 
of law and equity began to be established 
and acknowledged: lawful maniages, too, 
were instituted, and hence the invocation to 
Ceres. She sacrifices to Phoebus and Bac- 
chus (Lyffius, ^^vaio;. Liber), as deities for- 
merly worshipped at Carthage. 

60. The follomng particulars are not to 
be considered as relating to different sacri- 
fices from those mentioned in 57, 8, 9, but 
as indicating more minutely the part which 
Dido herself took in the rites. 

(il. Inter media cornuafundit. This was 
the fonn of dedicating the victim to the 
gods — a custom derived from the Egyptians, 
as Hei'odotus testifies. 

62. Aut is rather copulative than disjunc- 
tive here ; at least, it does not distinguish 
between cucumstances, but times. 

Pingues arae — altars on which many 
victims were slain. Spatiatur expresses 
slow and dignified movement. 

63. Instaurat diem donis, i.e., diem celebrem 
reddit sacrificiis — multa sacrificia offert — 
'■she crowds the day mth offerings." 
Wmid. 

64. Inhians expresses the greatest eager- 
ness in her search into futurity. Ou the 
Extispices, see Ramsay's Antiq., p. 331. 

Spirantia — "still quivering," "palpita- 
ting." 

65. Vatum, either Extispices generally, or, 
as Gossrau thinks, Dido and Anna, the 
amateur diviners. 

66. IfoUis Wagn. takes as the ace. 
agi-eeing with medullas (in the sense of 
unresisting), since it would be too weak a 
word to characterise the burning passion of 
Dido. Est — " eats." 

70. Cresia — Cresius, or Cressivs=Cretensis. 
Heyne remarks that capra would be more 
suitable than cerva; for, on the authority 
of Solinus, he alleges that Crete abounded 
in wild goats, but was devoid of stags. 
Pliny, however, contradicts Solinus; and, 
besides, the comparison to a cerva is much 
more suitable than to a capra. 

74. This passage has called forth from 
Hejme and others the greatest admh-ation, 
on account of the consummate skill displayed 
in the description of a scene so delicate. 

75. Sidonias opes — either " the wealth she 
had brought fi-om Sidon," i.e., Tyre, or "the 
resources of this colony of Sidon," i.e., of 
the Phoenicians. With 76, cf. Hor. Od. 
iv. 1, 35. 

79. Pendet ab ore — "hangs on the lips." 

80. Peerlkamp and Gossrau think that 84 
and 85 should come in after 79, on the ground 
that, hidependent of the indelicacy it would 
be on Dido's part, it is not likely that ^neas 
would allow his son, so anxiously watched, 
to remain all night in a stranger's house 
away from responsible guardianship. But 
see notes on 84. 

81. Luna premit himen (suum) — " the 
moon pales her light." Cadentia sidera — 
see note, iEu. iL 9. 



82. Vacua — "deserted," i.e., after the de- 
parture of her guests. 

Stratis relictis (1), Wagnerinterprets, "her 
■widowed couch ;" in his smaller edition, 
however, he approves of Forb.'s reading. 
(2), Heyne's explanation is, — Now she rises 
from her bed in her restlessness, and soon 
again returns to that which she had left but 
the moment before. (3), The most natural 
interpretation is thatof Servius (followed by 
Forb.): After the guests have departed, she 
lays herself down on the couch lately oc- 
cupied by ^neas, deriving some consolation 
from the reflection that she presses the same 
cushion which her lover had newly quitted. 
Strata is used sometimes of a convivial 
couch, e.g., Ovid, Met. v. 34. The similar 
passages of Ovid (Epist. x. 51, and xv. 149) 
fully sanction explanation 3. 

84. The imagination of Dido was actively 
in play, and pictured to itself ^neas in the 
most pleasing circumstances ; it is alleged, 
therefore, that this fondling of Ascanius was 
like"s\ise performed only in fond recollection. 
The whole passage, and more especially 
the words absens absentem auditque, videtque, 
seem to require such an explanation as that 
given. 

Gremio — "lap," (quasi geremium, from 
gero). 

87. Propiignacula — " the defences of the 
city," generally, or, because partus is men- 
tioned in immediate connection with it, 
violes in the sea to break the violence of the 
waves for the defence of the harbour, in time 
of peace, and as a banier in the tune of 
war. 

89. Murorum minae, ie., the walls of 
threatening altitude. See L 162. 

Machina — (1), "Machines of war," 
Wund. (2), " Scaffolding for building the 
walls." (3), "Towers placed at hitervals 
along the wall," Wagn. and Forb. The 
phrase oequata coelo is applied to this last 
only, witli any propriety. 

90 sqq. The machinations of Juno to 
detain iEneas in Carthage, and prevent his 
settlement in Italy. 

Peste, scil. ainoris. 

91. Famam,i.e.,curamfam,ae, "a regard 
for her reputation." 

92. Adgreditur means " addresses" with- 
out conveying any idea of over-reaching. 

93. Egregiarn vero, etc., said ironically. 

94. 'Numen, scil. est. Some copies have 
nomen, but the best MSS. nunicn. Puer, 
Cupid. 

96. Adeo is joined by Wund. and Wagn. 
to fallit, as if it were "wee adeo hebes sum 
ut me fallal." Forb. would join it to me, 
"nor does it escape 7ne at least," however 
you may endeavom* to deceive others. 

98. Quo, scil. ienditis — " to what length 
will j'ou go in (this) so keen a contest." 
Some books read tantn certaunna, a conjec- 
ture of Heinsius. Thiel would supply opus 
to govern ceriamine. 

99. On Qhin {=qm non) with the indie, 
see Zumpt, § 542, Madvig, § 351, b. obs. 3. 

100. Exercemus. Another xeugma, the 
verb being applicable to pacem, but not to 
Hyntcnueos. 

79 



B. IV. 102-131. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID 



B. IV. 132-133. 



Habes, totn, etc. See above L 673 sqq. 

102. Communem — common to Jvmo and 
Venus. Paribus auspiciis, "with equal 
authority," our divinity as tutelary deities 
being equally exercised and reverenced. 
There is a reference to the mode of confirm- 
ing authority to a Roman magistrate. 

104. Dotalis — as the dowry given to 
iEneas with Dido. On the ceremonies of 
marriage consult Ramsay's Antiq. 

106. Italiae regnum, that is, the 'promised 
Mngdom in Italy. 

107. Ingressa est, "began," scil. dicere. 
110. Feror incerta fatis. I am kept in 

suspense as to (or in ignorance of) the fates. 
Fatis is the abl. dependuig on the cottrbincd 
notion, feror-incerta; the usual phrase is 
incerta fatorum. Feror expresses the con- 
tinuance of her doubt Venus meets Juno 
with her o^vn armour, dissimulation. 

114. Excepif — "replied," — "for he who 
follows another in conversation takes up, as 
it were, that which has gone before." 
Forb. I 

115. Mecum, Le., mens, or mihi, as often. 
" That task shall be mine." 

117. Fenatmn. On the syntax of the 
Supine see Madvig, § 411. Consult also 
Zumpt, § 153, note. 

119. Crastinus Titan (i.e., Sol) extnlit 
ortus, for, Crastinus Titan extulit se ortu — 
oritur. 

Betexerit — " unveiled." 

120. Nigrante?n — cither " darkening " 
other objects, or "dark in itself" 

121. /ilae — cither the bands of horsemen, 
(on alae as a military term, see Ramsay,) 
to hem in thg wild beasts and drive them 
towards the nets; or, the fcatbeis fastened 
on cords, with Avhicli they encircled the 
prey. Trepidant Avoiild "thus mean the 
fluttering of the feathers in the wind. 

Jndagine means "a series of toils or 
nets." 

Sallus means apart of a forest not thickly 
set u'ith trees, i.e., such a place as would 
afford easy passage. Thus in Ca3s. B. Gall, 
vii. 19, saltus paludis (quoted by Henry), 
means those diy parts of tlic marsh by 
which one could pass over. The meaning, 
then, according to Henry, is, " They sur- 
round the open part of the wood with nets, 
so tliat the beasts might not be able to 
escape from it to the thickets." 

125. Adero, i.e., as Juno Pronuba. On 
Hymenaeus, consult Smith's Class. Diet. 

128. Repertis — (1) discovered, detected, 
by her (Venus) ; Sei-vius and Peerlk. (2) 
Devised by Juno; Wund., Heyne, Gossrau, 
and Forb. Ridere is more usually folloAved 
by an ace, but cf Hor. Od. iv. 1, 18, riserit 
munerilms, and Sat. ii. 8, 83, ridctur fictis 
rerum. Forbigcr is inclined to look upon 
these cases as datives rather than abls., and 
similar to risit olli, v. 358. 

130. Jubare, scil. Solis. 

131. Retia rara — "wide-meshed nets." 
80 



Plngae — the nets of coarser material and 
smaller meshes. The word properly means 
the ropes by Avhich the nets were stretched. 

Ferro — abl. of material. The venahu- 
Ivm, or hunting- spear, had a long and 
broad iron head, as seen in the illustration 
below. 




A net 
woodcut. 



represented in the subjoined 




132. Mnssyli—a people of the east part 
of Numidia proper. The word is equal to 
Afer. 

Ruunt — another instance of zeugma, the 
word referring to retia, plagae, venabula, 
equites, and canes. 

Odora — " keen scented." The word does 
not appear to be found elscAvhere. Vis may 
mean either " a numerous kennel of strong 
dogs," or it may be a mere circumlocution 
like /3/55 in Greek. Lucretius has^rfa canum 
vis, and Hor. (Epod. vi. 6), speaking of dogs, 
j^ays, arnica vis pastoribus. 

133. Cunctantem — "lingering," viz., at 
her toilet. Cf Ter. Heaut. ii. 2, 11, Isiosti 
mores mulierum, dum moliuntur, dum 
comuntur, annus est. 



B. IV. 135-146 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. IV. 147-1G7. 



135. The/>T«ww, or brklle, included the 
lit, headpiece, and reins. 




137. Sidoniam — sometimes SidSniam. 
(-En. xi. 74; Ovid Met. iii. 129, etc.) On 
tlie chlamys consult ^n. iii. 484 ; the lim- 
bus or ornamental border -will be seen in the 
■woodcut there, and also one kind of fibula. 

138. In aurum: Her hair was collected 
into a knot or xpu(->vXog, and fastened wth 
a golden fibula, clasp. On these parts of 
dress consult Ramsay's Antiq. 

139. The fibula here spoken of is a clasp 
fastening the belt with which her t'inic is 
jrirt about her waist. Various kinds of 
fibula are represented underneath. 




141. This comparison of ^neas to Apollo 
and of Dido to Diana, is worthy of careful 
observation. 

143. Lyciam — Pataris or Patara, the chief 
city of Lycia, was situated on the Xanthus, 
not far fi-om the sea, and contained a temple 
of Apollo, second only to DelphL Here, on 
account of the greater mildness of the cli- 
mate, the god was supposed to spend his 
■winter (hence the epithet hibeinam), while 
in spring he migrated to liis maternal Delos. 
Thus he is called by Hor. Delius et Fa- 
tareus Apollo. 

146. Cretesque. Observe the force of the 
arsis in lengthening the final short syllable. 

Dryopes — a Pelasgic tribe, inhabiting part 
of Thessaly, and afterwards part of Doris, 
called from them Dryopis. 

Agathyr^i — a Scythian people of Euro- 
pean Sarmatia — the epithet picti seems to 
mean that they painted or tatooed then- sldn. 
By the mention of this people, the poet ap- 
pears to indicate simply that nations from 



the most distant ar.d uncivilized parts of the 
world flocked to Avorship the Delian god. 
Fremuni — " dance while they sing." 

147. Ipse is expressed because Creles-, 
Dryopes, etc., come between. 

148. Fingens, i.e., comans, ornans. In 
statues of Apollo the front hau- is scrupii- 
lously arranged. hnpUcat avro, i.e., sur- 
rounds it with a golden diadem or fillet. 

149. Ibat — enitet. The poet uses ibat as 
a historian, i.e., not as consistent vdth the 
context, but in reference to his own time ; 
enitet, in the pres., is, liowever, immediately 
subjoined, and is to l^e taken as co-ordinate 
•\^■ith lnf^rt and jungit, 142. With tela sonant 
c£ Horn. IL i. 46. 

152. Deje.ctae — "haAing cast themselves 
do'oii," "ha\ing bounded down." Wund. 
explains " cMven down by the hunters," 
but Wagn. argues that wild beasts are said 
dejici, not when they are driven doicn, but 
when they are transfixed and slain by the 
sportsman. Of. .^n. v. 542. 

154. Trnnsmittunt campos, i.e., irnns- 
currunt. It is similar to the phrase ?tinre 
transmittere, the reflexive jironoun being 
omitted. Virgil borrowed from the Lucre- 
tian phrase (ii. 329) equites transmittunt 
medios campos. 

lob. Agmina glomerant, Le., so collect 
themselves as to form herds. 

160. See ^n. i. 124. 

162. Passim, i.e., withoitt order. 

164. Tecta means shelter of any Idnd — 
rocks, caves, trees, etc. Amnes, i.e., tor- 
rents caused by the vains, nimbus commixtus 
grandine. 

166. Prima, either "primeval eai*th," or 
for Primum — "first of all. Earth and Juno 
gave the signal, and then {tu7n) the 
nymphs v.lulant ;" Wagn., Gossr., and 
Forb. TeUus was one of the deities pre- 
siding over marriage, and properly so, as 
beuig "the producer and nomisher of all 
things." 

Some have conjectured Furiae et Tellus, 
since the Ernies presided over unfortunate 
maiTiages ; btit they would not be rightly 
conjoined with TeUus and Juno. 

On t\\& proniibae consult Eamsay. 

167. Conscins connubiis (on scansion see 
i. 73 and iii. 578) — the latter word is in the 
dat., by which case oo;!.«cu/s is followed, even 
in Cicero. Some read connubii, contrary to 
the best MSS. This is different from the dat. 
oftheperson following conscius, on which see 
iviitz, Sail. Cat. 22, 2. The hghtning-flashes 
as marriage torches, and the melancholy wail 
of the motmtain npnphs as bridal songs, are 
but ill-omened introductions to the new 
alhance. Milton has been acctised of imita- 
tmg this passage in his description of the 
comiilsions of nature when the "mortal 
sm origuial " was completed. 

Earth felt the woimd, and natiu'e from 

her seat, 
Sighing, through all her works gave signs 

of woe. 
That aU was lost. 

81 



B. IV. 170-193. 



XOTES ON THE ^XEID. 



B. lY. 194-208. 



And again, in reference to Adam's trans- 
gression — 

Eai-th trembled from her entrails, as again 

In pangs, and nature gave a second groan : 

Sky lower'd, and mutt'iing thmider, some 
sad drops 

AVept, at completing of the mortal sin 
original 

170. Specie — "a sense of propriety;" 
fama — " a regard to reputation."' 

17-3. For the description of Fama, YirgU 
is indebted to Homer, II. iv. 4-40 sqq., which 
see. Humour is called "Ocrtra or ^'yif^'^l 
by the Greeks. 

174. For malum qua TTagTi. reads malum 
quo. Forb. retains qua, and thus para- 
jihrases : Fama, qua non aliud malum 
majoie viget mobilitale et celerius vires 
acquirit. After uUum. there is a colon in 
most editions, but Forb. omits it. 

176. Porva metu prijno. Fearful of con- 
futation at first, Eumour is quiet, and seeks 
reth-ement, crouching as it were through 
th-ead, and contractmg lier body. After a 
little slie gains contidence, and boldly shows 
herself. No one will be at a loss to appre- 
ciate every point of this description. 

177. Solo, abb of solum — "the gi'ound." 

178. Fa7na is represented as of the race 
of monsters — the daughter of Terra, and 
sister of Coeus and Enceladus. Terra is 
said to be "enraged at the gods," because 
they had hurled the Titans, her olfspring, 
to "^Tartarus. Consult Class. Diet and 
Keightley's Mythologj". 

180. Ferni'cibus, from perm'x — ^Icis (per 
nitor), "struggling right on," Le., "perse- 
vering," "untiring." 

The feathers attributed to Fama repre- 
sent the successive retailings of a rumour, 
each person reporting, adduig his plume, 
and thus hastening the tiight of the mon- 
ster; and the eyes BiiXEAiu the feathers 
indicate that while FafJia sees aU persons, 
she is seen by none. 

184. Cueli medio ierraeqiie — "between 
heaven and earth." The poets often use 
medius with the genitive, for inter. So 
Ca;s. B. G. L 34. 

ISG. Cnstos — carefully watching that 
nothing should escape her. 

190. lieplebat gaudens et canebnt, i.e., 
gnudet replere et cnnere. In Avords so op- 
posed as facta and ivfecla the conj. is 
usually omitted, e.g., nolens volens — d/'gna 
mdtgtia, etc. But here the poet has re- 
ference to men who rejoice to heai- any- 
thing which they can retaO, and are easily 
induced to add new and gi'ouncUess fabri- 
cations while they repeat the original story. 

191. Elsewhere, Avhen Crelus is usetl, the 
abL follows without the prepos. Gossrau 
thus distinguishes between the phrases : — 
He says ^'■cretum ab aliquo=esse oriundum 
— cretumaliqno^natum, orinmesse." Some 
editions omit the prepos. Vho for marito. 

193. Fovere hiemem Ivxu, is an unusual 
mode of saying "se bixu fovere per hiemem" 

Wyttenb. thmks that the conduct of An- 
tony and Cleopatra aflbrded to Ykgil this 
suggostioiL 



194. Regnorum, le., the one of Carthage, 
the other of Italy. 

195. Diffundit in ora, i.e., spnrgit per ora 
— longe laieque divulgat, "publishes far 
and -wide." 

196. larbas, king of tlie Maxitani in 
Numidia, who had given permission to Dido 
to settle in his temtory, and who had un- 
successfully sought her hand. The name 
is sometunes A^Titten Hinrbas. He was the 
sonof Jupiter Ammon (orHammon), whose 
temple in an oasis in Mannarica was long 
celebrated, and will be remembered in con- 
nexion with the history of Alexander the 
Great. 

198. Garamantide, i.e., Lihyca. The 
Garamantes were a people of inland Africa 
above Gaetulia, inhabiting a considerable 
portion of the district now called Fexxan. 

200. Centum ar as — see ^u. 1416. Fosuif, 
used as a Greek aorist. Wund. Forb. ac- 
counts for the variation offense by saying 
that larbas had consecrated the "ever-bmii- 
mg" fii-e at the time when he introduced the 
Avorship of Hammon into Numidia before all 
the hmidred temples were completed The 
phrase vigilem ignem Avill remind all of the 
Avorship of Yesta, 

201. Excubias aeternas — in apposition to 
ignem, to express the object of larbas, ut 
essent excubiae aeternae. 

202. Solum et iimina. Hejme makes these 
words the accus. depending on sacraverat. 
But Wagn. and Forb. take them as nom., 
the substantive verb to Avliich they are sub- 
ject being omitted. The epithet pingue re- 
fers to the great number of victims slaugh- 
tered; and Iimina sertis florentia to the 
numerous festivals, during Avhich the tem- 
ples Avere adorned Avith garlands. 

203. Amens animi. So in Geo. ix. 491 
AA-e meet victus animi, and at 310 of same 
Geo., irunca pedum. The genitiA-e denotes 
the part aftecfed, whether it be of the 
general nature of man or of his body. 

204. Media inter n7i?n in a— ''before the 
images of the deity," or simply "in the 
temple," as the god A\'as supposed to "fill 
tlie house" Avitli his presence, and to be 
cognizant of acts done in all parts of it. 
MuTiera Avas read, says Scrvius, for numina. 

206. The tone of this address, breathing 
impiety and audacity, is in keeping Avith the 
stern and fiery temperament of the Africans. 

Maurusia — "Moorish." Mauri, or Mau- 
retani, Avas a general name including a 
number of nations, of which the Maxitani 
Averc one. 

207. Epulata — "after feasting," when the 
libations were made. Libat nunc — ^this is to 
remind Jupiter that it Avas the influence of 
larbas that made the A/a ure worship him, 
whereas they had not done so previously. 

Lenacum honoreni, le., honorem vini — 
vinum in Jovis honorem cffusum. Lenaeus 
— an epithet of Bacchus. See Smith's Class. 
Diet. 

208. Compare the impious address of 
Timon in Lucian, Tim. i. The sense is this: 
You do not seem to behold these things; 
for, if you behold them and do not take ven- 
geance, then do Ave groundlessly tkead you. 



B. IT 209-2-I9. 



NOTES ON THE J^NEID. 



B. lY. 231-242 



209. Cacciignes,i.e.,van!,manes. Hejiie. 
Cneci, qui non urunt. Gossrau. Caeci — 
'•blind in aim," Le., Trliich do not strike 
those whom they ought to strike. Wagn. 

210. Inanfa inurmura — the ace, not the 
nom. Murmur a — thmider; inania — un- 
availing to terrify the wicked. 

214. Repulit' Observe the fii'st sylL 
long. 

Bominum, i.e., ut dominus, oiffTOTris. 
She rejected me as a husband ftnan7us;, 
but iEneas she has received as a master. 

215. lile Pan's — "that well known (no- j 
torious) effeminate Paris:"' or. '•that adul- \ 
terous Paris.'' Like another Paris, he has I 
taken away from me my betrothed wife. I 

Setniviro. The Eomans ia Virgil's time [ 
held the Phrj-gians in contempt for their 
effeminacy. 

216. Moeonia bordered on Phiygia. Tlie 
J7iitra, or cap, was a common head-coveiing 
among many Asiatic nations ; it was fas- 
tened below the chin by ribbons, which 
partly covered the jaws and temples, as 
seen iii the woodcut beneath. 




217. Suhnixus mentum. On the con- 
struction see note i 228, and il 210. 
Quippe is expressive of strong ii'ony. 

222. Alluquitur. Last sylL lengthened 
by arsis. 

This commissioning of Jlercury is bor- 
rowed from Hom. Od v. 28 sqq. 

On Mercury consult Smith's Class. Diet, 
and Keightley's M^^h. 

22-5. Exspectat — ''lingers." Datas urbes 
—see ^n. L 258. 

227. Observe the oblique form of narra- 
tive rarelv found in epic poetry. See be- 
low, 289, 294. 

228. Bis — once from the attack of Dio- 
mede, Hom. II. vi. 311, and secondly from 
Achilles (by Neptune's interterence), IL 
XX. 291. HcAme. To this latter mstance 
Wagn. objects that Neptune did it of his 
own accord, and not at the mstigation of 
Venus. He proposes, therefore, three other 
explanations: (1.) The second rescue of 
^neas refen-ed to was on the occasion of 
the burning of Troy. Of this Thiel and 
Forb. approve. (2.) That Venus rescued 
^neas from the (jreeks, first at the storm- 
ing of Troy, and afterwards during his 
voyaging through their states. (3,) That 
the two overthrows of Troy are imderstood. 
In confirmation of this he compai-es iiL 476. 

Vindicat=vindicavit et adhuc vindicaf. 

229. Gravidam imperiis. (1,) "Which 



shall produce many illustrious commanders. 
(2,) "W'hicli shall embrace imder its sway 
the entire globe. (But this, says Wund., 
would be a tautology, as the same idea is 
stated in 231). (3,) Which has produced 
m.any powerful nations, to be subdued by 
JEneas. This last explanation is adopted 
by Wund., Wagn., and Forb. 

231. Proderet = propagaret, tarnqvam 
auctor stirpis. Latum orbem mitteret sub 
leges — a confounding of ^neas and Augus- 
tus, intended as a compliment to the latter. 

232. Accendit, sciL eum, suggested by 
ipse folloAving. 

235. Spe, inimica. Tliis is almost a soU- 
tar5" instance in heroic poetry of a mono- 
syllable placed in arsis with a hiatus, the 
long quantity of the vowel being preserved. 
The primary (Triemimeral) caesura, and the 
great emphasis on the word itself may ex- 
cuse the hcense. See ^n. i 16 ; EcL iL 53. 

236. Ausoniam prolem — the offspring in 
Ausonia (Italy), Avith an Ausonian woman, 
viz., Lavinia. 

Et after nee has a negative force ; or rather, 
the latter clause is so joined by it to the for- 
mer, as that both coalesce into one negative 
enimciation. 

Lavinia. The first syU. is here, at L 2, and 
elsewhere, long: but Lavinium, the name of 
the citv, has the a usually short, as at ^u- 
i. 258, 270, etc. 

237. JS'aviget! — "SaU hemust," vrith. par- 
ticular emphasis, forming, as it does, a whole 
foot, and the first word of the line. 

Hie nuntius—'''LbX. this be oiur message," 
or " Be thou om- messenger of this man- 
date." 

239. Talaria — either the " sandals pro- 
%ided with wings," or the "fastenuags," so 
that the wings"^ themselves wiH be under- 
stood as attached to the heels, as seen 
below. 




SeeilvthoL. 



B. IV. 243-257 



XOTES ON THE ^NEI1>. 



B. IV. 258-285, 



243. i/i«i<— " conducts." The Greeks 
called him viKpo'Trofjt.'ro?, TTofjt.'Trcao;- 

244. Lianina morte resignat. These words 
have caused great difficulty to commenta- 
tors. "We simply enumerate the principal 
explanations: (1,) He relaxes their eyes 
in death ; resignare having thus the same 
meanmg as solvere. HcAT.e and Forcell. 
(2,) He opens again the eyes of the dying 
when on the point of death, i.e., he recalls 
the dying to life. Wagner. (3,) As Mercury 
gives and deprives of sleep, so he again seals 
the eyes in the sleep of death. Jahn. (4,) 

Mercury, the •4''^X,^'^'^y''^°''> opens the eyes 
of the dead Avhom he is about to conduct to 
Orcus ; for the shades in the lower regions 
are represented as seeing. Hemy, followed 
by Forbig-er. 

247. The stoiy of Atlas, son of Japetus 
and ClJ^nene, tm'ued into a mountain by 
Perseus, and compelled to bear the world 
on his shoulders, is well known. Mercury 
alighted on the peak (apkem) of Atlas, as 
being higher ground, preparatory- to his de- 
scent to tlie plain. The epithet duri is ap- 
plied on account of the toils of Atlas, and 
the cuxumstances recorded in 24!) sqq. 

249. Pinifer is not to be interpreted too 
literally ; it is a general epithet of moun- 
tains in the poets. 

2-52. Xitens — "poising himself." Cyl- 
lenius; he was born on Mt. Cyllenus, in Ar- 
cadia. Cf. Milton, in his description of the 
descent of Gabriel. 

2-54. Avi — a .)fergiis, or some such fish- 
hunter, which soars at a considerable height 
above the water, and, after mai'king its prey, 
swoops down upon it with the violence of a 
hurricane. 

2-56. Tlie authenticity of this and the two 
following verses is doubted by almost every 
commentator. The following are among the 
objections urged: (1.) 257 is absent from 
some MSS., 258 from most, wliile hi others 
257 is placed after 258. (2,) The lines are 
very tame, insipid, and rugged. (3,) The 
homoioMetiton, volabat and secahat. (4,) 
Tlie osyn'Jeton (want of conjunct ions) in the 
verses, and the extraordinary connexion of 
the words litasar-enosiiin ac Lihuue ventosr/iie 
secabat. But, besides these, "Wagner puts 
forward others : — (1,) Tlie words terras inter 
coelumgiie, which imply high flight, ill ac- 
cord with humilisju.rla acguora of the pre- 
ceding line. (2,) The reference to ]\Ier- 
cuiy's motlier and grandlather is spiritless, 
and ill placed. (3,) It is absurd to extend 
the comparison through so many lines, 
when the subject is a trivial affair, espe- 
cially as Virgil uses Jiaiid aliter only m 
similes where digniiiy and grandeur are con- 
spicuous. AYagner tarther imagines, that 
some grammarian added the hues lest the 
reader might suppose tliat avi similis in 256 
might be interjjretcd literally as if Mei-- 
cury were in shape of a bh-d ; and that 258 
was appended lest the subject should be 
wanting, wliile 257 found a place in the 
text to explam circtan lilora, circum 
scopulos of 254, 5. 

257. Litus arenosum ac Libyae. This 

84 



Wagner takes to be the true reading, the 
interpolator having hiserted ac in the thirct 
place, for ac litus arenosum Libyne. Others 
write ad, and others omit altogetlier, 

258, Maia, the mother of ]\Iercury, was 
one of the Pleiades, the daughter of Atlas 
and Pleione. The Romans called the 
Pleiades, Vergiliae. 

2fi0. Tecta novantem — building a new 
private mansion for himself. 

261. Conspicit. Atque. This is Wagner's 
punctuation : a semicolon is usually placed 
after conspicit. Wagner asserts that this 
particle, atqiie, when placed at the begin- 
ning of a sentence, expresses amazement at 
some unexpected circumstance. It here 
indicates the astonishment of i\Iercury at 
the dress of ^Eneas, and the total change of 
his manners and character. Siellatus, viz., 
on the hilt and scabbard. 

idspide — four syllables. 

262. Laena — x,^ci.7vce. was a peculiar kind 
of woollen cloth, with a long loose nap, 
not made into any particular shape of robe, 
but used as an outer hap in various forms. 
See Ramsay's Rom. Antiq. Ardebat=splen- 
debat. 

Murex — a shell-fish which supplied a 
purple d>-e. It was found in large quan- 
tities at Tyre, on the coast of Laconia, and 
other places. See v. 205. 

264. Telas — "the warp." Dido had inter- 
woven, here and there, "fine threads of 
gold." See iii. 483. 

265. Ira-adit — "angrily addresses." The 
word is characteristic of the speech of 
i\Iercur>-, and indicative of the tenor of what 
is to follow. 

269. Torquet refers to the revolution of 
the earth on its axis, for Virgil was aware 
Terram circum a.rem se stimma celeritaie 
convertere et torquere, Cic. Acad. iv. 39, 
123. 

276. Spes heredis luli—debentur. Wagner, 
comparing 236, Aiisoninm pro/em, thinks 
that he has caught Virgil "napping." 
Forl)iger defends the poet by saying that 
lie is here correcting himself, justly think- 
ing that at tliis very time, when jEneas 
Avas held in th.e" chains of Dido's love, 
Ascanius would naturally be of more 
concern to him than any offspring to be 
derived from a new marriage in Italy. 

277. Mortales risus 7'eliqiiit — "vanished 
from the sight of men." He had assumed 
mortal shape to enable .^neas to see him, 
but noAv lie " divests hunself of his human 
form."' Gossr. 

283. Ambire, i.e., adire cum gratia, et 
quasi per ambages. It is like our phrase, 
"to get round a person," though perhaps 
different in origin. 

284. Quae prima exordia sumat — "How 
is he to open the matter?" 

285. Atque is objected to, as it is alleged 
there is no connection between this and the 
foregoing lines — (indeed, 285, 6 liave been 
discarded by some editors as returning in 
viii. 20, 21, and as being omitted from some 
MSS.) — and atcjui and titque have been pro- 
posed as emendations. Wagn. and Wund. 



B. lY. 2S7-301. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. lY. 302-323. 



defend atque, the latter suggesting that 
Heu quid agnf, '2So,=^incertus est quid agat, 
to which (incerlus est,) dividit may be 
naturaliy connected by a'que. 

Celerem does not mean celertter, but is 
to be taken rather as an epithet of the mind 
■svhose thoughts and decisions follow one 
another in the quickest succession; thus we 
say '-as quick as thought/' The Homeric 
phrase ^/«v^y;^a ^if(jL-Afi\i)i, is h«re trans- 
lated. 

287. Alternanti — "wavering," "hesita- 
ting," deliberating now this, now that plan. 
The use of alternare in this sense is almost 
unique. 

288. Vocat. Observe the pecitliarity of 
poetic diction. Without making known the 
.senientia, we are at once informed of what 
the principal agent does. 

On the" names Seryestus and Sereslus see 
note, JS^n. L 611. 

Mnesthea — Gk. aceus. See Gram., under 
Gk. nomis of decl., ii 

289. Classem aptent, i.e., juhet (suggested 
by vocat) ut aptent Aptent — "equip," 
with oars, sails, and other gear. 

Cogant socios. This is a kind oihysteron 
proteron (see note, Sx^ iL 3-53) — "having 
collected their companions they should 
equip. " 

290. Qiim rebus sit. This order of words 
(rather than quae sit rebus) is preferred bj^ 
Wagu. and Forb. as unproviiig the rhytlmi 
of the verse. 

29L Quando is not a word of time here, 
but of circmiistance=2Konia»i, or quando- 
quidem. 

293. MolUssima — "the least pauiful to 
Dido." Aditus — "opportunities of couver- 
satioiL" 

294 Quis rebus dexter modus, L&, quis 
modus ex variis modis rei gerendae sU dex- 
terrimus. " TThat mode of action was best 
suited to the circumstances." 

Ocius, sciL dicto., as more fully at L 142, 
citius dicto. 

297. Excepit, sell auribus, sensibits, Le., 
animadvertit. 

298. Omnia tuta tim^ns. Forb. had for- 
merly interpreted, "fearing everything 
though safe," or "fearing evcrj-thing even 
when safe;" but he now agrees with Dr 
Hemy m explaining it thus : " Fearing this 
very tlmig that aU things are safe," i.e., 
fearmg that this too gxeat good fortune 
cannot long- contmue. 

Eadem Fama — ''that same Rumour" who 
reported to larbas the arrival of .Shieas. 
She is called inipia, because she reports 
without cessation falsehoods no less than 
facts. 

Furerdi — either as above, 69, "like 
one maddened," or by anticipation alluding 
to her ti-autic conduct after the departure 
of ^neas. 

300. Inops animi, so inops rationis (Stat 
Theb.), inops consilii (lAvy). 

301. Bacchatur — "nms about wildly 
after the manner of the Bacchantes." The 
more ancient triennial orgies (^Tptiryiptx.a.') 
of Baccbus, introduced into Greece bv the 



Tliracians, are here alluded to. They were 
celebrated on Mt. Cithaeron by the Tlio- 
bans, %\-ith all the Mild and boisterous 
enthusiasm of savage life. For fuller in- 
formation, consult Diet, of Gk. and Eom. 
Antiq. (Smith). 

Excita commotis sacris — "roused at the 
opening of the rites." The sacred imple- 
ments, vases, thiirsi, and even the statue of 
the god, were seized and earned forth by 
the worshippers. 

302. Thyias—adis, ^v'iii; (JvcS)— a Bac- 
chatite. 

Baccho audito. The crj- "lo Bacche " 
being heai-d. Thiel understands, "when 
the voice of Bacchus himself, encourag'ing 
the worshippers, was heai-d." 

Siimulant—uYge her on m haste to Mt. 
Cithaeron to the ceremonies. 

303. Xocturnus^noctu. Adjs. are often 
used thus for advs., as matutinus, viii 465. 
Vespertinus, Hor. Sat iL 4, 17. So also 
vvpf^io;, 'hipio;, z^4^h etc. 

306. Sperasti tacitus decedere, for sperasti 
te taciturn decedere, a not unusual construc- 
tion with the Latin poets, in their fondness 
for imitating the Greeks. 

308. JS'ec moritura tenet, i.e., retinet. The 
sense is. Nor does my death, wliich is suj-e 
to happen if you depart, detain you. 

310. Aquilonibus — put for the winds gen- 
erally, though Dido would natm-ally name 
that A\lnd wliich would be adverse to the 
voyage of iEneas. 

311. This is an argument, a majori. If 
you were going to Troy stiU in its glory, 
you would not set out amidst such dangers; 
much less ought you to set sail for a foreign 
land, where no home is prepared for you. 

314 Per dextram — by the right hand, 
which we have joined in hospitality. On 
the form of oath, see JE.\\. iL 142, and Soph. 
PliiL 469, 'TTph vvv (Ti TciTpo;, etc Te is 
governed by oro, 319. 

315. AUud nihil — nothing btit tears and 
prayers. This hue refers as well to what 
follows as to what precedes. 

318. Domus labentis — de gente Didonis in- 
ielligendum, vel potius de Didone ipsa, quae 
hie novum gentem regiam conditura est. 
Forbiger. 

320. Having referred to personal favours 
and private considerations, she now turns 
to the troubles and ditHculties which JEneas 
had brought on her, and which he can alle- 
viate, or remove, by remaining at Car- 
thage. 

Xomadum tyranni — "kings of the Numi- 
dlans:" larbas is particulaiiy meant. The 
name Numidae, Sallust, Jug. 18, derives 
from Xoinades, Le., the shepherds — pastoral 
tribes, from vou-o;. Numidia is called JVo- 
mas by Martial. 

321. Infensi Tyrii. Either TjTian nobles 
had been rejected when seeking her hand, 
or the general body of the people were dis- 
satisfied that they are made subject to 
.^neas, a foreigner. 

323. Cui deserts me — shortly for cui relin- 
80 



B. lY. 324-342. 



XOTES OX THE ^XEID. 



B. lY. 344-SG7 



quens me deseiHs. Moribundam, Le., morit- 
turam per fe. 

324. Hospes — hoc nomen de covjiige — Hoav 
much bitterness of reproof do these words 
convey ! Cf. ii. 678. 

325. Quid moror. These words have 
reference to maribundam, 323. The mean- 
ing- is, " If I am to die, wliy do I delay to lay 
hands on myself before larbas or others of 
my enemies destroy me?" After a ft supply 
moror ft-om the foregoing. 

326. Gaetulus is put for Afer generally, 
since larhas was Mng of the MaTitani, and 
not of the Gaetulians, as we have seen. 

327. Suscepta fuisset. This verb usually 
applies to the act of a father in taking up liis 
children, in token of his wish that they 
should not be exposed, but saved. It thus 
means to rear, to educate, and is not to be 
confounded here with concipere. Cf. Ter. 
Andr. ii. 3, 27. 

330. Capfa ac deserta is a strong phrase for 
" abandoned by you." Capta is supposed by 
some to have re'fei-ence to the dreaded cap- 
tivity by larbas, but this seems quite irre- 
concilable witli the foregoing lines. Gossr., 
finding the difficulty of capfa insuniioimtable, 
rejects 526-30 altogether. Capta, however, 
seems to mean '■'■taken in," "outwitted," 
" deceived." 

332. Curam, i.e., dolorem. 

335. Promeritam, scil. de me, that is, 
you have conferred many favours on me. 

EUssa, or Elisa, was the proper name of 
Dido, which latter term is said to mean a 
icanderer. 

336. Regit — the common reading is reget. 
On this Wagn. remarks that dum with the 

fut. signifies continuance of time, without 
any limit being assigned ; but with the pre- 
sent it denotes all the time that elapses up 
to the end of a period whose duration is 
fixed. 

337. Pro re=pro re nata, i.e., considering 
the state of affairs. Furtum is anything 
done in a clandestine manner ; the idea of 
'■'■& desire to deceive" being necessai'ily im- 
plied. 

339. Praetendi taedas, i.e., I have never 
put the name of man-iage on our relation- 
ship. 

Haecfoedera, "such engagements," viz., 
as those of manlage. Aut after nee becomes 
negative. 

341. Meis auspiciis. Tliese words are sel- 
dom employed in reference to the affairs of 
an individual; the signification is trans- 
fen-ed fi-om public matters, more especially 
from the consuls and generals of the armies, 
qui aut suis aut alienis auspiciis res gerunt. 
The life of ^^neas was hereafter to be regu- 
lated according to the will of the gods or 
the Fates, and therefore alienis auspiciis. 

342. Urbem Trojanam colevcm, i.e., "I 
should have built a new city on the ruins of 
ancient Troy, and now be inhabiting it, 
taking a delight hi paying yeai'ly honours 
to the Manes of my friends." Reliquias, 
the Manes, as translated; not theseptdchres, 
which is HejTie's opinion. Wagner under- 
stands it as 'the citi/ itself. The variety of 
tense in colerem andj^osuissem will be easily 



explained. There is a zeugma in colerem 
which is applied to reliquias and urbem in 
different senses. 

344. Manu, pleonasticaUy, as is often the 
case when words of art and industrj' are 
spoken of. So ore or voce after verbs of 
speaking. 

345. Grynium, or Grynia, was a town of 
Aeolis, famed for a temple and oracle of 
Apollo. 

346. Lyciae sortes — Apollo's oracle at 
Patara in Lycia. See above, 143, note. 
Capessere — "to make for." 

348. Detinet, i.e., so delights and interests 
j'ou that you cannot leave it. 

350. Quae invidia, Le., by what feeling of 
enxy are you influenced, so that you do not 
Avisii us to settle ui Italy ? Thiel remarks, 
that the metre is well suited to the sense 
— the quick movement of invidia est 
( — t> V — I ) followed by the slow and 
deliberate enunciation of the long mono- 
syllables, et, nos, fas ( — | — I — \ )■, 
with the renewed earnestness in extera, 
C — V v\ ) all contribute to give the words 
full power, and bring out the feeling in all 
its force. 

353. Admonet, viz., that I should go to 
Italy and foimd a new kingdom. 

354. Capitis. Caput is often put for the 
whole person by a well knoAvn image. So 
Hor. desiderium tarn cart capitis. 

357. Vtrnmque caput, i.e., both yourself 
and me. Not j3^neas and Ascanius, as 
some interi:)ret; nor Jupiter and Mercmy, 
as others would have it. 

359. Hausi—"! drank it in with these 
very ears." So Hor. Od. ii. 13, 32, has 
libcre aurihvs, and Livy xxvii. 51, oculis 
auribuique gaudium haurire. 

362. Aversn, i.e., obliquis, torvis oculis. 

364. Luminibus tacitis (ipsa tacens) — 
with eyes which silently gave expression to 
her indignation. 

Sic accensa— roused farther to wrath by 
the survey of him. 

On this whole passage Schirach remarks: 
" Imagine to yourself the face of a person 
silently surv^eying another, the eyes slowly 
journeying from head to foot, and as slowly 
retuming to the point Avhence they started 
on theii^ tour of inspection. The whole 
passage is most beautiful, but these few 
verses cany oti the palm from all others, 
since they depict the scene with that truth- 
fulness to nature which only the liighest 
poet can rcpi'csent." 

366. Cautibus and horrens are clearly con- 
nected in sense and sjmtax. Horrens= 
arduus, for it means both "horror-caus- 
ing" and "sharp-pointed," which latter 
sense it retains in elder English; thus 
Milton, "HoiTent arms." 

367. As Mt. Caucasus was inhabited by 
Avild and savage tribes, the Romans, when 
they wished to represent a person as un- 
civkized and rough, said that "He was bom 
at Caucasus." 

H\Tcania, near Caucasus, lay between 
the Caspian Sea, Media, Parthia, and the 
river Oxus. 



B. rV". 36S-3S4. 



NOTES ON THE ^ENEID. 



B. IV. 3S-5-414. 



368. Quid dissimulo—" VThy do I vrith- 
hold my rage?" Le., "Why do I not biu'st 
I'orth Avith the full force of my resentment ; 
he cannot iiijm-e or uisult me more than 
he has done?" The change to the third 
person in iyigemuit, etc.. is strongly indica- 
tive of lier grief and passion and pretended 
contempt. 

369. Fletu ioxfletui. See Eel. v. 29. In- 
getitcre and in^emisco are usually followed 
by a dat., but in Eel. v. 27 by an accus. 

371. Quae quibus antpferayn, Le., quibus 
duriorihiis luiec tanquam leniora antepo- 
nam: Hepie and Forb. Others refer the 
phrase to the order or plan of narrative, but 
this is not good. On the double interroga- 
tion consult Iviitz, Sail. Cat. xhil 1. 

373. Ejectum litore, i.e., in litus, as m 
liL 13-5, subductae litore ptippes. 

375. The btevity and abruptness are 
characteristic of the confused and excited 
inind of Dido. In Ainissam classem there 
is contained a bitter reproof, that she had | 
been the means of saving that veiy ticet in 
■which he was now about to saD. for Italy 
and abandon her. 

376. To augur Apollo and Lyciae sories, 
supply fi-om 381, jusserunt Italiam petere, 
for interpres (messenger) applies only to 
fert. There is strong irony throughout, 
and horrida is especially emphatic. Hor- 
rida jussa is interpreted by some, "orders 
which one would shudder to disobey." 

379. Scilicet — strongly ii-onical, implying, 
of course, that she gave no credence to his 
statements. See ^Eil iL 577, and Ter. And. 
L 2, 14. 

Quiet OS — this word has reference to the 
Epicurean doctriue, that the gods "secura/n 
agere vitam.'' See Hor. Sat. i. 5, 101. 

350. Xeque is seldom doubled in A'irgil, 
as here. It is better suited than nee to ex- 
press transition, but it is a weaker negative. 
See Geo. iv. 9 ; ^En. ^iii 316. 

351. Observe the three imperatives with- 
out a conjunction. /, sequere, pete. 

Pete regna — she insinuates that desire to 
rule is the main cause of his departure. 

352. Pia nwnina. As the deities were 
themselves reckoned pit, so she beUeves 
they wUl defend mortals who are pii, and ; 
pmiish those who are impii (void of natm-al 
affection and imgrateful) andperjuri. j 

383. Hausurum supplicia — "diink the j 
cup of punishment to the di'egs." Haurire I 
is used of those things which, whether they I 
be good or cAil. we biing upon om'selves by | 
cm- actions; Wagn. Dido — Greek ace. i 

384. Atris ignihus — "LUie one of the i 
Fmies, I shall everywhere meet you, and | 
hold out smoky torches before you;" that is, j 
[poetic imagery being removed.] a bad con- 
science, on account of the ciime committed 
against me, will torture you. and the image 
of the injured Dido vsiU haunt you. 

Thus Wagner in his larger edition. In 
his smaller, however, he changes his opinion, 
and explains as follows: "With the smoke 
and flame of my fimeral pile, as an e-\-il omen, 
I, absent, will persecute you, though distant." 
This mterpretation suits better 661 sqq., 
as weU as line 385, et cum frigida, imme- 



diately following. Other explanations we 
deem it unnecessary to give. 

385. Anima seduxerit ai'tus, for: the -prosidc 
animam ah artibus sejun.verit. 

387. if ones is used for the place of spirits. 
Ilaec fama, le., fama Imjus rei. 

388. Medium sermonem abrumpit, i.e., she 
put an end to farther conversation by not 
waiting for the reply of ^^neas : breaks oli 
the conversation before it was finished. 

392. ilavmoreo thalamo, Le., in ihalamum 
m.armoreum, marmore ornatum. 

393. Pius JEneas. Pius, because more 
attentive to the -vrtil of the gods, and the 
interests of his son, than to the wishes of 
Dido and his own inclinations. 

397. Incumbunt, sciL operi reficiendarum. 
navium. 

399. Frondenfes remi and infabricata ro- 
bora refer to the same thing, ^-iz., the 
branches and shoots with the" leaves still 
uustripped, and the stems unfashioned. 
Infahricatm is among the ccTCi^ Xiyof/,iva.. 

401. Migrantes — et ruerdes, Le., ruentes iit 
migrantes ffestinnre) solent. Cernas — "you 
may perceive (if you ■\\-ish)," a poetic ex- 
pression for cerneres. 

402. Wagner wi-ites velut and not veluti, 
alleging that veluti and riti are never vnfix- 
ten in YirgU, except before consonants. 
Tduti cum = t^5 oti. 

403. Hiemis memores. C£ Hor. Sat L 1, 
35, ••magni formica laboris * * kaud ignara 
et non incauta fnturi." 

404. It agmen — et convectant. On the 
variation in the number of these two verbs 
with the common subject agmen, consult 
note, ^n. iiL 676. and L 70. The verb con- 
vectare is said to be fomid only here and in 
Taa HisL iiL 27. Calk angusto^—cf. Geo. L 
380. 

406. Agmina cogunt. This is a militarj- 
phrase applied to the duty of those who 
brought up the rear, and prevented the 
soldiers from straggUug or from plundering. 

407. Moras is for morantes, as opus for 
oper antes formica s, by a woU known poetic 
usage. Thiel quotes a most appropriate 
example fi'om Ter. Andr. ii. 3, 21 — uxoreni 
/lis nioribiis dnbit nemo, Le., Iiomini sic 
morato — " to such a character." 

Fervet — "glows." This verb is used to 
express activity and quick motion, since 
these produce jervorem. On the two forms, 
fer\-cre and feiwere, see Geo. L 456: ou 
stridere and stridere, Geo. iv. 262 ; and on 
fulsere and fulsere, SLn. \i. 827. See 
below, 409. 

408. Quis 5en5?«— "by what Karwe am I 
to call that feeling," according to the dis- 
tinction laid down between qui and quis. 
See note. iEn. iiL 608. 

411. Aequor misceri. Wimd. uitcrprets, 
of the movemejits and the din of many 
individuals engaged in labour. 

413. Ire in lacrimns for descendere ad 
lacrimas— '"to lutve recourse to tears." 

414. Ani7nos=iras. or it may be opposed 
to suppler, and be equal to superbi spiritus, 
the pride of the queen alteniatmg vnth tiie 
wealiness of the icoman. 

87 



B. IV. 416-436. 



NOTES OX THE ^NEID. 



B. IV. 437-464. 



416. Properari, used impersonally. The 
common editions have a semicolon after 
circum, but Wagn. punctuates after Utore (;) 
making undique circum mean ex omnibus, 
quae circa sunt, loots. 

417. On carbasus, see note, ^n. iii. 357. 
419. Si potui — si=i', or wena in German, 

and is to be ti-anslated, ^^ Since I have been 
able to anticipate (sperare=exspectare), (see 
298, omnia tuta timens) my present grief, 
great as it is, I shall be able to bear it too." 

423. Molles nditus et temporn, i.e., yoii 
were the only one who knew to discern the 
proper time when he was most alTable. 
" You alone knew the soft approaches to 
the hero's heart, and the seasonable moment 
to enforce them." Galbraith. 

424. Hostem = odios7im virum. Heyne. 
Thiel takes it as equal to hospitem, which 
was the original signification of liostis. 

426. Aulis, in Boeotia, where the Grecian 
Ciiiefs, having assembled with their forces, 
previous to their departure to Troy, bound 
themselves by an oath not to return till 
they had captm-ed Klie city of Priam. 

427. Patris cinerem revelli. One of the 
most heinous of all sins, in the eyes of the 
ancients, was to disturb the ashes of the 
dead. The poet, perhaps, makes reference 
to the story that Diomede canicd away tlie 
ashes of Anchises, but afterwards returned 
them to jEneas, when he had been plagued 
for violating and retaining them. This cii- 
cumstance, however, could not have been 
known to Dido at the time, but the poet, 
we have seen, does not avoid anachronisms, 
if the subject be suitedto embellish hiswork. 

433. Tempus iiiane, i.e., a season during 
which their relationship and close intimacy 
should be partially suspended, and an easy 
transition made by her knowing merely 
that J3neas, though not on terms of former 
friendship, was stiU near, and in Carthage. 

43o. l'eniamz=gratiam; bcncficium. 

436. This verse has given much trouble 
to commentators, the opinions of some of 
whom are enumerated underneath. (1,) 
And if you confer this favour upon me, I 
shall remember it gratefully so long as I 
live, and repay it abundantly at my death; 
Heyne, Jahn, and Siiptl. (2,) XwA if you will 
confer this favour upon me, you will testify 
that it has been abundantly repaid at my 
death, i.e., tliati have bestowed mucli more 
upon you than you have upon me; thus 
Wagn., wliodoes not agree that murte means 
duriug my UJe uiitilmy death. (3,) Henry 
reads cumiilata, and, refening to the words 
of iEneas, 360, Desine meqnetuis incendcre 
teque querciis, explains as follows: — "In 
deference to the wish of ^neas, I shall cease 
to worry liim with complaints and entreaties, 
(Le., reniitlani — I sliall slacken in my vq- 
monstrances), although by his departure 
death is prepared for me, as it were, mani- 
fold ('cMOT7//«te7?«or<£';." (4,) Forbiger inter- 
prets simply, and, as appears to us, correctly, 
"And if you perform this service for me, I 
shall repay it handsomely at my death;" 
hinting probably at the succession to the 
kingdom or some other benefit. 

88 



437. Fleius — entreaties accompanied with 
tears. 

438. Fertque refertque — "bears again and 
again." Not "bears to ^ueas, and back 
from him to Dido." 

439. Tractabilis audit, i.e., ita audit lit 
comynoveatur. 

440. Placidas expresses the general cha- 
racter of the disposition of ^Eneas, which it 
is the poet's duty to extol. 

Deus — the deity, divine influence — no 
particular god being signified. 

442. Tlie poets associated cold, snow, ice, 
and other inclemencies of the weather, with 
the Alps, as here^/p/wi Boreae signifies the 
north wind blowing from the Alps. 

443. For altae some copies read alte, but 
the former has the authority of the bestMSS. 
Altae conslernuni is equal to ita consternunt 
ui altae s/nt. 

448. The suitableness of thevi-ordtj/nditr^r 
in this place will at once be i-ecognised; "is 
buffeted," "lashed." 

Heyne puts a period after curas, but a 
semicolon is preferable, since a very close 
connexion exists between this and the fore- 
going line. 

4-50. Fatis, sciL suis. Convexa coeli — see 
L 310. 

4-53. Turicremis. This is a word borroAved 
from Lucretius ii. 3-53. 

455. Obscoenum — "foul," " disgusting hi 
appearance;" or here rather "ill omened," 
"portending misfortune." Cf Geo. L 470. 

456. Heyne remarks that this verse is 
admu-ably adapted to increase the horror of 
the scene. We now despair of the life of 
Dido when we find her pertinaciously silent 
on the subject of her death, even to her 
dearest relative. Thus are those determined 
on suicide wont to act. 

457. Templum — the shrme dedicated to 
the shade of Sychaeus. 

De miirmore, Le., quae dempta ed de rupe 
maymorea. 

459. Velleribusniveis — Fe/Zw.? properly sig- 
nifies ivool shorn from the sheep, and hence 
anything made thereof, as fillets and bunds, 
Avhich are hei'e meant. 

460. Hinc, "from this temple." 

462. "And the solitary screech owl, sitting 
on the house-top, often wailed with death- 
foreboding cry and protracted her long- 
drawn notes into a plaintive song." The 
bubo is a bird closely resembling the noctua, 
and receives its name, like our cuckoo, from 
the sound made by it. Virgil is the only 
writer who uses the word as feminine. This 
kind of owl was looked upon by the Romans 
as a death-boding and inauspicious bird; 
and did any one of the species find its way 
into a house, the members of the family 
exerted themselves to catch it, and nail it to 
the door, in order that its sufferhigs might 
exhaust the calamities which its approach 
predicted to the household. 

464. Piorum is the reading of Wagner, 
Siipfl., Gossrau, Forbiger, etc., instead of 
priorum. Pius is a common epithet of 
prophets, and seems more suitable than 
priorum, which the similarity of the first 



B. IV. 4G9-493. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. IV. 494-510. 



sylls. of praeterea and praedicta may have 
led a copyist to Avrite. 

469. Pent/ieus, son of Echion and Ag-ave, 
and successor of Cadmus as king of Thebes. 
The story of his opposition to the introduc- 
tion of the worship of Bacchus into Boeotia, 
and his consequent punishment, are well 
known. The Euinenides were otherwise 
called Diro.c, Fun'ne, Erinues. 

470. With this verse, cf. Eur. Baccli, 916. 

471. AgaJnemnonius — the possessive for 
the patronymic, as Lycaonius, x. 749. 

Orestes — sou of Agamenmon, and mur- 
derer of his own mother, Clytaemnestra, 
■was driven mad by the Furies, avengers of 
his crime ; 472 states the means by which 
his guilty conscience was harassed. 

Scents, for in scenis — "on the stage." 
Wagn. adds that the plur. numb, indicates 
the frequent repetitions of the piece upon 
the stage. The stoiy of Orestes is some- 
wiiat similar to that of Hamlet. 

473. In limine— the threshold, either of 
Apollo's temple at Delphi, whither he had 
fled to escape theii' attacks, or the door of 
his own house, where the Furies met him, 
as he fled from his mother's spectre. 

475. Secum ipsa — "with herself alone." 
Modum — "the kind of death." 

477. Spem fronte sereriat — " wears a 
calm aspect of hope on her countenance." 

479. Eo, i.e., amore in eum.. On such a 
ceremony for the recoverj'' of a lover, see 
Eel. viiL 

481. Aethiopnm. The Aelhiopes were 
dl\-ided into two sections, the eastern and 
the western. All writers place them in the 
very ends of the earth. Cf Hom. II. i 423. 

Atlas. See above, 247. Torquet, more 
expressive than sustinet. It imphes the 
daily revolution of the sun. 

482. Axem — the globe. Aptum — '■'■stud- 
ded,'' ^' spn^ngled," from ciTTio'^a.i. 

483. Massylae, i.e., Libycne. 

484. Hesperidum, the garden of the Hes- 
perides, usually assigned to Cyrenaica, is 
placed by Virgil in Mauretania, near the foot 
of Mt. Atlas. The Fortimate Islands (the 
Canaries) are by others given as the locality 
of this garden. The priestess is said to be 
resident at Carthage at the time here spoken 
of 

486. Spargens is to be referred to dabat, 
not to servabat. Soporiferum, pass., ie., to 
deaden the rage of the dragon, but not to 
put him to sleep, for he behoved to be 
always awake. 

487. Cnrminibvs — magical charms. 

489. The power of stopping the course of 
streams, or of making them flow back agaui 
to thek somxe, was attributed to the nia^i. 

490. Nocturnos, i.e., noctu, see above, 
303, note. 

491. Ornos — ^not ash trees only, but all 
kinds. 

493. Accingier — the old inf for accingi, 
on which see Donaldson's Varronianus. p. 
360 (2d. ed.) It is here middle voice, "that 
I gii-d myself with magic arts," as ■mi/ wea- 
pons, ie., that " I have recourse to." Such 
an apology was unnecessary for Dido and 



her times, but it would ha^-e been requisite 
in the case of a Roman of Virgil's age (see 
note, JEn. i. 469), when magic rites were 
condemned, and even subjected those who 
engaged in them to accusation before the 
law courts. 

Artes is the accus. of ike remote object, 
on which see ^n. i. 228, and iL 210, note. 

494. Sub auras— sub means motion from 
below, upivurds, so that the phrase signifies 
" to raise a pile up towards heaven." As the 
Greek aspiration=s, and w=&, sub=z^^o. 
Heyne explains sub auras as merely = sub 
divo, " in the open air." 

495. The woodcut represents a pyre, or 
ara sepulchri, as it is otherwise called, with 
a dead body laid thereon. For a description 
of it see Ramsay, Rich, or Smith ; and on 
the funeral ceremonies generally, consult 
the same authorities. 




Arma — that is, the sword, mentioned 
below, 507 and 646. 

497. Wagn. reads superimponant (sciL 
famitli) which Forb., deeming inconsistent 
with secreta, rejects, and adopts the lection 
superimponas. 

498. Juvat (o-wfpi/JJ/)— "it is neces- 
sary," or "expedient." Jubet is another 
readhig. 

500. Anna's character, unsuspicious and 
devoid of penetration, is Avell chosen, to ren- 
der the working out of the catastrophe more 
easy and natural. 

502. Aut for nee, after the preceding ■nee. 

505. Taedis et ilice secta " of pitch pmes 
and spht oak." 

506. Fronde funerea — more pai'ticulai'ly 
the leaves of the cj^Dress. 

508. Effigiem — an image of the person 
against whom the enchantment was directed, 
made of wax, or wood, was one of the most 
important parts of the magical rite. As the 
wax of the image melted, the faithless lover 
was supposed either to melt again to affec- 
tion, or to be consumed by a miserable 
death, as a reward for his perfidy. The 
latter result was the one wished for by 
Dido. 

509. Effusa crines — another example of 
the ace. after a passive part. ; see note on ^n. 
i. 228; ii. 210. Transl., "with dishevelled 
locks." Sncerdos, i.e., the Massyliau pries- 
tess mentioned above, 483. 

510. Ter centum tonut deos — "thrice 
invokes with loud voice a hundred gods." 
Thus Wagn. in his larger edition ; but in 
his smaller he joins tercenlum, considering 
it equivalent to plurimos. Schirach and 
Thiel write ter centum, but take it adverb- 

89 



B. IV. 511-520. 



NOTES OX THE ^NEID. 



B. IV. 522-538. 



ially, (not joined to deos) equal to multi- 
plicUe)\ multts nominibus. 

Erebus, brother of Tartarus, and son of 
Chaos. 

Chaos (z'^^y Z^'vcd, whence A^«<?'^«), 
the great void m which all things were 
found ; it is sometimes put for Orcus. 

51L Tergeminam Hecaten and trim ora 
Dianae mean the same thing, for Diana 
was called by three names — Luna in heaven 
— Diana on earth — and Hecate in the 
lower regions, and in this triple form she is 
represented in the woodcut below. The 
gods mvoked were of course infernal ones. 




512. Latices simulatos Avemi — "The 
water pretending to be from Avenius." 
That poured on the altars was supposed to 
be taken Irom the Styx. 

513. Falcibus, etc. Full grown herbs, 
also, cut by moonlight with brazen sickles, 
are sought for, with the juice of black ])oison, 
i.e., herbs covered with the rii)cncd down of 
maturity, and sweUing with poisonous 
iuices. Lac is often used of the juice of 
herbs; see Ovid INIet. xi. GOG, 

516. Amor, etc. " The ' mother's love 
too, is sought for, torn from the forehead of 
an infant foal, and seized before the dam" 
(could secure it). It was a popular beUef 
thatif tbc excrescence sometimes appearing 
on the forehead of a foal were not inmiedi- 
ately devoured by the mother, she lost all 
affection for lier young. Hence it was used 
as part of the charm to relieve the mind 
from love. The fleshy protuberance referred 
to is called Hippomanes, different, however, 
from that other Hippomanes which we 
meet witli in Geo. iii. 280. 

517. Mola — "the salt cake;" seeEamsay. 
Piis manibus, Le., pziris, castis; see ii. 1-33. 

518. Exutn pedem. See above, 509. 
This was a common practice in reUgious 
ceremonies. 

In vest? recincta — " clothed in a robe, with 
girdle unloosed," as was customaiy. 

520. Sidera conscia fati — the stars were 
"the eyes of heaven," and thus conscious, 

yo 



as it were, of heaven's decrees, and cog- 
nizant of all thhigs done or doing upon 
earth. Thiel. 

522. Apollonius (of Rhodes), iii. 744, and 
iv. 1058 sqq., has supplied to Virgil the 
main ideas in this beautiful description of 
night. Galbraith quotes the foUomng from 
Yoimg's Mght Thoughts: — 

Night, sable goddess! from her ebon throne. 
In rayless majesty now stretches forth 
Her leaden sceptre o'er a leaden world. 
Silence, how dead ! and darkness, how pro- 
found ! 
Nor eye, nor listening ear an object finds : 
Creation sleeps, 'tis as the general pulse 
Of life stood stiU, and Nature made a pause, 
An awful pause, prophetic of her end. 

The stillness of the night, and the repose 
of Nature's other works, contrast strongly 
mth the turmoil of passion which gives no 
rest to the agitated queen. 

523. Silvaeetaegvora — either "the woods 
and seas " themselves, as the wind was luUed 
at nightfall; or the "various forms of animal 
Ufe inhabiting the woods, the fields, and the 
ocean." 

Quierant — ^liad gone to rest, Le., were now 
-wrapped in sleep. 

525. Fktae — "speckled," "party-col- 
oured." Quaeque, i.e., both sea fowl and 
those birds which frequent inland districts. 
But some take quuecjue laciis, etc., to mean 
"those animals (Le., fish) which frequent the 
waters, and those that inhabit the lalces, for 
why, say they, shoukl fish be omitted, since 
the poet's object seems to be to mclude all 
animals?" 

527. Somno — the drrt, according to Forb. 
and Gossrau — the abl., in the opinion of 
He>nie, Wagner, etc. The former is pre- 
ferable, since they are mentioned as nota 
enjoying sleep, and not as covi^^osing them- 
selves to sleep. 

528. This line has been omitted by many 
editors as spurious. Forb., however, de- 
fends it as necessary to the context, and 
punctuates witli a full stop a,itGvager (525), 
and a colon after laborum (528). He, 
moreover, sujiplies lenibat ciiras after at 
non infelix F/wenissa. Wagner puts a 
comma after oger, and a colon after silenti. 
Forbiger's opinion Avill, we believe, be 
readily adopted. See his note in loc. On 
infelix anitni, see above, 203. 

531. Rursns resurgens — such pleonasms 
are not infrequent. 

534. Quid ago — "What am I doing?" 
with self reproach. Some books read quid 
n-g-aw— " Wliat shall I do?" the phrase of 
one deliberating. Rursus is to be joined 
with experiar. 

63-5. Pet am connuhia — said with the most 
bitter irony, as it was considered highly 
disreputable for a virtuous woman to make 
advances of such a kind. 

538. Sequar classes et ultima juxsa — 
there is a zeugma in sequar, as applied in 
one sense to classes, and in another to j'ussa. 
Ultima means "the most degrading," — that, 
than wliicli notliing could be more humilia- 
thig and disagi'eeable, so ultima poena. 



B. IV. 540-569. 



NOTES ON THE ^XEED. 



B. IV. 570-585. 



Quiane jiivat (eos) auxilio (meo) ante 
levutos Cessej. All this is said -with the 
keenest irony. 

540. Si7iet, "Avould allow me," viz., to 
follow the fleet, Fac velle, "suppose I 
were williug." 

542. Perjuria, plur., referring to the 
treachery of Laomedon towai-ds ApoUo and 
Neptune. 

543. Ovantes — "triumphing" (see Ram- 
say's Auliq. on Ovatio) over her in their 
departure, and, moreover, because they 
would earn,' with them a queen as a captive. 

545. Inferar, Le., Shall I foUow and at- 
tack his ships? not " Shall I be borne away 
in his ships "?" with aU my Tj-rians. 

547. Morere — unper. ofmorior. 

548. The intense excitement of Dido's 
mind is shown by her accusing her nearest 
and dearest and most affectionate friend. 

552. Sychaeo. On this form of adj. com- 
pare .^1. i 6S6, and iiL 602, 

554, Certus eundi. This construction is 
frequent with the poets; and even Tacitus 
emploj^s it. But the iufln. after ctrtus is 
more usual, as 564, below. 

Carpebat — see note, ^Sia. L 388. 
boQ. Forma dei, non deus ipse — see 571. 
Redeuntis, La, iterum euntis. 

555. Omnia, vocem,colorem,etc. — similis — 
another example of the accus. of reference 
or limitation, on which see note, /F^n.i. 228, 
and ii 210. The voice, the complexion, the 
golden locks, and the graceful, weU-tiuned 
limbs, are the marks of beautj- for which 
Mercury was distingiushed among deities. 
On the sj-napheia of que after colorem, see 
JEn, L 332, note. 

559. Blaci being the prevailing colour of 
the hair of Greeks and Romans, they prized 
highly the flatos crines as more rai'e and 
beautiful See Antiq. 

560. Sub hoc casu — " at the crisis in which 
you now are" — such is the force of hoc. 

Bucere somnos, like trahei^e somnos, means 
to enjoy protracted sleep, ttj^tiv <ra,vvij;^iov. 

561. Beinde. in Interrogations, is often 
almost equal to " quum res ita sint" 

562. Zephyros, as aitster at iii 70, is not 
to be taken literally, but as sig-nitN-ing the 
wind, generally. The wind cidled Africus 
(W.S.tV.) would have been more favoturable 
for those sailing from Carthage to Italy. 

564. Certa mori — see above, 554, and cf 
475. 

505. Potestns praecipltare. On the differ- 
ence between the infin. and the genmd after 
such a subst., and on the sjmtax of the infin. 
in this construction, see a fuU note, Mn. ii 
350, V. 638, and Geo. L 305. 

566. Jam is used of an event which we 
confidently expect to happen immediately. 
Turbari trabibus. Le.. with the ships of the 
Carthagutians. Gossr. takes it to mean that 
unless Jineas made haste to escape, the sea 
would, on the morrow, be strewed with the 
ft-agments of his ships, broken up and bmned 
by fte Carthaginians. 

567. Feivere—see above. 407. 

569. Eia age is expressive of the greatest 
impatience. 



570. Variiim ef mvtabile semper femina — 
a well lmo^^^a proverb. The neut. of an adj. 
joined to a masc, or fern, subst., expresses 

[ some degi-ee of contempt and depreciation. 
j The construction is frequent both in Greek 

and Latin : Thus 0\id Am. i. 9. 4, Turpe 
j est senex miles. Triste lupus sfabulis, etc. 
j Res is sometimes put iu apposition instead 
I of the neut. of the adj., thus Ov. Met. xii. 
; 826, credula res amor est. 
! The proverb aut amat aut edit mulier, 
\ nihil tertium, is similar in sentiment to the 

above. 

571. Subitis umbris — "the sudden dark- 
ness consequent on the depaiiure of the 
god who had appeared, as deities were 

j wont, in a halo of light" Thits Hejme and 
; GossraiL But Henry suggests that umbrae 
j here means the simulacrum, (pa.vrafff/.a. of 
' Mercury, {forma dei, 556.) — ''a vision of 
; the night." It woitld be unworthy of 
'■ Jupiter to require to despatch his messen- 
ger twice, m person, to ^neas. Of this 
WagTi., iu his smaller edition, approves. 
i Forb. leans to the same interpretation. 
I 573. Praecipites is to be appUed to con- 
\ sidite, but not to vigilate, say the commen- 
: tators. It appeai-s to us, however, that it 
i is equally applicable to both, for an adj. 
I thus used, where an adv. might have been 
j expected, is in most cases equal in meamng 
; to a sepai-ate and independent assertion, as 
i if it were, " Make aU haste (praecipites), 
i rouse yom-selves fi-om sleep (vigilate), and 
j take your seats on the rowing -benches." 
' So, in the next line, citi is not for cito, but 
is equal to " Be quick and itnfurL" 

If the addi-ess, vigilate, were confined to 

those of the train whose duty it was to be 

on guard for the night, we might allow the 

restriction in the use of praecipites j but 

as we cannot for a moment imagine, either 

i (1) that all the companions of ^neas were 

I on guard on the night previous to the re- 

! newal of their laboiu-s, or (2) that the orders 

j of their chief would be given to a part only 

. of the forces, we seem confined to the ex- 

j planation now hazarded. 

i 576. Sancte deorum — imitated, says 

I Heyne, from Ennius, Juno Saturnia, 

i sancta deorum, and this from Homer, ^^^^ 

Siawi. The poets, and later prose writers, 

used the positive degree of adjs. in a paiti- 

tive sense, governing the gen. 

577. Quisquis es — with this compare 
notes on 556 and 571. 

578. Dextra sidera — "propitious stars." 
on the rising of which the winds depended, 
in the opinion of the ancients. 

581. 5a&ef— "possesses." Eapiuntque., 
ruuntque,' followed by the perf. deseruere (in 
a moment, as it were, they are off), admir- 
ably express the extraordinaiy activity and 
speed of execution of the various duties of 
seizing and arranging the cordage and tack- 
Ung of the ship, of taking tlae posts of 
rowers or sailors, and of putting forth to 
sea. Note the somid answering to the sense 
in this and the following verse. 

584, 5. The reader of Homer wUl have 
little diaaculty in turning to IL xL 1, for 
91 



B. lY. 586-598. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. IV. 600-619. 



the original of these lines. Tithonus was a 
sou of Laomedon, king of Troy, of whom 
Aurora became enamoured. 

586. E specuUs, i.e., from the higher part 
of her palace, to which, as a watch-tower, 
she had retired at the early peep of grey 
dawn to have a view^ over the harbour. 

587. jEquatis velis — "with sails equally 
filled," i.e., with a steady and favouring 
breeze. 

588. Vacuos sine remige. — such pleonasms 
are very common in Latin and Greek writers, 
so 0^^d Met. x. 215, sine coiijuge caelebs, 
and JEn. i. 614, note. 

590. On the syntax of pectus percmsa, 
and comas abscissa, see note, Mn. L 228, and 
ii. 210. 

592. ^rwia— not only naval implements, 
but all warlike instruments generally, as is ' 
evident from the words alii dit-ipient. I 

593. Ite. This is one of those lines which j 
make against the opinion of Bentley, that a ' 
dissyllabic word, in the end of a verse, after 
one of the greater punctuation mai-ks, was 
most unpleasing to the Eoman poets. 

591. Date tela, is a much more spirited 
reading than date vela, commonly edited on 
the authority of one MS. The frequent 
recurrence of the letter t appears to Wagner 
to be most particularly suitable to express 
the excitement of Dido's mind. He com- 
pares Soph. (Ed. R. 370, tu^Xos ra. r 
urce., Tov n vouv, to. 'rofj-f/.ce.T s'l, and the 
well known verse of Ennius, 

O Tite, tute, Tati, tibi tante Tyraime 
tulisti. 
The incoherence displayed in these lines, 
indicative of Dido's mental paroxysm, will 
strike the most superficial observer. 

596. Iinpia facta tang lint. "The wicked 
deeds (of ^neas, viz., his perfidy and nn\l- 
treatment of his benefactor) now attect 
(come home to) you." So Wagn., Forb., and 
Wund. Heyne thinks that she refers to her 
treatment of her late husband Sychaeus, for 
which she now is being punished ; but the 
foregoing line, insania viutat, with other 
considerations unnecessarj' to specify, ren- 
ders this improbable. 

597. The whole sentence is this: — "Now, 
when it is too late, you are keenly alive to 
the perfidy of iEneas; then rather ought 
you to have doubted his fidelity when you 
abandoned yourself wholly to his power." 

En dextra — so en is joined with the nom. 
in JEn. i. 401, en Priamus. The inteijec- 
tion expresses strong indignation and keen 
bitterness. After /(fes supply ejus, as ante- 
cedent to quern. There ought not to be an 
exclamation aX'tcx fidesque. 

598. Some (Wagn. and others) grounding 
their conclusion on 599, suppose that por- 
tare refers only to the time when .apneas 
caiTicd forth the penatesfrom burning Troy 
• — but the sarcasnr becomes much more 
bitter if we suppose it to apply equally to 
the time then present, — That a man, daily 
wi-apping himself in the cloak of a sacred 
religious duty, should, by his conduct, give 
the lie so glaringly to all his professions. 

92 



600. Abreptum divellere=obripere et divel- 
lere — " Could not I have seizedhis body, torn 
it in pieces, and flung its fragments over 
the waves ? " 

602. Ponere epiilandum. — a reference to 
the story of Tereus or Thyestes, for which 
see Smith's Class. Diet. 

603. Fui-sset — "Even suppose it had been" 
(I cared not for that): "whom did I fear, 
determined on death as I was? " 

606. Extinocem for extinxissem. Super= 
insuper, as at ^n. i. 29, etc. Ipsa is noin. 
to dedissem, after which supply in ignes. 

607. Solii hivoked as seeing all things, 
and, among others, the injustice done to 
the Queen of Carthage. 

608. Tuque fiarum inter pres — "And-thou, 
Juno, the arbitress and -witness of these my 
cares." Interpres indicates the interme- 
diate person by whose intervention any- 
thing is effected, and the term is applied to 
Juno, as the goddess who presides over 
marriage, and "as the deity who brought 
about the union of Dido and Jj^neas. 

609. Ululata iriviis — "invoked by bowl- 
ings where three ways meet," whence she 
is called Trivia dea. Trivia virgo, and simply 
Trivia. 

610. Dii^op. See above, 473. 

Bi Morisntis Elissa' — not the genii of Dido, 
by and by to become her Manes, but those 
gods who looked on her with kindness and 
pity, and who would avenge her death. 

611. Accipite hoec, scil. animis, i.e., take 
especial notice of these things that are now 
going on. It is by no means the same as 
nostras audite preces following. 

Meritum advertite nunien — " exercise 
against the wicked, (i.e., ^neas and his 
abettors) the poAver of your divinity Avhich 
they deserve to feel." Thus Heyne, Peerlk., 
and Thiel. But Wagn., whom Forb. fol- 
lows, explains, " Take heed to my misfor- 
tunes, and avenge them by your divine 
power, the exercise of which I merit on my 
behalf." The specification of the evils 
(61-5 sqq.) imprecated on iEneas seems to 
decide for the latter interpretation. 

613. JVecesse est. — "If it must be that," 
etc., i.e., if it be immutably fixed by the 
fates. 

615. This is prophetic of his war with the 
brave Turnus and the RutulL The poet, 
by representing the legendary story of 
^■Eneas, and the facts of later history as the 
words of prediction, lends an uncommon 
interest to this part of the narrative, and at 
the same tiuie displays his own consumniiite 
skill as an artist. 

610, 617. Finibus extorris — avulsus, etc. 
These words refer to his departure from his 
own camp (after his arrival in Italy) to 
seek aid from Evander, when he left As- 
canius behind him, and discovered on his 
return that Turnus had attacked his en- 
trenchments and slain a great many of his 
followers. 

G18. Pads iniquce — ^the Trojans gave up 
their own language, dress, and name, in 
the treaty with the Latins, xii. 823. 

619. Fruatur luce. He is said to have 
reigned only three years, and to have been 



B. IV. 6-20-6-36. 



NOTES OX THE JEXEID. 



B. IV. 638-661. 



drowned in the river Xnmicius — his body, 
liowever, was never recovered. To this 
line 620 refers. 

6-2a It has been asked, What does que 
connect? and it has been said that inhuma- 
tus \s for neque hiimetur. But it is better to 
consider ante diem as in meaning, though 
not in form, an adj.=immaturus — a con- 
struction which micrht be abundantly ilins- 
strated from English as well as Latin 
authors. 

62-3. Exercete odiis — ^referring, of coni^e, 
to the Punic wars. Observe the posirion 
of munera. similar to that of natiget noted 
in 237, above. 

62-5. Exoriare^ much stronger than exori- 
atur. for it expresses a confident expectation 
that such a one -will arise, though she can- 
not name the iudividoaL The ultor is 
Hannibal. Ex ossibus, ie., not by genera- 
tion, but as it were from her verj- limbs, in 
a figurative sense. 

629. The hupermeter sylL que (to be 
joined by synapheia to the next line) is 
very unusual at the end of a completed sen- 
tence, on which account some editors have 
rejected the latter half of the verse, and 
others the que. Wagner and Forb. retain 
the line in full, considering that the hyper- 
metrical syllable is intentional We are to 
imagine, they say, that the excited feelings 
of Dido, and her eager haste in speaking, 
had rendered her almost breathless, and 
that the last words are uttered with a 
panting and failing voice, the que betraying 
an mtention to say more, which the powers 
of speech refused. 

631. Abrumpere lucem — the idea of violent 
breaking has reference to the thread of the 
Destinies. 

633. This line is considered spurious by 
some editors on account of the trivial na- 
ture of the information, and the unusual 
phrase cinis me habet. Forb. defends its 
genuineness by rephing to the first objec- 
tion that the great importance attached to 
nurses, and the large influence exercised 
by them, are sufiicient grounds for the ui- 
troduction of this piece of intelligence ; and 
to the second, that as the phrase cinis sum 
is common, and tumulo urna haberi is a 
mere variation of the one here used, we are 
justified in admitting cinis habet as a poetic 
fancy. Instead of suus we might at first 
sight expect ejus, but the sentiments are 
Dido's, and therefore the reflexive pron. is 
quite right. 

634. Cara mihi, Le., "though not my 
nurse, but the nurse of Sychaeus, yet dear 
to me."' Wakefield removes the commas, 
and makes mihi depend on siste. but this 
would produce a tautology with hue, 
whereas cava mihi causes no tautology, but 
on the contrary brings out an idea which 
the brevity of the phrase does not allow to 
be broadly stated, nor indeed would that 
be either necessary or laudable. 

63-5. Fluviali lympha. Le.. vivo flumine. 
Ablutions were necessary previous to indi- 
viduals engaging in sacred rites. 

636. Monstraia. sciL a sacerdote. Consult, 



on the whole subject of sacrifices. Ramsay's 
Antiq., p. 339 sqq. 

63a AS(y^/o /ori, Le., Pluto, 2.i\.; y.xrx- 
^Sovto;. Horn. 

641. Anilem gradum — ^the more common 
reading is anili, to agree with studio, and 
this certainly suggests a much more beau- 
tiful idea than the lection adopted by Forb., 
Wagn., etc., anilem. The epithet as joined 
to gradum is very insipid and common- 
place ; while, by attaching it to studio, yon 
bring out one of the characteristics of old 
age. generally, and especially that which 
might be expected in a domestic, who had, 
by long residence, become almost one of 
the family. 

643. Acies is not nsed of the eye simply, 
but only when it is excited and has a started 
appearance through anger, or any other 
violent emotion. 

644. Inteijusa genas. See note, .^n. L 
228, and iL 210. Maculis — the truth of 
this is said to have been borne out in the 
executions of the French Revolution. 
Many of those whose hair or robes were 
cut off at the neck, in preparation for the 
guillothie, had on their faces red and livid 
spots. 

646. For an iUnstration of the rogus, see 
494. above. 

645. C£ -507 sq. The garments were 
among the presents brought from the ships, 
L 647. 

650. With this passage, c£ Soph. Trach. 
917 sqq.. where Dejanira slays herself on the 
couch of Kercules: see also Eur. Alcestis, 
where Alcestis flings himself on the nuptial 
couch. Xorissim us is often used for uliim us, 
so norissimum agmen. 

651. Exurice, etc. — "O Relics, dear to 
me, while fate and the deity permitted, 
receive thLs soull " "Receive." etc. for 
she was about to breathe forth her soul, 
lying upon them. Sinebaf is written by 
Wagn. instead of the common reading sine- 
bant, on the ground that deus and/ata unite 
into one singular idea of divine arrange- 
ment. 

6-54. Peerlkamp would write this and the 
two tbUowing verses in the order 656, 655, 
654. 

Imago, uamXov, umbra, is called magna, 
on account of the celebrity of Dido's ex- 
ploits. Mei imago means that by which I 
am represented: niea would mean that 
which I possess. 

6-56. nta rirum. See L 360. 

C59. Os impressa toro. This Ls usually 
interpreted as a convulsive and -violent 
pressure of the couch, caused by her grief 
of mind Henry, however, comparing 651, 
considers such excess of sorro-w unsuitable 
to Dido, who speaks now with a mind 
composed and tranqmiised by her reflec- 
tions : he understands the phrase as mean- 
ing that she kissed the couch, like Alcestis, 
as before quoted, and Medeu, ApoH Rhod. 
iv. 26. 

661. Hauriat — ocuUk. So we say, '■'■drink 
in irith the eyes:'' but cur phrase implies 
anxietj-. and usually pleasure, notions which 
93 



B. IV. 662-681. 



KOTES ON THE iEXEID. 



B. IV. 683-698. 



cannot find place in the present sentence. 
The verb is used of the (liquid) air, which 
we drink in in breathing, and is thus applied 
to otlier things (sound, light, etc.) which 
affect oiu' senses thi^ough the air. 

662. Dardanum — said with contempt. 
See iiL 306, 602. 

664. After tlie example of the tragic 
■SNTiters, Virgil describes rather the appear- 
ances resulting from the deed of murder 
than the murder itself. Comites, i.e., fa- 
mulas. 

666. Bacchatur, i.e., it speedily spreads 
througli tlie city, and excites the people 
most vehemently. See above, on 301. 

667. Femineo ululatu. On the hiatus be- 
tween these two words see note, ^n. iii. 
211. 

671. Perqve deorum. The poets and ora- 
tors often repeat the prep., and thereby add 
l)ecuhar force and vigour to the sentence. 
Of. iEn. ii. 358. 

675. Hoc ill lid fuit—'' This, then, was the 
purpose of that preparation of yours." 

678. Vocasses. Either, "If you had called 
me," or, "Would that you had called me," 
Avhich latter is better suited to the context, 
where Anna is remonstrating with the ex- 
piring queen, and complaining of her want 
of confidence in a sister's affection. 

680. Vocavi voce, (KaXuv ^oa,) means 
always to " call with a clear and disthict 
voice." 

681. As the epithet crudelis cannot Avith 
any propriety be applied to Aima hi its 
literal sense, Wagn. tal^es it as the voc. ad- 
dressed to Dido. Anna, however, may, 



as numbers often do, attribute the fault of 
Fortune to herself, as if slie were to blame 
in having departed from beside the p>-re, 
and left her sister there alone ; and in tliis 
view call herself crudelis. Extinxsti for 
extinxisti. 

683. Date, vulnera lymphis ahluam, i.e., 
date (lymphas) ut ahluam vulnera lymphis. 
Wagn. The common editions join date 
vulnera lymphis, whicli they consider as an 
enallage for date lymphas vulneribiis, an ex- 
planation wliich no one will receive when 
the former has been once suggested to him. 

684. Legam., si halitus errat. This is a 
locus classicv.s, in reference to the custom of 
a near relative catching the expuing breath 
of the dying. 

686. Semianimem. Observe the synizesis 
semjanimem, and cf. iEn. i. 2. See also 
note 8, above. 

689. Stridit, — "gurgles," as the blood 
bursts out afresh. 

694. Iris is the messenger of Juno, as 
Mercury is of Jupiter. The duty assigned 
lier here is usually given to Proserpma. 

695. Animam nexosque artus, i.e., co7yus 
cum anima nexum. 

698. The cutting off hair from the brow 
of the victim, and throwing it into the fire, 
was the form of consecrating the sacrifice 
to the gods. Thus the person on the point 
of death was devoted, as it were, to the gods 
beneath by cuttuig away the lock of hau*. 
In violent deaths it Avas believed that the 
spirit lingered as if loth to depart from the 
body. This idea Vu-gil works out and em- 
beUishcs. Cf Hor. Od. i. 28, 20, nullum, 
Saeva caput Proserpina fug it. 



94 



C. Y. 1-7. 



NOTES OX THE .ENEID. 



B. Y. s-i:. 



BOOK FIFTH. 



ARGUMENT. 

M^SEXS, leaving Carthage, sets sail for Italy, but, by the violence of a tempest, is a 
second time driven on the coast of SAcDy, where, assisted by the friendly co-operation of 
Acestes, he celebrates games at his father Anchises' tomb, on the anniversary of his 
death (1-603). But in the meantime, tlie Trojan women, bemg instigated by Iris, the 
messenger of Juno, set lire to the ships, of which four are burned, the others being 
jnii-aculously preserved by Jupiter (604-699). Anchises appears to ^neas hi a vision on 
the following night, and gives him advice and direction with regard to his future course 
(700-740). ^neas fomids the town of Acesta, and leaves, as colonists, many of the 
matrons, and the old men unfit for active service m war, and he himself again puts to 
sea with his fleet for Latium (741-778). In this voyage, Neptmie renders the ocean 
propitious, and, at length, after his many wanderings, our hero reaches Italy, haATUg, 
however, lost his pilot, Palinurus, when near the Hesperian coast (779-871). 



1. Infsrea — "in the meantime," i.e., whilst 
the events narrated m the end of Blc iv. 
ai'e in course of accomplishment. 

Tenebat (a nautical phrase) medium iter — 
" was now proceedmg on his voyage in the 
deep sea;" he had got "out to sea," as in 
.^n. iii. 664. Or, better, "Had got fauiy 
mider weigh." So we use the term "to be 
in the middle of," to signify that one is 
engaged busily in a process, without sajdng 
that it is actually 7ia^-completed. 

2. Certus — "determined to proceed to 
Italy, and not return to Dido," as certus 
eundi, iv. 554. Serv. "With straight, 
imerring com-se," as in the phrases, certa 
Jtasta, sagitta, etc. Wagn. 

Aquilone. The N. W., put for the wind 
generally, as frequently; Heyne. Holds- 
worth, however, comparing Dido's dissua- 
sive question at iv. 310, '■' Mediis properas 
Aqiiilonibus ire per dltumV thmks that we 
are to take it literally, it being thereby in- 
dicated that, m obedience to Heaven's will, 
^^neas pursues his voyage, even under the 
dirticulties of an adverse wind. This will 
account for the fact, that .Sineas, though 
setting sail at dawn, is still in sight of Car- 
thage at nightfall, as we see by the follow- 
ing lines. The dead bodies were usually 
placed on the pyre m the evening (Hom. II. 
xxiii. 226), the pile smouldered during the 
night, and the bones were collected in the 
mornmg; thus the gTeatness of the fire 
attracted the attention of the Trojans, and 
the thoughts of the power exercised by the 
" sad griefs of despised and forsaken love, 
together with the knowledge of what a 
Avoman would dare to do Avhen in despau-," 
led them to melancholy forebocUngs. 

6. With poUuto, in this sense, comp. iii. 
CI, pollutum hospitium. Notum is to be 
taken substantively as Livj^ vii. 8, diu non 
VERLiTATUM teiiuerat dictatorem ne ante 
meridiem signum dar'e posset. See alsoTac. 
Hist. iL 82, akdctum. 

7. Per — Heyne interprets as equal to ad. 
But Forb. remarks that per signities rather 



that after various suspicions and conjec- 
tures as to the origin of tlie fire, they at 
last hit upon the right explanation. 

Pectora, i.e., aniiuos, cogitationes. 

8-11. These lines occuiTed at iii. 192-195, 
with little variation. Ut pelagus, etc. This 
tends to confirm the view Ave took of me- 
dium, iter, hue 1, pelagus meaning the deep 
sea at a considerable distance from the 
shore. See Mn. i. 181, note. 




13. Quianam — an old form = qua re, 
Ti yocp. So above, olli for illi. Quinctilian 
thinks that great dignity is added to tliis 
passage by these two archaisms. 

15. CoUigere arma, i.e., contraliere vela, 
" reef the sails." Arma means the imple- 
ments of tackling geuei'ally, but is here more 
especially applied to the canvas. So o-prXoc 
in Homer. 

16. Obliqiiat sinus in ventnm — " turns the 
bosom of the sail obliquely to the Avind," so 
as not to receive its full force; i.e., he /;>■-• 
nearer to the wind. " Sinus a vestibus trans- 
fer tur ad vela.'' 

17. Auctor is used of a person who pro- 
mises a thing, who pledges hisAVord that hii 
will effect something. 

95 



B. V. 18-47, 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. V. 48-66. 



18. Sperem coniingere. The pres. infin. 
is often used for the fat. after verbs of hoping, 
expectmg, promising, etc., if we so certainly 
expect a thing to happen as that we can 
speak of wliat is still future as if it had come 
to pass, and were now present. 

19. Transversa fremunt, form transversam 
partem. — "roar athwart our course." Ves~ 
pere abatro — "from the dark west," the 
Homeric ^'o(pov mpoivm. 

21. Obniti contra. Such pleonasms may 
be found at ^n. ii. 593, iii. 690, vi. 310, etc. 
Tenders tan turn — "to struggle asmitchasis 
necessaiy" to overcome the opposing wind. 

23. Quoque for et quo, so quaeqiie = et 
quae, ithique=et ubi, etc. 

24. Eryx, who gave name to the city, was 
son of Venus and Butes, and therefore 
brother to ^neas by the mother's side. 
Observe the two adjs. joined to litora Avith- 
out a connecting particle ; this is explained 
either by considering fraterna and litora 
as, taken together, forming one idea, brother- 
land, or by looking upon the second adj. as 
explanatory of the first, or as increasing the 
first by an ascending scale; "the shores are, 
Ma, did I say, ay, they are eyexi fraterna." 

25. Rite remetior. The meaning is. If in 
our journey from Africa to Sicily, I rightly 
remember the position of those stars which 
I observed in our voyage from Sicily to 
Afi-ica (i. 34). 

28. Flecte riam relis — " change our course 
by (altering the position of) tlie sails." 

30. On the death of Anchises, see ^n. 
iii. 710. 

33. Gurgite, etc. — "the fleet is borne 
quickly over the boiling deep." 

35. Montis, scil. Ertjcis, Mt. Eiyx. 

36. Ace-ttes, sou of the Sicilian river-god 
Crimi<ius, and a Trojan woman Egesta, or 
Segesta ; see i. 195. It was on tlie banks 
of tlie Crimisus that Timoleon conquered 
the Carthaginians, 339 B.C. 

37. Horridus in jacuUs — "armed with 
strong and pointed javeUns;" each man 
carried two. See iii. 195. 

Libj/ftidis ursce. Virgil is the only writer 
to use this adj. — the connnon form is Libij- 
ai.<i. PHny and other naturalists allege 
that Africa does not contain the bear, but 
we are not to tie down tlie poet to the strict 
principles and facts of tlie naturalist. Liby- 
stis is properly a subst., and is in apposition 
to nrscp, as Sirelides Musae, Eel. iv. 1 ; 
Bardanide.i Matres, Ovid. 

41. Holatiir. Cf. Hor. Sat. ii. 6, 117, 
Silva ten id solabitur erro. 

Redtices, from the adj. redu.r. 

44. E.r aggere. This-has reference to the 
custom of Roman generals who hai-angued 
their soldiers from an ai-tificial mound of 
earth raised in the camp. 

45. Alto a sanguine, because Dardanus, 
their progenitor, was son of Jove ; see iii. 
167. Understand ortum after genus; a 
particip. is often omitted thus, as at i. 160 ; 
ah alto for veniens ab alto. 

47. Divinique. The poets often place the 
conj. que with a diti'erent word from that 
to which it properly belongs. 

96 



48. Ma^stas, not by enalJage for moesti, 
but to be applied properly to the altars as 
displaj-ing in their adornment emblems of 
grief. 

49. Wagn. -(vrites nisi for ni, because, 
says he, ni is used when one affirms and 
threatens determinedly (as ^En. i'x. 805, xlL 
568), nisi when one denies or doubts. The 
cautionaiy expression nisi fallor is used, 
since men in the most ancient times reckon- 
ed by the return of the sun and planets 
only, without any means of a nearer ap- 
proximation to the very day and hour. 

51. Hunc ego, etc. Wagn. and Heyne 
put a comma after ego, thus making the 
sentence an anacolouthon (see ^n. i. 237), 
and considering agerem^=essem, but Jahn, 
Peerlk., Gossr., Forb., etc., omit the point, 
and govern hunc by agerem, which has ego 
as its subject. This latter is manifestly 
common sense, and, moreover, avoids an 
unnecessary anacolouthon — anglice, "a blan- 
der." 

Gcptulis Syrtibus, i. e., Libyan, gene- 
rally — for the Gaetuli, as we have seen, 
lived to the W. Syrtes does not mean the 
sand banks, but the districts of the contment 
bordering thereon. 

52. Deprensus — " surprised by the enemy." 
Argolico mari, i.e., the ^gaean, the term 
Argolicus meaning anything Greek. My- 
cenae is mentioned as bemg the city of 
Agamemnon, and therefore the head-quar- 
ters of enmity to the Trojan race. 

54. Altaria — "altars," as if iEneas were 
received into the list of deities. 

55. Ultra means primarily "contrary to 
expectation." Cf. Livy i. 5, ultra accusan- 
ies. See note ii. 145. 

56. Equidem is said by some to be com- 
pounded of ego quideni. Others, however, 
resthig on numerous examples in which it 
is joined to plur. nouns, and to words of 
the second and third person, prefer to de- 
duce it from e intensive (as e-castor, e-durus) 
and quidem. 

Sine mente, without the Intention (pre- 
concerted plan). Sine numine, without the 
wish. On numine, see note, Mn i. 8. 

58. Laetum is applied to honorem, al- 
though in sense it belongs rather to cuncti. 
Ventos, i.e., secundos ventos. 

60. Velit me sibi ferre, i.e., let him (An- 
chises) willingly receive these sacrificial 
gifts, and look down with benign influence 
upon us. The order is (Anchises) velit, urbe 
posita, me ferre quotannis haec sacra templi^ 
sibi dicatis. 

62. In naves — the prep, is used distribu- 
tively, " for each ship," in which meamng- 
it is carried out by the distrib. bina. 

64. Si=qimm. Nona Aurora — tliis re- 
fers, as lines 47, 48, above, to the novemdiale 
sacrum, performed nine days after the in- 
terment of the body. See Ramsay's Antiq. 
p. 427. 

(}G. Prima, i.e., prima loco, by enallage. 
Although 7?nma (i.e., primiim) is used Avith 
the first of a series, we have not tum, delude, 
etc, with the remaining particulars of the 
Avhole list, but the simple copulatives. 

Ponam—''l shall institute." The custom 



B, V. 68-84. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. V. 85-95, 



of the ancient Greeks in celebrating games 
on the death of a relative or friend is here 
referred to. 

68. Jaculo and sagittis are rightly coupled 
by the simple copulative que, since both 
belong to the same kind of exercise, while 
aut and se,d contrast two diiit'erent sorts of 
game. Jaculo melior is similar in construc- 
tion to optimus hasta, etc. The words 
jaculo incedit melior are to be taken together, 
as the verb incedere suggests a degree of 
confidence and pt^de arising from conscious 
superiority. 

69. Crudo, "untanned," or so called from 
the severity of the blows inflicted. The 
former is to be preferred. 

71. Favete ore, luip'/if^iTn — "Keep reli- 
gious silence ;" so Hor. Od. iii. 1, 2, fa.vete 
Unguis. The phrase is well known as that 
used by the priests at the commencement 
of a sacred rite. Some read tempera cingite 
ramis to avoid tempora ramis coming to- 
gether, but such alliterations are frequent; 
see vii. 135, and viii. 286. See note iii. 203. 

72. The myrtle was sacred to Venus, 
hence materna myrto. 

73. Helymus had come from Troy to 
Sicily with Acestes, as report said. Aevi 
maturus, "ripe in years." On the construc- 
tion see iEn. i. 178, fessi rerum. 

77. On these rites consult Ramsay, or 
Smith's Diet, of Antiq.; andsee^n.iii. 66,67. 
Instead of Baccho, lacte, sanguine, we should 
expect the gen. The abL is explained on 
the same principle as hastilia latoferro, Mn. 
i. 313, and domus sanie dapibusque, iii. 618. 
Mero, "unmixed," for it was unlawful to 
mix water with wine used in the duties of 
religion. The blood is called sacro, as 
being that of the dedicated victims. The 
following is an illustration of the Carche- 
sium, or diinldng cup : it was of Greek in- 
vention. 




79. Purpureas means only " fresh and 
beautiful," nothing more. 

80. Some editions put a colon after parens, 
but this is objectionable, shice 2<er?<m joined 
Avith recepti Avould be t^itological ; it is 
better to punctuate with a semicolon after 
iterum. 

81. Cineres, animae, umbrae. An ancient 
scholiast notices the triple division of a man 
thus,— the body (cineres), handed over for 
sepulture; the soul (anima), which goes to 
heaven ; and the shade (umbra), which goes 
below, ad inferos. 

Fatalya, by synizesis, see ^n. l 2. 

83. Thybrim^see JEn. ii. 782. 

84. Adytis—iei'^iJTx), the most holy and 
most secret part of a temple to which com- 
mon (i.e., unsanctitied) people had no access. 



It is here applied to the sepulchre, as a 
place of remarkable sanctity. It was a 
popular belief among the Etruscans and 
Romans, and other ancient nations, that the 
genii of places or of men appeared in the 
shape of serpents; here, therefore, the ser- 
pent is aptly referred to the genius of the 
place or of Anchises. 

85. Septem gyros, septena volumina, Le., 
septem gyros in se replicatos — "trailed along 
seven cu'cling spires — seven coUs." The 
distributive septena is equal to the cardinal 
septem. The number seven is supposed by 
some to have reference to the years of 
Eneas' wanderings ; while others think it 
chosen as being odd and sacred. Milton's 
description of the serpent will occur to all : 

So spake the enemy of mankind inclos'd 
In serpent, inmate bad 1 and toward Eve 
Address'dhisway : not with hidented wave, 
Prone on the ground, as since: but on his 

rear, 
Circular base of rising folds that towered 
Fold above fold, a surging maze ! his head 
Crested aloft, and carbuncle his eyes ; 
With burnished neck of verdant gold, erect 
Amidst his circling spires, that on the grass 
Floated redundant. — Pae. Lost, Bk. ix. 
87. Cui terga notae caeruleae (pingebant 
to be supplied from incendebat, below), et 
squamam incendebat fulgor maculosus auro 
(i.e., aurearum macvlarum). Translate, 
"Whose back, azure-coloured spots varie- 
gated, and whose scales bright shining 
speckles lit up with a golden hue." Cf 
Horn. II, ii. 308, opa,x,uv It) vurra 'Scc(paivo;. 
89. Jacit colores — so jacere odorem, radios, 
lucem, etc. 

91. Levia — "smooth," but ISvia — "light." 
The former is from XiTos {XiiFo;^. Dapes 
— the meats which, on certain days, were 
offered on the tomb to the shade of the de- 
parted one. 

94. Instaurat Jionores, i. e., repeats the 
rites celebrated the year before. 

95. The genius of the place is different 
from the attendant of Anchises. The./aw«- 
lus, or minister, was an inferior power 




B, V. 97-120. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. V. 122-138. 



assigned to deities, to wait upon tliem as 
Adonis to Venus, or Virbius to Diana. It is 
thus liinted that Anchises has been deified. 
The cut represents a Genius, in the form of 
a sei-pent (see above, 84), feeding on the 
meats whicli had been offered on the altar. 

97. -Siffewto, see iv. 57. Nigrantes — black 
Tictims were offered to the Dii inferi. 

98. Fatejis, with the prep, e omitted. 
Animam vocabat, viz., to come and partake 
of the offerings. 

99. Manes remissos. The Manes were 
supposed to be allowed to come up to be 
present at the inferice. 

102. This line refers to the feast which 
followed the offering of the infer ice. Ob- 
serve alii " others," u:5ed without a preced- 
ing alii " some." So ol ^s without o't (/.'iv. 

103. Viscera, see note i. 211. The follow- 
ing description of the games in honour of 
Anchises was likely, in the opinion of the 
poet, to be relished by the Romans. He, no 
doubt, has reference to the games instituted 
by Augustus in honour of Julius Ciesar. 
Compare Horn. IL xxiii. for the games in 
lionoiir of Patroclus, and Od. xxiv. 85 sqq. 
See also for imitations of Virgil, Silius xvi. 
295. and Stat. Theb. i. 6. 

105. Phaethon, for Sol himself. So Horn. 

108. Visuri yEneadas, scil. pugnantes. 
Pars parati—or\ this synesis s>nitax see note, 
.^n. i. 70. Another pars is not to be under- 
stood to visuri, for all had come to see, and 
part only to take a share in the contests. 

109. Munera — the rewards of victory, 
TO. 0.6X0.. Circum — the place where the 
contests were held. From Homer we learn 
that tripods were the rewards of bravery 
among the Greeks. 

111. Pretium, for pra^mium. Ostro per- 
fusae vestes, Le., purple-dyed garments. 

112. Talentum, Le., a talent of gold and a 
talent of silver. Some MSS. read taknta. 

113. Et tuba — the copula after the inter- 
vening words sacri-tripodes, etc., seems to 
connect canit closely with locantur, 109, 
"The trumpet proclaims that the games 
have begun." The poet again attributes to 
remote times the customs and instruments 
of his own, for the tuba was not known in 
the Homeric age; but see note i. 4C9. 

114. Virgil has substituted a boat-race for 
the chariot race of tlomer. 

Pares — not " equal m size," as 118 shows, 
but as "nearly equal in speed," as ^neas 
could judge from theii- saiUng qualities, 
as tried in the voyage. 

116. Mnestheus, grandson of Assaracus, 
from whom Virgil feigns the Menimian gens 
to be derived (Mox Italus) on account of the 
slight similarity in the name. See -■En. iv. 
288. On Pristis, see ^u. iii. 427, and on 
Gyas i. 612. 

119. Urbis opus, Le., so large that you 
would think it a city; "a fabric like (as 
large as) a town," 

120. Iinpellunt, -plar. ^vith puies as nom. 
(synesis), see iEn. L 70, and above, 108. 
Triplici versu, "with three banks of oars." 
Virgil assigns to the heroic age an mveu- 

98 



tion which Thucyd. (i. 13) says was due to 
the Corinthians about three centm-ies before 
the Pelop. war. 

122. For Sergestus, see Mn. L 611, note. 
CloanthuJi, see ^n. L 222, 510, is repre- 
sented as the ancestor of the Cluentian gens, 
as Sergestus of the Sergian. Even after 
Virgil's time, the Roman gentes sought to 
derive their names and trace their descent 
ti-om Trojan heroes. Many of these attempts 
were very far-fetched ; thus, as Mnestheus 
was deduced from f^if^vr,a-6ui, so Memmius 
from Meminisse, its Latin equivalent. Cen- 
taur 0, fe'm., as being the name of a ship. 

124. The rock, during the winter, is 
covered by the sea and the high billows, 
but in the calm weather of summer it ap- 
pears above the waters, and presents a flat 
surface, a resting place for the sea fowl. 
The bay appears to be that of Longurus, at 
the foot of Mt. Eryx. Procul, scil. « 
litore. 

125. Olim=interdum. Cf. Hor. Sat. L 1, 
25, Ut pueris olim dant crustula blandi 
doctores. 

126. Cori (or CauriJ, the N.W. wind. See 
Geo. iiL 278. 

127. Tranquillo — "in a calm," the so- 
called abL absol. 

128. ^pncMS commonly means "sunny," 
exposed to the sun;" but here it signifies 
"loving the sun," "delighting to bask in 
the sun." So Persius says, '■'■Aprici senes.'' 

132. Sorte — they selected by lot their 
positions, because it Avas a matter of great 
importance to have the coiu'se nearest to 
the goal round which they were to turn. 

133. Ductores — the navarchi, or captains, 
not the guber)iatores, on which see 12, above. 
See 160, below, where Gyas the jDuctor is 
distinguished from Menoetes the Rector, Le., 
gubernator. 

134. Populea, from populus, a poplar tree ; 
but pdpulus, the people. The poplar was 
chosen because they celebrated funeral 
games. The poplar had been brought from 
the lower world by Hercules when he car- 
ried off the dog Cerberus. For the fable of 
Leuce, Pluto, and the poplar, see Smith's 
Class. Dict.juider "Hades." 

135. Humeros — another ''■ace. of reference 
or limitation." See Ma. L 228, and ii. 210, 
note. 

136. TVansiris— "the thwarts," or cross 
seats. 

Intenta-intenti. To avoid the repetition 
of the same word emendations have been 
proposed. The%e, however, seem unneces- 
sary, since the words are used in different 
senses, the former referring to the stretch of 
muscle, the latter to the anxious straining 
of the mind. "Their arms are stretched, 
ready for the oar-stroke; with breathless 
anxiety they wait for the signal, and throb- 
ing fear exhausts their palpitating hearts — 
their desire of glory, too, is keenly roused." 
Haurit some explain as = cxhaurit, Le., 
drains, so as to interrupt the free passage of 
the blood: others, as=permeat, alte pene- 
trat, "thrills through." 

138. Pavor is the feeling of the mind 



B. V. 141-146. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEIT). 



B. V. 149-166. 



alternating between hope and fear. Finibiis, 
the stations assigned by lot. 

141. Versa (from rerro, not verto), "The 
swept waters foam beneath the might 
of their arms -vigorously brought to the 
stroke," properly "bi-ought back to their 
breasts" after the stroke. 

142. The metaphor is taken from plough- 
ing. "They cleave fun-ows side by side 
(L&, all keeping abreast), and the whole sea- 
plain ya-\>nas, harrowed up by the oars and 
the tlu-ee-pronged beaks." For tridentibus, 
some read stridentihus, which violates the 
metre. The ships of the ancients had the 
prows adorned with sharp three-pointed 
beaks. For a specimen, see woodcut, L 35. 

144. The following comparisou is taken 
from Hom. Od. xiii. 81 sqq. 

Bijugo certamine, Le., in the two-horse 
chariot race. 

145. Corripuere and concussere are fre- 
quentative perfects, on which see J5n. iii 681. 

Corripere, rapere, carpere. viam, are me- 
taphorical expressions suggested by the 
■appearance of a horses' legs and feet when 
galloping, since he seems to seize one por- 
tion after another in his momentary grasp. 
So Shaksp. saj-s, " He seemed in nxnning to 
devour the way." For caj-ceres and the 
other terms, consult Ramsay's Antiq. In 
the following plan of the Cii'cus, A repre- 
sents the Arena. B the Spina, C the Metae, 
D the Euripus, E the Carceres, F the Alba 
Linea, and G the Seats. 



steeds bounding without restraint, and bend 
forward to (intiict) the lash. Jugis^equis 
jugalibus. Everj^ word in this beautiful 
description is pregnant with meaning and 
teeming -with life : prcecipites — corripuere 
catnpum — ruunt effusi — undantia Im'a — and 
proni in verbera jiendent 

149. Consonat for resonat — " rings agam," 
though perhaps stronger in meaning, im- 
plying unanimity on tlie part of the spec- 
tators — "rings again with one accord." 
Wooded heights surrounded the baj" (m- 
dusa), and by these the somid is echoed. 

150. CoUes dantore resultant, for the pro- 
saic form damor resultat a coUibus. 

152. Turbain inter fremitumque. Wagn. 
understands this to mean that Gyas " shoots 
ahead," whilst his competitors urge forward 
their boats turbuhnter et cum fremitu 
(ie., crowd upon one another, and shout 
confusedlj- in their endeavours to get cleai"), 
the confusion and noise arising when they 
see their adversary gaining upon them. 

153. Consequitur — "foUows close;" melior 
rernis — " superior in his crew." Pinus= 
navis. Tarda — his ship is " slow by reason 
of her bulk." 

154. JEquo discrimine — the two last are 
keeping abreast, and both equally distant 
from No. 2. 

158. Longa is the reading of the best 
jMSS. for louge. The epithet is not a useless 
one, for the Centaur is described as a large 
ship, and, moreover, the two vessels are so 
closely matched that sometimes they are 
abreast, and sometimes the one is slightly 
ahead, so that it is ui advance of the other 
by but a portion of the keel ; thus the fur- 
row of the two keels seems one. Longe, 
however, is graphic, pointing to the long 
wake made by a vessel propelled ynxh great 
speed. 

159. Scopulo — see 124. Meta — the turn- 
ing point. 

161. Rector em=gubematore7n, in this place 
— see 133. 

162. Quo dexter abis. Adjs. of place 
(dexter) and time are often joined to tire 
names of persons, so niatutinus puer — thus 
quo diversus abis, 166, below. 

Gressu7n has been objected to as a term 
inappi'opriate to a ship. As solum, how- 
evei", is often applied to the plain of the 
sea, there is no great violation of propriety 
m using gressum for tlie progi'ess on such 
a surface. We have the countenance of 
Byron for such a metaphor when he says, 

She walks the waters like a thing of life. 

COKSAIE. 

163. "Keep close by the shore, and let 
(sine) the oar-blade graze the rocks on the 
left," which formed the meta. 

166. Iterum is vai'iously interpreted : by 
some it is joined to abis, by others the 
phrase is written, abis? iterum (i.e., tibi 
dico — again I tell you), 2>de saxa. Wagn. 
supposes that damabat, or some such word, 
is suppressed, and that, after the interrup- 
tion of pete saxa, Mena^te, the sentence, with 
146. " Nor with such eager energy do the I a slight inversion g-oes on, cum damore 
charioteers shake the flowing reins over tlie i revocabat. 




B. V. 170-190. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. V. 192-20S, 



170. Radit itei — "cuts Ms course;" so 
217, radit iter liquidum; or the word interior 
may lead us to suppose that it required 
■'■close shaving'' to get past, and thus Ave 
will translate literally "scrapes." Laevum — 
"on the left," keeping nearer the rock than 
the Chimaera of Gyas. 

A great many of the ideas in this des- 
cription are taken from the games of the 
circus and the race-course, on which, con- 
sult Ramsay's Antiq., p. 347 sqq. 

172. Ossibm is the dat. (not the abl. with 
in omitted), and is, after the Greek fashion, 
joined to another dative, juveni, which it 
more closely defines. 

174. Becoris sui — " inhonestum enim est 
irasci, praesertim duci." Serv. 

SociUm. salutis, scil. erepio guhernatore 
navis. This contracted form of the gen. 
plur. of the 2d decl. seems to liave been 
used by all the ancient Roman writers: by 
poets of the later years of the republic fn 
proper names (ArgivUm, BanaHin, RutuIOm, 
etc.), and by prose writers of the same 
period, in certain common formidae — in 
atfairs of religious and civil government 
(deiim, ephorum. fabrinn, virum, etc.), and 
in the designations of weights, measures, 
and coins. Forb. 

176. Ipse rector, ipse magister — the same 
idea repeated, with emphasis ; for magister 
^gubernator here. 

178. Fundo, i.e., a fundo. G^arw— inac- 
tive in swimming, partly by reason of his 
age, and partlj on account of the water 
which his dress liad imbibed. 

179. Fhieris in veMe—an antique phrase 
for jluens veste, and this latter for veste flu- 
ente aqna. 

181. The repetition of risere — rident of- 
fended Heyne, so that he marked line 182 
Avith an asterisk. But Wagii., Jahn, and 
others defend it, by saying that tlie verbs 
refer to different periods of time, and that 
tlie sense is, "As they had laughed at him 
when lie fell from the boat and SAvam for 
his life, so now tliey laugh at him as he 
emits the salt water." 

183. Hie, i.e., hoc ipso tempore — "just at 
this time," or simply " upon this." 

184. Mnesi/iei, histead of the common 
reading Mnestheo. Proper names in eus 
are usually declined by Virgil atid other 
poets after the Greek fashion in the dat. 
and ace. ei, ea, but after the Latin model in 
the gen. and abl. ei and eo. Morante/n, 
"losing way." 

185. The interest of the contest now rests 
between Sergestus and Mnesthcus, the for- 
mer of whom anticipates his rival in secur- 
ing tiie inner course nearest to the rock 
(Meta), while the latter, with his superior 
band of rowers, presses close on his anta- 
gonist, even against the disadvantage of a 
Avidcr circle. Sergestus did not, however, 
pet before Mnestheus by a whole keel's 
length, but only by a small portion. 

188. In imitation of the address of Anti- 
loch us to his horses, in Horn. II. xxiii. 
402 sqq. 

190. Socii Hectorei — either " brave as 
Pectors, all of you," or "you whoonce were 

100 



(actually) the comrades of Hector;" this 
latter interpretation is to be prefeiTed. 

Sorte suprema, i e., the destruction of 
Troy. 

192. Gcetulis ^Syr^zfet/s, viz., when suffering- 
from the storm which drove them to 
Carthage. 

193. lonio mari, Le,, after leaving Crete, 
iii. 192 sq., 211 sqq., where see note on 
quantity of lonius. To the same time is to 
be referred the doubling of Cape Malea 
(now St Angelo, or Capo Malio), on the 
S. of Laconia. The waters are called 
sequaces, either from the general appearance 
of wave following Avave, or because they 
flow in so quick succession as to suggest the 
idea of an evil-intentioned purpose. The 
dangers of the navigation round Malea are 
recorded in the Greek proA^erb, MaXta.; 
oi KKf/.ypK; ItiXuSov tuiv ol'/Cff^i, which 
Erasmus, Adag , has translated Maleam 
legens, quae sunt dojni obliviscere. 

194. The name of the speaker is inserted 
to heighten the sense of the indignity, that 
he, the foremost of Trojan chiefs (see ix. 
171, 306, etc.,) should be compelled to con- 
tent himself Avith a place not the last. 

195. ObserA'e the Aposiopesis (on which 
see iEn. i. 135) after (jiiamquam. — as if 
he felt, "Would that I conquered ! " 

196. Vinrite hoc nefas—prohibete, i.e., by 
your exertions avoid this disgrace, Aiz., of 
retuniing last. 

199. Solum subtrahitur — the furrow 
made by the oars causes the sea (Avhich is 
the solum, or surface traversed by the ships) 
to yaAvn. " The sea plain is swept from 
beneath them;" an expression which ex- 
actly suits the appearance presented under 
vigorous rowing. Cf. note 162, above. 

This and the line folloAving are translated 
from Horn. II. xvi. 109 sqq. 

201. Ipse castis, Le., solus casus, "accident 
alone." See Wagn. Qu. Virg. xviii. 2, 9. 

202. Furensanimi — cf. note, .iEn. i 178; 
see also ii. 61 ; iv. 203. 

203. Iniquo, i.e., "narrow and danger- 
ous," on account of the rocks. 

205. Murice. This word is used of anything 
Avhich, like the mvrex proper, has pointed 
and sharp projections. Here it means a 
sharp pointed rock, as that on which the 
ship struck. The cut represents a Triton 
bloAving on a murex shell. See below, 250. 




20G. lUisa pependit, i.e., " Avas dashed 
against and remained balanced," SAvaymg 
from one side to the other. 

207. Morantur, "delay," i.e., "cease to 
roAv." 

208. Trudes. The common reading is 



B. V. 212-237. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. Y. 25S-250. 



sudes^ "poles'" — but Triides is found in the 
best 5ISS. Though sliort, in the first syllable, 
it is derived from trudere, and signifies '"poles 
fitted for s/ioiiny qp'V The contu^ was what 
■we call a punt-pole, used also for keeping 
vessels oft' rocks, when approaching too near. 

212. Prona maria — "the unimpeded sea" 
• — the sea in which the course was clear. 
Heyne. Henn,-, however, considers the 
epithet pi-ona to apply to the waves, as 
running toicaMs the shore [or it may refer 
to the apparent slope of the sea plain, which 
seems to one standing on the land to rise 
gradually as the distance fi-om the beach 
increases] ; so that when the ships had 
rounded the goal they might be said to 
Tun down the sea; cf Gea i. 203, prono 
amni, "'down the stream." 

216. Plausum ingentem dedit tecto — this 
is truthfullj- descriptive of the habit of 
pigeons, which start from their perch with 
a. loud and clear flapping of the wings, but 
soon skun the air, floating -^vith motionless 
pinions. See above, 170. 

218. Ipsa to be joined to Pristis. Ultima 
aequora, Le., around the meta. 

220. Luctanlem — "stitiggUng to get off" 
Alto scopulo, the procurrentia saxa of 204. 

221. Brevibiui vadis, the places close round 
the rock, which were in a gi-eat measure 
devoid of water, and exhibited the sand 
plainly. Henry would make it a hendiadys 
tor scopulosis vadis, Sisbreviuetsyrtes, ini. 111. 

224. Cedit, Le., the Chimaera (of Gyas) 
allows herself to be passed by. See 175, 
above. 

228. Fragoribus — the plaudits and shouts 
of the spectators. 

229. Bi refers to Cloanthus and his crew ; 
hos to Mnestheus and his companions. 
Proprium means what is one's own without 
controversy, or without risk of loss. See 
L 7-3. 

230. Ni teneant, Le,, se non tenere, or si 
non teneant. 

231. Alit — this verb, like pascere, is used 
metaphorically of hope, courage, etc. Pos- 
sunt, quia posse videntu)'; — Heyne's explana- 
tion is that usually adopted — " They succeed 
because they have a confident expectation 
that thej- can and will accomphsh their 
pm-pose;" the confidence of those contending 
being .spoken of, and sibi being therefore 
understood to videntur. Forb. and Siipfl. 
supply spectatofibus to tidentur, so that the 
meaning will be, "the confidence which the 
spectators express by gestiu-e, shouts," etc., 
increases the courage of the rowers, ard m- 
ciies them to labour- to realise the expecta- 
tions which their exertions had raised ; but 
this seems forced. With the sentiment 
compare Dryden — 

For they can conquer, who believe they can. 

232. Fors. See note, ^n. ii. 139. 

233. Palmae utraeque for palma utraque 
— returns again at vL 685. So utraque 
tempora, below, 855. 

235. On aequora, an ace. after an intrans. 
verb, ciirro, see note, iEu. L 67. 

237. Taurumconstituam. For the reasons 
of this see TP.n. iiL 119. The victim was 



1 said statui, consdtui, or sisti ante aram. for 
• it was not lawful to bring it forwaril or 

detain it by force ; the necessity for violence 

would have been an evil omen. 
I Voti reus, i.q., voti damnatus — a gainer of 
1 mj- -wish, and therefore imder obligation to 
j pay my vow. 
; 238. Porriciam, Lq., porro jaciam, pro- 

jiciam. Some books read proiiciam, but 
I the former is a word peculiai-ly applied to 
I sacred rites (see Macrob. Sat. L 1 ; 1a\^'- 
■ xxbi. 27; Varro, R. E., L 29), while the 

latter usually implies a certain degree of 

contempt and disregard, ideas entirely un- 
\ suited to the offering of sacrifice. 

Llquentia — short here, but long in ^n. L 

432, where see note. 

240. The Nereids CXe;'e!<f«m chorus) w&ve 
fifty in number, daughters of Nerens and 
Doris. Phorcus, the son of Pontus and 
Terra, and brother of Nereus. Pauope, or 
Panopea, was one of t'ne Nereids, and here 
brought forward as a chief one — so Cjtuo- 
thoe at L 144. Some books read Panopeia 
Virgo, but Wagn. objects that in a conca- 
tenated series of three members, the copula 
coidd not be omitted after the second. 

241. Portunus, or Portumnus (Le., por- 
tuu?}i deus). was the samedeitj-as the Greeks 
called Melicerta — he was supposed to assist 

j distressed mariners. See below, 823. 

243. The harbom- is called altus, on ac- 
j count of the waves beating far in on the 
j land, the shore retmng to a considerable 
] distance. Obsers-e .n<</;Y, pres., and condidit, 

perf., coupled together. Cunctis, "aU those 

contending." 

246. Advelare — a verb found nowhere 

I else, except in Lampridius, in his life of 
I Commodus. Equally rare are attorquere, 
' JEn. Lx. 52, and adlacrimare, x. 628. 

247. Optare (Le., eligere), ferre dat — a 
Gk. construction, on which see ^n. L 319. 
So below, 262, donat habere viro. 

248. Magnum talentum does not refer to 
j the greater and less talent of later days, but 
I means merely "the great weight of a 

talent." 
i 250. Onthechlamys,seeiiL484. Quam,i.e., 
I " around which a broad border of IMeUboean 
! purple (plurima purpura Meliboea) ran in a 

double maze" (meandering line). The robe, 
\ when thro%\"n about the person, and girt, 

had some ptuts of its lower edge elevated 
j and others depressed, so that the border 
'- would appear double, though not reaUj- so. 

The windings of the river Maeauder in Caria 
i are proverbiaL 

j At the mouth of the Orontes, a river of 
I Syria, was an island, Meliboea, whose coast 
j supplied abundance of the Murices (shell- 
j fish) that afibrded the valuable dye so weU 
j kno%\ni (see above, 205) ; hence the epithet, 
j according to Yoss. But Heyne, comparing 
I Lucr. ii. 499, (fi-om whom the passage seems 
1 borrowed) — 

1 Meliboeaque fulgeus 

I Pui-piu'aThessalicoconcharuratincta colore, 
i refers it to a Tliessalian city, Meliboea in Mag- 
{ nesia, between Ossa and the Peneus; see 
j Horn. IL iL 717. 
' 101 



B. V. 252-273. 



NOTES ON THE uENEID. 



B. V. 281-294. 



Gucurrit. So Horn. H. vL 320, ^^p ^^ 
^pv(noi 6il 'Topx-m. 

252. Regius puer, Ganymede, son of Tros 
and Callirrhoe, whose rape was a favour- 
ite subject of ancient art. 

253. ■ A difficulty has been found in re- 
conciling this line with 255, and Virgil is 
accused of '■'■nodding'' in introducing such 
a confused description of a picture which 
exhibits Ganymede now at the chase, and 
now in mid air in the talons of the eagle 
But it may readily be supposed that the 
picture consists of two parts, the first re- 
presenting the boy at the chase, the second 
his abduction ; or, as Heyne explains, veloces 
and similis may be inserted for mere poetic 
embellishment, not descriptive of the picture, 
but recalUng the idea that the youth was 
carried off from the midst of his sport. 

255. Armiger—the eagle who held the 
thunderbolt for Jove. 

25G. Longcevi custodes. Virgil again at- 
tributes the customs of his own times to 
the days of antiquity ; but see i. 469. Roman 
youths of the higher ranks were attended 
by aged guardians ; see below, 546. 

Tendunt palmas, i.e., in despair, and im- 
ploring the protection of the deities. 

257. For the difference between ad auras 
and in auras, see note, ^n. ii. 759. 

259. This line iias already occurred at 
^n. iiL 467, Avhere see annotations and 
woodcut. 

260. Demoleos — a name derived from the 
Cyclic poets, or perhaps Virgil himself hi- 
vented it ; it is not found in Homer. 

261. Ilio alto (some read alta). On the 
hiatus and the shortening of the long vowel 
before another vowel, see note, ^^^n. iii. 211. 

262. Donat habere — see above, 247. Viro 
— " the hero," not an unnecessary addition, 
but suited to the context. In arinis — " in 
battle." Observe the subst. viro used to 
mark more distinctly the subject, wliich 
had been but obscurely indicated by huic 
in 259. For other examples of tiie demonst. 
so employed, see l)ck)w, 521 and 609. 

263. This is quite consistent witli the ex- 
travagant notions entertained of ancient 
heroes. 

265. Highly honouring to the poet's hero, 
inasmuch as lie, single-handed, slew the 
man who drove before him, in stragglhig 
flight, whole bands of Trojans. 

Cyw6/a— see iiL 66. Aspcra signis — "cm- 
bossed," ornamented Avitli raised work. 

269. Tceiiiis — a dissyllable, tcenyis. These 
were the ribbons which bound the garlands 
(the virides coronae of 110) to the head. 

270. Observe that the poet ascribes to 
Sergestus himself what can properly be said 
of the ship only, revolsus. Debilisunoordine, 
disabled on one side, etc. 

273. Sa>pe used as quondam or olim. This 
difficult passage may be thus translated : — 
"As, when surprised on the highway, a ser- 
pent is wont to act (over which the iron- 
shod wheel has passed, or which the traveller 
dealing heav-y blows lias left half-dead and 
mangled with stones): As he strives to 
escape, he describes in vain with his body 

102 



long vrreathy twistings, savagely energetic 
in one part (of his body), and flashing fire 
from his eyes, and raising his hissing crest 
as he rears himself on high ; the part which 
is maimed with wounds retards him though 
he struggles {to rest) on his knotted wreaths, 
and coils himself up within his own folds." 
Trapp makes the following judicious re- 
marks on the whole passage : " There never 
was a finer simile than this. It will be ob- 
jected, perhaps, that a ship is not like a 
snake : I own it is not, any more than it is 
like a dove, to which another ship is com- 
pared a little before. But the comparisons 
are so far from being faulty upon this ac- 
count, that for this very reason they are 
the more beautiful, considering that the 
particular circumstances upon which the 
similitudes turn do so very nearly resemble. 
In the one imagine a ship struggling, and 
with difficulty getting out from a narrow- 
passage, and then swiftly flying away into 
the open ocean; how properly is it com- 
pared to a dove, which first flutters in her 
covert, and then glides, as in these incom- 
parably smooth verses expressuig the thing 
by their very sound : — 

Aere lapsa quieto 
Radit iter liquidum, celeres neqice com- 
movet alas! 
In this latter, Avhat can better repi'esent a 
galley shoved along, with oars on one side 
and with none on the other, than a snake 
soimd and fierce in the upper parts, and 
maimed and disabled in the lower! It is 
impossible to remark upon the particular 
elegance of this similitude without trans- 
cril>ing every word of it." 

281. Velafacit — " makes sail," but this is 
a very unusual phrase. 

282. Promisso munere — 305 and 365 show 
that he intended to reward all entering the 
lists. 

284. Batur — last syll. lengthened by arsis. 
Operum Minervce — i.e., spinning and 

weaving, with embroidery. 

285. Genns — the " ace. of the remote ob- 
ject;'' see ^n. i. 228, and ii. 210. Cressa= 

Kp^iriroi.' 

286. The foot race which follows is 
modelled after Homer II. xxiii. 740 sqq. 

287. Quern cingebant collibus silvce, i.e., 
wood-clad hills enclosed on all sides. A 
natural theatre Avas made by the high 
grounds surrounding a plain which consti- 
tuted the circus. 

290. Consessti — the dat. for ad consessum, 
" Advanced through the midst of the assem- 
bly, and sat down on the raised tri- 
bunal." Exstructo, i.e., the svggestus, or 
raised platform from which orators addressed 
their audience, or generals their soldiers. 

292. Pretiis, i. e., praemiis, by which 
word the sense is filled up. 

293. Mixti. This adj. is used generally by 
the poets to signify the addition of an in- 
ferior or less important object to a superior 
or more important. The Trojans were of 
course of greater note in the games than the 
Sicanians. 

294. Nisus and Euryalus, whose friend- 



B. V. 296-316. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. V. 317-336. 



ship, like that of Pylades and Orestes, has 
passed into a proverb. See below, 334, ^n. 
i.K. 176, 444, and Ovid Trist. i. 5, 23. 

296. Pio amore — with a pure love of the 
boy (Euryalus). Puer, i.G.,jiivenis, for the 
imnie was not confined as our term boij, hut 
corresponded rather to "lad," as vixlgarly 
used in Scotland. 

298. Diores, a son of Priam, afterwards 
slain by Turnus. Salius is nowhere else 
mentioned. Patron, according to Dion. Hal. 
L 51, was an Acanianian, and one of those 
whom Helenus sent along with .lEiieas (iii. 
470, where see notes). Livy and Ovid also 
use the form Acarnan, from which come the 
adjs. Acarnanas and Acarnanius. 

299. TegeoEce^ from Tegea, a town in Ar- 
cadia, 

300. Helymus, a Trojan, who had come to 
Sicily with Acestes, is mentioned 73, above. 
Panopes is mentioned only here. Acestes — 
see Mn. L 195. Observe the hypermeter in 
Panopesque, and consult note, Mn. L 332. 

303. Quibus in mediis for in quorum medio, 
or inter quos medius. 

306. Gnosia— the MSS. are in favour of 
one s, on which mode of writing see Blomf 
^sch. Prom. 751 ; Poppo, Xen. Anab. vii. 
5, 12 ; and Boeckh, Pind. 01. ix. 47. The 
Cretan to%\Tis of Gnosus and Cydonia were 
celebrated for their javelins, bows, and 
an-ows. See Eel. x. 59. The two epithets, 
Gnosia and lucida, applied to spicula, form 
no diiiiculty, since the former refers to 
origin, thelatterto quaJitJ/. Levatoi^^tVos), 
Le., poliio. See iii. 467. 

Dabo, scil. cuique, which is readily under- 
stood from the context. On Bipennis, see 
ii. 479. 

308. Honos means a gift of honour, but 
prcBmia the prize gained by the contest; 
HejTie confounds the two. 

310. Phaleris — trappings for horses which 
hung down from the neck and head, as in 
the woodcut, and were ornamented with sil- 
ver or ivory bosses and other decorations. 
There were also plialerae worn by persons 
of distinction, or by soldiers as emblems 
of military bravery. See ix. 359. 




311. Amazoniam — Threiciis, i.e., such as 
are worn by the Amazons and the Thracians, 
the latter of whom were most especially 
famed as archers. Quam, etc., transl., 
" which a belt with massive gilding encom- 
passes, and a, brooch with polished gem 
fastens." 

314. On the galea, see Ramsay's Antiq., 
and ^n. ii. 392. 

316. Corripiunt spatia, i.e., they begin to 



run. See above, 145. On the race course, 
consult Ramsay's Antiq., and above, 145. 

317. Similes wim&o—" like the whirlwind." 
Ultima signant, i.e., they mark out the goal 
with their eyes, and in their minds. 

319. Fidminis aliS' — in works of art, 
especially coins, the thunderbolt is fre- 
quently represented with wings: "The 
winged lightning." 

321. Deinde and post are not pleonastic, 
but c?ez«c/€ is a conj. "then," "in the next 
place," zx\<^post is an adv. joined to relicto. 

323. Sub means close to. On ipso, in a 
restrictive sense, see ^n. iiL 5. 

324. Calcem cake — nottobe taken literally, 
" heel vvith heel," but it simply means "foot 
with foot." 

326. Ambiguum is taken by Hejnie as 
masc, "would have left him (Helymus) 
doubtful of success." By others it is con- 
sidered neut., "would have left the issue 
doubtful." Heyne's -vaew gets contii-mation 
from Hom. II. xxiii. 382, which see. 

327. Extremo spatio, i.e., the meta, as 
317 seems to indicate. Fessique, — on this 
extraordinaiy use of the conjunction, see 
note, ^n. iii. 329; cf. also iv. 102; and x. 
842. 

328. Levis is here used in an unusual 
meaning, "slippery "^ubricus. 

329. Ut for ubi. Super, in next line, is 
an adv., not a prep. 

332. Titubata vestigia haud tenuit — a bold 
expression for tituhantibus pedibus vestigia 
non tenuit — "did not maintain his footing," 
which gave way when the gi-ound was 
firmly trod upon" "did not keep his 
footing, by reason of his sliduig." On titu- 
bata, the past particip. of an intrans. verb, 
thus used, see note on ^n. iii. 14 and 125, 

334. Amorum — "of his affection," not 
his "beloved friend," as Heyne intenirets. 

336. Arena. Wagner remarks that Virgil, 
thinking of the circus at Rome, which was 
covered with sand on such occasions as this, 
here forgets what he had said in 287 and 330, 
We do not, however, see that the poet is to 
be hastily condemned. Though the plain 
was grassy (287) on the whole, yet we may 
easily imagine that the concourse of people 
at the games, and the struggles of the vic- 
tims as they were slaughtered, together 
with the bustling tread of those engaged in 
sacrificing, may have worn away the her- 
bage, and left the soil exposed. The use 
of humus in 330, as opposed to herbas, would 
lead us to a similar conclusion. And it 
may be further argued that spissus is em- 
ployed purposely, to save the poet fi-om the 
charge which he may have himself antici- 
pated by the use of arena alone. We 
would, therefore, suggest that spissa arena 
means the loose mould, which was their only 
substitute for sand, but which (the poet 
acknowledges) was spissus at the best. 
Spissus means dense, i.e., -with little space 
between the component particles of a body, 
an idea which suits well with hea^'y mould, 
the individuality of whose atoms is not so 
easily discovered, or so generally recognised 
as that of the grains of sand. 

Obsers^e the tense of jacuit, expressive 
103 



B. V. 337-S87. 



NOTES OX THE ^NEID. 



B. V. 388-405. 



of the instantaneous result. Revolutus — 
"rolled over " — stronger than provolutus. 

337. Euryalus — last syU. long by arsis. 
See Metrical Index. 

339. Palma, for victor, 

340. Cavece — the part of the theatre occu- 
pied by the pubhc. 

Oi^a prima patrum, Le., the elders and 
more influential personages, who occupied 
the front benches. 

345. The sohcitations of Diores for him- 
self strengthen the claim of Nisus. 

349. Ordine — "from the fixed arrange- 
ment," indicated in 308. 

350. Cf ^n. ii 93. Gffituli, ie., African, 
352. Am^eis, two syllables by synizesis. 

355. Merui. Some -svrite meruit, but the 
best MSS. exliibit the former. 

356. Fortuna inimica tulisset — tulisset for 
abstulisset, i.e., had not envious Fortime 
withheld me from gauung the first prize. 
He3Tie. But Forb., comparing (p'spiff^ai 
( iv, x.a,x,u)i), says that the use of the word 
is derived from naval phraseology, and that 
the whole=rat inimice a fortuna acceptus 
essem. 

obi. Simul has a cum after it usually. 
But the poets and later prose writers, their 
imitators, omitted the prep. 

358. Bisit oUi, i.e., ei adrisit. Some make 
oUi depend on eferri, the comma behig 
placed &^er optimus. Of Didymaou nothing 
is known. Observe co'tes, phu'al, m apposi- 
tion to clipeum, singular. 

360. How or Avhence the shield was pro- 
cured we have no means of deciding; pro- 
bably in an attack on some Grecian city, or 
through Helenus. 

362. The pugilistic contest forms the 
third of the exercises. Here, agahi, Ho- 
mer, IL xxiiL 651, is laid under contribu- 
tion. Dona peregit, an unusual phrase, 
signifying "to bring the distribution of the 
prizes to an end," as if we should say, 
"got through the prizes." 

36>. Animus pixesens, Le., fortis, audax, 
with an idea of coolness and coUectedness in 
danger. 

Evinciis, scil. caestu. 

3GG. Velatum auro vittisgue, a hendiadys 
{Mn. i. 2, 258)— the meaning is "Fillets 
adorned with plates of gold," or "inter- 
woven with threads of gold." 

370. Tlie character of Paris is usually 
looked upon as efieminate and unwarlike, 
though even Homer allows him some share 
of bravery. But the later poets attributed 
to him higher courage and more dai'uig ex- 
ploits than Homer records. 

373. Butes, not elsewhere mentioned. 
The Bebrycians were a Thracian people of 
Bithjniia on the Euxine, but they early 
disapjieared entirely from the list of nations. 
^/»v/CM.s was king of these, and son of Nep- 
tune and MeUa. He was a celebrated 
boxer, but was finally slain by PoUux. 

380. Excedere palma, ie., decline the 
contest. 

384. Quce finis. On the gender of this 
subst, see note, .(En. iii. 145. 

387. Gravis=graviter, according to HejTie 

104 



and Jacobs. Others make \t=grandaevus. 
Entellus was a companion of Acestes, and 
a sharer of his labours, but very little is 
laiown of him. The Xoynv Entella, in the 
west of Sicily, was called from him. 

388. Ut=ut forte. yo/-M5 is applied to any 
place which is soft and suited for lying upon, 
and therefore used with reference to the 
green turf. 

389. For similar friendly chidings, see 
Hom. n. v. 17 sqq., and xv. 440 sqq. Frus- 
tra fortissime, i.e., it is now of no avail that 
you once were the bravest of the brave, if 
you do not maintahi jour former character. 

391. The usual punctuation is as foUows : 
* * nobis deus ille, magister JVequid. memor- 
atus, Ery.v? "Wagner writes thus — * * nobi<; 
deus ille magister, Kequid. mem. Eryx? 
Forb. removes all pohits, because he says 
the sense is, ubi nunc (scU. est) deus ille 
(tamquam deus tibi celebratus) Eryx, nobis 
nequid. mag. mem. 

392. Eryx was son of Butes (son of Amy- 
ous) and Venus. He challenged Hercules, 
but was slahi in the combat. He gave name 
to jMount Eryx, from a temple on which 
Venus is called Erycina. On Trinacria, 
see ^n. i. 196. 

395. Sed enim. After sed some words ai'e 
to be suppUed by the mind, thus — sed jam 
non sum, qui fui olim, senectus enim me 
tardat. The words are equal to aXkec, yap. 
See note, JEn. i. 19. 

396. Effetce: — effetus properly signifies 
past bearing, said of females, fields, etc. 
Thence it means, generally, exhausted, 
weak. It is derived from an old verb feo, 
(pui^, and should therefore be written ejfe- 
tus and not effoetus ; see vii. 440. 

397. Improbus is here equal to our " for- 
ward," "self-confident." 

398. /Myt'Hto5— written juventus in some 
editions. But Virgil usually maintains the 
well knowm distinction that juventus is the 
concrete and collective (a body of youths), 
but juventas aud juventa the abstract (the 
season of youth, or youthful vigour). 

400. Nee dona moror — " nor do I care for 
the prizes." 

401. Peerlk. asks " whence did the ccpst2is 
so unexpectedly come, since Entellus was 
present as a spectator, and not as a com- 
batant?" He forgot, in proposhig the 
question, that he was dealing with a poet. 

402. Injn'celia depends on ferre manum 
and not on acer. By the common construc- 

i tion, tergo should be the ace. and brachia the 
dat., as at JE.n. iv. 506. Tergo is put for 
corio, as at ^n. i. 368. 

404. Tantus and talis, like ro7o$ and 
Toa-o;, include the idea of a causal particle, 
so as to be equal to nam ynagnus, nam nnd- 
tus. Here, therefore, the clause is equal to 
nam spptem ingentia magnorum [rather 
maximorum] bourn terga (coria) rigebant 
(Le., erant.) 

405. Theccestus, or boxing gauntlets, con- 
sisted of leather thongs bound round the 
hands and wrist, and reaching sometimes 
as high up as the elbow. They were armed 



B. V. 406-426. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. V. 429-4-55. 



■with lead or metal bosses, as seen in the 
woodcut beneath. See Ramsay's Antiq. 





406. Longe=valde. HejTie. But equal to 
diu in Forb.'s opinion. Perhaps it is rather 
equal to ''entirely." 

408. Immensa volumina. Heyne under- 
stands by this the thongs by which the 
ciestus was bound to the baud. But Wagn. 
and Forb. think that it means the thongs 
and ccestus both, since the ccestus is as it 
■were one continuous band suiToanding the 
hand and arm. It is not, therefore, the 
ccestus and the thongs that are distinguished 
fi-om one another here, but the -weiglit 
(pondus) and the balance; for ^neas. by 
lifting them, first exammes then- actual 
•weight, and then, by turning them about 
and poising them, ascertains their suitable- 
ness for fighting. Obsen-e the zeugma in 
versat, ■which, ■when applied to jpondus, is 
equal to explorat. 

410. Ccestus et arma— the et is merely ex- 
pletive, as the two substs. mean the same 
thing. " The csstus ■n-ith which Hercules 
was armed." 

411. Tristem, because Eryx was slain in 
it. 

412. Germanus tuus — see note above, 24. 
The next line is parenthetic, refemng to 
the blood of those whom Eryx had van- 
quished. 

415. Old age is called cemula, ie., inricla, 
because, while it diminishes the power of 
entering into the contest ■nith hopes of 
success, it en^ries younger men the vic- 
tory. 

418. Id is by some referred to what goes 
before, but Henry is of opinion that it rather 
belongs to the phrase followmg. 

jEguemus pugnas — "let us equalise the 
contest, if Dares refuses, and if this pro- 
posal be pleasing to JEneas," etc. Auctor 
— "who has encouraged me." 

420. Trojanos ccestus, i.e., tuos — those 
of vom:s which you have brought from 
Troy. 

421. Duplicem amictum, i.e., the aiolla, 
a cloak made of a coarse cloth doubled, and 
■with the nap on. It was fastened by a 
brooch on the shoulder or under the neck. 
Cf Hor. Epist. i. 17, 25, Quern duplici panno 
patientia velat. 

422. Another hypermeter verse — see 
above, 300. 

423. Artus — exuit, for vestem exvii de ar- 
fibus, i.e., "stripped." 

. 426. Arrectm in digitos — each raising 
himself on tiptoe, both to plant his blo^w 



I more effectually, and to avoid his adversary 
the more nimbly. 

429. Pugnam lacessunt — '' they spar." 
Lacessere, means primarily to give motion 
to anything — hence to begin. 

430. Melior motu pedum, i.e., more active 
either in avoidmg the blows, or perhaps in 
" tJ'ipping up." 

431. 2[embri.^ et mok, by hendiadys (^n. 
L 2, 258), as molem et montes, at ^n. L 61. 
Servius. But we see no necessity for such 
an explanation here. 

432. Genua — to be pronounced as two 
sylls. (synizesis), Genva~see note, Ma. 
L 2. 

433. Xequidr^uam — "in vain," Le., which 
\ tended in no degree to decide the battle. 
; Vulnera — "blows," whose object was to in- 
1 flict wounds. 

435. Tempera — "temples." Ingeminare 
! means to repeat an action many times in 
I quick succession. 

I 436. Crepitant — the source whence this 
I metaphor is derived -will be seen in 458 sq. 
! Gravis, scU. aetate et mole corporis.. 
i ioS. Exit tela — " shuns the blows." The 
I verb is common in this sense in the phraseo- 
log-y of the ''ring." 

439. Tile, Le., Dares. Molibns, ie., ma- 
chines — it depends on oppugnat and not on 
celsam. 

440. Sedet. This verb is properly applied 
to the blockade of a town, the besiegers re- 
maining inactive. Here, however, it implies 
simply tlie sitting doirn before the place to 
besiege, activity being uidicated by the words 
following. Sub armis=armatus. 

444. A vertice=desuper — "from above." 
Velox — both "nimble and quick-sighted." 

446. Vir-es in ventum effundere, is a prover- 
bial expression like dare verba in ventum, 
and our '-fiorht with the wind." See Lucr. 
iv. 932, and Ov. Ar. Am. L 6, 42. Vitro, 
"contrary to what you might have ex- 
pected." See above, 55. All anticipated the 
fall of Dares, but the assailer himself felL 
Wagn. explains ultra "non prostratus ab 
adversaria," Le., sua culpa. 

447. Gravis graviterque. On the peculiar 
use of the conjunction (which is heree/)e.re- 
geticaT), see above, 327. 

448. This is a favourite Homeric simile. 
See II. xiii. 178; xiv. 414. Quondam, like 
olim, "by times." Cava — hollow by recrso/i 
of age. thus applicable to Entellus, whose 
fall was to be attributed to inward decay 
and not to external -siolence. Eriimantho 

• (Mt. Olenos or Olonos) in the W. of Arcadia, 
: famed for the slaughter of the boar by 
I Hercules. Ida, in the Troad. 
! 450. Studiis — " in their zealous partizan- 
! ship;" some being interested in Dares and 
I some in Entellus. 

I 451. It clamor coelc — the dat. is ver\' often 
I used by the poets in this construction. 
j 45-5. Turn, Le.. praeterea. porro. Vim — 
I vires, for a similar repetition see Geo. IL 
105 



B. V. 45G-4 



NOTES OX TEE iEXEID. 



B. V. 501-523. 



125. Note the climax — Redit ad pugnam — 
suscitat — incendit — ardens agit. 

456. Daren; Dareta, as another form of 
the accus. is found at 460, 463, 476. 

457. Ille. On the insertion of the pron. 
see note, JEm. i. 3. 

460. Versat, the same as agit ceqnore toto 
in 456. 

461. The part of Achilles in Hom. IL 
xxiii. 734, is here performed by >35neas. 

465. InfeUx, i.e., the cause of your defeat 
was not want of vigour, or bravery, or 
ability, but unpropitious fortune. 

466. Alias vires, viz., divine. Eryx assist- 
ing Entellus. 

469. This verse is a close translation 
from Hom. See IL xxiii. 695 sqq., Ai^a 
TTapf^v TTVovra, x.d.p'/i fsoiXXov^' Irspuffi. 

471. Vocati, i.e.,jussi — for they modestlj^ 
refi'ained from claiming any prize for one 
so thoroughly defeated. It may, however, 
refer to the usual proclamation of the 
herald aimouncing the victor, and sum- 
moning him to receive his trophy. 

473. Superans animis, Le., superbiens, 
elatus victoria. Forb. Siiperbm tauro — 
superbus is constantly used of victors and 
those triuniphing; see 268 and E.\\. i. 61. 

476. Revocatum — " rescued." A qua 
morie — "from how certain and pitiable a 
death." 

477. Contra^ex adverso — " right in front 
o£" 

478. Donum pugnce, i.e., praemium victo- 
riae. 

481. Humi, for in humum ; see i. 193. 
The order is Tremens bos exanimisQKe. but 
the position of the conjunction is peculiar. 
Super for insuper. 

483. Meliorem animum — "a more accept- 
able life." There is a zeugma in repono, "I 
lay aside my instruments, and resign the 
art." The reference is to the custom of 
Roman gladiators, soldiers, etc., who dedi- 
cated the arms of their profession in the 
temple of some deity, when they retired 
trom the exercise of their calling. 

485. For the descrijjtion of a similar con- 
test in Homer, see II. xxiii. 850 sqq. 

487. Ingenti manu — this seems an 
attempt to translate the Homeric X^'P' 
Tax^'ri, the strong, brawny hand of a 
hero, which interpretation is by no means 
unnatural. Some join ingenti with nave, 
but the position of the words seems to be 
opposed to this explanation. De nave, scQ. 
sumptum. 

488. Trajecto infune, i.e., by a cord passed 
round it. 

489. Quo=in quam. Dejectam, scil. in 
gakam. 

492. Ilippocoon was the son of HjTtacus, 
and therefore brother of Nisus (294, above.) 

495. Eurytion — mentioned only here. 
His brother Pandams, the Lycian, son of 
Lycaon (Hom. II. ii. 824; iv. 88; v. 95), 
was renowned for his skill in archery. 

496. Ju.'isus, scU. by Minerva. See Hom. 
II. iv. 68 sqq. He wounded Menelaus, and 
thus broke the league. Acestes, for sors 
Acestis. 

106 



501. The woodcut represents a bow, and 
a quiver fuU of arrows. 




502. Pro se quisque, toce icivrov iKCitrros, 
i.e., ill Bwva,w/v_"-svith all his might," 
"according to his ability." 

504. Wagn. points out that a conjunction 
is frequently thus used when the writer 
hunies on to the detail of some following 
circumstances, or when lie wishes to indi- 
cate that an evei.t was quickly brought 
about. See ^n. i. 82. Mahts, as the mast 
of a ship, is rnasc, as a tree,fe.m. 

505. Tiinuit pennis. i.e., trepidavit prae 
metu. " The scared bird showed its ten-or 
by the fluttering of its wings." 

506. From the use of plaudentem in 516, 
and from 215, above, it would appear 
that plausu refers to the flapping of the 
bird, not to the applause of the spectators. 
It may well be doubted, however, whether 
the terms ingenti and omnia do not rather 
|)oint tothe general applause which would 
doubtless follow such a proof of skill, 
though, certainly, there is no mention of 
jilaudits in the case of the other archers 
who follow. 

508. Oculos telumque tetendit. Another 
example of zeugma (see Mn. i. 79 ; and iL 
258) "strained his eyes and directed his 
weapon." 

511. Tnnexopedem — an accus. of reference 
or limitation ; see note on ^n. L 228, and 
ii. 210. 

512. Observe the prep, in applying to 
both notos and nubila, but joined only A\-ith 
the latter ; see ii. 654. 

Fratrem (514) viz., Pandarvs (496). 

518. ^^theriis— some read ae'riis — but the 
former is more suitable, since the stars 
were in the (ether, not in the aer, which is 
farther confirmed by Cic. Nat. De. iL 15, 
42, where the Epicurean notion is men- 
tioned that stars were generated by the 
aetlier itself. 

523. Tlie ingens exitus is supposed by 
some to be tlie burning of the Trojan ships 
soon after this time; by others, the war 
waged by .cEneas in Italy against Tumus ; 



B. V. 524-547. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. V. 549-560. 



and by others again, the wars of the Romans 
in Sicily against the Sicilians and Cartha- 
ginians. This last interpretation is favoured 
by the word sera. 

524. Sera, etc. Wagner considers that 
sera has reference to post, and terrifici to 
ingens, and thus explains the passage: — The 
soothsayers, in interpreting the omen, fore- 
told that it would be fulfilled a long while 
after with a fearful turmoil of affau-s. Ter- 
rijicus is a poetic word. 

b2b. LiquicHs, i.e., in acre puro, in the 
clear sky. It does not indicate moisture in 
the air, as some would have it. The effect 
here produced had probably taken place in 
the knowledge of the poet, and he uses it 
to embellish his description Electricity 
satisfactorily accounts for the phenomenon. 

527. Refixa — "detached," "let loose." 

528. Crinem — this term is applied to the 
tail of a comet, and here used of the " falUng 
star." (See Geo. i. 365.) 

530. .^neas does not disregard the omen, 
but receives it as a prognostic of future 
fame and glory. It was customary in the 
case of an unexpected appearance, to pray 
to the gods to avert ill-luck. 

534. ^'xsortem, "extraordinary," or "with- 
out your coming into competition." 

536. Impressum, "inlaid," an opus ana- 
glyphuin. 

537. Cisseus, Idng of the Thracians, and 
father of Hecuba, the wife of Priam. In 
magno mimere for pro magna munere, as 
£v frequently for «vt<. 

538. Ferre dederat — see above, 247. 

541. Prcelato honori — "nor did the gene- 
rous Eurytion envy him the honour ranked 
before his own." Heyne considers prajlato 
as almost equal to yrarepto, which use of 
the word Wagn. deems witliout precedent. 
The latter explains thus: — "Nor does Eury- 
tion feel envy at Acestes because lie is pre- 
ferred to him, and because tlie honour which 
he had hoped for himself is transferred to 
his rival." 

543. Proximm ingreditur donis, i.e.. He 
(Mnestheus) is next presented with his 
prize, and inarches proudly forth in exulta- 
tion. Bonis does not depend, m Wagner's 
oi)iiiioii, on either ingreditur or proximus, 
but on the idea of " coming second,'" whicii 
arises from both taken together. 

544. In the programme of the games, 
above, 6() sqq., ^neas made no mention of 
the combat now to be entered on, which, 
therefore, comes unexpectedly, and on that 
account more agreeably to the assembled 
throng. These games were kept up by 
Augustus ; see below, 601. 

Certamine, sell, of the arcliers. 

546. Custodem — see above, note 256. 

547. Epytides. Periphas, son of Epytus, 
a name borrowed from Hom. II. xvii. 323. 
He was the herald of Anchises, and friend 
of ^Eneas ; he had grown old in the service 
of the family. 

Ad aureni means '"confidentially and 
privately," but in anrem (which some edi- 
tions read) expresses more secrecy, and a 
greater desire to conceal the information 
from others. 



549. Cursus instruxit eguorum, i.e., has 
prepared the horses for their manoiuvres. 

550. Avo — "in honour of his grandfather." 

551. Observe ait so close after fatur, and 
compare ^n. ii. 78. Pafentes— "open," 
"cleared," 

555. Fremit is often followed by the ace. 
of the thing, but here it is construed un- 
usually with the ace. of the person. Mirata 
fremit — gaze on with loudly-expressed ad- 
miration. 

556. Tonsa corona, etc. By this Heyne 
understands that a garland (plucked and 
cropped so as to be of equal length aU 
round) was placed on the helmet of each, 
and that thus it was said to press their 
hair, or that it fell so far over the margin 
of the helmet, as to touch the curls which 
appeared from beneath the head-piece. 
Peerlkamp, interpreting premere cornam as 
"binding up the ban-, to keep it from flow- 
ing loosely, and thus interfering with the 
active exertion of riding, and with the 
rider's sight," thinks that the olive garland 
was for the pm-))ose just indicated But 
the hair thus collected, and confined by a 
garland, would, if kept beneath the helmet, 
render it too large and loose, and if placed 
above it would exhibit a ridiculous spec- 
tacle. 

Henry takes pressa (so premere fake — to 
prune) a«,=recisa — "cropped," and believes 
that the hair was so cut as to resemble a 
garland in its outer margin, which was 
visible round the edge of the helmet. His 
arguments are as follows : — (1,) If Virgil 
spoke of a real garland, he would have used 
some epitliet, sucli as oleaginea, or laurea, 
(2,) It would be a very odd expression to 
say that the garland pressed the hair, when 
it only touched the helmet. (3,) In morem 
is not a suitable phrase to be used of a game 
celebrated for the first time. Moreover, Sue- 
tonius mentions that the Roman youths had 
their hair cropped to resemble a garland, in 
the competition in this exerci.^e. (4,) Since 
Statins says aurum coronatum for corona 
anrea, Virgil might also say tonsam coronam 
for capilUs informam coronae detonsis. 

557. Ilastilia hina. Baebius Macer states 
that the boys who engaged in the Trojan 
games were presented by Augustus ^vith 
helmets and two spears each. To this the 
poet refers. Sei-v. 

558. Pars leves (polished) is the reading 
of most MSS., but some have parsque leves, 
which makes a very appropriate sense like- 
wise. 

559. An ornate statement of the fact that 
each wore upon his neck a golden chain. 
The chain was twi.sted (hence torques, from 
torqneo) spirally and bent into a circular 
form —it hmig down from the neck on the 
breast. 

560. Wagn. and others write ires and not 
tris, the common reading, which latter they 
allege is found only in the accus. Temi is 
considered equal to tres ui this place, having 
lost its distributive force. For a very simi- 
lar use of numerals, see above, 85. 

On Turm.ce, and the di^'isions of the 
Roman army generally, see Ramsay's 
107 



B. V. 562-580. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. V. 587-602. 



Antiq ; and on bis sent, consult note, -^n. 
i. 71. 

562. Paribus Magistris. The Ductores or 
Custodes went here and there around the 
field {vagantur), but besides these there was 
a magister (a kind of riding master) to 
superintend the movements, and see that 
no harm liappened to the boys. Paribus, 
"similarly clad." 

5C4. Be/erens is more than ferens, and 
means "reminding men, by his name, of 
his grandfather Priam." On PoUies, see 
JEn. ii. 526. 

565. Auctura Italos. Cato in his Orig. 
says tliat Polites separated from ^neas 
after his arrival in Italy, and founded the 
town of Politorium. Quern, etc. Transl. : 
" Whom a Thracian steed carries, marlced 
with white spots, displaying white fore-feet, 
and a wliite foi'ehead, as he tosses it on 
high." 

566. Vestigia primi pedis, i.e., "the fore- 
feet," as vestigia is often put by the poets for 
the soles of the feet, and tlius for the whole 
feet. 

568. Alter Atys — "the second leader is 
Atys." He is mentioned out of compliment 
to Augustus, whose mother was Atia, the 
daughter of M. Atius Balbus, by Julia, the 
sister of Juhus Ciiesar. Tliere was au Atus, 
one of the kings of Alba, according to Livy. 
Latiui, simply for Romani, as often, thougli 
Heinsius thinks the epithet is used because 
the Atii were from Aricia in Latium. 

56!). Puero puerdilectus lulo. Tliis remark 
is added, not without purpose and force, 
intended, as it is, to indicate the love and 
friendship which, even then, existed between 
the Atiau and Julian families, now united 
ill the person of the second Citsar. 

571. Sidonio, i.e., AMcan, given to Dido. 
Candida, '^ccu';rpog=eximiae vulchritudinis. 
So Candida Nius, Eel. ii. 46. ' 

575. Pavidos — "with beating hearts," 
i.e., through the modesty and timidity 
natural to boys; not gloriae cupiditate solli- 
citos, as Servius explauis. 

576. Veteruin, i.e., seniorum, for vetus, 
which properly applies to what has con- 
tinued for a long time, is sometimes used of 
advanced age. 

578. Postquam Lustravere, etc. — "after 
they have ridden round the assembled 
spectators, viewing them as they pass." 

579. Longe, Le., clamore longe lateque 
audiendo. 

Insonuit — this verb, used actively, is 
joined with the abl. of the thing by which 
the sound is made, thus calamis agi^estibus 
insonat iUe, Ovid Met. xi. 161. It is also 
followed by the ace. after the word Avhich 
expresses the result, as insonare verbera, 
JEn. viL 451. 

580. Olli discurrei'e pares, etc. On the 
movements of the youthful equestrians there 
is much diversity of opinion. Some (e.g., 
Wagner) suppose tliat they formed in t/iree 
bodies of twelce each ; and others, tliat they 
were divided into ticelve bands of iJu-ee each. 
Antlion gives a long note on the subject, 
with diagrams to explain the evolutions; 

108 



but his aiTangements seem somewhat fanci- 
ful. He follows Noedhen's opinion that 
there were twelve bodies of three each. 

Pares, scil. loco, eodem ordine. — " They 
rode forth in equal Une, and forming in 
three bands (terni) broke up the main body 
(agmina), (smaller) parties (chorisj separa- 
tmg to different points; and again being 
summoned (by their leaders) they wheeled 
and presented their w^eapons in hostile 
attitude. They then move forward in dif- 
ferent courses and return to the chai-ge in 
different parties, conlVonting one another 
with a space intei-vening, and they involve 
alternately circle within circle, and armed, 
engage in mimic war." The above trans- 
lation will, it is hoped, assist the student 
in imderstandhig this difficult passage ; but 
let the reader, who wishes further discus- 
sion of the question, consult the commen- 
tators. 

587. Pariter — "in one line." 

588. The Labyrinth of Daedalus, described 
by Homer II. xvhi. 590 sqq., as represented 
by Vulcan on the shield of Achilles, is of 
course the original of this sinule, but the 
Latin poet comes far short of his great mas- 
ter in the task of descripti^in. On the Laby- 
rinth, consult Smith's Class. Diet under 
Daedalus and Mhios. 

5S9. Parietibus — to be scanned parjetibus, 
by synizesis. 

590. Aricipitem dolum — "a doubt causing 
deception," i.e., iter dolosuni, fallens. 

591. Indepi'ensus — "undetected" at the 
time, and " not to be remedied by retracing 
one's steps." Sequendi, \.q., of advancing, for 
sequor is often used both in prose and poetry 
as equal to ire, because there is some point 
marked out in the mind as the end to be 
reached, the intervening road being, as it 
were, the guiding thread. 

593. Texunt halo, \.e.,fingunt per hidum. 
"In their game (or in sport) they represent 
both flight and fight." 

591. DelpliinuDi similes — the agility of dol- 
phins is proverbial; consult any book of 
Nat. Hist. Thus, in the Roman Circus the 
columns were ornamented with the figures 
of these animals as emblematic of activity. 

595. The Carpathian sea was that part of 
the JEgean, around the island of Carpathus, 
between Rhodes and Crete; and the Libyan, 
that which washes the north coast of Airica 
between the Syrtes. 

598-601. Retulit — "renewed." Porro — 
"in succession." Patrium honorem—"he- 
reditary ceremony." 

602. "The sport is now called Troy, the 
boys (wiio engage in it) the Trojan youths.' 
On this game, which was exhibited by Sulla, 
restored by Julius Cajsar, and frequently 
celebrated during the time of the Emperors, 
considt Smith's Class. Diet. Heyne thinks 
that if it was derived from Trojan times, it 
must have been at first a series of chariot 
manoeuvres, derived from the custom of 
racing round the tomb of a deceased hero, 
and that after the art of riding was more 
cultivated, that mode of celebration was 
prefeiTed. 



B. V. 603-626. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. V. 627-642. 



603. Hac is separated from tentis (tmesis) 
for Hactetnis. 

604. Fklem novave. Novare is used in the 
same sense as in the phrase res novare=reni- 
publiram turbare, so that the meaning will 
be, Fortune having changed her coun- 
tenance to us, now creates disturbance. 
Heyne makes mittata novavit equal to 
novavit. By the other method, ^cZe/n is the 
ace of reference after mutata, and novacit 
equals novavit res. 

608. Saturata dolarem. On the syntax, 
see note, ^n. L 228 ; ii. 21 0. The causes of 
her grudsre <.re stated at ^n. i. 25 sqq. 

610. ria— Virgo. On this use of the 
demonstrative pron., see note 262, above. 

613. Acta is a Greek word («»-'/i) trans- 
ferred into Latin letters. It is called sola. 
as being deserted by all the males, (for the 
rigid decorum of more ancient times did 
not aUow the females to be present at the 
games), or because it was ^'retired" "se- 
questered."' 

61-5. Vada, i.e., mnria — the seas, the idea 
of danger from shoaJs being implied. 

616. Superesse. On this use of the infin., 
see Mn. L 37, note. 

61S. Hand ignara nocendi, i.e., about to 
do injun; '^'^'ith the intention and set pur- 
pose of doing mischief. 

619. Vestem. The goddess Iris was re- 
presented on works of art, with a party- 
coloured robe. 

620. Tmarii — from Tmarus (or Tomarus), 
a Mt. of Epirus near Dodona. But as 
Beroe is called Ehoeteia, i. e., Trojana, 
(fi-om the promontory of Ehoeteiim,) in 646, 
below, a contradiction seems to be evident, 
and therefore some have read Ismarii, from 
Ismariis, a Mt. of Thrace, since it is pro- 
bable that Beroe would marry a Thracian 
rather than an Epivote, Thrace bemg in 
terms of alliance with Troy ; but we may 
readily suppose that Beroe migrated to 
Epirus with Helenus, that she there con- 
tracted man-iage with Dorydits (not the son 
of Priam, who, it will be remembered, was 
slain at Troy, Hom. II. xi. 489), and after- 
wards jomed the expedition of ^neas, 
when it left the coasts of Chaoiua for Italy. 

621. Cut is better referred to DorycU 
than to conju.r, for nomen is then more 
suitable. Genus means nobility of buth. 

Fuissent is pitt in the subj., as expressing 
the cause why the goddess assumed the 
form of Beroe. And the reason is assigned 
in 6-51, viz., that Beroe was sick, and there- 
fore could not intervene to disclose the 
fraud. Cui is equal to qutppe cut, or to 
quum ei. 

622. Dardanidum. See ^n. i. .56-5. 

626. To reconcile septima cestas with the 
same phrase, as occurring at JEn. i. 7-55, 
Gossrau has the following note; "Before 
the setting in of -u-inter ^5]neas anives in 
SicOy, and there Anchises dies. When the 
wmter was over, he set sail, and was driven 
to Carthage, [this was the beginning of the 
seventh year,] where he remained during 
the summer, and till the end of autumn 
(see iv. 309) ; thus he returned to Sicily 



about twelve months after the death of 
Anchises, still, however, in the seventh 
year of his wanderings." 

627. Jnhospita saxa — "the dangerous 
rocks" of the sea itself, not necessarily of the 
coasts. 

628. Sidera is properly introduced among 
the perils and delays of na^igation, as the 
mariners of those days depe'nded entirely 
upon them. The word may be here taken 
as equivalent to ttmpeitates. as stonns were 
considered to be caused by the constellations. 

Observe the remarkable zeugma in 
emensce which applies to all the accusatives, 
freta, terras, saxa, anil sidera. TransL, "The 
seventh year since the destruction of Troy 
is now in coiu-se of fulfilment, during which 
we are still borne onward in our wanderings, 
after having traversed (emensce) everj" sea, 
visited every- coast, risked so many dangerous 
rocks, and braved and outlived so many 
storms," (or, outwatched so many stars). 

632. Nequidqucrm — "to no purpose re- 
served;'' since we have no fixed abode in 
which to deposit them as our tutelarj- deities. 
On the Penates consult Keightley's MythoL, 
or Smith's Diet, of Biog. and Mythol."^ 

633. " And shall there be no new Troy, to 
be celebrated by fame? In no comitry shall 
I see those Trojan streams, the Xanthus and 
Simois." Hectoreos may be used to mean 
more than simply Trojan, and is probably 
intended to recall the memory of Hector's 
exploits on their banks as gi\ing them their 
chief celebrity. 

636. On Cassandra. See .^n, ii 246. 

638. Tempus agi res — "that matters be 
hastened to ac<;omplishment is even now 
seasonable." By this translation, we have 
endeavotu-ed to convey an accurate idea of 
the sjmtax, which is not to be considered a 
Graecism, nor is the infin. to be looked on as 
equal to a gerund. The difference is this, 
when the infin. is used as here, it serves as 
the subject, the verb esse (expressed or un- 
derstood) as the simple copula, and the subst. 
as the p?^edicate, thus res agi (that action be 
taken) est (is) tempus (seasonable). So in 
Geo. L 30-5, Tempus stringere glandes where 
tempus is equal to tempestivum. But. on the 
other hand, in the construction with the 
gerund, the subst. is the subject, the gerund 
the gen. of the object, and esse contains the 
predicate ; thus tempus est agendi, " The 
time is sufficient for acting," or "the time 
for actiug is now present." See note, /^-n. 
it 350, and Geo. L 305. 

639. Quatuor arcs Neptv.no. These had 
been erected to Neptune, one by each of the 
four contending in the boat race, to propi- 
tiate his favour. 

6'42. The verb coruscare in the transitive 
signification of "brandisiiing." is found in 
^n. \m. 661. "VVagTier remarks on the 
! consummate skill displayed in the versifica- 
tion of this line : '-The spondees, expressing 
exertion, and exciting expectation to the 
highest pitch, are followed by one dactyl, 
which briefly declares, though not -vv-ithout 
a degree of hon'or, an event akeady ex- 
pected, while the caesura (after co in conis- 
cat) makes the "boldest hold his breath for 
109 



B. V. 646-687. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. V. 688-731. 



a time," and the concluding spondee dis- 
tinctly suggests to us the mind terrified by- 
some unlooked for deed of daring. A care- 
ful reading of the verses is sufiicient to jus- 
tify Wagner's remarks. 

646. Vobis — an example of the Dativns 
Ethicus, on which see note, Mn. L 261. On 
Rhoeteia, see note 620, above. 

647. Signa, etc. With this compare ^En. 
i. 402, where Venus is recognised by similar 
external marks of divinity. 

648. Qui spiritus, i.e., quam divinus spiri- 
tus, so qui vultus, for quatn augustus vultus. 

652. Munere — the fiivom- was not in see- 
ing the games, but in performing the rites 
of the dead to Anchises. 

654. Ancipites and ambiguce, are nearly 
the same in meaning; here, however, the 
former announces generally; the latter, with 
greater limitation. 

Malignis, i.e., torvis, transversis. 
Malignis oculis — "-with evil disposed 
eyes," "fiendish." 

655. Amor is called miser— not simply be- 
cause it was great, but because by its very 
excess it makes one miserable. 

658. Secuit arxum, i.e., she mounted to 
heaven, leaving behind her a train of party- 
coloured hght. 

660. Rapiunt focis penetralibus — they 
hastily lay hold on torclies taken from the 
imier shrines of tlie honses nearest to them. 

662. Vukanus — " the fire." 

663. Fictas, eitlier painted all over 
(f^iXro-prup'/ioi »*" Homer), or having tlie 
tutela painted on the stem, or the parasemvn 
on the prow. 

• Abiete, to be scanned abjete. 
--664. Cuneos— the rows of seats in the 
theatre divided into wedge-sha))ed compart- 
ments by the steps which, radiating from 
the arena, ro.se up on both sides of them. 

669. Magistri, i.e., custodies. See 546 and 
562. 

673. Inanem, i.e., the light helmet worn 
only on sucli occasions, but not used in war. 

675. Accelerat used intransitively for 
celeriter adp)ropinquure — " to advance 
quickly." 

676. Per diversa litora, i.e., throughout 
different parts of tlie coast. " Tliey stealth- 
ily seek the rocks, (to try) if there be 
caves anywhere." 

679. Mutatce, scil. meiitem. 

681. Udo — " moist" from the water 
poured on it." Forb. 

682. Stuppa — the oakum with which the 
seams were caulked. 

683. Est, from edo — "eats," "consumes." 
Vapor, i.e., incendium, the effect being put 
for the cause. 

685. Absciudere, vocare, and tendere, are 
so-called ]tistoric ir,finitives. The loss of 
the ships was not so much the cause of the 
grief of jEneas as the delay arising in the 
immediate prosecution of his journey. 

687. Etosus es, i.e., odisti. The older 
writers said both odi audosussum, and thus 
exosus came to mean "he Avho hates," 
though it is sometimes used passively. 

Advnvm, for omnesadunvm, but the adj. 
omnes is frequently omitted in this phrase. 

110 



688. Pietas — "kindly feeling," "commis- 
eration." Antiqua means "in times past 
tried and proved." 

689. The order is. Da classi evaders flam- 
mam. The verb evado is often joined with 
the ace, as in ^n. ix. 560. 

691. Quodsuperest — "as to what remains," 
to complete my misfortune ; since nothing 
remains to be desu-ed. Jahn understands 
the phrase as applying to all the Trojans. 

692. Dextra — the right hand with which 
he wields the thunderbolt, and thus called 
by Horace rubens. 

694. Sine 7nore, i.e., " different from com- 
mon occa^iion," "in an extraordinary de- 
gree." The opposite of sine more is de 
mo7'e. 

696. Turbidus imber, i.e., a rain shower 
driven hither and thither by the violence of 
the wind. Densis means that the wind was 
strong and difhcult to be resisted, such as 
every one must have experienced m the 
spring, when sometimes we feel as if we 
could almost see and catch it. 

697. Super for desuper. Wagn., in his 
smaller edition, interprets it as if it meant 
that the water was so abundant as to flow 
over the ships. 

704. The gens Nantica traced its origui to 
this Nautes ; with it the care of the palla- 
dium remained. Tritonia, see Mn. ii. 171. 

705. Solatus for solans. Que after is con- 
nects dabat to iiiflt, 707 and part of 706 being 
parenthetic. 

711. Divince stirpis — because his father 
was the river god, Crimisus. 

713. Su])erant for supersunt. 

714. Perta^sum — sec iv. 18. 

715. Perniisso nomine, i.e., ^neas, though 
the founder of the colony, and therefore pos- 
sessing the right to have the name of the 
city, Avill give up his claim to Acestes. 
Acesta was that famous city of Sicily called 
.iEgesta by Diodorus and Strabo, Egesta by 
Thucyd., and Scgesta by the later Romans. 

720. A7iimu7n—%ome books read animo. 

III. Polum, tXxezemth. vVox was supposed 
to rise in the ivest, gain the zenith by mid- 
night, and set in the east at sunrise. 

722. Coelo delapsa. As Anchises was in 
Elysium, we must consider the phrase as 
used in its common signification of any sud- 
den appearance; as we say, "dropped from 
the clouds." But Jupiter may have sent a 
messenger to assume the form of Anchises, 
since he says Jovis iinperio hue venio. 

730. Aspera cultu, Le., quae aspera vita 
utitur, "which lives a savage life." The 
word asper is apphed to substances whose 
surface is uneven and rough, and so trans- 
ferred to men of uncivilized manners. 

731. The first hint of the visit of iEneas to 
the infernal regions is given in the prophecy 
of Hclenus, ^n. iii. 441. Since the spirit 
of Anchises might as well have recorded 
all events to ^neas when it appeared to 
him, without entailing on the Trojan prince 
so dangerous an expedition as one to Hades, 
Wagn. excuses the introduction of the Epi- 
sode only on the ground that Virgil was 
carried away by his desire of imitating his 
great master, whose Necyomanteia in the 



B. V. 732-746. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. V. 750-762. 



Odyssey is one of the most beautiful parts of 
that deUghtful poem, and admirably adapted 
to adorn the story of the Latin bard. Bis, 
Le., Dives, UXoutmy (from ^rAayraj, 
wealth) because to him, says Cicero, N. D. 
ii. 26, 66, otnnis terrena vis atque natura dedi- 
cata est oinniaque et recidant in terras et ori- 
antur e terris. 

732. Per alta ^yerrtct— properly through 
the lake Avernus, but here we must under- 
stand it of a cave in a valley near Avernus, 
by which an entrance was effected. 

734. Tristesque. Wagn., Supfl., Gossr., 
etc., read ve, but Jahn, Forb., and ethers 
que, as the unltbrmity is thus kept up 
between the two clauses tartara wahrcEque. 
and amcena concilia Elysiumque, and as a 
less jejune sense is thus afforded. Tartara 
and unibi-cB unite into one idea, and refer 
to one and the same place ; and although 
all things belonging to the affairs of the 
dead are called tristia, yet here the opposi- 
tion of amcena j)M)rM«i concilia shows that it 
is the shades of the wicked that are more 
particularly intended. 

On Amoinus. consult Kritz;, Sal. Cat. 11, 5. 
The word is akin to ocfMivcuv, and signifies 
natural beauty of place; it here refers 
rather to the places where the concilia met 
than to the concilia themselves. 

735. Sibylla. See vi. 10, below. Sanguine 
is the abl. of the instrument. 

738. The superstitious ancients believed 
that spii-its could not await the first beams 
of the sun, and thus the arrival of night 
at the zenith (when in early times the civil 
day began), and the first breath of the 
horses of Sol, warn the shade of Anchises 
to disappear. Cf. Shaksp., Hamlet, where 
the Ghost says, " Fare-thee-well at once ! 
the glowworm shows the matin to be near, 
and 'gins to pale his ineffectual fire." 

740. Tenuis, ace. plur., not, nom. smg. 

741. Deinde=hinc, 'ivhv, so that the sense 
is. Why do you not remain longer? Quo 
proripis, sciL te, which is always expressed, 
but here omitted on the analogy of the 
other verbs, fugis and ruts, signifying 
motion. 

744. Larem Pergameum. By this some 
understand the shade of Anchises, since the 
souls of ancestors were treated as Lares; 
others believe Vesta to be meant ; Heyne, 
hoAvever, considers it to indicate the Penates, 
with whom the Lares were often con- 
founded. 

Penetralia Vestce, for Vestam; her image 
was kept in the inner part of the temple, 
veiled and undefiled by the gaze of the 
multitude. She is called Cana, on account 
of the antiquity of her religion, 

745. Farrepio, i.e., mola salsa, for which 
see Ramsay's Antiq. 

Acerra is properly the incense censer, but 
here the incense itself; cf. Hor. Od. iii. 23, 
19, Mollivit aversos Penates, Farre pio et 
saliente mica. 

746. Arcessit, otherwise vmtten acrersit, 
which was for a time considered a corrupt 
form hitroduced in the period of declining 
Latinity, but which has recently found de- 



fenders in Schneider, Zumpt, Doderlein, 
Kritz, etc. 

750. Transcribunt. Persons transferred 
from one city to another were said trans- 
cribi, but colonists were said adscribi. 

752. Ipsi, i.e., those who were about to 
pursue their journey. Reponunt, Le., reno- 
vant, reparant. 

754. Vivida virtus. The irregularity of 
the syntax adds force to the expression; 
Exigui numero sed teles quiom sit bello 
(ad bellum) vivida virtus. 

755. The founder of a city having his toga 
folded in a peculiar manner, part being 
throvrn over his head, and part passed 
round his waist Uke a girdle {cinctu Gabino), 
marked out the limits of the town by a 
furrow, care being taken that the clods of 
earth should all be turned inwards, and that 
the plough should be carried over the places 
where gates were to be placed. The wood- 
cut represents the Cinctus Gabmus. 




756. Hoc Ilium, et Iioec loca Trojam — the 
town he calls Ilium, the surrounding dis- 
trict Troja. 

758. Indicit forum. As indicere is a 
forensic term, tliis seems to mean that he 
put forth laws, and having called the sena- 
tors togethei", pi'oposed these laws for their 
adoption. This is Hejme's view; but Wagn. 
thinks that the last clause means, " he de- 
fined to the senators the nature of their 
office, and the character of its duties." 

759. The poet feigns that the famous 
temple of Venus on Mt. Eryx was the work 
of the Trojans, though it belonged to a much 
later period. 

Venus is called Idalia, from Idalium, a 
town, grove, and mountain in Cyprus. 

761. A priest, with a sacred grove, 
(^Tif^ivoi) is appointed to Anchises as a 
hero. 

762. Cf. 64, above. Nine days was a 

111 



B. V. 763-801. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. V. 803-825. 



usual time for great ceremonies, such as the 
expiatory offerings after the appearance of 
prodigies. 

763. Placidi, etc. See note, Mn. iii. 69. 

764. Creber adspirans — "blowing fresh 
and favourable." 

768. For numen some editors read nomen, 
which makes admirable sense. Others 
coelum, and a few lumen; but that here 
adopted has the best MS. authority, and is 
the most poetical as well as the most diffi- 
cult reading. Numen means "the very 
mighty, and very much to be dreaded 
power of the sea." 

772. Eryci — they sacrifice to Eryx as a 
hej^o, and at the same time as the tutelary 
deity of Sicily from which they are setting 
sail, that they may propitiate his good will 
and secure themselves from shipwreck on 
the rock-bound coast of his favourite island. 

773. Ex ordine — one ship after another, 
and one at a time. 

774. On tonsoe, see above, 556, and on the 
syntax oi caput depending on tonsce, consult 
note, ^11. i. 228, and ii. 210. 

776. On porricit, see note 238, above. 

779. Observe how the poet amplifies and 
adorns his subject by the introduction of 
divine instrumentality in circumstances 
where a historian would have simply stated 
that a fair wind bore ^neas and his asso- 
ciates to Italy. 

781. Nee requires to be here resolved into 
its component jiarts, et non. Exsaturabilis 
is a word found only here, though exsatu- 
ratus is frequently employed. 

783. Dies is liere fem., since it indicates 
no fixed term; it is masc. when it means a 
natural or civil day. Fietas, i.e., the rever- 
ential conduct of ^neas in propitiating Juno. 

784. Infracta is the partici]). of i/ifriiigere, 
and means "broken down," i.e., yielding — 
the adj. infractus would signify "unbroken," 
"unsubdued." 

785. Media de gente, i.e., media ex Troja. 
Exedisse, i.e., confecisse, perdidisse. 

786. Traxe, for traxisse. 

792. In regnis. The reason of the failure of 
Juno's expectations is ex])res.sed in this line. 

794. After subegit supply meum filium. 

795. Terrae, gen., or ratlier the dut. oi place. 
See Sclunitz Lat. Gr. on the syntax of the 
dative. 

796. Quod superest. (1,) Either to be 
joined with oro, in this sense, "this only 
remains with me to beg you," etc. Or, (2,) 
which is better, it applies to tlie whole of 
the fleet. By this latter interpretation, Ave 
have a subject to dare and attingere, and the 
reply of Neptune in 813 becomes more ap- 
propriate. 

797. Tibi=per te, a-oi='^itx. az. 
Tluibrim Lauren tern — so called as flowing 

past the Avails of Laurentum. 

800. Ciitlierea. See TEn. i. 257. 

801. .Sctyp refers to the instance of Nep- 
tune's interference recorded in M\\. i. 125 
sqq., and probably to the other storms that 
visited ^^neas, in the calmhig of Avhich, 
hoAvever, the sea-god is not mentioned as 
taking an active part. 

112 



803. This, and the folloAving lines, refer 
to the battle of J3neas Avith Achilles, Horn. 
II. xix. 79 sqq., 168 sqq., from which arises 
that of the Scamander Avith Achilles him- 
self 

Xanthus is the same as Scamander. 

811. Perjurce Trojae — on account of the 
perfidy of Laomedon, Avho, after promises 
of liberal reAvards for building Troy, de- 
frauded the gods of theu' stipulated re- 
compense. 

813. Partus Averni, i.e., (^wmae, and there- 
fore Italy. 

Unus, i.e., Falinurm, inti'oduced at 833, 
below. 

816. Lceta pectora permulsit — "soothed 
her heart so as to render it joyful." Another 
instance of the prohptic use of the adj., on 
which see ^n. ii. 736. 

817. Auro, i.e., aureo jugo. 

820. Axis, for currus, is a very common 
synecdoche with the poets. 

822. Varies comitum fades, for comitesvaria 
facie et adspectu. Cete — "monsters of the 
deep," in attendance on Neptune and other 
marine deities. The Greek form of the word, 
TO x,7iro$, pUn-. 'ra. K'/im, is used by other 
writers also, as Silius and Pliny. Some 
other words likcAvise are found hi this form, 
e.g., mele, Lucr. ii. 412, 504, and at v. 36 of 
the same author, pelage. More frequently, 
hoAvever, Roman AATiters employ the masc. 
cetus. 

823. Glaucus Avas a Boeotian fisherman, 
born at Anthedon, but having eaten a cer- 
tain herb, he conceived an uncontrollable 
desire to precipitate himself into the sea, 
which craving being complied with, he was 
immediately transformed into a god. Meli- 
certa Avas the son of Athamas and Ino, and 
grandson of Cadmus; his mother, flyhig 
with liim from her enraged husband, flung 
herself into the deep, from which time both 
Avere reckoned sea deities, and worshipped 
by the Romans under the names Albunea 
and Portumnus (see above, 241), and by the 
Greeks, Leucothea and Palcemon; see Geo. 
i. 437. Senior is an epithet applied towards 
almost all the sea gods. 

824. Triton, see ^n. i. 144, and above, 
205. Also on Phorcus, 240, above. E.Ter- 
citus, like cohors in 241, seems to mean 
simply " a multitude." 

825. Tenet is the reading of most MSS.— 
the vulgar text has tenent. In phrases of 
this kind the plur. is used Avhen several 
subjects are so introduced as that they are 
supposed to perform jointly and simulta- 
neously that which is indicated by the verb 
of time; but the shig. is employed when 
several subjects are supposed to perform 
the same thing individually and in succes- 
sion, each in his own time arid place, and 
Avith liis own exertion. In what manner, 
hoAvever, the matter is viewed, and what 
number, sing, or plur., is used, depends on 
the judgment of the writer, Avliom (if he be 
a poet) the necessities of the metre or other 
reasons may influence in his decision: 
thus we must depend entirely on MS. 
authority. 



B. V. 827-842. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. V. 844-871. 



Thetis, dang'liter of Nercns and Doris, and 
mother of Achilles by Peleus. Melite, one 
of the Nereids. Panopea, see above, 240. 
The others are of Greek formation. Con- 
sult Class. Diet. 

827. Hie, "upon this," -(Eneas had been 
anxious and doubtful before, but now in 
turn, vicissim, joy succeeds. 

828. Pertentant. See M\\. i. 502. MaJos 
attoUi— the masts were lowered when near- 
ing hai-bour, but raised when the sea was 
smooth and the wind gentle and favourable. 
Brachia, i.e., the antennae, "yard arms." 

830. The Pedes were ropes by which the 
lower corners of the sail were drawn towards 
the stem and side bulwarks. When the 
wind was "right astern," both corners 
were drawn tight so as to afford a boso7n to 
catch the breeze, and the vessel was then 
said currere utroque pede ; but if it were a 
side or veering wind, only one of the ropes 
was tightened at a time. So, we have here 
the alternate tightening and slackening of 
each side described: "At one and the 
same time they let go the sheets on the 
left, now (again) on the right." The wood- 
cut on ^n. iiL 549 will illustrate this 
movement. 

832. Cornua. The Imob-like extremities 
of the yards were so called. For other 
significations of cornua consult Diet., and 
see iii. 549. 

Torquent, detorquent — " they turn now in 
this dh-ection, now in that," as necessity 
required. 

Siutflamina — "favouring blasts," a com- 
mon use of suus. 

834. Alii, i.e., ceteri. On Palinurus, son 
of lasius, and pilot of Eneas' fleet, see iEn. 
iii. 202. 

835. Mediam metam—as the Meta, or 
tm-ning post, was half of the course in the 
circus, so iVo.r is said to have finished half 
her course when she has reached the zenith. 

837. Sub remis — still abiding by the oars, 
but unemployed, as the favourable breeze 
rendered rowing unnecessary. 

Dura sedllia Le., the transtra — " the 
thwarts." 

838. Somnus, the son of Night, and the 
brother of Death. The disaster of Pali- 
nurus is introduced here, that the passage 
from Sicily to Italy may not be without in- 
cident; and, moreover, that the legend 
which traced the name of Gape Palinurus 
(Capo Palinuro) to the Trojan hero's death 
may not be omitted. The poet borrows 
ft-om Hom. Od. iii. 278 sqq., where Phrontis 
the pilot of Menelaus loses his life in a 
similar manner on the voyage. 

841. Insonti is placed with peculiar force 
as the last word of the sentence, and the 
first of a line — it equals et quidem insonti. 
See iv. 237. 

842. Phorbas — a son of Priam of this name 
is mentioned in n. xiv. 490. Loquelas, i.e., 
verba. The word is rarely used, but seems 



to suggest the idea either of a vain attempt 
at conversation, or of silly and trivial talk. 

844. yEquata; aurce, i.e., breezes blowing 
"right astern," neither on the one side nor 
on the other. 

847. Vix attollens lumina — " scarcely able 
to raise his eyes" through the influence of 
sleep (Heyne) ; or rather " scarce conde- 
scending to raise his eyes," but uninterrupt- 
edly directing the helm, without regarduig 
Phorbas. 

850. On the reading of this line there has 
been much disputation among commenta- 
tors, for which see Forb. TransL, "For 
why should I entrust ^neas to the faithless 
breezes, and that, too, {et) when I have been 
so often deceived by the treacherous appear- 
ance of a calm sky ? " 

853. Nusquam — you might expect nun- 
qiiam, but as that which takes place nowhere 
does not take place at all, nusquam is some- 
times used for nunquam, the idea of time 
being exchanged for that of place. 

Obseiwe the last syllable of amittebat 
lengthened bj' arsis. 

855. 8oporatum — this verb, which else- 
where is equal to consopire, "to luU to 
sleep," here means to endue with the power 
of luUhig to sleep, but in this sense the perf. 
part, alone is used. 

857. PiHmos=primum. But it is perhaps 
better to take it literally, "those limbs first 
lulled to sleep," referring to the gradual 
approach of Somnus. 

858. Et=quum; this is a poetic construction 
which our author borrows fi'om Homer. Cum 
puppis * * gubernaculo, Peerlk. and Gossr. 
thmk to be spurious, because, say they, if 
part of the ship, together vdth the tiller, had 
been caiTied away, Jineas and his com- 
panions would have heard, and ^neas 
would himself have taken the helm so soon 
as he discovered the loss of his steersman. 

861. Ales, i.e., ceu ales, "bird-like." 

862. On the construction currere iter, see 
note, ^n. i. 67. 

864. With this passage, cf. Hom. Od. xii. 
39 sqq., and 16G sq. Consult Class. Diet, on 
Sirenes. 

865. Quondam — " som.ctimes," or " on a 
former occasion," referring to that of Ulysses. 

866. Rauca is to be joined with sonabant. 
Assiduo sale, " by the constaTit lashing of the 
waves." The repetition of the letter s is 
supposed to be intentional, to suggest the 
peculiar noise of the sea-wave washing 
against the rocks. 

869. Animum — "ace. of limitation or re- 
ference" after concussus; see .^n. i. 228, 
and ii. 210. 

870. The omission of ait or inquit in this 
wailing exclamation of .Sneas, lends a dig- 
nity to the lines, and ronoves them from 
among the common-places. 

871. Nudus — "unburied." Dt ignota arena 
— one of the greatest misfortunes, according 
to ancient opinion, wliich could befall a man. 



B. VI. 1-5. 



NOTES O:^ THE ^>fEn>. 



E. VI. 6-10. 



BOOK SIXTH. 

AEGUME^fT. 

JEinEAS having landed at Cumoe, immediatelv seeks the cave of the Sibyl, and consults 
the oracle; from it he learns some particulars of his dangers and farther labours (1-155). 
He performs funeral rites to the body of Misenus ; and while engaged in the preparations 
for this ceremony, discovers the golden bough, which, as a ght to Proseqnna, would 
gain for him pennission to pass to the Elysiau shades, to meet and converse with his father 
Ancliises. Provided with it. and accompanied by the Sibyl, he reaches the entrance to 
the infernal regions (156-336). On the hither side of Styx he meets the shade of his 
quondam pilot, Palinurus, and after receiving from him a detailed account of the circum- 
stances attending his death, he promises to perform to him the due obsequies on his 
return to earth, and to erect a cenotaph (337-383). Crossing the Stys, he traverses the 
district occupied by the spirits of infants, and of those who had been unjustlj' put to 
death, and enters that where wander hi solitude ill-requited lovers — their own murderers. 
In this latter place he falls in with Dido, who, however, mdignantly declines a conversa- 
tion (384-476). In the region of slam warriors, Deiphobus, among others, presents 
himself, all mangled as he was (477-534). He passes Tartarus on the right, and is in- 
structed by the Sibyl in all the varietiis of punishment whicli were inflicted on the 
grossly wicked in the abode set apart for them (535-627). He next reaches the palace 
of Dis, and ha^■ing fixed the golden bough on the entrance, directs his course to the 
habitations of the blessed, and. under the guidance of Musteus, at length finds Anchises 
(628-678). Having fully discoursed on the nature of the soul, its puriticAtion, and the 
processes necessaiy to bring about final pertection, Anchises lays briefly before ^neas 
the history of the Roman Empire, which his posterity are to found (679-888). On the 
conclusion of the inter\iew, our hero and his guide ascend to earth agahi through 
the ivorj- gate, the Sibyl departing to her cave, and ^neas to his fleet, which he moors 
at Caieta. 



1. Some copies attach this and the next 
Ime to the end of the Fifth Book, but the 
words obvertunt peJago proras cannot be 
separated from the foregoing verses, except 
hy a ^-iolent and unnatural break Besides, 
sicfatur Jacrimans is, in itself, no improper 
commencement of a new book, and has, 
moreover, the sanction of Homer. Cf IL 
-vn. 1 ; Od. ix. 1. 

2. Eubokis Cumarum. Cumae — a famous 
city on the coast of Campania, about six 
miles north of Cape Misenum, founded 
jointly by the Chalcidians of Euboea, and 
the C\Tiieans of Aeolis. See Bunbui-y, in 
Smith's Diet, of Geog. Cf. iiL 131. Tandem, 
"at length," referring to the tediousuess 
of voyage. 

3. Obvertunt — "they turn the ships roimd, 
and direct their prows seaward, so as to be 
ready to start with greater ease and speed 
when departing on an outward voj-age. 
Dente tenaci — "-with tenacious fluke." 

4. Fundabat. i.e., /undo aUigntas tenebat 
— "moored." Pr-cetexunt — "fringe," as a 
garment is bordered. Curves piippes, i.e., 
tlie natiu-al bend of the stem, together ^vith 
the curve of the aplustre continuing up- 
wards. On these naval terms, consiilt 
Ramsay's or Adams' Antiquities. 

5. Emicat well expresses the life and 
energy displaved on the part of the vouths, 

114 



the word properly meaning to ' ' shine forth, " 
" spark forth," or "dart forth." 

6. Hesperium (tffT-fo;) means simply 
"western." Italy was sometimes called 
i Ilesperia Magna, and Spain Hesperia Ultima, 
by the Roman poets. 

8. Rapit — "scour the woods, the close 
coverts of the wild beasts, [in search of 
Avater and game.] and point otit the newly- 
fotmd streams." Inrenire—to find by acci- 
dent, ''to come upon." Reperire — "to dis- 
cover by search." 

9. In obedience to the order of Helenus, 
iiL 441 sqq., and of the shade of Anchises, 
V. 731, sqq., iEneas proceeds to the verv" 
ancient temple of Apollo on the mountain 
[hence arces, and altus Apollo], above 
Cumse, and to tlie cavern of the Sibyl at 
its base. 

10. On the Sibyls consult Smith's Diet, of 
Biog. and MythoL, andNiebuhr's Rom. Hist 
The most famous of these inspired women 
was she of Cumce. variously called Amal- 
thaea, Herophile, Demophile, and by VirgiL 
below, 36, Deiphobe, the daughter of 
Glaucus ; it was she, according to tradition, 
who brought the prophetic books to Tar- 
quinius Superbus, the fragments of which, 
after the books themselves had been con- 
sumed or lost in the burning of the capitol 
durmg the tj-ranny of SuUa, Augustus 



B. VI. 11-21. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VI. 24-48. 



caused to be collected and preserved in the 
temple of Apollo Palatinus. 

11. Aniinum — "the soul vdt\\ all its 
faculties." Mentem — "the thinking faculty." 
See Doderl. Lat. Sj-n. Apollo is called 
Delias from the island Lelos^ Ms reputed 
birth-place. 

13. Tn'vice, i.e., Hecate, to whom the 
whole district of Avernus was sacred. 

14. There seems to have been an ancient 
legend that Dcedalus was the builder of the 
temple of Apollo at Cum*. To him the 
Sicilians and Italians referred all their 
superior works of art, a proof that then* 
knowledge of sculpture and architecture 
came from Crete. On Dsedalus and Minos 
consult Class. Diet, and cf Hor. Od. i. 
3, 34. 

16. Ad, i.e., versiis Arctos — " towards the 
north." Heyne and Peerlk. thoughtlessly 
found a difficulty in ad, which they inter- 
preted literally, as "reaching to," "arriving 
at." 

18. Redditus — "restored to earth again 
at this spot," Le., because this was the spot 
on w"hich he first landed after his long wan- 
derings in air, he dedicated, etc. It was 
customaiy for naAigators to make an offering 
to some god on account of thek preservation, 
and sometimes in token that they aban- 
doned their former pursuits, they consecrated 
the implements of it to the deity, and sus- 
pended them in his temple. Remigiuin 
alai^um — "the oarage of liis wings," i.e., 
"his oaiy wings." So Milton says of the 
swan, that she "rows her state "vvith oary 
feet" 

20. There follows a description of the 
carved or sculptured work on the gate of 
the temple. And fii-st is represented tlie 
death of Androgeos (son of Minos and Pasi- 
phaij) at Athens, an event which led to war 
between Crete and Athens. Peace was 
soon agreed to, on condition that seven 
young men and seven maidens fi'om Athens 
should yearly be sent to Crete to be de- 
voured by the Minotaur. Read in connec- 
tion with this subject, the articles, Minos, 
Pasiphae, Androgeos, and Theseus in the 
Class. Diet. For Androgei some books read 
Androgeo, the Gk. gen. ' Avdpoyiu. This 
person is not to be confounded with the 
Grecian hero mentioned ii. 370. 

21. Cecropidre — the Athenians were so 
called from Cecrops, an Egyptian, who, 
according to the common but now reiected 
legend, at a very early date (1583 b.c), 
conducted a colony to Attica from Sais in 
Egypt. He is called the first king of Attica. 
Turn mdicates transition to the second part 
of the picture, the payment of the stipulated 
atonement by the Athenians. Athens and 
its public place will form the foreground; 
Crete appeared on the opposite side, raised 
in reUef, with the depression of the sea 
between it and Athens. Septeria — "by 
sevens," "seven of each kind." Staturiia — 
the urn is represented as standing ready, 
that from it the lots might be di-a\vn to de- 
cide who were to be selected as victims for 
the Minotaur. 



24. Ric introduces a third scene, the un- 
natural (crudelis) love of Pasiphae, the 
queen of Minos. Crudelis may refer to the 
story of Venus exciting it cruelly, merci- 
lessly, in Pasiphae, because she disclosed to 
Vulcan the unfaithfulness of his wife, the 
Goddess of Love. Supposta, contracted for 
supposita. 

25. Mixtum genus — so Ovid calls the 
Minotaur, discordem fetum. 

26. Veneris monumenta nefandcB — "the 
memorials of an accursed lust." Inest — " is 
i-epresented." Venus for amor, as Vulcanus 
for ignis, Mars io\- praelium, etc. etc. 

27. Hie, as a fourth scene, is depicted the 
Labyrinth, "that laboriously constructed 
retreat, and inextricable maze," made by 
Dffidalus for Pasiphae, that in it she might 
conceal the monster Minotaur. In Horn. 
II. xviii. 592 sqq., Daedalus is said to have 
arranged, for the gratification of Ariadne, a 
chorus or dance, whose evolutions imitated 
the windings of the Labyrinth. 

29. Here again Daedalus appears unra- 
velling the mysteries of the Labyrinth, by 
giving to Theseus a ball of thread by which 
he should direct his steps. Reginae=^regis 
filiae, viz., Ariadne. 

30. Cceca vestigia — "his blindly planted 
footsteps." Read in Class. Diet, the his- 
tories of Theseus and Ariadne. 

3L Icare. Consult Class. Diet. The fate 
of Icarus in his too daring flight is well 
known. Si is omitted before sineret. Who 
will not flunk of the hncs of Horace, Od. 
iv. 2, 1. 

Pindarum quisquis studet aemulari, 
lule, ceratis ope Daedalea 
Nititur pennis, vitreo daturus 
Nomina ponto. 

33. Quin protimts, ««' /«*'^v y.a.i, "and 
indeed they would have carefully exammed 
all the objects portrayed." Omnia is to be 
pronounced omnja by synizesis. 

36. Deiphobe Glauci — Glaucus was a pro- 
phetic sea deity (Geo. iii. 267), and therefore 
the Sibyl, Deiphobe, is not improperly called 
his daughter. Mr Holdsworth endeavours 
to make out that Deiphobe and the Sibyl 
were entirely different personages, but his 
reasonmg is not considered conclusive. 

37. Ista spectacula — "those sights that 
you are examining;" isfehavuig always re- 
ference to the 2d pers. 

39. Bidentes — see M\\. iv. 57. 

42. Euboicce rupis — the rocky hill of 
Cumae, which, as said before, was aEuboe- 
an colony. The temple of Apollo was on 
the summit of the hill, and the grotto 
(alta templa) of the Sibyl lower doAvn its 
side. There were many subterranean 
passages (aditus) by which they came to 
the doors (ostia — or ora, 53 — or /ores, 47), 
forming the entrances to the cave in the 
heart of the hollow mountain. Centum — a 
definite number put for an indefinite. 

45. Poscere, viz., in prayer. Dcus, ecce, 
deiis— she felt the influence of the god per- 
vading her frame. 

47. Umis, i.e., "the same as before." 

48. Jfon comptCE — the hair, though 

115' 



B. yi. 49- 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. YI. 80-99. 



trimmed, was allowed to flow free dming 
the time of the sacred rites ; but now, mider 
the inspiration of the deity, it becomes 
wildly disordered and tossed about. 

49. " Her bosom heaves, and her heart 
swells with the -wild frenzy of inspiration ; 
moreover, she appeared taller to the view, 
nor did her accents seem those of a mortal, 
seeing that she was inspned by the now 
more immediate mtluence of the god." 

52. Cessas — "do you delay." Aitonitce — 
the adj. is transfen-ed from the persons 
awe-struck to the inanimate object itself. 

58. JSacidce, i.e., Achilles — see ^n. i. 99. 

59. Buce te — see Mn. iii. 154 sqq. All 
circumstances are here magnified, so that 
the Massyli (on whom consult note, ^n. iv. 
132) and the 7'egio Surtica (iv. 41) are put for 
the places in immediate proximity to Car- 
thage. 

61. Preridimus — an emphatic word, "we 
hold in our grasp," as it were. 

62. " So far let Trojan fortune (i.e., adverse 
fortune) have followed us;" Le., by implica- 
tion, " but now let good fortune bless us in 
the i-est of our undertakings." 

64. Vos — diqiie dea'que — the deities more 
especially hinted at are Juno, Minerxa, and 
Neptune. 

66. The adj. prcescius is found with a gen. 
in Val. Flacc. Tacitus, and elsewhere. 

67. Vafes, da considere — the superstition 
of the ancients usually attributed to the pro- 
phet the power of oixlering according to 
his pleasure and bringing to accomplish- 
ment those things Avhich he himself foretold. 
Teucros is much more emphatic than nox, 
and the mention of the Penates increases 
still farther the solemnity of the appeal. 

69. Servins thinks that in this line Virgil 
had reference to the temple of Apollo, built 
on the Palatine by Augustus, so that ^neas 
fulfils liis vow by the instrumentality of his 
illustrious descendant. 

70. Festosdies — the Lzidi ApoUinares, insti- 
tuted in 212 B.C., and celebrated on the 5th 
July eacli year, under the direction of the 
Praetor iirbanus. Obsen-e the zeugma in 
instituam, "I shall build a temple, and oj:>- 
^omHiolydays." 

71. This and the following lines refer to 
the Sibylline books and their preservation, 
first in the capitol, and afterwards in the 
temple of Apollo on the Palatine, to which 
they were removed by the order of Augus- 
tus. The college of priests appointed to take 
I'.harge of them consisted originally of two, 
which number was increased hi b.c. 369 to 
ten (half being patricians and half plebeians 
after the year b.c. 367). Sidla farther in- 
creased the number to fifteen, whence they 
got the name Quindecemviri sacrorum. 

77. Patiens Phwhi — "no longer able to 
endure the inspiration of the god." The an- 
cients beUeved that the human body was 
unable to endure the diAine will and influ- 
ence, and that it became subject to spasms 
and convulsions while under the direction 
of the deity. Immanis is to be joined with 
baccTiatiir. 

79. Excussisse is an aorist=quam celer- 
rime excutere. The metaphor continued 

IIG 



throughout these two lines is taken from, 
the training of horses. 

80. Fingit premendo — "by curbing, 
moulds her to his wiU." 

81. Ostia. Hejme's explanation of this 
passage seems the correct one. "The 
Sibyl with ^neas, had ah-eady passed 
through the aditus (43), or subterranean 
passages leading to the shrine, and there- 
fore they are now in aniro (77), not having 
yet reached the limen und fores (45 and 47); 
the doors (ostia) of these, however, now 
spontaneously open, after the ofiering of 
the prayers, and while the prophetess en- 
ters into 'the holy of holies,' and thence 
utters the responses, ^neas remains with- 
out before the entrance." 

84. Terrae is found in the best editions 
instead of the vulgar reading, tei-ra, ie., in 
terra. PericuJa is to be understood before 
it, so that the meaning will be, "You have 
indeed exhausted the perils of the sea, but 
the more serious dangers of the land await 
you." Lavinium, by anticipation, as the 
town was not yet built. 

86. Sed, etc. "But they shall wish, too, 
that they had not come." The reason im- 
mediately follows : bella, etc. 

88. Dorica castra — see ^n. IL 27. Thy- 
brim— see ii. 781. 

89. Alius Achilles, viz., Turnus, son of the 
nymph Vendia, daughter of Daunus, a hero 
of Italy ; hence dea. She was a sea deity.. 
Latio=in Latium. 

90. Nee. "Nor will Juno, who perse- 
! cutes the Trojans with inveterate hatred, 

cease to harass you." Additus does not 
contain in itself any idea of hatred and hos- 
tility, but such a notion is easily suggested 
by it to the reader who knows of the wrath 
of Juno against the Trojans. 

91. The narrative beginning Tvith cum is 
suddenly broken off; the sentence conclud- 
ing with an exclamation. Such an inter- 
ruption of the syntax is called an anacolou- 
thon (freely translated a ^'blunder"), on 
which see note, ^n. i. 237. 

92. Quas gcniis Italum — see ^n. viii, 
126 sqq., Avhere /Eneas begs help from 
Evander and the Etruscans of Agj^lla, or 
Caere. 

93. Conjux, i.e., La\'inia, the daughter of 
Latinus, whom Tumus claimed in marriage, 
and who thus became the cause of war. 

] Ilospita, i.e., not a Trojan. Iterum is pro- 

I perly used, for, "like another Helen, she 

i tired another Troy." 

. 95. ^;/(/ew//o?'— some copies read a?/(/cfC2or, 

but the former is preferable, since it convej-s 

an idea of praise and commendation, while 

atidax signifies, "fool-hardy." 

96. Quam=quantum — "as much as," "as 
far as." Another reading is qua, which, 
however, has little MS. authority. 

97. Graia ab urbe, i.e., Pallanteum, on 
the Palatine ]\Iount, built by Evander and 
a colony of Greeks (Arcadians). JEneas 
received a contingent from it against Tur- 
nus and the Rutuli 

99. Ambages— ohscnre, entangled expres- 
sions, by wluch matters are not clearly 



B. VI. 100-131. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VI. 132-177. 



indicated, especially used in reference to 
the responses of oracles. 

100. Ea — "such," "so powerful." Wagn. 
refers ea to the foregoing words, obscuris 
vera invoivens, so that the meanuig is, 
"Apollo so restrains (puts such a restraint 
upon) the excited heart of the Sibyl that she 
cannot declare the plain truth," etc. 

101. Stimulos vertit — "and with continued 
stroke applies the spurs deep in her bosom." 
When the spiu' is once plunged in and 
fi.xed, we can stimulate only by moAing 
and turning it about; thus Apollo does not 
repeat the blow, but, by keeping alive the 
influence of his first instigation, maddens 
the priestess, rendering lier frenzied and 
incoherent. 

105. FrLecepi—''! have anticipated in 
thought," viz., from what Helenns had de- 
clared, iiL 458, and Anchises had warned 
Lim of, V. 730 sqq. 

106. Quando, for quandoquidem. 

107. Tenebrosa pahts Acheronte refuso— 
" the darksome lake made by the overflow- 
ings of Acheron ;" or it may be put for pal us 
Acherontis refusi — "the lake of Acheron 
boiling up and overflowing." In the neigh- 
bourhood of Cumse was the palus Acherusia 
(Lago di Fusaro)^ which Virgil mentions 
to note those places by which there was an 
approach to the infernal world — not, how- 
ever, by the lake, but by a cave in the 
"vicinity. Heyne. 

lis. Hecate. See above, 35. On Avernus 
consult note, .^n. iii. 386. 

119. Si potuit may be joined to miserere, 
or another member may be supplied, thus : 
"Why may not I also go to the shades?" 
Heyne. Jahn proposes to make £t mi 
genus ah Jove summo (123), the apodosis, 
thus: "If Orpheus was able, etc., (I also 
l\ave a right for) my descent, too, is from 
Jove supreme." On Orpheus and Eurydice, 
PoUux, Theseus, and Hercules, consult 
Class. Diet. 

122. li viam. On this construction see 
note, ^n. i. 67, and iii. 191. 

126. Anchisiada — the voc. formed on the 
Latm model. Many copies give Aiichisiade, 
the Greek form. 

Averno, for ad or in Avernum, Avernus, 
meaning in this place not the lake, but the 
regions of the dead. Several copies read 
Averni, which Wagner believes to have 
arisen ifrom some grammarians Avho did not 
know that substs. (as descensus from de- 
scendo) are frequently construed in the same 
way as the verbs from which they are 
formed. 

129. JEquus, i.e., propitius — " Jupiter in 
his Idndness." 

131. Tenent media * * atro. These words 
are found fault with by Wagner, as implying 
an absm'dity; the things, he says, which 
make egress difficult, render ingress equally 
irksome and laborious; nor is there any 
evident reason why one should find it 
impossible to return by the way through 
which he entered. In reply to this, Peerlk. 
says, "Imagine a subterranean labyrinth. 
The mouth is wide — there is at first no 
darluiess— the light of day follows the tra- 



veller for some distance down the tunneL 
The wayfarer, however, gets gradually 
benighted amidst windings of the path, 
woods, and meandering rivers, so that he 
finds it impossible to retrace his steps." The 
mention of silvae is suggested by the woods 
surromading Lake Avernus. 

132. Cocytus — one of the rivers of Hades. 
See Class. Diet. 

133. Cupido innare. On this construction, 
see note, ^n. ii. 350, and v. 638. Innare is 
usually followed by a dat., but here, and at 
viii. 651, Geo. ii. 451, etc., with an accus. 
See note, -^n. i. 67. 

135. Tnsanus, like our "mad," is used to 
express the enormous magnitude and foUy 
of a plan. 

137. Aureus, etc. "On a shady tree 
there hangs a bough, concealed from gaze, 
golden in its leaves and pliant stem." The 
reference is to the golden rod of Mercury, 
the soul-conductor. Heyne refers it to tlie 
lustrations made by boughs dipped in pm-e 
water, in the mysteries. See ycXccho^p'opog, 
in Smith's Diet, of Antiq. 

138. Junoni infernce, i. e., Proserpine. 
Sacer dictus, i.e., dedicatus, in which sense 
dico itself is often used. 

141. Auricomos fetus — "its golden-foliaged 
progeny," Le., the shoots, not the fruit. 

142. JIoc=--hoc ipsum. Suum=sibi pro- 
prium. 

145. Rite to be joined with carpe. 

149. Theunburied Manes wandered about 
Styx: but when the funeral rites were 
performed, they gained admission to the 
company of Shades. The purificatory of- 
ferings, the description of which follows 
(153), was not so much to purify the fleet, 
as to appease the Manes, whom lie is about 
to visit. 

150. Incestat — "defiles," "pollutes" Fa- 
mine means the dead body here. 

152. Sedibus, i.e., in the tomb. 

153. Sunto. Let these expiatory offer- 
ings be previously (prima =primwn) pre- 
sented. 

159. Figit vestigia is more than ponere 
vestigia, since the former signifies to walk 
slowly and steadily, as if engaged in reflec- 
tion. 

160. HejTie pronounces Virgil to have 
been "nodding" here, in that he forgets the 
recent death of Palinurus, when he represents 
^neas as in difiiculty to discover whose 
the corpse might be. 

164. ^oliden, son of the Trojan Aeolus, 
who was slain in battle, xii. 542. 

165. PrcBStantior ciere. On this construc- 
tion, see Kritz Sail. Cat. 52, 24, and Jug. 
46, 5. 

171. Forte — "as it happened." Demens, 
v'Wio? of Horn. 

172. It was a mythic way of denoting ex- 
cellence in an individual, that he who was 
distinguished for any accomplishment was 
said to challenge the' deities, and to provoke 
then- hostility. Thus Thamyris and the 
Sirens vied with the Muses, Marsyas with 
Apollo, and Arachne with Minerva. 

177. Aram sepulchri, called an ara be- 
117 



B. VI. 180-216. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. VI. 218-239. 



cause shaped like an altar. Ara, indeed, I 
was the base serving to place something 
upon, as here it is the rogus on which the 
body is to be burned. See woodcut iv. 495. 

180. Fleets — which trees, on accovmt of 
their resinous nature, would be especially 
useful for the pyre. 

182. Montibus, i.e., de montibus. Wagn. 
excuses the omission of the Praepos., al- 
leging that advolvunt montibus ornos is equal 
to advolvunt ornos montibus devolventes. 

184. Accingitur, i.e., se accingit. Armis, 
i.e., securibm. 

186. Forte is the reading adopted by 
Wagn. instead of voce^ the common lection, 
on the ground that voce precatur always 
Indicates a loud and distinct utterance, 
which is unsuitable to the present case. 

187. Si, i.e., Si, vtinam. Arbore=in 
aliqua arborum,. Wagn. thinks Virgil 
would have written in arbore had nemore 
in tanto not followed. 

19-3. Maternas ares. Doves were sacred 
to Venus, whence Ovid, Met. xv. 386, calls 
them Cvthcreiades. 

197. Vestigia pressit — checked his steps. 
This expression is not to be confounded 
with premere vestigia alicujus, which means 
to tread in the same footsteps, Avhich one 
going before has made in the ground. 

198. Quae signa — " What kind of an 
augurj^" Servius. "In what direction 
they (the pigeons) go, and what cour>e 
they indicate to ^ncas to pursue." Pcerlk. 

199. " They, stopping at intervals to feed, 
flew only so far in advance as that the 
eyes of those following could keep them in 
view." 

200. Fossent— the subj. is used to signify 
the design of tlie doves in acting as just 
stated (or of Venus who sent them). 

202. Tollunt se ce/eres— they fly aloft to 
avoid the noisome exhalations of the me- 
phitic Avernus. 

203. Optatis — "wished for" by ^neas. 
Gemina is read by Wagn., Jahn, Forb., 
etc., instead of the vulgar gemiiue. The 
epithet is applied to the tree, on account 
of the two difl'erent characteristics which it 
presented in the golden bough, and in its own 
natural green branch. Heyne thinks that 
the stem consisted of two parts at the base, 
but that these united towards the top. 

204. "Wlicnce the gleam of the gold dif- 
fering from that of the tree showed clearly 
through the branches." 

20.5. Quale, etc. Just as in the woods, the 
misletoe, which its own tree does not pro- 
duce [by its own seed], is wont to bloom with 
new foliage, amidst tlie winter cold, and to 
enrich the tapering trunks with its yellow 
shoots. Anthon. The seeds of the misletoe 
are deposited in trees by birds. The leaves 
are green in winter, but its stalks and 
shoots are of a yellow or saffron hue. 

Brumali from bruina, quasi brevima, ie., 
brevissima (scil. dies), the shortest day. 

215. Ingentem — cf 178, above, cce/o edu- 
cere certant arain sepulcri. The height 
of the pyre hidicated, in some degree, the 
rank of the indi\'idiial deceased. 

216. Feralis, from fero, applies to every- 
118 



thing connected witli funerals. The smell 
of the cypress, while burning, kept down 
the disagreeable odour of the dead body 
under the action of the flames. 

218. Undantia suggests the idea of the 
water bubbling as it boils. Expediunt, 
" get ready. " In connexion with this pass- 
age read "Funeral Rites in Roman Anti- 
quities," Ramsay or Adams. We have, in 
the text, a brief summaiy of the principal 
ceremonies on such occasions. 

221. Nota velamina — either garments 
which, when alive,he had used — "his wonted 
attire;" or " those customary coverlets, "i.e., 
used in funerals. It is likely that the poet 
in this mention oi purpureas vestes followed 
Homer, Od. xxiv. 59. 

222. Subiere feretro. When this verb sig- 
nifies " to approach a place," it governs the 
dat, but in sucli a sense as that here, usually 
an ace. The woodcut represents an ancient 
bier. 




223. Triste ministerium is in apposition to 
subiei-e feretro. More parentum — " after the 
fashion of their ancestors." Congesta — "col- 
lected," for each hidividual of tho people 
brouglit his gift. 

225. Dapes—'' flesh of the victims" slain 
in sacrifice. 

Crateres. Servius asserts that when per- 
forming sacred rites to the infei'nal gods, the 
ancients were in the habit of throwing the 
vessels themselves, as well as the libations 
tliey contained, into the fire. 

226. Tliis line is closely translated from 
Hom. 11. ix. 212. 

227. Bibulus is used of anything which 
readily sucks in moisture. 

228. Corijnceus is mentioned agahi ix. 571. 
After the funeral there foUows the solemn 
lustration. 

229. CircumtuUt socios unda is an unusual 
expression for aquam circum socios tulit. 
Wagn. Compare x. 243, ambiit oras auro. 

230. The olive is called /efe, from its fniit- 
fulness, and from its use in sacred rites, 
while the oleaster is called in/eEr. 

231. Novissima verba — see JEn. iv. 650, 
and cf ii. 644. 

233. Imponit, as applied to sepulchrum, 
arma, etc., is an instance oi zeugma. "He 
raised over liim a tomb of extraordinary 
size, and on it lays,'' etc. 

234. The promontory Misenum (Punta di 
Miseno) in Campania formed the northern 
pier of the modern Bay of Naples. The part 
of the bay near this headland was converted 
by Augustus into a harbour, and became the 
naval station of tlie Roman fleet on the Mare 
Inferum, as Ravenna was on the Alare Sn- 
pe.rum. 

238. ^Mto—" guarded," "difficult of ac- 
cess." 

239. Quam supe?; etc. See note, 2Eu. iiL 



B. Vr. 242-279. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. VI. 280-287. 



386 and 442. Volantes is to be taken sub- 
stantively. 

242. This line is omitted altogether by 
some editors, and marked with asterisks, 
as doubtful, by others. It is not found in 
the best MSS. External and intenial 
evidence are both against it. 

243. Nigrantes terga. On this ace of 
reference or limitation, see note, ^n. L 
'22S and ii. 210. Invergit=infundU. 

245. Victims vs^ere consecrated to the 
5iods by a libation of mne being poured on 
the forehead, and by some piles of hair 
being taken from the same place, and 
burned, as a kind of oi7ra:,p^a.i. 

247. Poteniein Coelo et Ereho. Hecate 
had power in Coelo, as being Luna there. 
See ill 680, and iv. 511. 

250. Matri Euinenid, L&, Nox, her great 
sister being Terra. 

252. Sfygio regi, i.e., Pluto. Solida vis- 
cera— '■'the entire carcase." On viscera, 
see ^n. i. 211. 

255. Primi solis, Le., orientis — morning. 
The time occupied with these rites, is from 
midnight till morning. 

257. Juga silvarum — "the summits of 
the wooded heights." Ca?zes— the Stygian 
dogs. Ululare is an onomatopoeic verb, and 
has almost the same stem in Greek, Latin, 
English, etc. Vis<B ululare — "seemed to 
howl," for he did not see them. Dea, i.e., 
Hecate. 

258. Hepie finds a difficulty in the plur. 
profani, because ^^neas had no companions 
on the journey, but the plain answer to 
this great commentator is, that the poet is 
using a coramon formula, which, in Greek, 

is, £?««?, l;fKr, 'iffTl fii(i'/]Xsi. 

264 The unexpected introduction of a 
prayer to the infernal deities is happily 
made, and helps to excite the mind, and to 
imbue it with a sacred awe. 

265. Chaos and Plilegethon. See Class. 
Diet Chaos was father of Nox and Ere- 
bus. 

266. Numim vestro — "with your sanc- 
tion." 

268. Ohscuri — the epithet properly applied 
to the shade, or night, is transferred to the 
individuals enveloped In darkness. 

269. Vacuus — "desolate." Inania — 
"peopled with shades." 

273. As the ancients adorned their halls 
and courts v/ith statues and images, so 
Virgil decks the entrance to Orcus with 
various impersonations, which represent 
the things that are destructive to man, and 
hasten on his death. 

274. Curce, "the gnawings of conscience," 
well called ultrices. Quos diri conscia facti 
Mens habet attonitos et surdo vej'bere caedit. 
Juvenal xiiL 193. 

276. Malesuada, "that prompts to crime," 
murder, plunder, etc. 

278. Sopor consanguineus Leti — vTvoi 
Ttccffiyv'^ros 6a.va.roto, Hom. II. xiv. 231. 
So Hesiod, Theog. makes Nox the mother of 
Somnus and Mors. 

279. Mala mentis gaudia — "the joy of a 



mind which prides itself in guilt." Seneca 
believed that this referred to the doctrine of 
the Stoics, which forbade indulgences in 
exultation of mind, or the reverse. On tlie 
Stoic Philos., see " Greek and Roman Philo- 
sophy" (in Encyclop. Metropol.), p. 249 
sqq. 

Averso (adverso) in limine— in the door- 
way to Orcus, opposite to the vestibulum 
already described. In limine, therefore, cor- 
responds to primis infaucibus Orci, 273. 

280. Ferrei, a dissyL by synizesis. Tha- 
lami has reference to the cells (as they were 
called) of the slaves who acted as janitors 
in Roman houses. War, Discotid, and 
FuEiES well represent the instigators to 
blood and death, the replenishers of Orcus, 
In 570, however, Tisiphone, with her sisters, 
Altcto and Megaera, is ^placed in the ap- 
proach to Tartarus. These three ladies 
(the Fm-ies) are also assigned a thkd loca- 
lity in xiL 849, where they are said to be 
found in limine regis Jovis. These contra- 
dictions it is difficult to reconcile, except on 
the supposition that the poet follows differ- 
ent myths in different parts of his work. 
The Furies are Eumenides {ivf/'Bvi7s) by a 
euphemism, as the mischief-delightin g/ame* 
are called by the superstitious, " The good 
people." 

281. Crinem innexa. On the syntax see 
.^n. L 228, and iL 210, note. The Furies, 
too, are represented with then: locks inter- 
twined with snakes. 

282. This strange imagination is probably 
taken from Hom. IL xiv. 286 sqq., which 
see. Cf also Horn. Od. xxiv. 12. Servius 
distmguishes between two kinds of dreams 
—the true, which the gods send do-vvn fi-om 
heaven, and the false, which come up fi-om 
the lower regions. 

Jn medio, scil. vestibulo. 

285. The "hideous shapes," now men- 
tioned, are derived from the Greek and 
Etruscan religion. The funeral m-ns and 
vases, dug up in modem times, show this. 
See Aiistoph. Ranae, 143, 280 sqq., 475 
sq. 

286. The Centaurs, said to be sons of 
Ixion and Nepltele, were really a people of 
Thessaly, who, haAing been the first to 
train wild horses and ride upon them, 
appeared to persons looking on them ap- 
proaching from a distance to be horses in 
the lower part of the body and men above. 

Scyllce — marine monsters of a fish form 
in the lower extremities and a human in 
the upper. See Eel. vi. 74. 

287. Centumgeminus — "hundred-headed," 
or "hundred-handed." See Hom. II. i. 402, 
ix-aroy^iipo?. The word geminus, when 
combined with a numeral, loses its proper 
signification, and merely indicates Junction 
of a number of things in one body. So 
Tergemini honores in Hor. Od. i. 1, 8, means 
simply "triple." Briareus ox yEgaeon, the 
son of Calm and Terra was a monster with 
50 heads and 100 hands, whom Jupiter 
employed to guard the Titans in OrcuS. 
It is mmecessary to remark that these mon- 
sters, kept imprisoned under ground, are the 

119 



B. VI. 288-300. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VI. 301-321. 



types of the violent powers of natui'e, earth- 
quakes, volcanoes, etc. 

Bellua Le7-nae. The hydra of Lake Lenia, 
in Argolis, slain by Hercules. 

288. Stridens is to be joined with bellua, 
since Chimcera has its own epithet. 

Chimcera — oifspring of Typhon and 
Echidna — a fire-breathing monster, whose 
fore part was that of a lion, the hinder part 
that of a dragon, and the middle that of a 
goat. It was killed by Bellerophon, after it 
had ravaged the fertile Lycia and snr- 
roimding countries. The origin of the fable 
may be found in the volcano called Chimcera, 
near PhaseUs, in Lycia. 

289. The Gorgons, daughters of Phorcys 
and Ceto, were Stheno, Eur yak, and Me- 
dusa; the last, the only mortal one, was 
kiUed by Perseus. See Class. Diet. 

On the Harpies, see ^n. iii. 211. Some 
of the larger species of bats seem to have 
suggested the attributes of these deities. 

Forma tricorporis vmbrcs, i.e., Geryon, 
son of Chrysaor and Callirrhoe, king of the 
island Erythia, variously placed in the Sinus 
Gaditanus, or on the W. or E. coast of Spain. 
On account of his great strength, the 
ancients ascribed to him three bodies, six 
hands, and six feet. Some say he was 
called the "three-bodied," from the cir- 
cumstance that he was king of the Bal- 
earic Isles and Ebusa. He was famed 
for the excellence of his oxen, which Her- 
cules earned oif after having slain their 
master. 

292. Sine corpore — without substantia- 
lity — mere shado-\\'y outlines {u'hcoXa.') of 
bodily form {cava sub imagine formae). 

294. Instead of the two verbs of this line 
being in the pres. sub., we should hiive ex- 
pected to find them in the imperf. But the 
poet seems to have chosen the pi-esent, to 
bring the incident more vividly before the 
eyes of his readers. See note, JEn. i. 58, and 
consult Madvig, Lat. Gr. § 347. 

295. Hinc, scil. incipit. From the outermost 
threshold of Orcus begins the road which 
leads, etc. In the naming and arranguig of 
the infernal rivers, there is great diversity 
among ancient writers. Virgil makes the 
first Acheron, flowing into the Cocytus:—i\\Q. 
tliii-d is Styx, the most remote. Fhlegethon 
occurs 551, below. All these three surround 
Orcus, and even Elysium, so that tliose who 
would visit these regions must pass them. 

298. Portitor, i.e., Charon. The Homeric 
age did not know Charon, but the myth 
concerning him in later tunes was derived 
from the Egyptians, who, upon the death of 
an indi\idual, performed certain ceremonies, 
which, in the feny-boat, lake, judges, etc., 
were identical with those usually attributed 
to the infenial regions. 

299. TerribiU squalore, i.e., hahitu inculto 
et sordido. Forb. So Tibullus calls him 
twpem navitam Stygiae aquae ; Juvenal, 
tetrum Porthmea. The epithets trux and 
torvus are also applied to him by other 
poets. 

300. Stantlumina flamma—'''' His eyes are 
120 



fixed and glaring," for, says Wagn., '■^ Stare 
is often equal to rigere, horrere." 

301. Nodo — "a knot," or " a clasp"j'?6M?a, 
but this latter would be hiconsistent with 
the rest of the appearance of the ferryman, 
or rather tollman, portitor being derived 
from portorium, and not from portare. 

302. Velis ministixtt —Q\i\i&x "performs 
the necessary service to the sails," ministrat 
being equal to ministerium praestat, ovra- 
tem may be again supplied as the ace. after 
ministrat. 

304. Senior — the Romans called those per- 
sons seniors who had passed 45, but had 
not reached 60 years of age. Cruda — " un- 
tanned" literally, i.e., "hale," "fresh." 
Viridis, i.e., vegeta, '■'■ green old age." The 
Greeks said ^f^ov yyjpa,;- 

305. Hue — ad ripas. The practice of add- 
ing to adverbs of place a substantive clause 
in apposition for more distinct explanation 
is entirely Virgilian. Cf. Eel. i. 54. 

306-308. These verses are quoted from 
Geo. iv. 475 sqq., where see notes. On mag- 
nanimum, see note v. 174. 

309 sqq. These two comparisons are 
borrowed from Homer, the one from Od. ix. 
51, 52, and other places, the second fi'om II. 
iii. 3 sqq. 

310. Lapsa cadunt—"\osmg their hold, 
fall," for labi denotes the first giving way, 
and cadere the final coming to rest. There 
is therefore no pleonasm in the use of the 
words. Ad iey'ram — "landwards." Trans- 
late from 305 thus : " Hither, to the banks, 
the whole crowd (of ghosts) was rushing in 
eager swarms (matrons and men, and high- 
spirited heroes who had finished their career, 
boys and unwedded maidens, and young 
men laid on the funeral pile during the life- 
time of their parents) in numbei's countless 
as the leaves, which, dropping, fiiU in the 
forests on the first chill of autumn ; or many 
as the birds which, from the deep abyss, flock 
to land when the wintry season drives them 
to migi-ate over sea and settle in sunny re- 
gions." 

311, Frigidus annus— ''the cold season of 
theyear,i.e., winter." So "■pomifer annus," 
" the apple-bearing part of the year," i.e., 
autumn. Burm. reads amnis instead of an- 
nus, and would refer it to the Strymon, on 
whose banlis immense flocks of cranes as- 
sembled previous to their departure for 
Italy. 

313. Orantes transmittere, i.e., 7/t sibi liceat 
transmittere. The infin. after verbs of desir- 
ing, longing, asking, etc., usually refers to 
him who is asked to do something, but here, 
and in Eel. ii. 43, it refers to him who begs 
to be allowed to do something. Examples 
of this construction are very rare. 

314. Amore, i.e., desiderio — "longing." 
Having this place in view, Quinct. calls 
life after death, statio ultei'ioris ripae. 

316. Arcet submotos, Le., by a kind of 
hvsteron proteron. "removes and keeps 
oif." Cf ^n. ii. 353. 

320. Linquunt ripas, viz., after being re- 
fused admittance to the boat. 

321. 0??i— antique form : see .^n. i 254. 



B. VI. 322-35 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VI. 359-398. 



Longceva — the ston- is, that Apollo, being 
enamoured of the Sibyl, granted her to live 
as many years, as the grains of sand num- 
bered which she coidd take up in her hand 
at one grasp. 

322. Certissima — "most imdoubted," if 
■we may be allowed such a superlative. The 
liberty of \-isiting the infernal regions was, 
we saw in 130, a proof of divine origin. 

Deum—a plm-. for sing., as in Mn. I 4, 
w^here see note. Venus is meant. 

324. Jurare et faUere. Critics detect a 
hendiadys (see iii. 14S) in this place, which 
they say is for pejerare, but such an ex- 
planation is not only unnecessary^, but, in om- 
opinion, it weakens the force of the expres- 
sion. 

325 Inops — "helpless." No one vdll per- 
form fimeral rites to them on earth. 

327. Datut\ scU. CharontL 

330. Admissi revisunt — they are admitted 
to the boat on their return, and thus reach 
the wished-for shore. 

334. Leucaspiyn — this is the favomite form 
of the ace. of such words vrith Vh-gil ; he 
uses in (Daphniu) in only one passage, Eel. 
V. 52, and there he is compelled by the ne- 
cessity of the metre. 

Orontes — he "svhose death was recorded in 
JEvL. i. 113, where, hoAvever, Leucaspis is 
not mentioned. 

337. Peerlk. considers the whole passage 
to 383 spmious, being, in his estimation, not 
worthy of Virgil ; but his arguments are by 
no means sufficient to lead us to doubt their 
gemiineness. On Palinunis, see end of Bk. 
V. The description is imitated from the simi- 
lar chai-acter, Elpenor, in Horn. Od. xL 51 
sqq. 

338. Lihyco cv.rsu — in the voyage from 
Africa, in that part of it, however, which 
was performed after leading Sicily. Cursu 
is equal to in cursu, and does not depend on 
effusus. 

345. Fines — on the syntax of this ace, see 
note, Mn. i. 2, 307. 

346. En, m questions expressive of u'ony 
or indignation, wliich approach rather to the 
character of exclamations, denotes strong 
feeling of mind, as longing and sorrow, 
wrath, etc. See Hand, Tm-sell. vol. iL p. 
371. Fides is constantly used by the poets 

'for the issue or fulfilment of a prophecy. 

347. On coriina see note, ^u. iii 92. 
and Illustration there. 

348. Beus — "any deity" (not Apollo), in 
reply to the question quis deorwn in 341. 

350. Cui liaereham et regeham — for et quo 
regeham. For examples of similar omissions 
of the relative, see Eel. ^iii. 3, 4; Geo. iii. 
282; iv. 8, 10. 

352. Pro me, instead of the more common 
de me, v'Trlp ifx-ov. Me, the accus. before 
cepisse is omitted, since it is evident what 
the subject must be. 

353. Armii — "the tiller," nowhere else 
used of it alone. Excussa magistro, for uni- 
formity mth spoliata armis, instead of ma- 
gistro excusso. 

357. Sublimis ab unda — Le., as he sat on 
the guiernaculum which had been torn oflf. 



359. CumveMe — either "together with my 
garments, which were soaked as well as 
myself," or the cum is redundant, as it often 
is in the poets. 

361. Ignara — not knowing what chance 
had cast me into the sea, but supposing that 
I had been wrecked, and that I had conse- 
quently endeavoured to save as much of my 
riches as possible. 

362. Me,\.Q., corpus meum. So Homer says, 
cilrov; Ti iXupio. Tivx'^, etc. Versantr— 
the winds now diive the body in to shore, 
and now out to sea. Cf Eurip. Hec. 28. 

365. His malis—i.e., that my coi-pse is 
unburied. Terram injice — not the simple 
ceremony of a handful of dust (see Hor. Od. 
L 28, 3), but regTilar funeral rites. 

366. Velinos — by anticipation, as Velia was 
not founded for a long time afterwards. 
Veha was a city of Lucania (called by the 
Greeks Elea. i.e., FiXia), between Paestnm 
and Cape Palinunis, celebrated afterw^ards 
through the Eleatic philosopher Zeno and 
his followers. It was built m the time of 
Cyrus by the Phocaeans, whom that prince 
had expelled from their territories. For 
examples of similar prolepsis, see viil 361. 

373. Dira — " mad, and imable to be gra- 
tified.'' The adj. is used in reference to aU 
things which are severe, or dreadful beyond 
measm-e. 

377. Cape m£mor — ^Le., " listen to, and re- 
member." 

378. A story similar to that here told was 
related in ancient times, that the Lucanians, 
suffeiing under a plague and pestilence, con- 
sulted the oracle, and were answered that 
they must make atonement to the ]\Ianes of 
Palinurus for the mjury inflicted on him. 

381. Palinurus— the Cape is now called 
Punta di Palinuro. 

382. Parumper — "for a short time." 
Emotce — cf Hor. Od. iv. 15, 11, emovitque 
culpias. 

384. Ergo — "therefore," "accordingly." 
The poets use this word to express an event 
which flows fi-om the antecedent circum- 
stances. Hand, TurseU. 

385. Chai'on is alarmed at the appearance 
of the hea^y load which seems to await him, 
and takes care to let it be knowni at once 
that it is ghosts and not men that he ferries 
over. Ab unda, Le., from the middle of the 
stream. 

389. Jamistinc — "there now, s^ea^-from 
where you ai-e." 

391. Nefas, sciL nu. Sopors — " sleepfuL" 
Corpora viva — " the bodies of li\ing men." 

392. Alciden, i.e., Hercules. It was stated 
by Oii^heus that on the ^isit of Hercules, 
Charon, being terrified by his appearance, 
at once received him : but the good-natm-ed 
ferrjTnau was punished for his slackness by 
one year's imprisonment. 

393. Tkesea, etc., see below, 617. 

394. Dis geniti—TheseviS from Neptune, 
and Pirithous from Jove. 

395. Tartareum custodem, i.&, Cerberus. 

397. Ditis is governed in the gen. by tha- 
lamo, and not by dominam. 

398. Amphrysia — from the river Am- 

121 



B. VI. 399-417. 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. VI. 419-440. 



phrysus in Thessaly, near which Apollo fed 
the oxen of king Admetus. 

399. Absiste moveri, i.e., cease to be alarmed 
• — drive away anger and fear. 

400. Licet, i.e.,p-r nos, per JSneam. " For 
aught that we intend, the dread janitor, 
barking in his cave through all coming time, 
may continue to terrify the sapless ghosts — 
for aught that we intend, Proserpina may 
still abide in chastity in her uncles home." 
Patruus, an uncle by the father's side, for 
Proserpina was daughter of Ceres and 
•Jupiter, and therefore niece to Pluto. Ser- 
vare limen — to remain at home, and not go 
abroad : to be a " good keeper at home" was 
a special recommendation to a Greek Avoman. 

407. Ex ira — "after her passion." So 
Xen. Cyr. i. 4, 28, yiXeiv \k tuv i^-TTpoffSiv 
dxzpvuv. Residunt is a verb used of the 
subsidence of a tempest-lashed sea, and is 
thence transferred to the storms of the 
mind. 

408. Kec plura his, scil. Sibylla addit. 

409. Fatalis virgce— of the bough which 
none could pluck but those to whom it was 
allowed by fate. 

Longo post tempore, i.e., since the times of 
Hercules and Theseus. 

410. CcEvuleam — the boat was before called 
ferruginea, 303. 

411. Alias animas. This at first sight 
seems as good as the penny-a-hner"s "Pro- 
vidence and another woman.'" But the 
idiom is not uncommon in Latin and Greek, 
that, by akind of attraction, the adj. assumes 
the gender of the word to which it is in ap- 
position, instead of being put in that gender 
to which it more properly belongs. Thus 
the sense is, " That he may be alile to re- 
ceive .(Eneas, he thrusts aside the other 
passengers, who were ghosts." So Livy, iv. 
41, says, eo missa plaustra jwmentaque 
ALIA ; and in v. 39 of the same author, circa 
moenia aliasque portas. 

412. Laxat foros — " clears the hatches," 
i.e., unloads the boat. yEneas is called 
ingens in next line more in reference to the 
tiny boat than to his bodily size as compared 
with other men of the heroic age. Alreu — 
"the hold," the hoUowed-out part. It is 
scanned as two syllables by synizesis. (See 
Mn. i. 2). 

414. /Swit/Zw— patched up either of leather 
or reeds, or other such material. Paludem, 
Le., aquam paludis, a?, fans is put for aqua 
fontis. On the epithet rimosa compare Lu- 
cian, Dial. Mort 22, to Ti a-y.a,(pi^'ov Kxt 
ii-^offaSp'o)! ia-'Ti not 'hiappii to. -TToXXoi- 

415. Incolumis, i.e., incolumes. Jahn pro- 
poses to make it the nom., applying to the 
boat, on account of the smallness and frailty 
of which such an adj. might not be unneces- 
sary. 

416. In — joined only to the latter of two 
governed nouns. See note v. 512. 

417. According to the ancient custom, a 
dog is placed at the entrance. Sydenham 
Palace wiU have rendered cave canem fami- 
liar to all. 

yr//awci— an'adj. found only in this place ; 



it is formed on the analogy of trifax, trilix, 
triceps, etc. 

Personal is followed here and at 1 71, above, 
by an accus. of the place which the sound 
peneti-ates. 

419. Cerberus rises against ^neas to 
prevent his advance, but the medicated 
cake lulls him to sleep. This idea Vkgil 
borrows from the Argonautic poets, who 
relate that the dragon which guarded the 
golden fleece was thus overcome. The 
neck of Cerberus bristled with snakes, in- 
stead of hair. 

420. Offam — a cake, having in its com- 
position honey, poppies, and other seeds 
and juices, whose etfect would be to stupify 
and put to sleep. Observe fame (e long). 

422. ObjicH — objectam. The poets, es- 
pecially Ovid, to impart more vividness to 
their narrative, often repeat the perf. part, 
pass, of the verb of the preceding clause, 
instead of the simple demonstr. prou. See 
Ovid Fast. iii. 21; Met. ix. 195. 

424. Sepulto, scil. somno. IrremeahiUs 
is used as a general epithet of the Styx, "a 
bourne from Avhich no traveller returns," 
and does not refer to the circumstance of 
JEneas not returning by the same way as 
that by which he descended. 

426. Up to .540, we have a description of 
the first part of tlie lower regions, and in it 
we meet on the frontiers with those who 
have prematurely died. In limine prime, 
may mean "on the veiy threshold," i.e., 
the margin of the district; or, taking away 
the comma after prima, and connecting the 
words with qnos, etc., following, it maybe 
interpreted, "Whom in the veiy opening 
of life," etc. 

431. Reference is made in these lines to 
the judicial proceedings of the Romans in 
capital cases. See '■'praetor'' and '■'■quaestm\''' 
in the Diet, of Antiq. 

432. Minos, son of Jupiter and Europa, 
and brother of Rhadamanthus and Sarpe- 
don. He was so celebrated for his just rule 
over Crete, and for the excellence of his 
laws, that he was constituted judge in the 
nether world. Cf Horn. Od. xi. 568. 

Si/entum. Cf above, 264. 

433. Conciliwn — an assemblage of those 
who were to be examined and judged; not 
a council to deliberate. 

435. Insontes — guilty of no crime, but 
only tired of life, which they flung away as 
worthless (projecere). Instead of peperere 
some read reperere, but this latter perf. has 
the first syll. long. 

436. Quam vellent, etc. Compare with 
this the remarkable declaration of AchiUes, 
in Od. xi. 489 sqq. 

438. Fas, usually applied to divine and 
natural law, is here used of the jura in- 
ferorum. 

Inamabilis — "unimdting," by the figure 
'■'Litotes, or Meiosis" for "detested," 
" abominable." 

440. The plains are represented as exten- 
sive, not on account of the multitude of oc- 
cupants which they are intended to receive, 
but in order that the ill-starred lovers may 



B. VI. 442-456. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. Yl. 459-481. 



have in them that solitude which they de- 
sire. 

442. Quos. Some books read quas, on 
the ground that -women only are mentioned 
in the sequeL But doubtless Virgil mtend- 
ed to represent men too as occupjing these 
plains, and indeed Sychaeus is introduced in 
474, below. 

443. Secreti — as solitude was desirable. 
Myrtea — the myrtle was sacred to Veuus. 

445. Ph^dra, daughter of Minos and 
Pasiphae, and wife of Theseus; she slew 
herself for love of her step-son Hippolytus. 

Procris, daughter of Erechtheus, king of 
Athens, married to Cephalus, king of Phocis, 
by whom she was unwittingly slain m the 
chase, when, moved by jealousy, she had 
hid herself to obseiwe her husband's ac- 
tions ; cf. 0^•id Met. -vii. 672. 

EriphyU, daughter of Talaus, and sister of 
Adrastus, who, being bribed by the gift of 
a golden necklace from Polynices, persuaded 
her husband, Amphiai-aiis, to go to the 
Theban war, where, being a prophet, he 
knew he was to perish. She was slain by 
her son Alcmason for her treachery. 

447. Evadne, the Mife of the Argive Capa- 
neus, who, when her husband had been 
slain in the Trojan war, threw herself on 
his funeral pile and perished. 

Pasiphae, see above, 24. 

Laodamia, daughter of Acastus, and vrife 
of the celebrated Protesilaus, who was the 
first to faU by a Trojan spear (Hector's) on 
the landing of the Grecian fleet. She begged 
of the gods an inteniew with the spii-it of 
her departed husband, and expired in his 
embrace ; cf. Lucian. Dial. Mort. xxiii. 

448. Caeneus — at first a woman (daughter 
of Elatus, one of the Lapithae). under the 
name Caenis, but aftenvards, by the per- 
mission ofXeptune, a man, with the changed 
name Caeneus, and with the priNilege of 
being in\'ulnerable. In the battle of the 
Centaurs with the Lapitliae, Caeneus, un- 
able to be othenvise overcome, was suttb- 
cated by trees heaped upon him, and turned 
mto a bird by Neptune, but compelled to 
assume the original female form after de- 
scending to Hades. 

451, This episode of the meeting with 
Dido, in itself most touching and beautiful, 
is suggested by Horn. OcL xi. 542 sqq. 
Quam — it is better to remove the comma 
after heros, so that quam is governed by 
the prep, juxia, though in a different line 
from it This position lends confirmation 
to the first suggestion we have hazarded on 
Une 684, Bk. ''iii. We thus avoid the dis- 
agreeable necessity of accusing Virgil of an 
anacolouthon (Anglice '•blunder'') which 
Wagn. suggests as the solution of the diffi- 
culty which the syntax presents. 

454. Compare ililtou, P. L., Bk. L 

Faery elves, 
Whose midnight revels, by a forest side 
Or fountain, some belated peasant sees. 
Or dreams he sees, while, overhead, the moon 
Sits arbitress, and, nearer to the earth, 
Wheels her pale course. 

456 Nuntius, i.e., the flames of the pyre, 



which the Trojans saw on the evening of 
the day on which they left Carthage. Some 
suppose it to refer to the words of Mercurj% 
iv. 563. Ergo expresses astonishment 
combined with grief, like our '-Ah! then." 

459. J^/rfes— piedge, or "bond of faith." 

462. Sewte means " rough with brambles 
and thorns," and is opposed to levis. Situ 
expresses the filth, untidiness, and squalor 
of uncultivated land grown over with weeds, 
thorns, and thickets. It thence comes to 
mean all kinds of nastiness generally. 

464. Hunc. Le.. such as I now see ac- 
tually influenced you ; que ne, for neve. 

Adspectu is the dative for adspectui. 

466. Quern fugis, — "Rather, how is it that 
you flee from me." Wagn. " Whom do you 
flee from," i.e., remember it is your lover 
himself, from whom surely there is no neces- 
sity that you should flee. 

467. Ardentem (agi-eeing with animurn), 
sdl. ira. Torva tuentom, b'Trobfo. i^ova-ccv. 

468. Lenibat for leniebat, Ycas endeavouring 
to assuage, etc., a meaning often borne both 
by the pres. and imperf. 

471. Silex, on the gender and use of this 
word, consult Diet. 

Marpesia, from Marpesus, a Mt. in Pares, 
famed for the great value and beauty of its 
marble. 

473. Pristinus conjunx, herformerhusband, 
Sychaeus, as opposed to ^neas, whom she 
looked upon as \\qx second: or, simply, vrith- 
out any such reference, " who had at a for- 
mer period been her husband." 

474. Curis, as ■^\eU as iUi, is the dat., as 
at V. 172, which see. Gossrau would take 
curis as the ablat, meaning, " by his solici- 
tous attentions." 

475. Casu iniquo — not the "cold treat- 
ment" which he had received from Dido, as 
some would have it, but the imhappy and 
unmerited fate of Dido, whose excessive 
giief he now feels fuUy alive to by her im- 
placable hatred and mdignation. 

477. Datum — either "chance-given," or 
" plainly indicated," or " permitted him by 
the fates." Mo2itur always miplies difficulty 
in the operation undertaken, as here JEneas 
advances in darkness through a dense wood. 
Arva idtirna — the remote part of the dis- 
trict near the palace of Pluto, and close to 
Elysium and Tartarus. 

479. Tydeus. son of CEneus (king of Caly- 
don) and Periboea: he was the father of 
Diomede, so famed in the Trojan war. 
Tydeus perished in the war of the Seven 
against Thebes. 

480. Parthenopaeus, an Arcadian, son of 
Atalanta by Meleager, or MUanio. 

Adrastus. king of Argos, son of Talans 
and Lysimache, and father-m-law of Poly- 
nices. He was the only one of the Seven 
Chiefs that escaped fi-om the Theban war ; 
the others, Polynices, Tydeus, Partheno- 
paeus, Capaneus, Hippomcdou, and Amphi- 
araus being slain. 

481. Ad for apud, superos. The indi- 
viduals mentioned in the succeeding lines 
are spoken of by Homer, some of them ou 
the Greek, and some on the Trojan side. 

123 



B. YI. 489-507. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VI. 508-532. 



489. This passage, which exalts the A'a- 
lour of ^neas, is adumbrated ia Horn. Od. 
xi. 605. 

494. Heyne finds fault with this episode 
of Deiphobus, on the ground that there is 
110 pleasure in contemplating a being mutil- 
ated in his limbs, and exciting our compas- 
sion neither by his bravery nor any other 
cu-cumstance. But it is urged in reply by 
Peerlk. that, next to Hector, Deiphobus was 
the most distinguished of the Trojans, and 
that moreover he was an intimate friend of 
JSneas ; that his fate gave the poet an op- 
portunity of dwelling on the treachery and 
cruelty of the Greeks, a subject which he 
well knew would be pleasing to his Eoman 
readers. The narrative of the share which 
"the perfidious Helen took in his death is j 
calculated to be agxeeable to the feelings of 
^neas, whose anger had been so roused { 
against her (see iL 567 sqq.) as that he j 
meditated imbruing his hands in her blood, i 
Besides all this, the scenes of bloodshed so j 
common from the days of Marius and Sylla, ! 
to those of the Triumvirs, had habituated 
the Romans to such spectacles as Deiphobus 
presented, and we cannot doubt but that 
there were many Fuhias wlio could calmly 
contemplate even more disgusting sights 
than that described. Compare Horn. Od. 
xi. 386, a passage which the poet seems to 
have had }3efore his eyes. 

On aique, see .^n. iv. 261. And on the 
syntax of lacerum ora, consult note, JEn. i. 
228, and ii. 210. The ancients believed tliat 
ghosts in the nether world retained the 
same external marks as the living men 
exhibited. 

496. This line has given rise to much dis- 
cussion, and its faults have led some com- 
mentatoi's to pronounce it spurious. The 
repetition of o?-a is one of its defects, but it 
is likely that the poet meant first to give, 
generally, the disfigured portion of the 
body, and then to return to moi-e specific 
detail. 

498. Pavitantem. There was a palpitat- 
ing anxiety, but yet a bashful fear, on the 
part of Deiphobus, to have close intercourse 
with ^neas, as is seen by the circumstance 
that he tried to cover his ghastly Avounds, 
and hide his disgusting mutilations. 

Supplkia — " punishments," i.e., the limbs 
which had been lopped off as a punishment. 
We use the verb ''punish " in the sense 
of "giving a hearty heating to one." 

502. Suprema nocte, i.e., the last night of 
Troy's existence. In the line preceding, 
opto (optavit) is used in the sense, placet, 
licet mihi. PeJasgum, i.e., Graecorum. 

505. Rhoeteo in liture. Some copies omit 
the prep., but it is retained by Forb. and 
others, on the ground that Virgil usually 
avoids the concurrence of adj. and subst. by 
the interposition of a prep. Were the prep, 
not inserted, the arsis would frequently fall 
successively on two similar endings, as bello 
ex tanto — Silrd in magna. On the proper 
name, see ^n. iii. 108. 

507. The arms of the hero were deposited 
on the cenotaph and his name given to the 
place, so that, according to the poet, there 

124 



was on the Trojan coast a Arii(po(^ou <r5)^a. 
Te — on the hiatus, and the shortenmg of 
the long syllable, see note, ^En. L 16, and 
Eel. ii. 53. 

508. Ponere, i.e., humare. See ii. 644, and 
iv. 681. Patria depends on decedens, and 
terra on ponere. 

510. Funeris wnhris — "the shade of my 
corpse," because the body itself had not 
been found. 

511. Sed often marks a return to a sub- 
ject before mentioned; thus it here has re- 
ference to the question of J5neas in 501, 
and may be explained by the fuller expres- 
sion, Sed quoniam istud quaeris. 

Lacaenae, i.e,, Helen, as fomid previously 
at ii. 601. Deiphobus had been married to 
her after the death of Paris. 

513. With this naiTative compare ^n. iL 
25 and 248 sqq., also Eur. Hec. 898 sqq. 

517. Chorum simulans — pretending a re- 
ligious rite, a solemn dance in honom- of 
Bacchus, but really to give a signal to the 
Greeks when they ought to attack the city. 

Evantes — the ace. pTur., not the gen. sing. 
The construction is Phrygias evantes orgia, 
iua.Z,o'j(Ta,i TO. opyia,, Evare, i.e., Evoe 
clamare, Bacchanalia concelebrare, is a very 
rare word used only in the participle, and 
found in Catull. Ixiii. 392 ; Sil. i. 101 ; and 
ApuL Met. ; in all which places it is intran- 
sitive, but here it has, after the Greek fash- 
ion, an accus. of the object, orgia. Forb. 

519. Summa ex arce. Standing on the 
summit of the citadel she summoned the 
Greeks by uplifting the torch. Agamemnon 
returned the signal from his flag ship, and 
thus Sinon knew the moment at which to 
open the horse. Virgil's accomit of the 
affair is made more feasible by the pretended 
Bacchanalian rite, celebrated for the depar- 
ture of the Greeks, and at night too. 

521. Tlie poet is hardly consistent with 
himself in this passage as compared with 
the Episode, ^n. ii. 567 sqq. He may have 
followed dilferent traditions on the subject. 

523. Egregia, "glorious," "peerless," used 
ironically — as we say, "precious." 

524. Subduxerctt, "had privately taken 
away mj^ sword before the other weapons." 
But the pluperf. may be explained as at 
^n. ii. 259, Avhere see note. 

528. Thalamo. Silius also uses trrwmjr?ere 
with the dat. Some copies read thalamos. 

529. yEoUdes, a name applied to Ulysses, 
expressive of the most bitter mockery, for 
his mother Anticlea had been a kind of con- 
cubine to Sisyphus, son of J5^&lus, before 
she became the Avife of Laertes, father of 
Ulysses. 

530. Instaurate, i.e., command that all 
these events happen afresh in rotation, but 
that the Greeks be this time the objects. 

532. Pelagi, etc., Le., Have you been 
driven by the storms of the sea to the place 
where is the entrance to these region.?, or 
do you come on purpose, in accordance with 
an admonition from heaven? The very re- 
mote ancients believed that the descent to 
Orcus lay at the extreme limits of the 
ocean. 



B. VI. 535-552. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. VI. 554-575: 



535. Hac vice— " At this turn (or point) 
of the conversation;" or, "During this mu- 
tual converse;" ic., -svhilst they thus con- 
versed. 

Aurora, according to the ancients, accom- 
panied the sun in all his course. The word 
is therefore equal to Sol Four horses are 
here given to Aurora, but only two at vii. 
26, as at Horn. Od. xxiii. 247. 

536. Heyne has found great difficulties in 
arranging and accountiug for the hours and 
periods of the journey to Hades. But Voss, 
Cerda, etc., seem rightly to dispose them 
thus: ^neas and the Sibyl, after the noc- 
turnal magic ceremony, set out at dawTi 
Cprimi sub lumina soUs, et ortus, 255) on 
their descent to Orcus, and occupied the 
whole forenoon and the meridian hours in 
examining those objects which have been 
ah-eady mentioned. The evening now ap- 
proaches, on which account the Sibyl has- 
tens .aineas, since much is yet to be seen 
and done, and they are under the necessity 
of returning to earth before sunrise of the 
follovdng morning. 

537. Oi\ fors, see note, jEn. ii. 139. 

540. A7nbas, simply for duos. Ditis 
moenia, i.e., the palace of Pluto. The 
comma usually placed after dextera has 
been removed by Forb., smce dextera quae 
=quarum dextera. 

542. Elysium, for in Elysium. See note, 
Mn. i. 2 ; cf also iii. 507. 

543. Exercet poenas. By a poetic con- 
ception, the road Avhich leads to the place 
of punishment is said actually to inflict the 
punishment. Observe that what ought to 
be merely one enunciation {ad Tartarum 
mittens exercet poenas) is expressed in two, 
as may be seen at Ma. v. 611 ; Eel. vi. 20 ; 
Geo. iii 417, etc. 

Tartara is called impia, because of its 
inhabitants, the irnpii. 

545. Expleho, etc., i.e., I shall return to 
my proper locality, and make up again the 
complement of ghosts ;— for Deiphobus had 
advanced Avith ^neas on the way towards 
the bright Elysium. Now, however, he is 
obliged to retreat towards his own dismal 
abode. 

547. In verba, i.e., cum hoc verbo, " on the 
word," " as he spoke." So the Greeks say 
Iv s<prit for o-hv s'ttsi. 

549. As they advance towards Elysium, 
they see on the left the donjon keep of the 
dread prison-house, Tartarus, sm-rounded 
by the boiling Phlegethon, and having as 
governor, Rhadamanthus, — as executioner, 
Tisiphone, — as jailor. Hydra. 

Moenia — not so much a city, or build- 
ings, as a tract (called lata, whence we 
imagine the great multitude of the 
wicked), or district fortified by an encircling 
triple wall. 

551. Phlegethon, called also Pj-riphlege- 
thon (fire-boiling), is more rarely men- 
tioned than the other rivers of Hades. 

Torguet ought rather to be torquens, to 
make the sentence pi-operly balanced. 

552. Porta adversa—'' the gate frontins 



them." Co?Mm«ae—" the posts." Cf. Horn. 
XL viiL 15. 

Adamant (a very hard species of stone) 
is often used for iron, or brass, or, in fact, 
the verv hardest material of any kind. See 
Orell. Hor. Od. i. 6, 13. 

554. Stat contains the ideas of great alti- 
tude and great strength. On ad auras, see 
note, ^n. ii. 759. 

555. Tisiphone — see above, 280, and also 
Geo. iii. 552. The two participles, sede?is 
and succincta, without a conjunction be- 
tween them, are not objectionable, since 
the former refers to the position of the body, 
the otlier to dress. The cruenta palla, 
ascribed to her, is borrowed from Horn. II. 
xviii. 538. 

558. Stridor, etc., i.e., "the clanking of 
the iron chains as they are dragged along," 
two notions being combhied into one. You 
may supply either exaudiri ("may be dis- 
tinctly heard") from the foregoing clause, 
or the simple subst. verb. 

559. Haesit is the reading adopted by 
Wag-ner and others, for the more common 
hausit, which is notably insipid. 

561. For quis, qui is found in the common 
editions. But quis is used when a thing is 
so unusual that it may be fau'ly doubted 
whether there is a name for it or not. On 
the difference between qui and quis, as in- 
terrogatives, see JEn. iii. 608 ; iv. 408. 

563. Casta. See ^n. iii. 409. Praefecif 
— "appointed me as priestess ;" for priests 
and priestesses Avere snid praefici or praeesse 
in reference to the temples and sacred rites, 
of Avhich they had chai-ge. 

566. On Gnosius, see ^n. a-. 306. Rhada- 
manthus Avas son of Jupiter and Europa, 
and on account of his eqiutable govern- 
ment of the islands of the jNIediterranean 
entrusted to his care, AA^as appointed judge 
in the world below, along AA'ith his brother 
Minos. See aboA^e, 432. 

567. Castigatque auditque. This is called 
an example of hysteron proteron (but see 
note, ^n. ii. 353, and iii. 662). HeA'ne re- 
marks that Virgil, on his own authority, 
places Rhadamanthus in Tartarus not as"a 
judge or magistrate who iuA-estigates capital 
charges (as Minos, 432), but as an officer, 
like the triumviri capiiales at Rome, who 
carries out the sentence of the judges, exe- 
cutes punishment on criminals, and takes 
cognizance of the minor ciimes of theft, 
plunder, sacrUege, etc. 

568. Inani — "vain," "useless," since the 
gods sooner or later take A'engeance. Pi- 
acula, Le., crimina, to expiate which, there 
Avas a necessity for apiaculum. 

570. Continyo {cctpccf), immediately after 
sentence has been passed. 

571. Quatit=^verberat quatiens. 

573. When Tisiphone and her sister Furies 
(Alecto and Megaera) appear, then the gate 
is opened wide, and all who have been con- 
demned and earned to the entrance of Tar- 
tarus are borne in, and the city is again 
shut tip. 

575. Fades, lilie custodia of the preceding 
line, refers to Tisiphone. 

125 



B. VI. 576-605. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B.VL 608-621. 



576. Hydra, not that slain by Hercules, 
but any monstrous serpent. Heyne. 

580. Titania proles — "the sons of Coelus 
and Terra." 

581. Imo /undo— the lowest depth, (of 
Tartarus). 

Dejecti, joined to pvbes, is an instance of 
the construction synesis — see ^n. L 70. 

582. Aloidas — the sons of Aloeus (Otus 
and Ephialtes), or rather of Neptune by 
Iphimedia. They were the most powerful 
of the Titans. See Geo. i. 280 ; Horn. Od. 
XL 305. 

585. Salmoneus, son of ^olus and Enarete, 
and brother of Sisyphus. He was king- of 
Elis, and became so proud as to consider 
himself a deity, in confirmation of which he 
imitated the thunder of Jupiter by driving 
his chariot over a brazen pavement. Jupi- 
ter smote him with his thunderbolt, and 
burled him beneath Tartarus. Gossrau 
thinks his great punishment to have been 
that, in Tartarus, he was obliged to at- 
tempt the imitation of Jupiter. 

588. Per Elidis urbem, i.e., Salmonia, on 
the Alpheus in Elis. 

590. Demens {trx'^rXiog, vWios) begins 
the verse with peculiar emphasis. 

591. Aere, i.e., either "his brazen car," 
or, " on a series of brazen plates, laid be- 
neath his chariot, on which it might ran." 

592. A t expresses strong contrast between 
the pretended thunder of Salmoneus and 
the real bolt of Jupiter. An ellipsis which 
some suggest is quite unnecessary. Densa 
nubila — the denser the cloud the more violent 
the lightning-flasli. 

593. Non faces, etc. " Not firebrands nor 
smoky torches (merely) did he hurl." 

594. Turbine is used of the lightning- 
flash, as whirlwinds often accompany or 
follow the sudden discharge of electricity 
from the air. 

595. Tityos, son of Jupiter and Terra He 
ofl'ered violence to Latona, but being slain 
by the arrows of Apollo or Diana, or both, 
he was punished in Tartarus as explained; 
ct: Hom. Od. xi. 57G. 

59G. Cernere erat, like nv liliTv. Homer, 
as quoted in the preceding note, gives two 
vultures. 

597. Obunco for adunco. By immortaJe 
jecur, Vu"gil expresses Hesiod's ■n'^rap 

ciSdvccTov of Prometheus. 

598. /'>CM«c/a— growing again for fresh 
torture. 

601. On Lapithae, Pirithous, and Ixion, 
consult Class. Diet. Virgil is the only poet 
who allots to Pirithous the same punish- 
ment as his father Ixion; cf. Hor. Od. iii. 
4, 80. 

Note that the next line is a hypenneter. 

603. Asszmitis is found also in Cic. N. D. 
ii. 55, and Ovid Trist. i. 5, 27, etc. 

604. Tlie two adjs. gernalibus and altis, 
joined to t07^is, need not ofl'cnd, since geriialis 
torus fomi one notion, viz., "a social table." 

605. Regificus, for regius, is a very rare 
word, used only by our poet and Val. 
Flac. Regifice, the adv., is found in a pas- 

126 



sage of Ennius, quoted in Cic. Tusc. Disp. 
iii. 19, 44. 

Furiarum maxima. Either Alecto or 
Megaera. See Eur. Iph. Taur. 963. 

608. Invisi fratres. Such as Atreus and 
Thyestes, Eteocles and Polynices. 

609. Pulsatus, "maltreated," generally. 
The respect paid by the ancient Komans to 
parents was so great that no law was 
deemed necessary to repress patricide. 
Fraus innexa clienti. " A web of deceit was 
woven to a client's hurt" 

610. Repertis=partis, "acquired." Soli, 
i.e., imparting to no one the shghtest share 
of their wealth. Those who are "hard" 
and obdurate against the appeals of "poor 
relations" are consigned to no enviable place 
of torture. 

613. Impiaarma. Doubtless, "civil wars" 
are meant, and the cases of those who had 
borne arms against their countiy. Taken 
in conjunction with what follows, the words 
must refer to the sers'ile war from 681 to 
683 A.U.C. 

Fallere dextras. An unusual expression, 
meaning, to break the faith due to one's 
master, and pledged by the giving of the 
right hand. This has reference to the slaves 
and their perfidy in the servile wars. 

615. Q.uae forma, soil, scelerum, or poenae. 
Instead of mersit in the mdic. we might ex- 
pect the subj. 

616. Saxum volvunt. The poet represents 
more than Sisyphus at this operation. So 
hi the sequel he consigns to the wheel many 
as the companions of Ixion. 




617. Districti,^ etc. " Are fastened at full 
length," like criminals on the rack. 

618. Theseus — his torture was complete 
inactivity. Phlegyus (father of Ixion) : — his 
ciirecr was one oif blood, sacrilege, and ra- 
pine. He burned the temple of Apollo at 
Delphi, and committed other equally daring 
acts of dei)rcdation in company with his 
brave but abandoned associates, for whom 
he built a city, called after his own name, 
in the district of Orchomenus, in Boeotia, 

619. Magna voce. The voice of Phlegyas 
still retaining his faculties as when on earth, 
is magna compared with the exigua vox (493) 
of the shades. Such regrets might be con- 
sidered useless, as after death there is no 
room for repentance, but the admonition 
itself was a punishment. 

C21. The Sibyl now returns to relate the 
different kinds of punishment from which 
she had digressed at 616. These two lines 
are borrowed almost word for word from L. 
Varius, as Macrobius (iv. i) asserts. 



B. VI. G22-646. 



NOTES ON THE .ilXElD. 



B. YI. 648 -GGO. 



The persons aimed at here, if any are spe- j 
cially intended, are probably either Cmio or j 
^larc Antony, or both. j 

622. Fixit atque refixit. This verb is used 
because the laws engraved on brazen tablets 
■were fastened up to walls. 

623. Invasit ihalamum. Thyestes is pro- 
bably meant See his liistory in Class. 
Diet 

G25, 6. These verses occur at Geo. iL 43, 
where see notes. They are, as every one 
will remember, almost a translation of Horn. 
IL il 488. 

629. Perfics munus smcepium, Le., com- 
plete your task by presenting the golden 
bough to Prosei-piue. 

630. The palace of Pluto had ii-on walls 
forged by Yulcan and the Cyclopes. Atque 
adverso, etc., " and the portals with con- 
fronting arch," Le., the arched portals con- 
ti-onting the view. Anthon. 

633. Opaca viarum — see note, JEn. L 
310. 

634. Corripiunt — see note, ^n L 418; 
V. 145, 

636. Spargit aqua. As Elysium was a 
most sacred place, ^ueas is cautious to 
sprinkle himself [\\ ith the golden bough] as 
be approaches it, in the same manner as 
worshippers did on earth before euteiing a 
temple. [There were branches placed at the 
temple doors, and a supply of water where- 
with %-isitors sprinkled themselves.] 

638. Locos — with the prep, not expressed. 
See note on JE,n. L 2. 

640. "Here an atmosphere more free (than 
ours) clothes the plains, and that (ei=et 
imupei\ or et qitidem) with a radiant bright- 
ness ; a sun of their owa. and stai's of their 
own do they behold.' 

644. Plaudunt dioreas pedibus — " Beat 
with their feet the measiired dance." It is 
a more elegant expression than to say cum 
pedum plausu. So the Homeric phrase, 
'Ti'TrXytyo'j ^\ X^P"^ 6uov TTOffiv, Od. viiL 
264. 

645. To the chorus of singers and dancers, 
Yirgil assigns an individual to act as o!,oilo;, 
to accompany with singing, or a choragus 
to go before singing and dancing, as in the 
ancient chorus. And who more fit for such 
a duty than the Thracian Orpheus, who, 
AvhUe on earth, drew after him the listening 
oaks, chai-med by the power of his song. 
Orpheus is called sacerdos, on account of 
the orgies and mysteries instituted by him. 
His tlieology was founded on belief in a 
future life, and in the immortality of the 
souL Hor. A. P. 391, calls him sacer inter- 
presque deorum. 

646. Obloquitur is taken by Heyne, Thiel, 
Forb., eta, as a transitive verb=sona/-e 
facit, numeris bemg the ah\. = nurnerose, 
ivpv^fiu;, so that the meaning would be, 
'■ Orpheus makes his lyre in its seven notes 
to sound in unison (numeris) -\vith the songs 
of the choir." The lyre is, therefore, one 
equipped with seven strings. Wagn. makes 
vuineris the dat. " Orpheus suits tke strains 
of his lyre to the numbers and measvires of 
the singers and dancers. ' ' For other opinions, 



see the larger commentaries. Below is a 
representation of the ancient lyre. 




648. Pulclierrima, referring to the majes- 
tic fi-ame of body, is suggested by Horn. IL 
XX. 231 sqq. 

649. Melioribus annis does not refer to the 
"good old times" generally, but to that 
era of Troy's historj^as standing in glorious 
contrast to the present afflicted state of her 
interests. 

650. Ilus (founder of Ilium), and Assar- 
acus were sons of Tros and Calirrhoe. 
On Dardanus. see M\\. iiL 167. 

851. Miratur is better ^h&ximirantur, the 
common reading, since admiration was na- 
tural to .lEneas^only, and not to the Sibyl 
who had seen the same scenes often. 

Inanis currus, not "empty," "deprived 
of their lords," — but " unsubstantiaL, " 
"shadowy." 

653. Curruum,-proi\omiced as two syllables, 
currum, — the line is therefore not a hyper- 
meter. 

655. Cura pascere— on this construction 
see note, .^n. v. 638 ; L 704 ; iii. 299 ; iv. 
66o ; and Geo. L 305. 

657. Vescentes, Le., celebrating feasts. On 
the social banquets (^ccXtai) hi Elysium, 
Peerlk. refers to Plat. Rep. iL p. 423. Chora, 
i.e., in chore. Laurus is rather the " bay " 
than the ''laureV 

659. Eridani amnis, like m-bem Patavi, 

jEii. L 247; flumen Himellae. viL 714. Eri- 

danus— that fabidous and ubiquitous river 

of the ancients, considered by later Roman 

writers to be the same as the Padus 

(Po), was supposed to descend to the 

infernal regions, from the circumstance 

that, not far from its so^r^e, it passed for 

two miles under ground. Plurimus refers 

^ to the great body of water brought down, 

! and to the speed of its stream. 

I 660. Manus — passi, like genus — dejecti 

I (581, above), is an instance of the construc- 

j tion synesis, or ad intellectum, on which see 

note, £tL L 70. 

127 



B. VI. 



32-711. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. VI. 713-725. 



662. Phoebo digna, i.e., grandia, suNimia, 
praedara. 

663. Vitam — the manners of men, i.e., 
men themselves. 

664. Sui memores — those whose philan- 
thropy and benevolence endeared then- 
memory to their fellow-men. The con- 
sciousness of good deeds is represented as 
one of the delights of Elysium. The -wdiole 
of this beautiful passage deserves the care- 
ful notice of the student. 

667. Musaeus — a semi-mythological per- 
sonage of the same class as Olen and Or- 
pheus and by one tradition called the son 
of the latter. Homer is not found here, to 
the surprise of some commentators ; but it 
would have been an anachronism to have 
introduced the "bliiid old man" as a con- 
temporary of ^neas. 

668. Humeris. Poets, not less than he- 
roes, are represented by the poets as sur- 
passing the common herd in stature: the 
breadth and conspicuousness of the shoul- 
ders are the first items m commending 
excellence of bodily form. 

673. Terto — "'defined," "restricted," 
"settled." 

674. Toros Hparmn, i. e., the grassy 
banks -which form coaches. 

Recenlia rivis — fresh and blooming, on 
account of the proximity of tlie waters. 

675. Si fert, etc., Le.,'if you wish to meet 
Anchises. 

678. Dehinc, in scansion a monosyll. Lin- 
quunt, they, soil, ^neas and the Sibyl, for 
Musaeus does not accompanj^ them farther 
than the elevation. 

681. Recolere is properly to pass in review 
things that have gone by, but here it means 
to examine and make oneself familiar with 
lliture events. Studio, i.e., studiose. 

685. Alacris is the nom. and not the ace. 
to agi-ee with palmas, as tliis latter word has 
already its adj., utrasijue. 

Utrasque palmas, for vtramque pnlinnm, 
the plur. of vterque being often used for the 
sing., especially in the case of two things 
which are closely johied, or that act together. 

687. Farenti, with empliasis for mild. 

690. Cf. ^n. V. 731, and vi. 115. 

691. Dinumerans, i.e., with longing and 
anxiety calculating the difierent periods of 
time. Observe the force of di. 

700-2. These lines are repeated from ^n. 
IL 792-4. 

703. liedticta voile — " in a winding vale." 

705. Praenatat — "flows past." Prae in 
composition is sometimes used equal to 
praeter, so ui Hor. Od. iv. 3, 10, Sed quae 

Tihur aquae fertile praefluunt. See also 
Od. iv. 14, 26, and Livy i. 45. 

706. Gens means a race of people having 
a common origin— j30/)//?«s a community 
ruled by the same laws, and living under the 
same in,stitutions and the same form of go- 
vernment. One gens, therefore, can be sub- 
divided into m&ny poptdi. See DUderl. and 
Kritz, Sail. Cat. 10, 1. 

707. The simile in this and the folloAving 
lines is borrowed from Horn. II. ii. 87 sqq. 

711. Porro, fovprocid, i.e.,longo inde^ursu 
praetexentia cavipvm. 
128 



713. "Those souls, untowhich other bodies 
are due by fate, quaff at the water of the 
Lethaean river care-dispelling draughts, and 
a lasting forgetfulness (of the past)." The 
poet now enters, in the person of Anchises, 
upon certain philosophical dogmas founded 
upon the tenets of the Pythagorean school, 
with some additions borrowed from the Pla- 
tonic system. The substance of these doc- 
trines is simply this : After the soul is freed 
from the chahis of the body, it passes into 
the regions of the dead, where it remains, 
undergoing purgations of one kind or other, 
till it is sent back to this world to be the 
inhabitant of some other body, brutal or 
human ; and after suffering in this way suc- 
cessive purgations, and animating in turn 
different bodies, it is finally received into 
the heavens, and returns to and becomes 
merged in the great essence, or soul of the 
world, of which it was originally an emana- 
tion. Moreover, before each of these several 
departures to the upper world to inhabit 
some new frame, the spirits drink of the 
Avater of Lethe, in order to forget whatever 
has happened to them in their jirevious state 
of being. Anthon. 

The idea that spirits returned to upper 
earth was commonly entertained by the 
ancients, but it seems a peculiar notion of 
Plato's (Eep. x. p. 621, A. Steph.) that they 
drank first of Lethe. On Plato and his 
doctrines, see "Greek and Roman Philo- 
sophy" (Grifiin, Glasgow), p. 53 sqq. 

715. Securos, "care dispellhig;" ab effectu 
dictum, says Heyne, as pallidos morbos, 
" diseases that render persons pale." 

716. Has — some special ones singled out 
from the mass, for the doctrine of metem- 
psychosis did not include all who died. 

717. The repetition of the demonstr. pron. 
has, hanc, of the verbs memorare and 
enumerare, so closely allied in signification, 
renders a copulative conj. unnecessary. 

719. Inest, says Heyne, nescio quae vis et 
"^iivoT'/i; eximia in hac ^-Eneae oratione cum 
indignatione cdiqua rogantis. And the tone 
of Virgil's hero commands our sympathy 
the more when we compare his sentiment 
with that of Achilles (Horn. Od. xi. 487), 
who manifested an unseemly eagerness for 
life. fWagner, however, renuirks that this 
is less to be reprehended in a Homei'ic hero.] 
From a comparison, we at least see the 
progress which philosophy had made from 
the Homci-ic age. 

724. In the noble passage which follows, 
Virgil, as Heyne remarks, seems to have 
had in view Lucretius v. 68. With it com- 
pra-e Cic. de Div. i. 11, and Horn. II. xix. 
483 sqq. 

The four elements, air, earth, fire, and 
water, are mentioned in v. 724, 725. 
Liquentes c.ampos, i.e., mare. 

Terras is preferred by Wagn. and Forb., 
etc., to terram, on the ground that Virgil 
loves to connect two suhsts., so that, if it 
be possible, one be expressed in the sing, 
and the other in the plur. number. 

725. Titaniaque astra, poetically for As- 
trum Titanium, ie., Sol, for >SoZ and Luna 



B. VI. 726-743. 



NOTES ON THE vENEID. 



B. VI. 743. 



were both of the Titan race. Wagii. under- 
stands the -woixls as forming a kind of epexe- 
getical phrase, meaning- Sun and Moon to- 
gether ; thus, lunain, ac non lunam solum 
sed ntrumque astrum Titanium, Wakef. 
(Lucr. iv. 70) and Trapp conjectured Titan- 
aque et astra, i.e., both Sol and the stars. 

726. Spiritus (the great living principle) 
— mens (the great intellectual), the "^^X.'^ 
and v«£/f of the Greeks. The soul of the 
universe {anima mundi) is here meant, viz., 
" a spirit or essence gifted with intelligence 
and pervading and animating matter, and 
all things formed out of matter. The human 
soul is an emanation from this great prin- 
ciple, proceeding from it as a spark from 
the parent tire." Anthon. Alit, i.e., sup- 
ports and endows with the power of repro- 
duction. Artus is rightly used for the dif- 
ferent parts of the universe, as he calls the 
whole frame corpus. 

728. Inde, from thejunction of the genera- 
tive principle, the spiritus. with the elements, 
all animals are produced. Wagn. Heyne 
takes inde to mean "from the mens,'' but 
with this, we believe, no one Avill agree. 
The verbs of the preceduig line sufficiently 
indicate the antecedent to which inde refers. 
Cf. Geo. iv. 212-226. 

729. Marmoreo sub aequore — "under its 
sparkling surface." Marmor is used for 
mare m Geo. L 2o4, etc. 

731. niis seminibus — ^^ In these seeds 
(Le, the emanations from the great soul of 
the universe (as it were sparks trom a fire), 
which enliven our mortal bodies, and form 
our souls) there is a fiery energy," etc. 

Anoxia corpora tardant, i.e., our gross 
corporeal inclinations so obstruct tlie action 
of the divine emanation, as to render its 
efforts at least partially useless. 

733. Hinc. Fi'om this contact with the 
body arise the passions and emotions of the 
mind. Thiel remarks that, by the verbs of 
fearing and desiring, r^oicing, and grieving, 
the ancients understood all the affections of 
the mind. 

734. Dispiciunt is, according to some= 
prospiciunt. But Wagner appears to have 
hit upon the idea properly contained in the 
word. He says it is applied to those per- 
sons, wlio, having been blind formerly, or 
having spent their time in total darkness, 
for the first time see the light. 

738. Thismeansthatimpurities contracted 
during life adhere to individuals after death. 
These, he says, must be rooted out some- 
how or other, and penance ui tlie lower 
world is the mode suggested. 

740. Aliae panduntur, etc. The punish- 
mentsare graduated accordingto guilt;— the 
least culpable shis are blown away by the 
%vind; those next ui degree are washed off 
by water, but fire alone will obliterate the 
most heinous. 

742. Tnfectum, ie., with which men have 
polluted themselves. 

743. Quisque suos, patimur Manes. This 
is, perhaps, the most difficult passage in 
Virgil, and the one that has caused the 
greatest difference of opinion among learned 

I 



commentators. Heyne says, "As the verses 
now stand, either some new pm'ificatiou 
must be understood as taking place in 
Elysium, or the one which had been begun 
is completed there— an idea quite novel and 
unusual. For if the lustration be repre- 
sented in 743, 744 as completed, and the 
Manes sent to Elysium, how again, in 745, 
can there be added the phrase, donee longa 
dies, i.e., till they have been purified? " He 
therefore adopts the opinion of Trapp and 
others, that the lines should be read m the 
following order : — 

Aliis sub gm-gite vasto 
Infectura eluitur scelus, aut exmitm- igni; 
Donee longa dies, perfecto temporis orbe, 
Concretam exemit labem, purumque relin- 

quit 
Aetherium sensum atque atu'ai simplicis 

ignem. 
Quisque suos patimur Manes: exiiide per 

amplum 
Mittimur Elysium, et pauci laeta arva 

tenemus. 

Some have supposed 743, 744 spmlous ; 
and others have denied the genuineness of 
745, 6, 7. A few defend the lines in their 
present order and form. (1), Fea supposes 
Virgil's idea to be, that the purgation is 
finished after the journey through Elysium 
has been made. [The poet, however, does 
not speak of a journey, but of a long and 
peaceful residence in fields of delight.] (2). 
Thiel thinks that the delay of souls in Ely- 
sium is the second step, as it were, in puri- 
fication, and a kind of repeated cleansing by 
which tlie spirits, before they return to life, 
are fully restored to then- first and native 
condition. (3), Jahn is of opmion tliat, 
" after purgation, the purified soids come 
to the Elysian plains, but that they are 
there divided into two classes: for — that 
the majority only pass through Elysium, 
and go direct to the river Lethe, that they 
may return hito fresh human bcdies pre- 
pared for them ; a few sojourn for a lon.g 
time in the delightful fields of Elysium, 
until, by a lengthened period of non-employ- 
ment, they have lost every imperfection of 
body, so that after a thousand years they may 
again ascend to earth hi perfect puiity, and 
there become the souls of men of the most 
distinguished probity and excellence." At 
the best, it must be said, that if this be the 
poet's meaning, it is expressed very ob- 
scurely and too bi-iefly. Forb. is of ophuou 
that these lines were hurriedly put down by 
the poet with the intention that they should 
be carefully polished and perfected, winch 
revision, however, death anticipated. Wag- 
ner considers all the difficulty removed if 
donee be taken to mean quum tandem — a 
sense, however, of which the learned critic 
supplies no example. So much for pm'ifi- 
cations and their order. And, now, with 
regard to the words quisque suos, patimur 
Manes : (1), Afanes, which elsewhere means 
the Dii Inferi {M\\. x. 34; Geo. iv. 4S9, 
etc.), and thus, also, tlie Furies (x, 39) is 
here put for the condition in which the 
spirits are, Le., it is put for the punishments. 
129 



B. TI. 743. 



NOTES 0^^ THE .EXETD. 



B. YI. 744-75a 



Passages iii Anson. Epigram. 75 ; Stat.Theb. 
AiiL S-i; Paiillinus, Poem. v. 57; and YaL 
Place, iii. 389, seem to favour tliis, the in- 
terpretation of Senins, and the commenta- 
tors generally. Gossrau adopts this ex- 
planation. (2), Take Manes as the ace. 
absolute, qtioad being understood, thus: 
All of us suffer these punishments (i.e., vre 
undergo pm-gations equal to punishments), 
not indeed as we now are, souls enclosed in 
bodies, but each in kis oicn Mams. Heyne 
and Gesner. (3), Take Manes as the ace. 
of the object, and interpret thus : Each of 
us suffers those afflictions (for thi^ee kinds of 
punishment were mentioned above) vrhich 
are best calculated to pm-ii^- the nature of 
his Manes, polluted with this or the other 
vice. Forbiger, with INIiinscher, Thiol and 
Jahn. There are still many explanations 
untouched, but enough have been given to 
make the student think, and to enable him 
to form a judgment for himseff. It is mi- 
necessaiy for us to notice the conjectural 
readhigs which have been proposed in great 
numbers. 

If we were allowed aii opinion, we should 
say — leave the lines as they are, but put a 
semicolon after igni, 742, with a full stop 
after Manes, interiiretmg -\vith Forb., No. 3, 
above. With regard to the apparent con- 
tradiction in 745 to the statement of 744, we 
think it is removed by the following ex- 
planation. Yirgil says that om- souls, while 
in the body, ai-e polluted and coiTuptcd, and 
to remove the impurities then contracted 
severe penalties must be undei^ne. Tlie 
stains being once removed, the soul is trans- 
fen-ed to Elysium, that it may there pass 
through a probationary stage, and become 
habituated to Airtnous feelings, and forget 
entirely its former sinfid thoughts and ac- 
tions. Elysium would, in this view of tlie 
case, be a second, and finishing place of puri- 
fication. 

The folloAving suggestion is worthy of 
consideration; we find it in Mr Galbraith's 
edition of our poet : '"On many Etrusean 
vases, as well as in the wonderful frescoes 
on their tombs, wt- find representations of a 
'guardian ang-el' in white apparel, and with 
looks benign, leading, as it were, to what is 
riirht, and turning fi-om what is wrong. 
This is the bright and gay picture of active 
life, but the artist has depicted, also, scenes 
beyond the death-hour, and then, in the 
majority of cases, no ' guardian angel' ap- 
peal's; all is dark and gloomy, and beside 
the doomed one stands, not the blessed ad- 
viser of an older time, but a dread avenger, 
armed with a gigantic mallet, and of im- 
mense frame. Can it be that the ' guardian 
angel' becomes the 'avenger,' that the ad- 
Aiser, and the guide, and witness of life, is 
the fell instrument of punishment for error 
unatoned — for guilt unrepented '? Has the 
recording angel closed the door of mercy ; 
and is his future character indicated by his 
name — ' the awaiter ? ' 

To me it appears that the perplexing pas- 
sage under discussion might at least be 
poetically explained by a reference to this 
Etruscan idea : ' We each suffer the dread- 

130 



ful vengeance of those bemgs who awatt 
us:' of him who warned us in fife, and who 
now exacts retribution in death. This will 
coincide Avith Wagner's deiiration (ie., that 
it/a«e5 is connected with ^a&z, fiivof, fjciveuy 
and is cognate with mens, the feeling, the 
conscience of a hmnan being), with the 
vulgar interpretation (No. 1, "above), and 
•with Hot. Epist. ii. 2, 187, Sett Genius, hu- 
manae deus natu7'ae, muiabilis vultu, albus 

ET ATER. 

On the constniction quisque suos patimui% 
see Zumpt, § 367. 

744. Pauvi — " a few," f(M-tbe pollutions of" 
the many were so great as to defy pimfica- 
tion. 

Laeta ana, ie., Elysium, though some 
think that a different locality is meant. 

745. Temporis- orbe, ie., 1000 years. 

746.. Relinquit — some books read reUqvit^ 
to square with exemit, but on the diftereuce 
of tense see Mn. ii, 466, note. 

747. yEtherimn sensiim, eta This is said 
in reference to the doctrine of the Pytha- 
goreans and Stoics, that the mmds of men 
were emaiTalions fi'om the universal di^•ine 
mind, "a portion of the aetherial World- 
Spirit." Aurai (see iii. 354) is used for 
ignis, " that vital spark of heavenly _/il«mc."' 
C;f. Hor. Sat. iL 2, 7J>, diiiime particuJam 
aurae. 

748. VoTvere rotam per anaos is an ex- 
pression borrowed from Ennius, meaning 
'• when the cycle of a thousand years shall 
have passed ;" foZfe/'fi rotain=^exigere teyn- 
pus in orbem rediens. The Millc anni period 
is boiTowed from Plato, Rep. x. pv 515 A., 
and Phaedrus,. p. 1'223, D. Steph. Forb. 

749. Deus^ not Mercury, bat the deity, 

750. Conveoea — see Mx\. \. 310, note. 
Tlie whole passage, from 724, may be 

tlms translated: — " In the first instance, a 
living principle feeds and sustafais the au\ 
and the earth, and the ocean, and the re- 
splendent orb of the moon, and tbeTitanian 
stars, and an intelligent principle pervading- 
ever}'' member, puts the entire mass into 
action, and blends itself with the mighty 
frame of the universe. Thence spring the 
human species, and the race of beasts, and 
the flying kind, and the monsters which tin- 
deep brings forth beneath its glassy surface. 
In these genninating elements there is a 
fieiy energ>' and a heavenly origin (operat- 
ing), so i-AY as polluted bocUes do not deaden 
their power, or earth - sprung limbs and 
perishable members mar not their influence. 
Hence they are subject to fears and to 
eager longings, to griefs and to joys : nor 
do they, i>ent up, as they are, in darkness, 
and in the gloomy prison-house (of the 
body), regard -with care then- celestial ori- 
ginal Nay, even when Ufe has left them 
at their latest day, every ill does not there- 
fore quit their TVTetched souls, nor do all 
tlie infirmities and impurities of the body 
entirely depart, but it must needs be, that 
many imperfections, long manifest in grow- 
ing co-existence with their natures, should 
be amalgamated with wondrous closeness. 



B. VI. 755-770. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. YI. 772-79-3. 



Therefore they are disciplined for punish- 
ment, and pay to tlie utmost the penalties 
of former misdeeds. Some are hung up, 
and exposed to the unsubstantial -winds: 
from others, the deep-dyed stain of guilt is 
washed away in the depths of a vast and 
eddjing pool, or burned oat under the re- 
fining influence of fire. Each of us suffers 
according to the condition of his Manes : 
thei-eafter we are sent forth throughout the 
spacious Elysium, and but few cf us succeed 
in occupying (permanently) the fields of 
bliss, until the tardy lapse of time — the ap- 
pointed cycle of years havmg run its comrse 
— has removed the defilement which grew 
with our gTow-th, and strengthened "VNith 
our strength, and now leaves (relinquit) the 
aethereal principle, fi'ee from taint, and the 
'spark of heavenly flame,' single and un- 
alloyed. All these (spirits), when thej- 
have completed the chcle of a thousand 
ye;irs. the deity summons, in long aiTay. to 
Lethe's stream, ■^\-ith thepui-pose, to irit. that, 
losing remembrance of the past, they may 
again revisit the vaulted arch above, and 
that they may begin to entertain a desire 
to return to mortal bodies." 

7-55. Adversos — "as they advanced in 
front." 

7-56. Beinde, ie., posiero tempore, "in 
time to come." 

757. Itala de gente. i.e., from LaAinia. 

758. Ituras in nostrum 710111671, "about to 
pass into our posterity," i.e., win arise from 
GUT race, and Avill extend and hand d.ovn.\ 
our name. 

760. Ille, etc. The Julian family is de- 
rived from Ascanius or Inlus, who suc- 
ceeded his father, and built Alba Longa. 
But the Alban kings had theh origin fi-om 
SilAius, who was the posthumous son of 
^neas by La\inia. Such is the tradition 
which our poet follows. Others make Sil- 
vius the son and successor of Ascanius. In 
the historical references which follow, the 
student must be unsparing in consulting 
his Roman History, and Diet, of Biog. and 
IMythol. 

Pura hasta, non ferro praefixa, ie., the 
sceptre as an emblem of regal power. Does 
it not rather mean "maiden spear," as we 
say "maiden sword." 

764. Tibi longaevo, the Homeric ^raJocc 
T'/iXvy-roy. Serum — cf. Aiii. 582, where 
Evander says of Pallas, Mea sola et sera 
voluptas. 

765. Educet for educahit. In silvis — a 
reference to the stor\' that Silvius derived 
his name from being brought up in the woods. 

767. Proximus. ' The poet [for Yirgil is 
not a historian] does not record all the 
Alban kings, nor does he attend to chrono- 
logical order, so that Proximus means "the 
next who appeared," who came for^vard in 
review before Anchises, .^Eneas, and the 
Sibyl: for Procas was the sixth king of Alba, 
asNumitor was the thirteenth. 

768. C(ipi/s is mentioned by the poet in 
compliment to his hero, since Capys, the son 
of Assaracus, was grandfather of ^neas. 

770. A'j umquam. Servius relates that it 



was not till his fifty-thu-d year that ^neas 
Sihius received the kingdom from his guar- 
dian, who had usurped the authority. 

772. Tempora umbrata, ei(L, "their tem- 
ples are ornamented vni\x civic croAvns," on 
account of having planted colonies, and built 
new cities. Some books read atqui, but the 
best MSS. have atque. 

11?). yomentum, in the tenitory of the 

Sabmes, near the springs of the Allia, was 

said to have been founded, along A\ith Fi- 

denae and Crustumerium, by three brothers 

many years before the building of Rome. 

Dion. HaL iL 53. Hejnie numbers the colo- 

1 nies of Alba Longa at thirty. Gabii, a 

' colony of Alba Longa, and situated be- 

I tween Rome and Praeneste. Fidenae, be- 

• tween Rome and Yeii. The first sylL of the 

j word is usually long. 

I 774. CoUatia. a toi^ni of the Sabines in the 
hills (hence its name), not far from Rome, 
and hing between the road to Praeneste 
and tiie left bank of the Anio. It is now 
called Castellaccio. 

776. Pometios, i.e., Pomentinos, the name 
I of the people being put for that of the towiu 
I Suessa Pometia, a Yolscian rather than a 
j Latin town. Castruvi Inui, a town on the 
i coast of Latium near Ardea. Bo/a, a town 
■ of the ^quians on the hither side of the Anio. 
I Cora, a mountiiin town of Latium near Yeli- 
trae, afterwards confederate v^-ith the Yols- 
cian s. 
I 778. Avo, etc., Le.. Romulus (the son of 
I Mars) shall assist his grandfather, Numitor. 
j in the government, before setting out to 
I found Rome. 

! 779. Assaraci, to be taken adjectively, as 
Waa-n. alleges, quoting, Pompilius Sanguis, 
I HorT A. P. 292. On this form of the adjs. 
i see note. .Sn. iii 602, and on the genealogy 
j of Assaracus, consult i 284. 

780. Wagner thinks that we ought to 
write viden, and such contractions, eitlier 
without an apostrophe entirely, or -with two, 
ie., either viden, or ride'n'. Mars is repre- 
sented with a helmet having a double 
plume, and so is his son, Romulus, in this 
place. 

781. Superum is taken by Servius as the 
ace. sing, referring to Romulus, pater 
meanhig Mars, so that the sense would be, 
" Him. a god (one of the heavenly deities), 
his father Mars already marks out withdis- 
thiguished honour." Ruddiman and others 
take it as the gen., thus, "His father (Mars) 
marks him out with his own honours, ie., 
the honours of deities," a sjmtax which is 
comitenanced by the order of the words. 
Others, again, make superum depend on 
pater, i.e.. Jupiter. 

783. ^quahit is used in two senses, first 
literally, and then figuratively. For animos, 
Heumann conjectm-ed unnos as mdicative 
of duration. 

785. Berecyntia, i.e., Cybele, so called 
from Mt. Berecyntus. in Plm-gia, where 
she was carefully worshipped. Cybele was 
represented with a miu'al crown (tuj'ritaj, 
hence the expression. Consult Class. Dice 

790. luU—see above, 760. 

792. Note weU this most beautiful pas- 
1-61 



B. YI. 793-804. 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. YI. 805-818. 



page, detailing the honours and services of 
Augustus. On the two-fold quantity of hie 
in this line, see note, ^n. iv. '22. 

793. Augustus is called '■'Bivi genus,'' be- 
cause he was the adopted son of Julius 
Caesar, whose apotheosis had, by this time, 
taken place. 

The emperor is praised, (1,) on account 
of his having restored peace to the empii-e 
(793 sqq.); (2,) on account of the boundaries 
of the kingdom being enlarged by conquest 
(795 sqq.); and, (3,) on account of expedi- 
tions undertaken to remote parts of the 
world, and journeys performed for the ar- 
rangement of provinces. 

795. Super, i.e., ultra. On Gn^-nmnntas, 
see note, ^n. iv. 198. They were con- 
quered by L. Cornelius Balbus in b.c. 19. 
IndDS — this has reference partly to the re- 
storation of tlie standai-ds by Phraates, in 
B.C. 20, and partly to the Indian embasssy 
(fi-om the two kings Poms and Pandion) 
sent to Auaaistus when he was hi Syria. 
Cf. Geo. ii. 170; iv. 560; and JEn. 
vii. 605 sq., for other praises bestowed on 
Augustus on account of his successes in the 
case of the Indians, Parthians, and other 
eastern nations; see also Hor. Od. L 12, 53 
sqq.; iv. 14, 41 sqq., etc. 

796. Extrrr s?dera=e.rtra vias solis; i.e., 
beyond the course of the Ecliptic, south of 
the tropic of Caiiricorn, meaning thereby 
the most southern parts of Africa generally. 
It has been conjectured (by Heyne) that 
Virgil has reference here to the Inroad of 
C. Petronius into Aethiopia in retaliation for 
the expedition of Candace, queen of that 
countiy, hito Egypt. 

798. This verse has already occurred in iv. 
482, to which place refer. 

799. Hujus in tHtvi'ntnm, etc. The 
flattery here bestowed on Augustus accorded 
well with his own superstitious feelings. 
The basis of the compliment appears in 
Suetonius (Yit. Aug. 94), where it is stated, 
that a few months before the birth of Au- 
gustus a prodigy occurred at Home, by 
which it was indicated that "Nature was 
bringing forth a king for the Roman peo- 
ple" — "■ Ili'^em populo liomnnu naturain 
ptirtnrtrey Anthon. 

Cnspin re^na, i.e., the nations bordering 
on the Caspian Sea. particularly the Hyr- 
caiiians and Bactrians, who were subject to 
Parthian rule. 

800. Miicoiia tr/ifis, i.e., the Scythians 
around the Palus Maeotis, Sea of /izov. 

801. The Kile is called also Sempteiz/flmis, 
Seinptemptex. Seinptcmgeminus is very 
rare. 

Tvrhiint, i.e., turbantur, on the principle 
explained at JEn. i. 234, which see. 

802. Alcides, i.e., Hercules, on whom and 
his labours, consult Uict. of Biog. and Myth., 
and Schmitz, Hist of Greece, p. 40 sqq. 

804. Pacaritncmora, scil., bykiUing the 
wild boar. Wagner thinks it very silly of 
our poet to have uitroduccd the boar of 
Eryinanthus, and the Lernaean hydra, to 
the exclusion of the conquest of Geryon, 
and the abstraction of the golden apples of 
the Hesperides, as the first two do not imply 

132 



the traversing of any great part of the 
earth's surface ; and he does not doubt but 
that Yirgil would have altered the lines had 
he lived to revise his poem. Peerlk. pro- 
nounces them spurious. 

805. Juga. i.e., his two tigers. Pampineis 
habenis — with reins wound round and inter- 
twined with vine tendrils. 

806. On the name Liher, see Eel. vii. 58. 
Nijsa. a city, said to have been built by 
Bacchus on Mt. Meros. 

807. Dubitamus. The plur. is used, An- 
chises including himself in order that the 
reproof may be more lenient. Virtutem is 
used here, like ot,pi t-/i, for gloria virtute parta- 

809. Quis—ferens. These words are sup- 
posed by some to be spoken by ^neas, 
but they are uttered by Anchises rather, 
either in uncertainty, on account of the dis- 
tance at which the spirit still was, or, for 
the purpose of callhig the attention of 
.i3i;neas to him more pointedly, in a way 
which must be familiar to every one. 

Numa, so famed by tradition as the foun- 
der of the Roman religion, is appropriately 
introduced with sacred utensils, and of a 
venerable appearance, as he is always ex- 
hibited on coins of the Calpurnian, Marcian, 
and Pomponlan families. 

810. Jucana. Gossrau shows that this 
word is derived from the verb incane,$co 
(see Geo. ii. 71), as infractus (v. 784), from 
infringo, and incurvus from incvrvo, and 
that it does not mean vakle cana, but pcene 
cana. Cf Ovid Met. viii. 804, Labra. incana 
situ. Colum. incana barba. Pliny, in- 
canu-s color rorismarini. Catull, incanos 
crine^. 

811. Primani (vulgar reading, primus,) 
is taken by most commentators as equal to 
prim am or primo; l)ut Siipfl. takes it to 
mean "the youtliful city," a sense, how- 
ever, of prinius which requires confirma- 
tion by example, though Hor. Sat. i. 3, 99, 
prorepserunt primis animalia terris, gives a 
certain degree of countenance to the inter- 
pretation. 

812. Cures — the Sabine town afterwards 
united with Rome, whence, too, according 
to tradition, the term Quiiites sprung ; see 
Niebuhr's Lects. on Roman Hist, edited by 
Dr Schmitz, vol. i. pp. 37-39. 

813. Cvi subibit, etc. With this contrast 
between the second and third kings of Rome, 
cf Livy i. 22, " //ic (i.e., Tullus Hostilius) 
non solum proximo regi dissimilis, sed fero- 
cior etiam Roniulofuit." 

815. Besides viros et desueta agmina, cf. 
^n. i. 725. Desuetus is joined to the dative 
in vii. 693 also. 

817. Gnudens popvlaribusauris. Yirgil, 
with his patrician leanings, is perhaps un- 
just to the ''good old king," as the plebeians 
called him. Li%'y, at least, does not repre- 
sent him as of this character. His memory 
was certainly venerated by the later ple- 
beians, and he was considered the founder of 
their estate. Some put a colon after Ancus, 
making the next line refer to Servius Tul- 
lius. 

818. Superbam, i.e., magnam et excelsam. 



B. VI. 823-835. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VI. 837-844. 



ntoi^LS, sciL, of public liberty, and of the in- 
jured Liicretia. The cut represents a lictor 
with the virga imd fasces. 




823. UfcTcmqueferent. This phrase leads 
us to conclude that in Virgil's time there 
were persons who censured the conduct of 
Brutus. Minores, i.e., posteri. 

825. Decios—Vae. father and son who de- 
voted themselves for their country ; the one 
in the Latin war, a.u.c. 414, and the otlier 
in the Gallic or Etruscan war, a.u.c. 459. 
DrM5M5— praised in compliment to the Em- 
press Livia. who was of that family. The 
most distinguished of them was M. Livius 
Salinator, consul in 535 and 547, who, in the 
second Punic war, defeated Hasdrubal at 
the MetauiTis. 

826. T. Manlius Torquatus, consul in 407, 
410, 414 A.U.C. Camil/7js~the rescuer of 
Rome from the Gauls, after the disastrous 
battle of Allia. See Niebuhr's Lects. on 
Eom. Hist., VOL L, p. 268 sqq. 

827. Fulgere, so scatere, fervere, stridere, 
etc., according to the custom of a generation 
earlier than Vu-gil. 

828. Node, i.e., in darkness, for although 
Elysium had a sun of its own (641). yet we 
are here to understand the world beloAv, 
generally, as a place for spirits to remain till 
again called upon to enliven bodies. 

831. Socer — for Julia, the daughter of 
Caisar, was wife to Pompey. /i/pmis— re- 
ferring to CiBsar's march from Gaul. Mts. 
are called aggeres, because they seiwe as 
embankments of defence to the countries 
which they sm-roimd. Monoeci—at the 
extremity of the Mai-itime Alps was a pro- 
montory with a temple to Hercules Mo- 
noecus, not far from Nicaea. Pompey's 
forces were mostly Eastern. 

835. Tu prior, parce — supposed to have 
reference to the proposal of Cfesar to the 
Senate to disband his troops, if they forced 



Pompey to do so likewise. Olyvjpo, as de- 
rived from lulus or Ascanius, son of .d^neas, 
who was son of Venus. 

837, 8, have reference to L. Mummius 
Achaicus, the conqueror of Corhith, and 
humbler of Greece, b.c. 146. 

839 There is a difficidty to know the in- 
dividual meant in this and the following 
lines: verse 840 ?hows that it cannot be 
Mummius. The older mteiToreters refen-ed 
it to Curius Dentatus, or Fabricius, the 
conqueror of Pyrrhus, but 839 forbids that. 
Heyne concludes that L. ^milius Paulus, 
who defeated Perseus, is intended, and that 
the latter is called Aeacides, because the Ma- 
cedonian kings belonging to the Heraclidae 
traced their genealogy fi'om Olympias, the 
daughter of Neoptolemus (son of Achilles, 
descendant of ^acus), king of Epirus. 

Argos and Mycence are used for the whole 
of Greece. 

840. Achilli. On this fonn of the gen., 
see ^n. i. 30, and ii. 476. 

841. Vitus avos Trojae. These words 
supply the reason why the victory refeixed 
to should be mentioned, for what more 
agreeable to the feelings of Trojans than 
that the descendants of Achilles should, at 
some future day, pay to the Trojans full 
satisfaction for the calamity which they 
had brought on them, in the death of ti-iends 
and the destruction of property and city? 
The reference may be either to the con- 
quests of Mummius, or better, perhaps, to 
those of ^milius Paulus, which were made 
over the posterity of Achilles. 

Templa temeruta Minervae, scil., byAjax, 
son of Oileus (see ^n. i. 41, and iL 403), 
and by Ulysses and Diomede in the carry- 
ing off of the palladium (see ii. 165 sqq.) 
'J'emerare means "to violate things sacred 
with fool-hardy daring." Forb. 

842. Co to, M. Porcius, i.e., the censor, 
who stands here appropriately in conjunc- 
tion -oath Cossus and the Gracchi. 

Taciturn — the perf pass, proper, — "un- 
recorded," "unnoticed." 

Cossus, A. Cornelius, consul, 428 B.C.. 
who slew Lars Tolumnius, king of Veii. 
He obtained the spulia opima, an honour 
which had been attained before him only 
by Romulus, over Acron, king of Cnenin-t. 
and after him only hx Marcellus, over Vii ido- 
?nnrus king of the Insubrian Gauls, B.C. 222. 

843. Grttcclii gi-nus. The poet refers 
particularly to Somp. Gracchus, consul, 215 
and 213 b.c, distinguished in the second 
Pimic war, and to his illustrious grandson 
of the same name, fatlier of the Tribunes, 
Tiberius and Cuius, consul, 177 and 163 
B.C., and Praetor, 179 B.C. He gained a 
famous victory over the Celtiberians. 

844. Sripiadns, duo fulniina, i.e., Afri- 
canus. Major, and jNlinor, the one the con- 
queror, the other the razer of Carthage. 
The form of the patronymic Scipiades is 
Greek, for Scipionides; so Juvenal uses 
iniibo Scipiddae (ii. 153), and Lucr. (i. 27) 
Memmiades; and Virgil himself, Romulidae 
{JE,n. viiL 638). 

Parr,) potcntcm — either "powerful (in 
state affitirs) by the parsimony with which 
133 



B. VI. 845-858. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VI. 859- 



he managed his slender means, conjoined to 
his prudence and bravery;" or more simply, 
" rich in his poverty," i.e., by reason of his 
frugality and moderation. 

845. Fabricius — he was sent by the Ro- 
mans as ambassador to Pyrrhus. 

Serronus, to whom, when cidtivating his 
farm, an offer of the consulship was made. 
His name was C. Atilius Regulus, to which 
Serranus (sererej was added as an agno- 
men. He defeated the Carthaginian fleet off" 
the Lipari islands in 257 b.c. He was con- 
sul a second time in b.c. 250. 

84(j. Quofessutn rapids, i.e., wearied as I 
am with so lengthened a description of our 
heroes, how can / attempt the long list of 
honours of the Fabian family ? 

Maximus, called Cunctator, the opponent 
of Hannibal. 

847. For restituis some MSS. read the fiit. 
resiitues, but the fonner is preferable, 
as renderuig the description more vivid and 
pi'esent. 

848. Excudent — ducent — orahunt — these 
are examples of the fut. of admission (fu- 
tunmi concessivuni) as in Hor. Od. i. 7, 1, 
Laudahunt aliidaramRltodon; andL 20, 10, 
Tu hihes uvam. The pres. subj. is more 
frequently emploj'ed in phrases of this kind, 
but the fut. expresses rather a certnin ex- 
pectation that the thing which we concede 
will certainly happen. 

Spirantia aera — " the life-breathing sta- 
tues." 

849. D7icent. This verb is properly ap- 
plied to the fashioning of things from soft 
and pliant metal, like the Greek I'ka.witv, 
but is applied to marble and other substances 
natm-ally hard and unworkable. 

850. The Greeks excelled hi oratoiy, espe- 
cially forensic, and in mathematical and 
philosophical studies; but of these Virgil 
particularly refers to one kind, that of the 
stars. So Cocit meatus means sideruni 
cursus. Describe?!/, i.e., dcfinient in sphaera 
coelesti : radio, \.q., vinja. These terms are 
derived from the phraseology of geometri- 
cians, and the last one from the custom of 
describing figures in the dust (sprinkled on 
a table) with a rod or staff. See Eel. iii. 41. 
Heyne. 

852. Observe the strong form of command 
given by the impcr. and inhn., memento 
regere. 

854. Pnrcere subjectis. Tliis clemency 
towards their enemies, on which the Ro- 
mans prided themselves, Horace attributes 
to Augustus himself, bellante prior, jucen- 
tem Lenis in liostem, Carm. Saec. 51. 

856. M. Claudius IMarcellus, celebrated in 
the second Punic wai- and other important 
operations (see above, 842, note), is intro- 
duced, so that the poet may be led by a na- 
tural transition to M. IMarcellus, the son of 
Octavia (sister of Augustus), whose prema- 
ture death at the age of twenty plunged the 
Roman world into grief. 

858. Tumulius meant " a sudden rishig, 
to quell which immediate measures were 
necessary." The term was most frequently 

131 



applied to the incursions of the Gauls. 
Tui-bante — see note 801, above. 

859. Sistet — a strong word, remm ding us 
of Jupiter Stator. Poenos— this refers to 
his compelling Hannibal to raise the siege 
of Nola Galium— SQ& 842. 

860. Tenia arma — s&Q 856 and 842, 
note. 

Quirino, ie., Romulo. The regulations 
of Numa provided that the first spolin opinia 
should be dedicated to Jupiter (which Ro- 
mulus had done), the second to Mars (which 
Cossus did), the third to Quii-inus (which 
Marcellus did). 

863. Frons laeta parum — a sjinptom of 
early death, according to ancient belief. 
Similar is our plrrase, "Too good to live 
long," 

864. Quis is here properly used and not 
qui, shice ^neas asks the '■'who,'" and not 
the " what kind.'''' See note, lEn. iii. 60S. 
Sic, as described in preceding line. 

866. Quantum instar in ipso — a rather 
unusual expression for quanta similitudo ei 
est cum illo Claudio Mar cello (quinquies 
consule) quem comitatur. 

870. The gods were supposed to envy 
earth of those men, who were endued with 
superlative virtue. 

874. Campus aget getnitus — referring to 
the public funeral of Marcellus. 

875. The tumulus to Marcellus was erected 
(a.u.c. 726) in the Campus Martins, hence 
praeterlabere, Tiberine (Pater). 

877. lio7nula tellus, for Romulea, see Mn. 
iiL 602. 

879. Heu pietas— of what avail will he his 
pietas, fides, et fortitudo. 

882. An ancient spur, calcar, and the 
mode of fastening it are shoAvn hi the ac- 
companying woodcut. 




883. Si q?in [sell, via, rationelfata rumpas, 
i.e., if you by any means break the arrange- 
ments of the fates — if you can escape from 
your hard fate— in celebrity and glory you 
wUl rival the great M. Marcellus, famed for 
the share he took in the second Punic Avar : 
Thus Heyne. But the explanation ofWagner 
appears to us much more natural, and much 
more pathetic. Putthig a note of excla- 
mation after 883 {rumpas), he interprets, 
"Would that you by some means could 
burst through the unrelentmg decrees of 
fate:" then the words Tu Marcellus eris, 
will have no reference to the former Mar- 
cellus, but to the son of Octavia himself, in 
this sense, "You Avho now sojourn here 
among spirits, will at some time retmn to 
upper earth to be that noble Marcellus, the 



B. YI. 



-S8S. 



NOTES OX THE .EXEID. 



B. VI. 891-901. 



delight of the Roman people. How much, 
therefore, is it to be wished that you would 
anticipate the fates, so that you might 
escape premature death." What follows 
may thus be connecteii with the foregoing, 
"But it will not be allowed you to reverse 
destiny ; nay, you will die at an eaa'ly age. 
I shall therefore perform the due ceremo- 
nies," etc. 

885. The purpureas flores are to be con- 
sidered as referring to liUa, and not as hidi- 
cating ruses or otlier flowers. This custom 
of scattering flowers over the grave, or 
wreathing them in cliaplets, though out of 
use Avith us, is still common in many coun- 
tries of the continent. Observe the skill of 
the poet in these Unes— the deep feeling 
of the mind bursts out at Tu Murcellus 
erh; and then there immediately follows the 
mild and subdued tone of lamentation and 
resignation. 

886. Animam aecumulem doni.i, by a well 
knoAvn elegance of expression for dona in 
animam aecumulem. 

Inani munere — "a useless, unavailing 
duty," since it cannot recall the dead to life, 
nor will the shade know thereof Augustas 
and OctaAia were very deeply affected on 
hearing this passage recited. 

887. Sic, i.e., conversing in this strain. 

888. Aeris is to be governed by regione 



(and not by campis) in the sense of "bright 
I'egions." 

891. Exin for exinde, as dctn for deinde, 
responds to postquam above, and is here 
equal to turn, post haec. 

892. Laurentes, i.e., the Latins and Eutu- 
lians. On Laiu-entes see viiL 71 and 371. 

894. Sumni, etc. " There are two gates 
of sleep, one of which is said to be of hom, 
and through it free issue is given to veritable 
apparitions ; the other is cai'efuUy finished, 
and shines brightly with ivorj' of spotless 
white, but through it the infernal deities 
send up fantastic dreams to earth." Tliis is 
founded on Odyss. xix. 562 sqq. See Hor. 
Od. iii. 27, 41. 

895. Horn, as the most transparent sub- 
stance kno"\\Ti by Homer, Avas considered 
the best medium for disclosing the realities 
of a future state, forming the "glass door," 
as it were, between the two worlds. 

899. Eviittit — on the time of the ascent to 
earth, consult notes on 535 sqq. 

900. Viam secat, r'l^vn t'/jv oh'ov- 

901. Caieta — a name given by anticipation 
(see beguming of next book). The toAA-n 
was in Latium, fifty miles north of Naples ; 
it is noAV called Gaeta. Gossrau advances 
arguments to proA'e that the last tAA-o lines 
of this book are spurious, but we deem is 
unnecessary to enumerate them. 



135 



B. VII. 1-13. 



NOTES ON THE ^XEID. 



B. VII. 14-26. 



BOOK SEVENTH. 



ARGUMENT. 



The departure of ^ueas from Caieta, and his an-ival in the Laurentine territory, on the 
banks ot the Tiber, being recorded (1-36), the narrative is inten-apted by a digression on 
the ancient condition of Latium, and by a detail of the omens which heralded the approach 
of a foreign enemy, and the accession of a new dj-nasty (37-106). By the eating of the 
cakes which served the Trojans as tables in their hasty meal after landing, iEneas is 
reminded of the prophecy of the Harpy, and is thereby assured that at length his wander- 
ings are to cease; he accordingly despatches an embassy to Latinus, to ask permission to 
found a city (107-159). Tlie deputies are kmdly received, and Lavinia. the daughter of 
Latinus, promised to ^neas in marriage (160-285). Meanwhile Alecto being sunnnoned 
from the shades by Juno, rouses to mdignation Amata, the wife of Latinus, and after 
her, Turnus, king of the Rutuli, who had been espoused to Lavinia; and then directing 
her com-se to the Tiojan youth engaged in hunting, she leads Ascanius to slay a favourite 
stag belonging to Tyrrheus, the royal shepherd, which act of %ioleTice brought on an 
engagement between the followers of yEneas and the rustic Latins (287-510). Almo and 
Galajsus are slain and brought into the city, but even the sight of their dead bodies is 
unable to urge Turnus to declare war. Juno herself therefore, usurps the king's prero- 
gative, and sounds the war-note fai* and wide (511-622). Tlie allies of Turnus are then 
enumerated (623-817). 



1. Tu quoque, i.c., as well as Misenus and 
Palinurus, on whom see vL 2:;2 and 381. 

2. Caieta — see 901 of preceding Book. On 
the different etymologies 'f the wurd, con- 
sult Smith's Diet, of Gjog. The modern 
name, Gaeta, perpetuates tlie legend. 

3. Honos is put for titulus; tlie result, for 
the means by which it is brought about. 

JVoinen, Le., the name of the city and pro- 
montory serve instead of an inscription on 
the tomb. Wagn. 

4. iSi qua est ea gloria, scil, that the city 
and promontory should be called from you. 
Tlie ])lirase has direct reference to magna 
Hesperia going before, and implies that the 
glory was very great. 

8. In nocte/)K either "at the approach of 
night;" or "during the night." The liglit 
is called tremuUtvi, from the nature of its 
rays. 

10. Circcece. The Circtcan promontorj- is 
said, by the more ancient poets, to have 
been once an island, viz., tliat (^-E:T?a) of 
Circe, but to have been gradually joined to 
the mainland by the consolidation of allu- 
vial matter. 

11. Solis fiUa, Le.. the. famous Circe, on 
whose history, see Class. Diet. She is called 
Dives, Heync thinks, on account of the tafa 
superba mentioned in 12, or simply because 
she was a goddess. See Horn. Odyss. x. 
210, 311, and especially 348. 

Liicos, mentioned in hnitation of Homer, 
Od. X, 150. They are called iiiaccessox, 
because it Avas dangerous to approach t'uein, 
by reason of Cu-ce's charms and sorceiies. 

12. Resoiutt, "causes to resound." The 
verb seems to be used in this sen-e only by 
Sil. Ital., besides our author. On the song 
of Circe, see Odyss. x. 221 scjq. 

13. Cedrum, the cedar of the Greeks and 
Romans, called also oxueedru^, was of the 
juniper species, and dilferent from tlie cedar 

136 



of Lebanon, which belongs to the firs. 
Heyne. 

14. This line occurs in Geo. L 294, one 
word, however, being different. See notes 
there. Consult Antiquities (Ramsay) on 
tiie Loom. 

Trapp translates, "While through the 
slender web, her whistUng slmttle Hies along 
the loom." Some critics, however, refer 
argutiis to the shape of tiie instrument (as 
urguta serra, Geo. i. 143), and not to the 
sound. The following woodcut represents 
the pecten, "reed," or "lay," the teeth of 
which were inserted between tlie threads 
of the warp, and thus used to drive up the 
threads of the woof together. 




18 Wagner thinks that Scevi>-e is properly 
applied to the growlhig of bears, but it 
would appear, from authorities, that uncare 
and unjore are the more appropriate 
terms. L'liilare is an onomatopoeic word, 
which has a representative in very many 
languages— the Greek oAaXt/^s/v, the Heb. 
Ilaltehtjah, the Celtic funeral cry (wliich 
we shall not attempt to spell), etc. etc. 

21. Qiia'=et licec; and generally, a rela- 
tive (whether pronoun or conjinictioiu is 
equal to a conjunction and a demonstra- 
tive. 

24. Fugam, i.e., celerem cursum. Fer- 
viduvada, "the boiling slu^Uows," such as 
usually encompass a promontory. 

26. Lfitea, i.e., crocea, KpoKOTi-yrXos. 



B. VII. 28-73. 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. YII. 74- 



Posuere, scil., se or vim, Lutea (« short) 
lueans miri/. 

2S. Tonsce, i.e., remi, see x. 299. Lento, 
"tranquil," " peaceful" 

29. Atque, expressing sui-prise, see -rEn. 
iv. 261. Hk, an adv. of tifne. 

31. Flatus, a usual epithet of the Tiber, 
from the yellowness of its waters, caused 
by the large quantities of sand and earth 
broug-ht do-ivn by tlie stream. 

36. The approach to, and entrance into, 
the Tiber are made in obedience to the in- 
junction of Creusa, ii. 781. The Trojans 
land on the Laurenline territory, which was 
planted abundantly with bay trees ; hence 
lucus, and ojKtcusjiuvius. 

37. Erato was the Muse of amatory 
poeUy, but is here put for any of the Muses 
generally. Qitce temjjora rerum, in wliat 
state attau-s were when JEneas arrived. 

38. Quis is here used in its proper sense, 
inquiring of the dtfierent kinds of kingdoms 
and states, and their names. See note, 
Mn. iii. 608. 

40, Exordia, Le., the slaying of the stag. 
See 479 and 542. 

42. Reges, La, Latinv.s, Turmis, Mezen- 
fius, etc On the ancient people of Italy 
and their origin, see HejTie, Excurs. iv. ad. 
l!. 1., also Niebuhr's Rom. Hist, vol. L, and 
Donaldson's Varronianus, 2d ed. 

45. Moveo — " I stir the song." Latinus 
was the son of Faunus, who was sprung 
from Picus, the son of Saturnus. For fuller 
particulars, see Class. Diet. 

47. Marica was a Latin nymph whose 
worship was celebrated by the people of 
Mintumas : a gi'ove was consecrated to 
her near the river Liris (Garigliano.) 

51. Nulla fuit, scil., at the time of the ar- 
rival of ^neas. 

52. Filia, sciL, La%'inia. Servabat sedes 
refers to the patrimony which she was to 
possess as an only daughter, and not to the 
circumstance of her being a "good keeper 
at home." 

56. Turnus, king of the Rutuli, son of 
Daunus and the nymph Venilia : his sister 
was Jutm-na. Axis, etc., i.e., of royal blood, 
and that too an ancient line. 

59. It is to be remembered that trees and 
even groves were planted in the impluvia of 
houses. See Diet, of Antiq., under "House." 

60. Comam, the accus. of reference or 
limitation : see note, Mn. i. 228. 

61. Primas arces, Le., the foundations of 
his fortresses. Wlien adjectives are thus 
set in apposition to substantives denoting 
time and place, tliey single out one idea 
from the general notion contained in the 
subst., and exhibit it for special contem- 
plation; thus frigidus annus does not mean 
the cold year, but the cold part of the year ; 
proxima aHuvies, not the nearest flood, but 
the nearest part of the flood. 

63. Laurentis is the ace. phir. 

70. Partibus ex isdem — "from, the same 
regions " that the bees came from, Le., the 
lower sea. 

71. Adolef—see I 704. 

73. Nefas, applied to a prodigy, dreadful 



and detested, and happening out of the 
course of nature. 

74. Visa est ornatum (cremari) — "she 
seemed to be burning in {as to) her orna- 
ments,"— an accus. of the remote object. 
See L 228. So also comas and coronam, 
next hne. 

76. Coronam gemmis, a royal ornament. 
Remove the semicolon after gemmis, and 
then que, after regalis, will couple the two 
indnitives, cre?nct?i and inrolvi. 

77. Vukanum — the fii-e. The smoke and 
the lumen full- urn Avere bad omens. 

80. Ipsam begins the line with peculiar 
emphasis, as opposed to populo. 

81. Oracida Fauni. The poet places the 
oracle of Favnius in the grove of Albunea, 
in the district of Tibur, where the medicinal 
(sulphureous) waters of the Albula (now 
called Solforata di Tivoli) flow eastward into 
theAnio. Heyne. Bou^tetten (Voyage sur la 
Scene des six derniers livres de V Eneide), ■s\ith 
whom Hejme and Wagn. agree, says that 
the fomitain here spoken of is that which 
may now be seen on the Aixlean road not 
far from the temple of Anna Perenna, and 
which is called Acqua Solforata d' Altieri. 
See Kor. Od. L 7, 12, where it is called 
domus resonantis Albuneae. 

83. Heyne, in his edition of YirgU, inter- 
preted maxima as equal to larga vena aqua- 
rum, and he made ne/norum=^in nemoribus, 
as ^'« '3"»y aXa-ov; for Iv ccXtrii : it would 
thus mean, " which in a copious flood of 
waters resounds through the groves with its 
sacred fountain." Afterwards, in a philolo- 
gical periodical, when reviewing Bonstet- 
ten's work, he proposed the following as the 
simplest construction. Albunea (aqua), quae 
sonatfonie saci'o, maxima (aquai'um) nemo- 
rum, which will be translated thus: "Which 
greatest of forest streams resounds with its 
sacred fountain, and buried hi gloom exhales 
a noisome and pestilential stench." Tliis is 
approved by Forb. Wagner tlunks aU diffi- 
culty will vaidsh if, with Probus and Bon- 
stetten, wetake^l^iwHeatomean awood, and 
not a fountain. But, then, says Forb., wliat 
would be the meaning of lucos sub alta 
siiva? and why should the wood, and not the 
fountain, be said exhalare mephitim? 

84. A disagreeable and noxious stench, 
which the Latins caUed Mephitis, arises 
from the sulphureous water. Hence the 
Romans, in their fondness for deifyuig the 
powers and phenomena of natmre, made to 
themselves a goddess Mephitis, whose tem- 
ples were erected in many places, especially 
among the Hu-pmi in the valley of Am- 
sanctus. 

85. (Enotria tellus, put for Italy generally. 
See note, ^n. i. 532. 

86. JJona — sacrifices. 

88. The oracle of Faunus was one of those 
consulted by incubatio, Le., by the suppUaut 
prostrating himself and remauiiug in sleep 
during the night to receive the intimations 
of the di%-ine wUl m dreams. The custom 
{lyA.oif/.ia.a-(a,i) -^vas very common among 
the Greeks, e.g., in the temple of Amplii- 
araUs at Oropus, and at Thebes; of Tro- 
137 



B. yil. 92-117. 



XOTES OX THE ^NEID. 



B, VII. 118-127. 



pJionius at Lebadea; of ^sculapius at 
Epidaurus and in Cos, etc. etc. It was most 
probably introduced into Latium by the 
Pelasgians, as Heyne conjectures. Latinus, 
as being both priest and suppliant, lies down 
on the sacred hides, though it was not usual 
for the priest to do so. 

92. Et pater ipse, scil., as the ancient 
Italians (85) had done. 

9-3. Bidenies — see ^n. iv. 57. 

96. Connuhiis, to be pronounced as three 
sylls. See ^n. i 73. 

97. Thalamis paraiis, Le., any Italian 
prince, such as Tiu-nus. Extend gemri, 
in next line, is opposed to it. 

99. Ferant — videbunt. The difference of 
tense is accounted for bj^ Wagn., who 
says that ferant is used as desci'iptive of 
generi {veniunt generi qui ferant, i.e., iique 
TALES qui fer-ant), but videbunt as simply 
narrative. 

100. Solrecurrens — " "Where the sun, in 
his daily revolution, beholds both oceans," 
i.e., that at the east and that at the west 
limit of the earth. 

105. Laomedontia puhes, Le., the Trojans. 
Cf. iii. 284. 

106. Religavit ab aggere ripce, i.e., moored 
the ships so that the ropes sloped doicn 
from the high summit of the bank to the 
vessels. Forb. We disapprove, however, 
of this veiy close adherence to the litei-al 
meaning of the words ab aggere. No idea 
of sloping doicn seems to be intentionally 
implied, but simply the nature and position 
of the holdfast. For it is very common 
with both Greeks and Lathis to designate a 
point in space by a word denoting motion 
li-om, or separation from, that point, since 
beginning and extending from a point imply 
contiguity and contact with that point. 
Thus a dextro cornu, "on the right wing;" 
o'Titrhv, "in the rear," " behind ;" literally 
"from the rear." 

107. We have in the followhig passage 
the fulfilment of the prophecy (see iiL 255 
sqq.) of " eating the tables." 

108. Deponunt—see JEn. i. 698. 

109. Adorea liha — " And place along the 
grass wheaten cakes Ix-neath the -viands, — 
80 Jupiter, in the prophecy forrnerhi indicated 
(such is the force of ille, for iUo vaticinio) 
suggested, and pile up wild fruits on the 
cereal (wheaten) base." Solum, says Ser- 
vius, is used of that which supports any- 
thing — thus it here means the cakes which 
serve as plates. " The cakes were made of 
wiieaten flour, with honey and oil, and were 
generally used on sacred occasions. They 
were circular, and marked off into quarters 
(quadri-s 115) by a cross drawn on the sur- 
face." Anthon. See illustration, *^n. i. 701. 

114. Violare is used because the cakes 
were considered sacrcc/from their connexion 
with the destinies of the Trojans (fatcdis 
crusti.) 

116. Hens, "ha"! an exclamation indi- 
cating a sudden thought, but not implying 
grief or facetiousness. 

117. Nee plura alludens — without joking 
farther, or playing upon the word (mensa.) 

138 



118. Prima tulit, i.e., was the first indica- 
tion from heaven that the time had now 
come when they Avere to finish their wan- 
derings. Frimam=statim, continuo, since 
it means "as soon as the word escaped his 
lips." Forb. But we see no necessity for 
thus wresting the plain meaning of the 
term ; the sense is, that of the omens this 
Avas the first, and the Avord Avas the first of 
those spoken byAscaniusor his companions, 
that attracted the notice of ^neas. 

119. Eripuit, "hastily took up," vTiXd ■ 
(hiro. The A^erb expresses great eagerness 
and anxiety. 

Pressit. There are various explanations 
of this phrase. (1.) Vocem being under- 
stood, the meaning is, "He checked the 
voice of Ascanius, so that he might not run 
the risk of sajing anything ill-omened. 
[This is the Aitlgar rendering ; but nee plena 
alludens shoAvs that the boy needed not to 
be interrupted.] (2.) He put his hand on 
the mouth of Ascanius. [Burmann, but 
perfectly ridiculous.] (3.) Premere (vocem) 
is similar to p7'emere vestigia, i.e., to follow 
close upon ; so here, to speak immediately 
after lulus [Schirach; — but the notion of 
following has been already expressed in the 
foregohig.] (4.) He hesi'tated for a little, 
pondering within himself the words {animo 
pressit), and AAiien he sees all thhigs to 
agTee Avith the oraele formerly declared, he 
immediately salutes tlie land as his by right. 
[Wagn. and Forb.] (5.) With vocem pre- 
mere, compare the aaialogous phrases crimen 
premere, and argumentum pi'emere, to follow 
up, to urge, to insist uj)on. [Jalm:— this- 
A\iU give a sense most natural, and quite 
consistent with eripuit gomg before.] 

Numine. He belicA-ed it a divine inteq:)0si- 
tion that Ascanius thus reminded them of 
the prophecy. 

On the metre and nimibers of this verse, 
see Wagn., Qua?st. Tirg. xxxv. 16. 

120. Salve — salvete are the Avords of one 
adoring. 

121. Penates — .iEneas shoAA's, on CA'erj' 
occasion, his great veneration for these 
deities. He calls them fidi, "truthful," 
"trustworthy," on account of their prophecy 
in iiL 147, 1G2, 167. So noAV (122) he calls 
Italy their domus SLwdpatria. 

123. Repeto, sciL, memoria. 

We have here an example of Virgilitis 
dormitans, according to the commentators 
(see Wagn., Quiust. Virg. xl.) : for it was the 
Hai-py Celaeno, say they, and not Anchises, 
that had declared this prophecy. Heyne 
suspects that the episode of the Harpies 
AA'as inserted after the poem was finished, 
and that it Avas only the death of tlie 
author that prevented its being rcAised 
and properly adjusted to the other parts. 
Eulik. and Gossr. excuse the poet, by saying, 
tliat since neither Celaeno nor Helenus told 
xEneas that the eating of the tables Avas to 
be the immediate forerunner of the building 
of a city, it may "be that Anchises infomied 
his son of this fact in the loAver regions. 

126. Sperare is governed by inemento. 

127. Aggere, i.e., in aggere. See 158, be- 



B. VII. 129-160. 



NOTES OX thp: ^XEID. 



B. VII. 161-1C4. 



low. The meaning i-:, "A ditch liaving 
been dug, and a mound raised." 

129. Exitiis, Le., "difficulties," "misfor- 
tunes." 

134. Vina reponite — "put the wine on the 
table for a second course." See note, JSn. 
i. 723. 

136. He first invokes those deities, -^vhich 
represent departments and powers of nature 
—to them he adds, in 139, the domesticgods. 

Primam deorum — either "chief before 
others," or " the source of all things." See 
Soph. Ant. 338. 

139. Idceum Jovem., so called from Mount 
Ida in Crete — (see iii 105). 

Phrygiam Matrem—Cxhoie. (see iii. 111). 

l^O."^ Parentis. Venus (in heaven), An- 
chises (in Erebus). Obser\-e the abls. of 
place, Erebo and Coelo -without the prep. 

142. Thunder from a cloudless sky was 
considered a good omen. Cf. Hor. Od. L 
•34, 7. Clarus is attached to and agrees 
■with Pater, though belonging properly to 
Coelo. Forb. But this is unnecessary' ; it 
is much better to take it with Pater, both 
in sjTitax and sense, thus, " distinctly evi- 
dencing his presence and power." 

146. Instaurarit — see iv. C3. Omim 
magno, "the manifest and irrefutable omen." 

147. Coronant vina — see i. 724 

149. Urhein, sciL, Laurentum. 

150. Fontis, gen, not ace. Xiimicus, or 
^"umicius amnis, was a small stream of 
Latium. It is said to be represented by the 
modem Stagno di Levante, uot far from the 
old and now parched channel of the Tiber. 

152. Satm Anch., " the son of Anchises," 
Ab omni ordine, "from eveiy rank." 

1-53. Orator is the spokesman of a depu- 
tation. The Romans usually sent three, or 
sometimes as many as ten ambassadors, but 
the large number is given by the poet of 
Rome's origin, to add to the dignity of the 
occasion. 

154 Ramis Palladvs, i e., the olive. 
VeJatos — this verb is properly applied to 
wealing fillets on the hroic, temples, etc., 
but here means the adornment, by fillets, 
f branches carried in the hands of the sup- 
plicants. 

157. Moenia, that is the famous eastrum 
Trojce, or nova Troja, fringing the Tiber. 
See ix. 469, 68, 238, 195. It was four stadia 
fi-om the sea. 

158. Primas sedes — the first settlement 
thej' had in Italy. 

159. Pinna, " a notched battlement along 
the top of a wall, fortress, or tower." as seen 
in the illustration. On the derivation of the 
term, see Rich. s. voc. 



by -n-riting Latini. The latter reading is 
approvetl of further, on the gi-ound that 
ar-dua tecta may be justly applied to the 
palace of Latinus, though not to the abodes 
of his poorer subjects. "But there is no rea- 
son supplied by the context for restricting 
high houses to Latinus, leaving aU his sub- 
jects to dwell in hovels, especially as Wagn. 
has shoT^ai by reference to xiL 131 sq., tliat 
such was not the case as represented by 
the poet. The reading Latinorum may be 
defended on the three following considera- 
tions: — 1st, Line 161 shows that the tf/io/e 
city is spoken of— 2d, Virgil takes ever\- 
opportunity to magnif",' the town Lauren- 
! tum and all things belonging thereto — and, 
i 3d, The houses even of the poorer inhabi- 
j tants. though not high hi themselves, 
j may yet be so from their elevated position. 
I 161. Mui'o subibant, — "were neariug the 
wall." Some copies read rnuros, but this, 
says "Wagn. (followmg "Wolf), would mean 
that they were actually entering the citj-, 
muro, the dat., being employed to signiK- 
mere approach to. Forbiger opposes "Wag- 
ner's opuiion as to this distinction between 
the dat. and ace. with subire, and shows 
by examples (iii 292. vi 13, compared 
with viii 125, 362, and x. 798), that the 
principle cannot be carried out. The pri- 
maiy meaiiuig of the ace. and dat. cases 
certainly lends confirmation to Wagners 
view of the essential and primitive dtfler- 
ence between the two modes of expression, 
but the approaching to a position close 
under the waU. of a citj-, is so nearly allied 
to entering the city, that we do not wonder 
at the coiifiision of the constructions and at 
their mdiscriminate use. 

162. The custom mentioned in this and 
the following lines was common not only in 
Latin towns, but also in those of Greece, 
and in fact of most ancient States. 

163. Domitant cun-us, Le., train ("break 
in") horses yoked to cars. So, in xiL 287, 




160. Latinorum. A hj-permeter sjil. is 
foimd here, which some copies have obviated 




we find the word cv.rrvs used with equal 
boldness — infrevant alii currus. The above 
is a representation of a Roman chariot. 
drav\Ti sometimes by two, three, four, or 
even more horses. 
164. Acres, nom. i)L, referring to pueri 
139 



B. VII. 165-17 



XOTES ON THE .EN'EID. 



B. TIL 174-lSO. 



and. juvenes. Lenta, "pliant," "flexible," 
1.6., made of the young shoots of cornel or 
myrtle trees. 

165. Icttt, Le., in throwing the javelin. 
Lacessunt, "challenge," 

167. Ignota in teste — see iiL 595 : iv. 51S ; 
V. 37, 179. 

169. Solio medhis. for in medio solio, says 
Forb. But it appears to us much more 
natural to look upon the word as properly 
used, agreeing with the subject to consedi't, 
" he sat down ui the midst, on his hereditaiy 
throne." It seems ridiculous to make our 
poet state di^^tinctly that a man sat down 
on the middle of his seat, lest we might 
imagine, forsooth, that through fear or other 
cause he, like some naughty child, took only 
a corner. The use of the adj. is the same 
as that of noctiirniis in Geo. iii. 533. 

170. This palace of King Pious, on the 
citadel of Laiu-entum, was used by the 
Latins as a curia Ctoicn-hall), and as a tem- 
ple ; but it is dilierent from that of Latinus, 
mentioned 59, above. Regia here means 
merely a large and splendid building. With 
suilimecolitmnis. cl Ovid Met. iu 1. 

17L Picus is, by an anachronism, called 
Laurentian ; for the name Laurentum was 
given to the city by Latinus, who was grand- 
son to Picus. See /En. i. 1, note on La\-inium. 

172. Hon-end'.un. etc, "Held m venera- 
tion by reason of its (sacred) groves, and in 
consequence of the rehgious orduiances of 
the ancestors of the race." 

173. The sceptre was primarily a long 
staflf, with some ver\- simple ornament at 




^--"^ 



the head. That in the above woodcut re- 
presents Latinus with his emblem of power ; 
while that underneath shows the form of 




174. Omenerat. etc. "It was a custom 
betokening good fortune for the monarch.s 
of the land to receive the sceptre here, and 
(here) to raise the first badges of authority; 
this sacred biulding sen-es as a senate-house 
(or to^nt-hall) for them," eta Omen, says 

j HejTie, pro more, cui bonum omen inerat, ut 
majorum fort una sequeretur regem regnuui 
auspicantem. The meaning is that the cus- 
tom -was sanctioned- by the ordinances of 
religion, and deemed, consequently, of pro- 
pitious influence. 

Observe the last syll. of eraHong hj arsis. 
See note, JEn. i. -308. 

175. Ariete, bv sjniizesis, for arjele. See 
^n. i. -2. 

176. Considere. The more remote an- 
cients did not recline at meals. Perpetuis, 
"long and unbroken," or " stretching in a 
straight hue along." as opposed to the 
triclinium of later days, with its small 
tables, each for a single person. The phrase 
does not appear to refer to a daily public 
dumer, as in the Prytaneum at Aifiens, but 
it seems to contrast the grander state of 
thmgs at the foundation of the Roman em- 
pire with the more circumscribed scale of 
hospitality in after years, just as in hue 153, 
above, one hundred ambassadors are sent 
instead of three, or at most ten, in the flour- 
ishing days of the Roman RepubUc. 

177. In the porch of the palace, statues 
are placed, as was usual among the Romans 
in the porticos of the curice and temples. 

178. Jtalus, an ancient king of the (Eno- 
trians, to wliom lie taught agricultm'e and 
other arts of ciWlization, wa^ said to have 
come tirom Arcadia. 

Sabinus or Sabus (See Donaldson's Yar- 
ronianus, p. 8, 2d ed.) was reckoned the 
founder of the Sabine race, one of the most 
ancient in Italy, and after death was deified 
and worshipped. 

179. Vilisafor—a. term also apphed to 
Bacclius. Sercan.'! sub imagine — it was pro- 
bably a bust [like that of the Hermae.] at 
tlie base of which was & r'alx. "priming 
knife," to keep the event m remembrance. 

ISO. On Janus, consult Niebuhr and Ar- 
nold. Hist. Rom. ; and Keightley'sMythoL ; 
or Suiiths Diet, of Bio?, and Mjth., and 
Donald. Varr. pp. 36, 37^^ 2d ed. The fol- 
lowing cut is a representation of Janus 
Bifrons 



the imperial and triumphal sceptre used 
in the later limes of the repubhc. 
140 




B. VII. lSl-192. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VII. 196-228. 



181. Reges is iised in a wide sense, mean- 
ing principal men, for few Latin kings are 
recorded as receiving wounds in their coun- 
try's cause. 

Ab origine, \.Q.=antiquissimi. 

184 Curvae secures, with which Vii'gil 
represents the Amazons (xi. 656), the Italian 
shepherds (below, 510, 627, and xii. 306), 
and Camilla (xL 696) armed. 
• 186 sqq. There is, says Heyne, a kind 
of antique grandeur and dignity in the im- 
age, in which Picus appears with the trabeci 
(the robe of ancient kings), the divming 
lituus, and the archaic ancile. Lituo is in- 
troduced by a proleptic (anticipatory) license, 
since Romulus first used it. Lituo is by 
some caWeAihe. Ablative of Quality (examples 
of which may be seen in Mr\. i. 639, iv. 517, 
viii 197) "he of the lituus;" others find a 
zeugma in succinctus, "furnished," which 
wiU thus govern lituo and trabea both; 
''furnished with the lituus, and clothed in 
the trabea.''' Beneath is a repi'eseutation 
of the lituus. 



188. The Ancile or sacred shield is here 
seen on a denarius. 




189. Equum domitor, /^^roca^aj. The 
ancile was a small and oblong shield which 
fell from heaven ; it had an indentation on 
each side [lience Varro derives its name, 
am (ambi) caesus}. As on its preservation 
depended the existence of Rome, Numa 
had eleven others made exactly similar, so 
that the real one could not be fixed upon 
with certainty, if an attempt were made to 
carry it off. Conjux, i. e. , his lover , for when 
Circe saw that she was despised by him, 
she turned him into a bird. 

192. Intus templo — an adv. used instead of 
a prep. This construction is not found m 



prose writers. Gossrau separates the words, 
so that templo is the simple ahl. of place, 
intus being an adv. added for more specific 
definition; "In this temple of the gods, 
that is, in the interior of it." 

196. ^wcZiii—" celebrated by fame." So, 
too. Dido compliments the Trojans on their 
first appearance before her. 

200. Qualia multa, o'ldn TToXXd, "such 
disasters as, many in number, mariners 
suflfer out at sea." 

201. Portu — no regular harbour, but the 
temporary anchorage which they had pitched 
upon. 

203. JEquam — practising equity and jus- 
tice without constraint and without laws. 
Cf Ovid Met. i. 89 sqq. 

204. Veteris dei, viz., Satm-n. 

206. Auruncos — an ancient nation of 
Campania, between the Volscians and Cam- 
panians, occupying both sides of the Liiis. 
Virgil considers them as Aborigines. Ut 
does not reply to ita, but means how. 

207. On Dardanus, see i. 380; iii. 107, 167. 
The poet adopts that myth regarding him 
which was most likely to prove agreeable 
to the Roinans. His agris must be taken 
with some latitude, as Dardanus was not 
sprung from Latium, but from Corythus 
(Cortona), in Etruria. See iii. 170. Samo- 
thracia, hoclie, Samothraki, an island in the 
yEgean, oft' the coast of Mysia. 

209. Hhnc — "from this city sprung." See 
note, vi. 305. 

212. Eioneus, see i. 521, as being the 
eldest, speaks. 

214. Succedere, in the infin., is put after 
subegit in the irregular construction; — the 
subj. with ut would be the usual form. So, 
m line 206, ut with subj. is put instead of 
accus. and infinitive. 

215. Eegionevice — "in the dh-ection of our 
coui'se." 

218. Olympo, i.e., from the east part of 
heaven. 

220. Avo gaudet. Dardanus was son of 
Jupiter by Electra. 

222. The comparison of the Trojan war 
to a tempest is very fine. 

225. Si quern = quemcunque. Extrema 
tellus refuso, etc. By this Wagn. thinks 
Britain or Thule is meant, refuso implying 
at all events that an island is intended, 
since it is around such only that the sea 
would flow so as to appear to run into itself 
again. But re/Mso may also mean, "spread 
widely forth." The following words, too, 
indicate that a north countiy is meant 
Submovet, "removes to a great distance." 

227. The torrid zone is hidicated, and 
especially the Lybian desert. 

228. Diluvio is used of the destruction, 
because the war had been likened to a tem- 
pest. Translate from line 222, thus: "What 
a fearful storm, let loose from fell Mycenae, 
swept over the Idaean plains —by what dire 
destinies impelled, the continents of Em-ope 
and Asia rushed into hostile collision, has 
been heard both by him Avhom the earth, 
at her utmost border, where the ocean 
spreads out in boundless extent, removes 

141 



B. VII. 230-246. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. VII. 249-282. 



far from us, and by him whom the torrid 
zone (phaja solis iniqui), extended between 
the other four (zones), separates from us." 

230. J?i)wcuum, "safe," i.e., on which 
we shall be unmolested; or it may mean, 
"that on which we shall not be obliged to 
harm others." Doderl. says that the word 
was used by none but poets up till the 
time of Pliny the elder. Undainque auram- 
gue, etc. Wagni. thinks this modelled after 
the well-known expression used in forms 
of banishment, aqua atque igni interdicere. 
According- to ^n. i. 546, note, we might 
expect auras, but similar terminations are 
frequently pleasing to the poets. 

231. Indecores. This adj. is said to have 
no nom. indecoris, but either tHc/ecor or tre- 
decorus. 

235. Fide — in treaties, in keeping and 
carrying out the provisions of which, there 
is constant necessity for a bold mind and 
fearless hand. 

237. Every one will, in reading this line, 
thhik of Horn. II. i. 14. Precantia is to be 
scanned as three sylls., precantja ; to avoid 
the synizesis some books read precantum. 
In connexion with the branches adorned 
with fillets and carried in the hand, see 
above, 154. 

240. Tinperia deorum, viz., the warnings 
and orders. 

241. Hue repeat, etc. It has been the 
subject of much contrcvei'sy what is the 
subject of this verb. Some make it Dar- 
diuius; others ^Eneas, under the name Dar- 
daruis. But a comparison of ^n. iii. 94 sqq., 
and of iv. 345 .«qq., will convince us that 
Hcyne, Wagn., Forb., etc. etc., are right in 
assigning Apollo as the nom. to repetit. 
The punctuation is, Hinc Dardanus orttis; 
Hue repetit j ussisque ing. urg. Ap., etc., "To 
this country Apollo recalls us," etc. 

242. Nninid — see 150. All rivers were 
counted sacred ; but this is represented by 
Virg. as especially so, perhaps in anticipa- 
tion of the legend, that ^neas, after being 
drowned in its waters, was deified. 

24-3. DuL, scil., /Eiicas, rex ipse, 220. The 
subject is omitted, .'^ince there can be no 
doubt who is the person sending the gifts, 
even although Apollo is the individual most 
recently mentioned. Hcyne thinks that 
Virgil had inserted the lines from 222 to 242 
at a revision, but had not had leisure to 
accommodate th.em, with sufficient exact- 
ness, to the context. 

Prceterea, Le., besides sending the em- 
bassy. 

245. We have seen {Mn. i. 647 ; v. 260, 
and elsewhere) that when the poet mentions 
gifts, he endeavours to enhance then- value 
by recording the individuals to whom they 
belonged. 

Auro, i.e., a golden goblet. 

246. Gestamen, wliich we found in ill. 286 
meaning a sftield, here signifies the ensigiis 
of royalty generally — the sceptre, tiara, and 
robes, being specified particularly afterwards. 
The tiara refeiTcd to is the Phrygian cap 
(pileiis), which was of a conical form, but 
bent slightly forward and downward. The 
poet elsewhere calls it mitra (iv. 216). 

142 



There is a masc. form tiaras^ and a fem. 
tiara. 

249. Hionei— to be scanned as three sylls. 
by synizesis. See below, 532, and Mn. L 2. 

Observe, says Anthon, the gradation in 
this picture. We have first the countenance 
directed downward; then the look fixed 
on the ground ; and, lastly, the rolhng eye 
expressive of deep and earnest thought. 

253. In connubio — which the oracle of 
Faunus had predicted. See 96, above. 

256. Paribus auspiciis— this is said in 
reference to the election of magistrates of 
the same kind, and of the same power, at 
the same comitia, and under the same 
auspices. Consult Ramsay's Antiq., " Con- 
suls." 

258. Et, i.e., et talem, quae occupet. 
Viribus — warlike bravery; or it may be 
used for imperium. The same sentiment 
is expressed at 99. 

260. Augurium suum, i.e., the prediction 
of Faunus. 

261.' Munera nee sperho — by the figure 
litotes, for lubens accipio. 

Rege Latino — while Latinus is (i.e., while 
I am) king. This is vulgarly called the 
abl. absolute; but it is really an example of 
tlie rule that " a point of time is expressed 
in the ablative," there behig a slight inver- 
sion in the syntax. The term abl. absol. is 
in itself a contradiction. 

262. Uber agri, i.e., uhertas agrorum, or 
tiberes agri, the abstract being put for the 
concrete. 

Deerit, a dissyll., by synizesis. See ^n. 
i. 2, 131, and Eel vii. 7. 

266. Pars pads, Heyne explains as equal 
to signum, or pignus foederis. Tyranni is 
not used in any bad sense, but is simply 
equal to ruler, prince, like rvpavvos. 

268. The manners of the heroic age 
allowed that either daughters or fathei-s 
might act as suitors, without waiting for 
tedious and modest bridegrooms. The 
oracle of Faunus serves here as an additional 
excuse for Latinus. 

270. See above, 97-99. 

274. Nuniero, for ex numero — "from his 
whole number." 

275. The niunber of horses is perhaps 
rather extravagant for a petty prince in 
Lalium; but all things are represented on 
a large scale, as remarked at 176, above — 
and, moreover, Picus, 189, was famed for 
his horse-mania, while, at Geo. iii. 133, 210, 
Latium is celebrated for breeding horses. 

277. Instratos — see ii. 722. Alipedes s&&m% 
to be used only here in an absolute sense, 
meaning horses. 

Ostro pictisque tapetis — hendiadys (i. 2, 
iii. 148), " with purple, and that too on 
embroidered trappings." 

278. Monile—seQ 2En. iv. 135, and v. 310, 
notes and cuts. 

280. The few lines following are moulded 
after Homer II. v. 265 sqq., Circe supplying 
the place of Anchises in the transaction. 

282. "Of the race of those which the 
crafty ('inventive,' 'knowing,' excuse the 
slang) Circe caused to be produced without 



B. VII. 284-320. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VII. 322-336 



the knowledge of her su-e (tlie sun-god), a 
spurious breed from a substituted mare." 
Patri depends on ftirata. 

284. A sudden change takes place on the 
face of affairs, just wlien all the miseries of 
the Trojans seem at an end. As the wrath of 
Juno supplied the subject of the first six 
books, so, in its effects, it forms that of the 
last six. Cf. i. 3G sqq., and especially 
Homer Od. v. 282 sqq. 

Argis, a favourite residence of Juno— see 
i. 24. It is called Inac/ikvi because Inachus, 
the father of lo, was, by common tradition, 
its founder and first king; the river, too, on 
wdiich it stood, was called Inachus, and the 
river-god and the king were often considered 
as the same individual. Inachus thus comes 
to mean ArgoUcus, Ai'givus. 

Sese referehat — sell, to Carthage. 

289. Abusque, i.e., ab u&qm. When at 
Pachynus, hi Sicily, she, from her elevated 
position in air, beheld the fleet of jSlueas 
and all Latium Iving before her. 

290. See above, 127 and 157. Fixu for 
tramfixa — " penetrated." 

293. Contraria, etc., i.e., when we wish to 
injure them, it is fated that our attempts 
shall be vain. The fates of Juno carry ill 
success. 

294. On Sigeum, see ii. 312. 

296. Per— observe that it is joined with 
the last of the governed accusatives. See 
v. 512; vi. 692. 

302. Syrtes—see i. 146, Scylla and Cha- 
rybdis, iii. 558, etc. 

303. Alveo — two sylls., by synizesis. See 
above, i. 2. 

304. Securi — "regardless," in the old 
sense of " free from anxiety." 

Mars perdere, etc. — cf. a similar oration of 
Juno's, at ^n. i. 39 sqq. On the biittles of 
the Centaurs and Lapithae, see Ovid Met. 
xii. 210 sqq. Consult Smith's Diet, of Biog. 
and Mythol. 

305. Lapithum for Lapithariim — see i. 565. 

306. Calydon — an ancient city of ^tolia ; 
near it was a great wood which the famous 
boar haunted. 

. 307. Mereniem, though its idea applies 
to all the substs., is yet joined syntactically 
with Calydona. Scelus, the crime, is put 
for poena, the penalty. 

311. Dubitem — by this subjunctive, Juno, 
as it were, excites herself not to doubt : so 
that it is the same as if she said, "What 
reason is there why I should doubt ? I do 
not see why I should hesitate." 

312. Cf Aesch. Suppl. 160-168. On non 
dabitur prohibere, see .^n. i. 66, 79, 319, 
and notes. 

315. 2'rahere, scil, res. 

317. Coeant, i.e., be joined in a treaty, by 
the marriage of ^neas with Lavinia. Mer- 
cede — "price," i.e., punishment, destruction. 

319. Bellona promiba — as Juno Avas her- 
self Pronuba in chief, this transference of 
her offices to Bellona is rather threatening. 

320. Cisseis — Hecuba, daughter of Cisseus 
and wife of Priam, who dreamed that she 
was to bring forth a blazing torch, which 
her son Paris turned out too truly to be. 

Jugales, ie., conjugates. "Nor did the 



daughter of Cisseus alone, pregnant with a 
torch, give birth, in marriage, to a son who 
proved a firebrand (to his country^." 

322. Recidiva —'■'■ rising again from its 
ruins." The metaphor is taken from the 
sprouting of young slioots out of a stock 
whose tree has been felled. 

323. We have now a description of the as- 
cent of Allecto, one of the Furies, from the in- 
fernal regions, at the instigation of Juno, and 
of her dealings with Amata, the wife of king 
Latinus, with the Latin matrons, with Tur- 
nus, the Teucri, and the aborigines. It is a 
finely-finished passage, and called forth the 
commendation of Juvenal, hat. vii. 66 sq. 
Cf Eur. Here. Fur. 822 sqq. ; Horn. II. ix. 
565 sqq., and Ovid Met. iv. 422. 

324. Luctificus is found also in Cic. Tusa 
ii. 10, 25. Similar formations are terrificus, 
horrificus, etc. Allecto (written usually with 
two I's, though sometimes, both m Greek 
and Latin, with one) is derived from «» 
priv., and >^'/iyof/^a,i (i cease)— it has been 
translated impausabilis by Fidgentius, Myth, 
i. 6. Dearum has in some editions been 
supplanted by the reading soi^onim, which 
latter was adopted to avoid the cacophony 
of dirarum dearum. But the poet may have 
intentionally used such a combination, "w< 
rem horrendam ctiam, duriore verborum sono 
exprimeret." Dirae,i:\{\A'i{(Ieorumirae. But 
it is rather to be referred to the adj. dims, 
v/hich Doderl. thinks one and the same 
with durus; while Luenemann, in Lex., 
deduces it from ^iip'o? [Ittctiy 'h'Aloj) i.e., 
terribilis; and the last editor of Forcellini's 
Lex. considers it as a Sabine orUmbi-ian word. 

326. iV^or/a-" hurtful," "baneful." Cf. 
338, tibi mille noceiidi artes. 

327. Odit, etc Cf. Aesch. Bum., 69 sq., 

Sorores, viz., I'lsiphone and Megcera. See 
vi. 280. 

328. Tot vertit in ora. " So many terrible 
and threatenhig aspects efface does she as- 
sume : so savage are her features — with so 
many snakes does she, gloomy of Aisage, 
bristle." T\\& xcrb pullulo, " to sprout," is 
used in its proper sense in Geo. ii. 17. 

331. Proprium — "peculiarly thy task;" 
or, as Wagner interprets, " for my especial 
gratification." Cvjus fructu, says he, ipsa 
sola gmideam. 

Node sata — " offspring of Night." The- 
Furies were fabled to be the daughters of 
Acheron and Night. 

332. Infracta, from infringo, i.e., plane 
fl-acta, completely shattered. 

Cedat loco — a military phrase, "to give 
Avay." 

333. Ambire — "to circumvent," "to get 
round," as Ave say. 

335. On the adj. unanimus, see Ia'. 8, note. 

336. Verbera and faces, are not the in- 
struments of torture Avhich the Fury is to 
employ to punish her victims; but the for- 
mer refers to the domestic afflictions result- 
ing from her instigations, and the latter to 
t\\Q public calamities of war, slaughter, etc., 
following therefrom, 

143 



B. VII. 337-? 



NOTES ON THE JENEID. 



B. VIL 372-391, 



337. MilU nomina — "a thousand attri- 
biites of ill," or "under a thousand names 
tkou canst do ill," alluding to the different 
forms she assumed, and the different pro- 
perties she possessed, enabling her to make 
mischief. 

Concute — "rack (or ransack) thy fertile 
breast." 

339. Dhjke — "scatter to the Avinds;" it 
is stronger than ritmpe, dirime, or solve. 

Crimina belli, i.e., which shall be the 
cause of war. 

341. Tnfecta, etc. — "steeped in (saturated 
with) Gorgonean poison," i.e., ha\ing her 
tresses formed of poisonous snakes which 
acted as the canals by Avhieh to emit the 
poison that permeated her whole body. The 
reference is to the snakes of the Gorgon 
Medusa. 

343. Taciturn — (1), equal to tacite obsidit; 
(2), silent, quiet, as the female apartments 
were in a retired part of the house; or, (3), 
Amata's distress nialdng her silent and 
thoughtful. The adj., properly applied to 
her, is transferred to her chamber. This 
last explanation is Cerda's, and has received 
most supporters. 

Amata, the wife of Latinus, was mother 
of La\inia, and sister to Venilia, the mother 
of Tumus. 

34:5. Arden tern — "in a flame of excitement" 

Coquebant — "conthiually disquieted," for 
"?jt?.va ira dicitur coquere nos, vel pectus 
nostrum," i.e., exagitare, vexare. 

349. Levia — "smooth" — epitheton egregie 
delectum, says Heyne, ut serpentis lubri^uin 
lapsurn adjuvet. The usual adjs. employed 
in reference to the lieart are nwllis and teiier. 

350. Join fall it irtspirans, like the Greek 
participle sXa^sv ticTTViuv. 

352. Tortile aurum. Twisted necklaces, 
in the form of a snake, were very common 
with the ancients. 

Tcenia vittce — it becomes like the band of 
a fillet, encircling her tresses, and hanging 
down behind, so as to resemble a serpent. 

354. Ac, etc. "And when the first con- 
tagious breath (of the serpent), stealthily 
entering with humid poison, thrills through 
her every sense, and instills the fire into 
lier bones," etc 

359. Sxsulibus— the plural is more em- 
phatic than the sing. ; as if she wished to 
stigmatize the whole race as exiles and 
wanderers. Of course ^Eneas, the Trojan, 
is meant. 

360. Gnatce is more dignified than natce 
See EcL v. 22. 

363. At increases the force of the sarcasm 
and irony of this sentence. 

Penetrat, vexit — on the use of the pres. 
Qyenetrat) for the perf , see jEn. iL 275, 
note. Wakefield proposes to take penetrat 
as contracted for penetravit, in Lucretian 
fashion, but this is mmecessary, and, per- 
haps, unauthorised. 

366. Consanguineo — see 343, note. The 
reasoning of Amata in the following lines 
will be easily seen to be quite of the 
" catch-at-a-straw " kind. 

368. Idsedet — "that is unalterably fixed." 

144 



372. Inachus — the first lung of the Ar- 
gives, and founder of Argos. 

Acrisius — the fourth king of Argos, father 
of Danae, and gi'andfather of Perseus. 

Mycence and Argos ai'e often conlbunded, 
as here, since both were important cities of 
the same district — Argolis. 

Medice — "the verj- heart of Greece." 

376. Monstris, i.e., the terrors and phan- 
toms presenting themselves to the mind of 
her maddened. 

377. Iinmensam — another example of the 
desire shown by the poet to exaggerate the 
early affairs of the Latins. Cf. above, 176. 

378. The mtroductiou of a schoolboy's 
" ichipping-top " into an Epic poein may 
seem rather beneath the dignity of such a 
composition, but the beauty, and even per- 
fection, of the description must plead the 
poet's excuse. The points of comparison 
are these: — the great extent of Amatas' 
wanderings, and the large circles of the 
" top ; " the involuntary movement in both, 
the one urged on by the stimulants of the 
Fury, the other by the scourges of the boys; 
and, thirdly, the effect caused by each on 
the bystanders. Thiel. 

380. Habena, " the thong. Supra, in tlie 
next line, well expresses the eager look of 
the children hanging over the whirling top, 
and "gaping with mouth and eyes" on the 
charming toy. Cf. Tibullus, i 5, 3. 

383. Animas — "life," (plagce being the 
nora. to dant,) i.e., more quick motion. 
Others refer animos to the boys in the 
sense " they put their Avhole soul into the 
stro'^e," plagce being dat. sing, (or, even in 
this sense, it may be the nom. pi.) 

38.5. To understand and appreciate this 
passage properly, the student should read 
carefully tlie history of Bacchus and his 
rites, arid such a description of the orgies as 
may be found in Eurip. liacch. 

389. Fremens {(opiy-iiv, whence (?>p'o//-to?y 
a name of Bacchus,) is a word properly ap- 
plied to Bacchantes. 

o!tO. On the form of the thyrsus, and the 
derivation of the Avord, see Diet, of Greek 
and Kom. Antiq. (Dr Smith). Molles, be- 
cause surrounded by vine leaves. Observe 
that the subject of the infin.. sumere, is not 
expressed. Tiie head of the thyrsus (or or- 
namented pole) Avas sometimes decorated 
Avith ivy leaves, as in the figure on the right 
hand, Avith vine leaves as in that on the left, 
or with a simple fir cone, as in the centre. 




391. Tihi — "in honour of thee." Telustrare 
choro — " to dance around thee," referring to 



B. YH. 392^10. 



NOTES ON THE .^TNELD. 



B. Vn. 411-435. 



the custom of setting the statue of Bacchus 
in the midst of the revellers to be the centre 
and director of their movements. 

Pascere crinem. Le., to allow the hair to 
grow long, so that the flossing tresses might 
'■•jloat as free as mountain breezes." 

392. Fama volrti. etc. The lines are so 
constructed as to express the utmost celerity 
in the movements. No sooner is the report 
spread than all the females become inliu- 
euced and rush to the woods, a home to 
them strange (nova Ucta.) 

394. Desermre. Note the perf. expres- 
sing rapidity of motion. Dant tentis, c£ 
.£n. L 319, and solciie crinales tittas, 403, 
below. 

395. TremuUs vhtlatibus — " with tremu- 
lous yrfls,"Le., bowlings uttered with falter- 
ing tongue, for the Bacchantes approached 
to the character, and displayed the symp- 
toms, of persons iutoxicated. 

396. Incinct^ peUihus — the Bacchantes 
assumed the skins of goafs or fawns, and 
carried pampineas hasfas, Le., spear shafts 
covered with vine leaves. See thi/rsus as 
above, 390. 

397. Ipsa, sciL, Amata. inter medias, ie., 
media int^r matres. Pin urn flagrantem — " a 
blazing pine torch." 

39S. Carat — the last sylL long by arsi&, 
and that, too, though a short sylL succeed, 
which is very rare. TTagn., Quaest. Tu-g. 
siL 11. lays it down that such a peculiaiity 
occurs only when the verses, formed on 
the Greek 'modeL approximate either the 
Choriambic or Anapaestic rhythm. C£ 
Geo. L 138 : iii 1S9 ; TP.n. L 308 ; and see 
note. EcL L 39 ; iv. 51. 

Amata, in her excitement of mind, forgets 
the worship of Bacchus, and raves about 
her daughter's nuptials. 

399. forquens, etc — " she sings the nui)- 
tial song, roiling wildly her blood-shot eyes 
— and suddenly she shouts aloud in harsh 
tones." Tor-rum, the neut of the adj. used 
as an adv. The word properly means stern- 
ness of aspect: but is transferred to the voice. 

400. lo — an exclamation expressive of 
argent haste, and used to excite and stimu- 
late to action. 

Uli qu(eque, «^' lx.a.ffTy,, i.e., omnes. 

403. Soivite vittas cri}iaies. See above, 
S91 and 394, notes^ 

Capiie orgia. Observe the ravings ; now 
she remembers that she had gone forth to 
the orgies — ^now she speaks only of her 
daughter — ^now she exhorts her fellows to 
begin the sacred rites, though they are 
supposed to have begun them long ago. 

404. Talem, for ita, sic; or rather "in 
such plight" 

, 410. Danae Acrisioneis — Danae, daughter 
of Acrisius, is said to have been wafted to 
Italy and to have fotmded Ardea. (See 
Smith's Diet of Geog.) Niebuhr thinks 
this legend goes to prove that Ardea was 
fotmd^ by Pelasgians. Ardea was the 
capital of the RutulL It was besieged by 
Tarquinius Superbus — was made a Roman 
colony in u.c. 311 — was afterwards de- 
stroyed by the Samnites, and in the time of 



' Yirgil had almost no existence as a city. 
j Its site is about twenty-four Italian miles 
{ from Rome. 

i 411. Delata is by some referred to dea, 

■ but by others (Wagn.. Forb., Gossr., etc) 

! it is considered as belonging to Danae, to 

; describe her sea voyage. 

I 412. Tenet has here the meaning " to 

\ hold good" "to be current," " to remain," 

i (on which use of the verb see Ruperti on 

I Livy L 4, 9) : magnum nomen is therefore 

i the nom. to tenet. '"And now the great 

j name, Ardea, remains." Wagn. and Forb. 

The second Ardea is in contrast to the line 

following. 

j 413. Sed fortuna fuit. La, dbiit, aufugit. 

It is unnecessary "to quote Mtl ii S25, 

fuirnus Troes. fuiilJium. or to point out the 

peculiar force of the expression. The kind 

of eup?iemism employed the declining to 

characterise its present state, and merely 

referring to its palmy days, renders the re- 

flecttonmuch more powerful than a laboured 

lament cotdd have made it 

417. Obsccenarn, L e., furpem. foedam. 
Rvgis arat — '\furrows with wrinkles;" — a 
metaphor derived of course, fi-om ploughing. 

418. Innectii — " she interfwines," sciL, 
in her hair. 

419. Junonis anus tempiique sacerdos, Le., 
retula sacerdos tempJi Junonis. So above, 
ii. 319, Panthus arcis Phosbique sacerdos. 

422. Incassum — "'for nought," "finoit- 
lessly." Fusos, scLL, esse. Iva sceptra. Le., 
yours by right of marriage. Transscribi is 
the word applied to the transference of 
colonists from one town to anotlier, or to 
the passing of money from one person to 
another; hence it comes to mean, "to hand 
over to the power of another." 

423. Sanguine — "with yotu- blood;" for 
425 sqq., show that Turnus had repeatedly 
espoused the cause of the Latins, and de- 
fended them in war. 

425. Ingratis ^ericZjs-^" thankless dan- 
! gers." 

I 427. Hcec adeo=hcec ipsa. Saiurnia — see 
1 iv. 92. When this deity threatens, or is 
: likely to become inimical, she is called Sa- 
I turnia. but when she is indifferent or pro- 
I pitious. Juno. 
j 429. Some join portis moveri in arma; 

but Wagn. and Forb. say, Leetus in arma. 
43L Consedere — see above, 30 ; and on the 

form of the perf consedi, consult note, ^n. 

uL .565. 

On pictas carinas, see note v. 663. In 

criire there is a zeugma, so that the phrase 

=exstingue duces et exure nares. 

432. Jubet magna — " desires great ex- 
ploits," magna being the ace. sAer jubet. 

433. Bicto parere, Le., stare pro7nissis — 
" to adhere to his promise." 

4-34. Senfiat should not be followed by a 
comma, as it governs Turnum. in the sense 
i of "feel." Le., feel the vengeance and wrath 
j of Turnus. 

i 435. Turnus appears on the scene now 
! for the first time, and it is to be noted 
j that the poet always represents him as a 
j haughty, arrogant man, in order that the 
\ mild and humble character of bis hero, 
145 



B. VII. 4S8-460. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. ^T:T. 462-500. 



^neas, may stand out in stronger contrast. 
Heyne. 

438. Ne finge, etc., i.e., don't imiigine 
that I feel so great fear as that I should 
pretend not to have heard of their arrival 

440. Situ, On the meaning of this Tvord, 
see note, iEn. vL 462. It is here applied to 
the mind dulled by inactivity. 

Yeri efeta — "inc.ipable of conceiving 
truth." Tlie metaphor is taken from land 
rendered barren by over exertion in pro- 
ducing crops, or from animals past the time 
of bearing. The meaning is that she had 
lost the power of discerning the truth by 
reason of old age. See v. 396. 

441. Mater — said vnth derision, like onr 
"old mammy," or '-granny." 

Irder arma reguiu — a hint that it is not 
her business to interfere in the affairs of 
princes. 

442. Vatem — Hejme interprets by 
yiotiKopov, aedituam, " temple-warden ;" but 
Wagn. understands it in its proper sense, 
prophetess, used, however, with derision. 

445. Exarsit in iras — "blazed forth in 
passion." Oranti=Ioquenti, "as he spoke," 
"while speaking." 

447. E)V)n/s — on the orthography, cf. note, 
^^n. iL 337. Observe that the causal particle 
n«/H is omitted before tot, as at 328, above. 
Cf. Eel. L 12, and note. 

448. Ta)ita se facifs aperit — "so huge and 
honid a shape discloses itself to Aiew." She 
becomes larger as aFuiy than she appeared 
as an old woman, and at the same time 
more horrid — we have translated tanta, 
"huge and hon-id." 

4-30. Flanimea torquens Jiimina geminos 
erexit flngw&s— compare Pryden, Alexan- 
der's Feast: — 

See the Furies arise; 

See the snakes that they rear, 

How they his« in tlieir hair. 

And the sparkles that flash from their eyes. 

RepuVd—^Mh the first syll. long. Tlie 
prefix re is short, naturally, but in com- 
pound verbs (especially in the perfs. retuUt, 
reperit, repiiUt, in certahi other forms, pd 
in some substs. religio. retiqiiiae, etc.) it is 
lengthened by the poets of the Augustan 
age, if two short sylls. follow it; for other- 
wise such words would be excluded from 
heroic and elegiac verse. The earlier and 
later poets, however, lengthen the re even 
before a long syll. 

451. Verbera insoviiit — " sounded her 
lash." The Furies are represented Avith a 
scourge. 

456. Jiireni, for in Jurenefii. Atro — black 
on account of the smoke. 

OUi — see note, jEu. i. 254. 

459. Perfudit is the reading adopted by 
Wagner for the common one, prorumpit. 

460. Fremit aniens arma — "frantic, he 
madly calls aloud for arms;" such is the 
force of fremit. 

Reqnirit toro. Ancient heroes seem to 
have taken their armour to the sleeping 
apartment. So, in ^n. vL 524, Fidum 
capiti subduxerat ensem. 

146 



462. Hom. 11. xxi. 362 sqq., afforded the 
groundwork of this comparison. 

463. Flamma rirgea. for virgae: — costis, 
Le., the middle part, "the belly of the pot," 
as the Greeks said yd.<rT'/,p Tp'tTo^oi. 

465. Aquai~see JEn. iii. 354. Observe 
fumidus separated from its subst. amnis by 
the conj. atque and its clause: so in ii. 55-2, 
dextraqiie coruscoi extulit ac lateri capido 
tenus abdidit exsesl 

466. Capit se, i.e., contain itself. 

467. PoUutapace — violafajam, scil., con- 
silio, conatu et voluntate Tumi, Heyne. See 
426, above. 

470. Venire implies hostility, like our 
I phrase "come out:" it means "that he was 
i a match for both the Teucri and Latins 
' combined." Obsers^e the synaph'Aa in que 
joined in scansion to the following line. 
I 475. Virgil has often been found fault 
I with for assigning the death of a stag as the 
: cause of a serious war. It was, however, 
i not the cause, but only the occasion and 
beginning of the war. 

477. Artenora. After these words He\-ne 
placed a semicolon, and Wagn. a comma, 
but Forb., Jahn, and Ruhk. have removed 
both. So after lulus, Forb. places only a 
comma, because of its close couuexiou with 
what follows. 

479. Jlic, an adv., here. Cocy^ia — the 
Fury is so called, because she had Ler abode 
near the Cocytus in Orcus. 

483. Cornibus ingens, for the prosaic in- 
gentibus cornibus. 

484. I'yrrheusvras king's shepherd in the 
Laurentine territory ; in his house Lavinia 
is said to have given birth to Sdvius. 

485. Obsen'e the pres. tense parent in 
this place, and cf. Mn, n. 275, 482 ; and iv. 
228. 

487. Soror. ie., of the boys. 

490. Manum — either contracted for 
manuum, or, which is more likely, the word, 
patiens, is here used, not as an adj., but as 
a particip. proper govcnn'ng the ace. 

492. Ipse, i.e., sua sponte. 

494. Canes. This subst. is usually fem., 
when hunting-dogs are mentioned. Se- 
cundo flnmine, "down the stream," as 
adrersofumine, "up the stream." 

495. the difficulty in this line, that " if 
I the dogs were pursuing the stag while 
1 swinmiiug in the river, and if he knew this, 

I he could not after that lie do\vn quietly to 

j bask on the bank," is partly removed by 

I the consideration that it is said, ''whilst he 

j was floating do%A-n the stream, and was on 

j one occasion resting himself on the bank." 

It is not at all necessary to consider that the 

I stag was roused in the early part of his jour- 

I ney, or in his fir?t bask in the sun, but simply 

that during his progress down the river, he 

was at a certain spot found reclining on the 

bank, and thence started by the dogs. 

498. Dextra erranti — "his right hand, 
(which, unassisted, was) liable, or prone to 
miss its aim." 

499. Acta venit, i.e., adacta est. penetrariL 

500. Obsen-e how the poet displays his 
skUl in exciting our compassion for a beast 



B. VII. 504-519. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. VII. 523-553. 



which is naturally timid and mild, and 
Nvhose instinct leads it to run for protection 
to tliose whose tending care has made it 
"one of the family." 

504, Duros — "iiaixly," "stnrdy," ausual 
epithet of husbandmen. Condamat, i.e., 
calls toarether Avith loud cries. 

505. Festix, sciL, Fnria, Improvisi, sciL, 
Silvias. " Unexpectedly soon." 

507. SitpitisgravidinodisAitevidly^ "with 
tlie knots of a l!ca\-y club," i.e., with a 
heavy-knotted club. 

50S. Rimunti — "searching," "as he 
searchetL" The verb (see Geo. L 384) pro- 
})erly means to examine Qyery chink (ri/na), 
and era mm — to tiy to discover. 

509. Quadrifidam — "that could be split 
into four pieces." See Geo. iL 25. 

510. Imniane spirans, f^iya. Tvicjv, 

511. E specuUs to be connected with petit. 
Specula— a. watch-tower; but speculum — a 
mirror. 

513, Pasiorale signnm, ^-iz., the sound of 
the trumpet, which is still used to call to- 
gether the rustics on any occasion of danger. 
Tills custom is not confined to Italy, but 
has been found in many other nations in 
their ruder state. 

51-5, Insonuere — ^the vulgar reading, in- 
tonvere, is not supported by the best MSS. 
Insono, moreover, is more suitable to the 
sound of cornua, tubas, classica, etc,, than 
intono. 

516. Laeus Trivice is the Lacus Nemorensis 
(or speculum Dianae) near Alicia, with a 
grove, and a famous temple of Diana (for the 
name Trivia, see iv. 609) ; it is now called 
Logo di Neml 

517. A little N. of the above is the sul- 
phureous Nar {Xej-i), flowing into the Tiber 
between the Sabines and Umbrians. It is 
called albus, from the white deposit of 
sulphur on its banks, and m its channel 

Very near is the Lake Velinus (Logo de 
Pic di LucoJ, made by the river Velinus 
( Velino) stagnating between the mountain 
heights above Reate. It was at one time 
drawn off by M. Curius, a canal being cut 
through the hill. See Cic. ad Att. iv. 15 ; 
Plin. iiL 12, 17. Heyne. 

519. Buccina — a wind instrument used for 




making signals. It was twisted, as seen in 
the woodcut, and had the mouth surrounded 
-nith metal. 

523. Direxere acies — "they have set 
(note the porf. as in 394, above) the line of 
battle in due order," i.e., they regularly 
arrexnged themselves in battle array. 

52-5. Ancipiti ferro — "double-edged 
axes," Servius, Wagn. interprets : "they 
fight with like (indecisive) armour, by which, 
it comes to pass that the result is doubtful," 
(anceps), or "undecided." 

526. The array drawn up in battle array 
is called seges, because its swords and spears, 
when raised in act of striking, are like the 
prickly ears of com. 

527. Sole lacessita — "struck by the rays 
of the sun." 

528. See this comparison made by Homer 
E. iv. 422 sqq. ; cf. also Geo. ML 2oi sqq. 

532. Maximus, scU., natu. Fuerat, had 
been, i.e., before his death. Almo, rather 
Alinon. which latter, however, the Greek 
form, Virg. does not write. Jinny of Vii- 
giPs heroes are named ft-om Itr.'.ian rivers. 

533. Vulnus. Le., sagitta, the arrow which 
made the wound; the effect being put for 
the cause. 

534. Iter udce vocis — the epithet, ttdce, is 
transferred from the throat, through which 
the voice is emitted to the voice itself; it= 
iter udu?n. Inch/sit, for the more common 
interclusit.ov p raeclusit. 

535. Corpora, scil,, sternuntur, seniarque 
GaliTSus — " and among them the aged 
Galjesus." Our poet, following Homeric 
precedent, commends the memory of the 
fallen hero to us, and excites our compassion 
for him by representing him as justissimus 
and ditissimus. 

536. Medium pad — "a mediator for 
peace." 

537. Ditissimus arvis— before the use of 
coin, the amount of a man's wealth was cal- 
culated by the extent of his territory or the 
number of his flocks. 

540. y£quo Marie — " with equal success." 

541. Promissi potens — "her promise being 
fulfilled," having made good lier promise. 

542. Commisit fur.eva—a rather strange 
expression, to be traced, however, in this 
way: the proper phrase is commiitere pug- 
nam, but as the object of the pugna was 
funera, deaths, this latter word is substi- 
tuted for the former. 

544. Victrix — " successful in her mission." 

546. Die, said in irony. The meaning is : 

" The breach is so complete, that even were 

you to bid them return to friendship, your 

order would be unheeded." 

550. Insani Martis. Cf. above, 461. 

552. Abunde with the gen The neuters 
of pronouns and of some adjs. used as pro- 
nouns, and also a few adverbs, are joined 
with a gen., for two reasons : first, beci'.use 
in meaning they have become substs. ; and 
secondhj, because they express a part of a 
whole. See Zumpt, Lat. Gr.. § 432. 

553. Stant belli causce — "the causes of war 
are firmly fixed," i.e., the seeds are sown of 
a war which will not easUy be brought to a 
peaceable tcrmtoatiou. 

147 



B. VII. 554-59.1. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. VII. 593-604. 



554. Qucefors, etc. " Recent (new, fresh) 
blood hath drenched, the arms which chance 
first supplied." 

556. Egregium genus Veneris said with 
bitter irony. 

557. Liceniius — "with greater freedom," 
"with a great amount of freedom." 

558. Pater ille. On this use of ille, cf. 
110, above. 

559. Supei — est, by tmesis (see ^n. ii 
567) for superest. 

561. Alas anguihus. This, observes Heyne, 
is a novel aspect in which to represent the 
Furies, with serpents in their wuigs. 

563. The place of descent of the Fury was 
in the country of the Hii-piui, where there 
is (not far from Aeculanus, Fricenti) a lake 
foul in aspect and disgusting in smell, which 
was considered one of the .y)?'roci/Z« {ventila- 
tors) of Hades, and was called Plutonia or 
Charonea. The place, was named Ainsanc- 
tus, i.e.. Am, round about, axidi sanctus, holy, 
as it were "holy at all points." In sajiiig 
viedio in Italice, Vh-gil speaks not as a geo- 
graphei', but as a poet. The lake is now 
called Lago d' Ansante or Mufiti. 

566. Latits nemoris, i.e., the wooded side 
of a hill. Medio, scil., netnore, but medius 
is very often taken, as here, for the simple 
prep, in, inter, sub. 

567. Saxis et vertice, i.e., vertlce, (vortice) 
aquarum inter saxa. 

56S. On the different gendere of specus, 
consult Diet. 

570. On the mode of spelling Erinys, sc-e 
note, ^n. ii. 337. 

574. Numerits ruit — reportant — impJorant. 
On this mstance of the si/nesis construction, 
see note, iEn. i 70; and iii. 676. 

575. Ora fcedati Gahvsi, for fcedata ora 
Gahesi, as in vi. 480, Adra'sti pallentis 
imago, etc., Le., Galcesuin ipstim ora fceda- 
turn. Fcedatus is often used for vulneratus. 

577. In medio crimine caddis et (in medio) 
ignis. " In the midst of their charges of 
slaughter (against the Trojans), and in their 
heat of mind," etc. 

578. Vocari. The infin. often depends on 
some word easily derivable from tiic con- 
text, as here, qiieritiir, "he complains tiiat," 
etc. Of course Phrugiani is said with deri- 
sion to call to mind the effeminacy and 
luxury of that country. 

581. Thiasis — "in the wild dance to 
Bacchus." InsuUant nemora — this verb is 
very rarely construed with the ace. See, 
however, i. 67. 

582. Fatigant Martem — " clamour loudly 
for war." 

583. Contra omina. See 64, above. Contra 
fata, see 96, the prediction of Fannus. 

584. Perverso numine — "under an influ- 
ence wilfully bhnd." 

586. Pelagi rupes. Observe the anaphora, 
on which see /En. ii. 602; iii. 247. 

587-90. These verses are condemned by 
some of the learned. For the ai-guments 
see Forb. or Wa;.;n. 

591. Potestas datur exsuperure. On this 
construction see note on v. 638; ii. 350. 
E.vsuperare, ie., vincere, "to restrain," 

148 



"check," "their blind" (i.e., rash, ill-ad- 
vised) resolve. 

593. Inanes auras, "the unsubstantial 
air" is the usual translation of this common 
phrase. Peerlk., however, thinks that, 
since mention is made of prayers destined 
to be ineffectual, the word is here used in 
a peculiar sense, meaning rather " the air 
whicli is not about to hear his appeal" — 
'■'-non auditui^as." 

594. Frangimur — "we are crushed," 
"overpowered." Ferim,ur — "we are hur- 
ried on against our wiU. " 

595. Sacrilego — "impious," "sacrilegious," 
since they were running counter to the wUl 
of heaven. 

Has poenas, i.e., hiijus sceleris pcenas — 
"punishment for such a crime," as else- 
where, id genus for gen us eorum ; haecfama 
for hvjus rei fama. For not unfrequently 
a demonstr. pron., which properly belongs 
to some notion contained in the preceding 
words, is, by a kind of attraction, joined to 
a following noun ha^^ng reference to the 
same notion, and assumes the gender, num- 
ber, and case of that noun. 

596. Nefas, i.e., poenae sceleris: so sceluS' 
is used for poenas sceleris, in ^n. ii. 229. 
Transl. "The reward of impiety." Some 
translate nefas, " wicked one ; " a sense, 
however, which would be entirely imsuitefl 
to the circumstances. 

598. Quies—t\\& peace of death is meant. 
Oninis partus in limine — "the whole haven 
of rest is at my feet," is close at hand. Li- 
men is applied to the end of life as well as 
to the beginning of it. 

Some make portus the gen., thus, (ego 
sum) omnis in limine portus ; or, (quies est} 
omnis in limine portus. But the first method 
is preferable. 

599. Funere — death, simply, — ^not obse- 
quies. 

600. The abdication of Latinus may be 
considered too hasty, and quite uncalled 
for. But, as Heyne remarks, it was neces- 
sary for the poet's designs that Turnus 
should possess sovereign authority. For, 
as the praises of iEneas are brought out by 
contrastir>g him with the Italian hero, this 
exalting of the Trojan prince could not have 
been done duly had his rival acted only in 
a subordinate position. 

601. The mode of declaring war in more 
recent times is by a poetical anachronism, 
quite allowable, attributed to the ancient 
days of legend. Cf. Livy i. 19, and see 
Rom. Antiq. (Ramsay) on the cerempnies 
attending the commencement of hostilities. 

Protinus — "right onward from that time." 

602. Albanos urbes—ihe thirty Alban co- 
lonies. Maxima rt?rM/ii— "mightiest of em- 
pires," or "mistress of the world." 

603. Movent Martem, a rare expression, 
the usual one being Bellum, or Mars, mo- 
veinr. It is = movent arma in Heyne's 
opinion. Others think reference is made to 
the custom of beating the sacred anciUa in 
the temple of Mars, on the proclamation of 
war, and to the cry of the priests, " Mars 
vigilu," on the occasion, 

604. The following passage is, of course, 



B. VII. 605-612. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. YII. 614-631. 



intended to flatter Augmstus, and to com- 
pliment his military renown. We are not 
to follow the poet with too great historical 
strictness in his references, but allow liim a 
little latitude. 

The Getae are put to represent generally 
the barbarous nations of the west, conquered 
by Augustus, such as the Cantabri and 
Astures in a.tt.c. 729, the Aquitani (by 
Messala), etc. etc. 

605. Hijrcanis, see iv. 367. Arahis, re- 
fening, probably, to the expedition of 
AcUius Gallus through Egypt to Ai'abia 
Felix in a.u.c. 730. 

Ad Indos refers, of course, to the Pai-thian 
expedition in a.u.c. 734, when the Indians 
sent an embassy to Augustus. See vi. 795. 
The student should take care to make con- 
stant reference to his Hist, of Rome, and 
not content himself with these meagre no- 
tices of events. 

606. Auroram seqiii, i.e., to go to the 
most eastern parts of the world. Parthox, 
in reference to the restoration by Plu-aates 
in A.TJ.C. 734, of the standards taken from 
the defeated Crassus — an event which the 
Roman poets of the Augustan age never 
tired celebrating. 

607. The famous temple of Janus is meant, 
on which consult Schmitz's Hist, of Rome, 
chaps. L and ii., and Ramsay's Antiq., p. 
320. The custom of opening the gates of 
the temple in time of war, and closing them 
diuing peace, is well known. On portce, see 
below, 622 ; and Mn. i. 294. Mars and War 
are represented as confined within the 
temple in times of peace. 

609. Aerei, to be scanned as two sylls. 
Ferrirohora (like vis f err i), "the strength 
of u-on," i.e., strong u-on (bolts). So IMUton 
gays, "The might of Gabriel," for "the 
mighty Gabriel." 

610. Nee custos, etc. The poet seems to 
depict the temple as one with two entrances, 
a front and a rear, vritli a tigm-e of Janus 
guardmg each. 

611. Has, scU.., portas; stridentia Kmina 
is not in apposition to has; but our poet has 
been guilty of a grannnatical blunder, 
which is usually excused by giving it the 
euphemistic name, anacoloiithon (see ^n. 
L 237.) He began as if intenduig to write 
stridentes. But see Md.. i. 573. 

612. Trahea QuirinaH — '' the robe of 
Romulus," ie., worn by Romulus, as also 
by the kings. Ovid often calls Romulus 
traheatus. The trahea is said to have been 
a robe of a white colour, ornamented with 
many purple stripes, like beams (trabs) 
crossmg it obUquely, and either woven into 
it or sewed on it. 

Gabino cinctii — a mode of wearing the 
toga, introduced from GabiL The toya was 
thrown over the body in such a way that 
its lowest lappet was brought round and 
girt the waist, whUe the rest of it enveloped 
and covered the head. See the woodcut 
at V. 755. The origin of the custom has a 
legend connected with it, suTiUar to that 
which accounts for the loose jacket of our 
hussars. On a certain occasion, the people 
of Gabii were engaged in a solemn festival. 



all clad in the trahea, and being surprised 
by the announcement tliat the enemy were 
at hand, they hastily girt up their robes 
and rushed to meet them ; hence, since they 
were victorious, this kind of garment was 
considered of good omen. 

614. Vocat pugnas, ie., in-vites the battle, 
as it were, by the act of proclauning war. 

Sequitur is used in reference to the usual 
phrase of the consul on such occasions: 
" Qui rempublicam salvam esse vult me se- 
quatur." Wagn. 

619. Foeda — "disagreeable," "disgust- 
ing," because Latinus deemed the war un- 
just. Caecis umbtHs — " in the dark recesses " 
(of his palace.) 

621. hnpulit et rumpit. For the expla- 
nation of this difference in tense, cf. note, 
^n. ii. 466 and 483 ; iii. 3. 

622. This verse is modelled from the 
weU known one of Ennius, to wliich Horace 
refers, Sat. i. 4. 60, Postqwtm discordia 
tetra Belli ferratos posteis portasque refregit. 

624. Pars arduus — a good example of the 
construction called synesis, on which see 
note, jEu. i. 70. The poet seems to have 
iatended such a word as eques to follow 
peaes, but, changing his purpose, expressed 
the same idea by cdtts equis, aUowmg-, how- 
ever, arduus to remain. 

Arduus altis equis — altis seems unneces- 
sary after arduus, but the poets often use 
words of the same, or of kindi-ed sigmfica- 
tiou, to heighten their descriptions. See ii. 
458, and above, 285, sublimes in equisredetmt. 

625. Pulverulentus is to be closely at- 
tached to furit, so as to make one notiim 
with it, " Scorn* the jDlain in dusty course ; " 
and therefore the two epithets, arduus and 
pulverulentus, ai"e not objectionable as joined 
to one subst., the phrase arduus altis equis 
(=eques) beuig opposed to pedes, and equal 
to a subject. 

626. Leves — "smooth." "well-polished." 
Lucida spicula — another mstance of the 
proleptic use of the adj., on which see note, 
^n. ii 736. 

Tergent is the reading of the best MSS. 
for tergunt, the vulgar lection. 

627. Aruina — "the hard fet between the 
skui and the flesh." Serv. 

Secures — see above, 510. 

629. Quinque adeo — "ay, five large cities 
in all." There is a kind of gradation in the 
description; for not only do indi\'iduals 
whet then- swords and make preparations, 
but, moreover, " five entn-e cities of con- 
siderable magnitude." 

Tncudibus positis — "the anvils being 
placed," scU., on the blocks. 

630. Atina — a city of the Volsci, in the 
S.E. of Latium, still called by the same 
name. 

Tibur, now Tivoli, a large and important 
town of Latium, on both sides of the Anio. 

631. Ardea — see 411. Crustumeri—the 
name of the people used for the town (as 
we saw above m vi. 776, Pometios), which 
was variously called Crusiumium, Crustu- 
meria, Crustumerium : it was situated in the 
country of the Sabines, not far from the 
river Tiber, and the town Fidenae. 

149 



B. VII. 632-654. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VII. 655-670. 



Antemvae — a tovsTi of the Sabines, at the 
confluence of the Tiber and Anio. 

On the hiatus turrigerae Antemnae, see 
note, Mn. i. 16, also Eel. ii. 24, 53, and 
vii. 53. 

632. Tuta is used in an active sense — 
*' protectuig." U?nbo, the ''boss," in next 
verse, is put by the figure synecdoche for 
the -whole shield. 

634. Ducunt. Le., beat out Observe the 
spondaic metre of the line, suiting well the 
sense. Ocreas, to be scanned as a dissyll. 
by synizesis. 

636. Recoqunnt — "they fiishion afresh." 
On the tessera, see Ramsay^'s Antiq., p. 35t;. 
On the classicus, as the signal for battle, 
Ler.sc]\ (see note, JEu. i. 469) remarks, that 
while the Greeks used music for the plea- 
sures of life, the Romans employed it 
principally for the pm-poses of war. In 
this respect, therefore, the customs intro- 
duced into the ^neid are not Greek but 
Roman. 

640. Trilicem loricam — see M\\. iii. 467. 

641. For the model of the following sum- 
niarj^ of the forces, the reader need scarcely 
be referred to the Homeric catalogue of 
ships in Bk, ii. of the Iliad, line 4S4 sqq. 
Par.dite, etc. — "Lay wide open the portals 
of Helicon, and give movement to my song." 
Helicon is represented as the sanctuary of 
the Muses, aixi it they are called upon to 
open, in order that, chariot-like, the poem 
may run on in an easy course when given 
its first impulse by the Sluses' hand. 

643. For i^mUar praises of Italy, see Geo. 
il 167 sqq. Jam tuin — tliese words contain, 
in their silent comparison, distinguished 
commendation of the poet's own times. 

644. A7-seri(, L e., what heroes it sent 
forth, buniing for tlie fray. It may refer to 
Che blaze of armour in the battle-field. 

645. This is almost a literal translation of 
Hom. IL iL 4So, v,u.=7; yap 6-a.l lirn, 
-Trapiff^'i Tiy Im ti 'rd.v-a,^ hl^'sis §£ 

648. Mezeniius. The Lucumo of Agj'lla 
(afterwards called Caere) is reckoned among 
the allies of the Latins, in accordance with 
an ancient tradition to that effect. He was 
of Etrurian origin, but had been expelled 
from Agylla, and now dwelt among the 
Rutuli. "He is called contemptor diciiin, be- 
cause, according to Cato in Macrob. Sat. iii. 
5, he ordered the Rutuli to give to him the 
first-fraits formerly ottered to the gods. The 
name is sometimes written with double z. 

652. AgylUua urho.. The city was founded 
by the Pelasgi, and from them received the 
name Agylla. TheTuscansalter^vardscalled 
it Caere, and it is represented by the mo- 
dern Cervetere, or Cervetri, i.e., Caere vetus, 
the name Caere or Ceri being applied to 
tlie new village which was built about three 
miles off. 

Nequidquam — "in vain," because they 
were slain with their leader, and avail- 
ed nought either to him or to them- 
selves. 

654. .ffrtt/rfis to be joined, in the opinion 
of Hand, Tursell. iiL 19, >vith Mezentius, 

150 



" whose father should have been a not- 
Mezentius." 

655. Insignem palma—he had gained the 
victoiy in a chariot race, and his car was 
adorned with the prize. 

657. Aventinv^ — a creation of Virgil's 
brain, which he no doubt thought would 
please his countrymen, as it connected Her- 
cules and another ancient hero with one of 
the hills on Avhich their city was built 
Pulcher refers, not to beauty of face, but to 
those qualities which become a hero, viz., 
sturdiness and muscular power of body, 
broad shoulders, and strong chest. 

658. Centum, angites cinctamque serpenti- 
bits Hydram is for, Hydram centum anguibus 
cinctam. 

659. Rhea. Niebuhr alleges that the pro- 
per form of this name is Rea, from reus, 
"the guilty one." But Wagn. and Forb. 
oppose this ^iew, as supported neither by 
the authority of MSS. nor by the metre. 

661. Laurerdia arva. Hercules, after the 
slaughter of Geryon, had been the guest of 
Evander, who then governed the districts 
embracing the Palatine and Aventine hills. 
The poet, however, speaks with some lati- 
tude. 

662. Hercules is called Tirynthius from 
Tiryns in Argos, where he is said to have 
been brought up. 

664. Gerunt, scil., the followers of Aven- 
tinus, to whom ipse in 666 is opposed. On 
the pilum, see Ramsay's Rom. Antiq. It 
was usually about six feet long, three feet 
being wood, and three iron, strongly rivetted 
together at the point of junction. 

The Dolon, "^oXuv, was a kind of sword- 
stick with a poniard concealed. 

6(id. Tereti viucrone, i.e., exiguo glndio, a 
small tapering sword. Veru Sabello (the 
ffocvviov, whence the \\am& Saunitce orSam- 
nites, according to some authorities), a 
missile weapon with a sharj) round iron 
point like the spit after which it was named. 



666. Ipse pedes, scil., subibat tecta. He 
had the lion's skin so arranged that the 
head served for a helmet, as in the wood- 
cut 




668. Indutus, sciL, illud. See .^n. i. 228; 
ii. 210. 

670. Caiillus, Coras, and Tiburtus, were 
three brothers, the sons or grandsons of 
Amphiaraus, the Argive soothsayer--hence 
Argivajuventus. They founded Tibur, and 
gave to it the name of the eldest of the 
tliree, Tiburtus. 



B. VIL 672-6S6. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VIL 688-695 



672. Catillm. The first syll. is sometimes 
short. Hor. Od. i. 18, 2, writes Cfitilus. 

674. The Centaurs were fabled to be the 
children of Ixion and the Cloud — real 
"children of the Mist," nubigence. They 
inhabited the high lands of Tiicssaly, of 
which Homole and Othiys were two dis- 
tinguished peaks. Othrys is now called 
Goura and Jerako. 

679. Fw?crt«o— " Cato in Origg. ait, Cae- 
culnm virgiues aquani petsntes in foco in- 
venisse, ideoque Vulcani filium existiniasse; 
et quod ocuios exiguos haberet Caeculum 
appellatum." Schol. 

082. Praeneste (now Palaestrina) one of 
the most ancient towns in Latium, founded 
by the Pelasgi. It is called altiun on ac- 
count of its position in a mountainous re- 
gion ; hence Hor. Od. iii. 4, 22, calls it fri~ 
gidum Praeneste. It was resorted to by the 
Romans for its coolness in the heat of sum- 
mer. 

683. Junonis — the Pelasgian religion was 
introduced into Latium. Jmw is called 
Gabitia by anticipation, for Gabii was a 
colony of Alba Longa. 

Colunt Anienem, i.e., the district around 
the Anio (now the Teverone.) 

684. Herrdat saxa—Herna or Ilernas is 
said to mean a rock in the Sabine or Marsic 
tongue. The district around Anagnia was 
a fine corn-growing country; hence the 
epithet dives. 

68-5. The Amasenus (Amaseno) — rises 
above Setia, in the Volscian territory, passes 
Privernum, and falls into the sea between 
Circei and Terracina. On the epithet /^a^er, 
Forb. remarks, " Genitores, sea Patres, fluvii 
dicuntiir, quia dum terras irrigant patrum 
instar de incolis bene merentur." Is it not, 
rather, the idea of a cje and long continuance 
which suggests the term ? Each generation 
looks on the river-god as one whom they 
never saw in his infancy, and of whom their 
father knew not the first beginning. 

686. iilundes. The glans was a leaden 
bullet, or rather slug, cast in a mould, 




with his Funda, or sling; and that under- 
neath, one of the glandes, or plummets: the 
letters F I Rstandfor "■firmiter" " Throw 
steadily and vigorously," or for '■' Feri, 
Roma," " Strike, Rome." 




688. Galeros, skull-caps made from the 
skins of animals with the fur left on. Cerda 
believes that the poet here refers to the 
custom of the Romans, in making helmets 
of wolfs' skin, to commemorate the fostering 
of Romulus by the wolf. The woodcut 
represents one form of the galerus. 




689. Nuda vestigia sinistri pedis. Why 
the left foot ? it has been asked : was not 
it most exposed to the enemy? Virgil, 
with all his Greek predilecSions, may have 
been thinking of the Aetolian custom of 
entering battle in the Avay described ; or it 
may be that, wishing to take a vciy steady 
stand, the fighters kept one foot bare and 
the other shod, what Avas gained in steadi- 
ness compensating for the risk of exposure. 
This is Gossrau's opinion. 

690. Instituere vestigia, i.e.,ponere vestigia, 
i.e., incedere. On the perf. in the sense of the 
Greek Aorist, see note, ^n. iii. 681. The 
pe}'o was a rustic boot of raw hide or un- 
tanncd leather with the fur on, reaching to 
the calf of the leg, and laced in front. 




and used in slings as a substitute for stones. 
The above woodcut represents a slinger 



691. Messapys, not the famous forefather 
of the Messapii, in Japygia, who came from 
Boeotia, though the poet may have intended 
him, taking the liberty of changing dates 
and localities. 

692. Neque fas Chuvarov) igni, refening, 
as some think, to the circumstance that the 
Ilirpi over whom he ruled, used to " pass 
through the fire," in honour of their gods, 
on Mount Soracte. But it is to be remem- 
bered, at the same time, that they usedfieiy 
missiles in battle (see x. 131). audit may 
be of this alone that the poet thinks. 

695. Fescennia, or Fescenvium, on the 
Tiber, near Mt. Soracte, in the south-east 
of Etruria. The town was built by the 
Pelasgi, and gave name to the famous 
"Fcscennine verses." 

Falisci, with the capital Faleiii, situated 
151 



B. VII. 696-711. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VII. 712-72*, 



south from Fescennium. Niebiilir tliiuks 
the name ^gz/os joined to Faliscoa to mean 
that they were in part descended from the 
^qui. But Otfr. Miiller, in liis book ou the 
Etruscans, interprets the tenn as meaning, 
the Falisci of the plaiu, as opposed to those 
of the old and strongly situated town. 

696. On Soracte, see below, ^n. xi. 78-5. 
Flavinia arva — the territory of Flavina 

or Flaviniuyn, a town of Etruria, supposed 
to be the modem Fiano. 

697. The Ciminkm lake {Lago di Vico), 
west of Soracte and Paleili. Capena lay 
south of Soracte, on the direct line to Rome, 
and on the frontiers of the Falisci. On these 
names, see Mr Bunbury, in Smith's Diet, of 
Geog-raphy. 

698. JEqitati numero — " keeping in equal 
and well-ordered array to the time, of music," 
as the rest of the line, and also 70-3-5 would 
seem to show. Others mterpret " in bauds 
of equal number." 

699. Borrowed from Horn. II. ii. 459, sqq. 

700. "Writers usually .speak only of the 
notes of the diiing sican, but Vu-gil gives 
her credit for life after her song. 

701. Amnis, scil., the Cayster. See Geo. I 
L383. 

702. Pidsa, sell., by the sound, not by 
oars. 

70-3. "Nor would one think tlint from so 
great a host, brass-sheathed battalions were 
mingling together, but that a high-soaring 
cloud of hoarse-noted birds Avas pressing 
eagerly from the deep abyss of ocean to the 
shore." 

708. From the ancient Atta, or Attus, or 
Attius Clausus, the poet skilfully derives 
the Claudian gens (or ratbor their name), 
though it is commonly traced to tliat Clau- 
sus Avho, in the fifth year after the expitlsion 
of Tarquiniiis Superbus, migrated to Rome 
from the Sabine country. 

709. 1)1 partem data — referring to the 
league with Titus Tatius. 

710. The territory of the Sabincs would 
seem, from the following enumeration, to 
have been more exteitsive than Strabo and 
Pliny represent it. See Hcyne Exc. viii. 

Amitcrnum — a town of tlie Sabines on the 
confines of the Vestini, not fjxr from the 
sources of the Aternus. It was the birth- 
place of the historian Sallust. The ruins of 
it are now calU'd Torre d' Amiterno, or Cas- 
teUo di S. Vittorino. See Mr Bunburj^ m 
Smith's Diet, of Geog. Prisci Quirites, i.e., 
according to some, Curif.es, Gurenses, the 
inhabitants of Cures, on which see vi. 812, 
note. See also Niebuhr's Hist. Rom., vol. 
L, p. 285, Thirlwall's translation. He as- 
sumes that the name of the Sabine town 
was Quirium, hence the itihabitants were 
called Quirites. For other derivations of 
the term Quirites^ see Donald. Varron. p. 
106, 2d ed. 

711. Eretum — on the Allia, not far from 
the Tiber, now called Monte Rotondo. Mu- 
tusca is mentioned by Dionys. as one of the 
Sabine t0A\ms ; its remains are still visible 
in Monte Leone. [In this latter part of the 
Book it cannot be too urgently pressed on 
students to make constant reference to Vol. 

152 



i. of Niebuhr's Rom. Hist., Arnold's Rom. 
Hist., Niebuhr's Lects. on Ethnology and 
Geog., by Dr Schmitz, Smith's Diet, of 
Geog., and Donaldson's Varronianus. Let 
the ancieut Atlas be constantly open.] 

712. Nomentum, whence the via Nomen- 
tana received its name, was a town of La- 
tium, built by the Albans. It is now Men- 
tana. 

Rosea rura — "the fields of Rosea," in the 
territory of Reate, near Lake Velinus. 

713. Tetrica, a lofty mountain in the Sa- 
bine region. Severus is not elsewhere men- 
tioned. 

715. Tiber im or Thybrim, for Virgil varies 
in the orthography. Fabaris, or Farfarus, 
flows into the Tiber above Cures — now called 
Far/a. 

716. Nursia (now Norcia), the native 
place of Sertorius, was situated m the nor- 
thern hills of the Sabine territory, near the 
river Nar. 

Ilortince classes, i.e., copiae, the forces of 
Horta or Hortanum, a town of Etrm-ia at 
the confluence of the Nar and Tiber. 

Latini populi, i.e., the Latins in the Sa- 
bine territory. 

717. AUia. A small river flowing into the 
Tiber, 11 miles north of Rome : it is called 
infaustum nomen, on account of the defeat 
of the Romans by the Gauls on its banks, 
in 390 B.C. See Mr Bunbury, in Smith's 
Diet, of Geog., article "Allia," 

719. Orion hibernis — ^thc morning setting 
of Orion took place in the beginning of De- 
cember, and was always accompanied with 
storms. 

720. Sole novo — "in the early part of 
summer." Hermus — a river of Lydia. 

723. Agamemnonius — so called because 
he had been a companion and soldier of 
Agamemnon at Troy. His father is referred 
to at X. 417, so that he is not spoken of by 
the poet as a son of the Grecian chief, as 
some say, though Ovid calls him Atrides. 

724. Currii—^the dat., though Huschk., in 
his commentary on the laws of the XH. 
Tables, shows tiiat the \erh J imgere is some- 
times followed by an abl. 

Tmmo — an example of the Datims Corn- 
modi. 

72-5. Massica felicia Baccho — " the Massic 
hills, productive in wme," i.e., their own 
peculiar wine. Felix is oftener joined with 
the gen. Sec vi. 785. 

727. Aurunci — an Ausonian people, dwel- 
ling beyond the Liris in the confines of La- 
tium and Campania. The Sidicini tilled 
the plains near to Mt. Massicus, and the 
frontier of Sanmium. 

728. Gales— a famous toAvn of Campania, 
now Galvi. 

729. Accola Yoltumi. We might expect 
accolam in the ace. rather than the nom., as 
accola refers to rapitmille pop ulos; but after 
the relative, qui vertunt, qui linquunt, etc., 
the writer readily contiimes the nom. The 
Vulturnus (now Volturno) rises in the 
Apennines, and after watering the whole 
breadth of Campania, falls into the sea at 
the town Vulturnus. In the upper part of 
its course it is shallow, vadosus, but it be- 



B. Vn. 730-753. 



NOTES ON THE ^INEID. 



B. YIL 754-795. 



comes larg&, deep, and rap'd towards its 
mouth. 

Satic'Mus for Saticidani, the inhabitants 
of Saticula, a hUl-town on the confines of 
Campania and Samnium. 

730. Osci, or Opici, a great and powerful 
people of ancient Italy, dwelling in Cam- 
pania. Consult the books mentioned in 
note 711. above. 

The aclis was a kind of javelin fitted with 
a thoDg. so that it could be drawn back to 
its owner after being thrown. 

732. Catra — a small, round shield covered 
with hide. It was worn by the ancient 
Britons, and seems to be the same as the 
target of the Scottish Highlanders. 

Comirms, Le., which thev use in close i 
fight ' { 

7-33. Indictm=nGn dkius. The word is 
foimd also in Terence. Hor.. Livy, eta 

734. Sebeth ide — the njnnph of the river ! 
Sebethus, which flows near Naples. The { 
Teleboans are said to have occupied the 
island of Capreae. on the shore of Campania, 
afterwards rendered infamous by the de- j 
baucheries of Tiberius. Teleboum for Tele- 
boarum. 

738. San-asfes, those dwelling near the 
Samus (now Sanw), a river of Campania, 
anciently pronounced Sarrus. 

740. AbeUa (nowJlreZZa recchia) is not 
far distant from Nola in Campania, and the 
source of the Clanis. Tlie town, as the 
contest shows, was situated on high gromid. 

741. Catiias. a kind of long javelin. Ser- 
vius says it could be drawn back by a thong 
like the aclis. The word is Celtic. Note 
SoUti, the nom. in apposition to a preced- 
ing accus_ populos. Solitos is not used, ac- 
cording to Wagn.. because the two phrases 
refer to things quite different — populos di- 
cione premere, to civil government : cateias 
torquere, to war. In the former place, the 
nations mentioned are the objects, and 
therefore the ace is used: in the latter, 
however, they are the agents, and therefore 
the nom. is founi But this expUmation 
will not excuse Virgil for his great careless- 
ness in vtTiting the sentence. See x. 497. 

74-5. Xersce is mentioned only in this place. 
Ufens is spoken of in xiL 46o' and 641. A 
river of the same name is met with in x. 
518. 

747. JCquicida gens. La, the Aequi who 
dwelt bet^veen the Latins and the Marsi, 
by the Anio. and around Mt. Algidus. They 
had a dura gleba, and not a putris gleba. and 
thus they were horrida gens, and venatu 
adsueta. Venatu is bv some reckoned the 
abL (see Kritz, Sail.' Cat 2. 9), and by 
others the dat. as menses in 490. above; and 
parvo in ix. 607. etc. On the dat. of the 
fomth deck ending in y. see EcL v. 29. 

749. Con reciare — a frequentative verb used 
only by VirgU and Tacitus. 

750. Marruvia, or Marrubia gens, Le.. 
the ;SIarsL who were so called from their 
capital Marruvium, near Lake Fucinus. 

7-51. Fronde et reiki oUva. \.e.,feUcifronde 
olivae. See Mn. L 2, under Tiendiadys. 

7.53. Hydris — see above. 6-59. Graviter 
spirantibus, "poison breathing." 



754 Spargers sonnios—scU... by scattering 
poppies, herbs, or medicated fruits. Manu. 
either by presenting cakes fi-om the hand, 
or by gentle pattings and ''mesmeric"^ 
manipulations, as serpent tamers were wont 
to subdue their venomous enemies. 

7-58. Marsis nwntibus — without the prep., 
as thus signifying a less restricted range of 
search. The Marsi vrere very famous for 
their incantations. 

759. Anguitia, at the south of Lake Fn- 
cinus, was called from Angitia, the s'ster of 
Medea, who was worshipped in this place 
on account of her magic power. 

Yitreus is a common epithet of water, sea 
deities, and nymphs. 

761. On Tirhius and Hippolytus, see 
Class. Diet. Pukherrima bello, Le, most 
valiant for the war. 

762. Aricia, the state, and not a female of 
that name, is called his mater; so Populonia 
mater, x. 172. 

763. Egeria. mentioned here, was near 
Aricia, and not the one close to Rome. 
Heyne. 

764. Pinguis et placabilis ara — ^rich in 
the number of victims brought, and yet 
easUy propitiated (La, the deity) in com- 
parison with Diana Taurka, 'whom all 
shunned, for in her honour were sacrificed 
all strangers who touched the shores. C£ 
ix. bSb : and see, by aU means, Wagner's 
note, Xovercae, Le., Phaedra. 

769. Paeoniis, (to be pronounced in scan- 
sion Paeofijis), Herbis — by the drugs of 
Apollo (Paeon). 

773. Phoebigenam, Le,, ^sculapius. 

776. Ignohilis is used here in a good sense 
— spending one's life in retirement and soli- 
tude, and, therefore, calmly and peaceftiUy. 

781. Haudsecius, "just as if no accident 
had happened to his father." 

7S4. Vertitur, Le., veriit se. 

786. Eviantem ignes — the sun's rays strik- 
ing upon it gave that quick and rapid 
motion, which made the beholder imagine 
that the Chimaera with which his helmet 
was adorned breathed forth fire. 

zEinaos, as copious as ^tna After Jre- 
mens, in next line, supply erat. 

789. A description of the device of lo and 
her father Inachus, on the shield of Tumus : 
'•An lo, with horns erect, and formed of 
gold, adorned his smooth shield, (an lo.) 
now gradually covered with coarse hair, 
now become a heiier — a splendid device — 
and Argus, the guardian of the maiden, 
and Father Inachus pouring forth his river- 
stream from an embossed um." On works 
of art. Inachus is represented as a river-god, 
leanmg on an um from which water is 
flowing. 371. above, will explain why Ina- 
chus and his daughter lo are uitroduced on 
the shield. See Ovid. Met. "lo." 

793. Ximbus peditum. viio; -^iZuiv. 

794 Argiva puhes — see above, 409 sqq. 

795. Aurunaz manus, i.e., those on the 
hither side of the Liris. tmder the command 
of Ttmius himself, for those on the farther 
bank were led by Halesus. 722, above. 
Sicani. the remains of the Sicani who had 
153 



B. YII. 796-800. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VII. 801-817. 



settled near the Tiber iii the territory of the 
RutiilL 

796. SacrancE acies. The people aimed at 
by this term cannot be very definitely 
stated. Some suppose that a portion of the 
Ardeates are meant, on account of their 
ha\ing vowed to the gods, a ver sacrum, 
while labouring under tlie effects of a 
plague; or because the race was conse- 
crated (sacrati) to the Mother of the 
Gods. Heyne. The second view is 
strengthened by an inscription, in which 
the Sacrani are called sacer dotes (Mag nee 
matris.) 

Ldbici, or, as Livj^ calls them, Lahicani — 
the inhabitants of Labicum, in Latium. 
jSTiebuhr thuiks that Virgil Avrote Lavici, 
but no manuscript supports his vievr. 

Piiti scvta, i.e., with painted bucklers. 
See ^n. L 228, on the syntax. 

797. Xumici—see above, 242. The litiis 
is called sacred, because the Numicius itself 
was sacred. It cannot be meant that the 
shore was actually consecrated to tlie deity, 
for in that case it would have been unholy 
to till it. Transl., "Tiiose who cultivate the 
banks of the sacred iNimicius." 

799. Circceum jugian — see above, 10. 
Anxur, or Axur, {aviv ^vpoZ, "the razor- 
less,") is a name by which the Volsci desig- 
nated their Jupiter, who appeared on coins 
as a boy. He may be compared with the 
deity fejovis, on whom see Ovid, Fast. iii. 
437; Donald. Varr. p. 145, 2d ed. He gave 
name to the town of Anxur, afterwards Ter^ 
racina, a famous city of the Volsci. 

800. Feronia. A grove, temple, and foun- 
tain were sacred to her— she was one of the 



Dii Indigetes of Latium. See Donald. Varr. 
p. 147, 2d ed. 

801. Saturce J3f/?M^— supposed to be part 
of the famous Pomptine marshes. Ufens 
(see X. 518) --a river whicli struggles through 
the Pomptine marshes (per imas vallesj to 
the sea 

803. Camilla is introduced to correspond 
with the Homeric character of the Amazon 
Penthesilea. See xL 535. 

804. Agmen equitum et cateri^as, i.e., tiir- 
mas equitum, cere fulgentes. On tlie hen- 
diadys, see ^n. i. 2, and iii. 148. 

805. Calatlds — the baskets in which wo- 
men kept their work, especially their ma- 
terials for wool-spinning. They are called 
Minerva's baskets, as she was reckoned the 
inventor of these arts. 

807. Segetis intactce — "of the crop which 
scai'ce seemed to be touched." 

809. Lccsisset, i.e., Icesura esset — see ii. 136. 
Volaret — on the use of the knperf. subj. 
where you might expect the pluperf., see 
note, iiL 187. 

811. Ferret itet\ for the common phrase, 
ferret pedem. 

814. Ut regius, etc., sell, remarking to 
themselves "how the regal ornament,"' etc., 
i.e., the purple chlamys, emblem of kingly 
power. 

815. Leves, ie., soft, fleshy, and plump, as 
m youth. 

Fibula— here a " hau--pin," not a brooch. 

816. Ipsa — Jier hodii, as opposed to her 
hair and shoulders just described. The 
Lycians excelled in archery. 

817. Pastoralem myrtum — "a myrtle 
spear-shaj't, such as is carried by sheiiliertls." 



154 



B. VIII. 1-13. 



2sOTES ON THE ^XEID. 



B. Vm. 1G-S7. 



BOOK EIGHTH. 



ARGUMENT. 



The war-note is sotiiided, and both parties prepare for the contest, and endeavour to 
strensthen themselves by alliances. Turnus applying to Diomede and ^neas to Evander 
(1-100). The Trcjan chief is khidly received by tlie kin": of Pallanteuni. and. being 
invited to take part in the celebration of the sacred rites of Hercules, in -which Evander 
and his subjects were then engaged, he is made acquainted with their origin and insti- 
tution, and with the ceremonies necessary to their due observance (101—369). Evander 
grants ^neas a subsidy of four hundi-ed cavaliy, under the command of his only son. 
Pallas: part of these sail down the Tiber to the assistance of Ascanius, while ^neas, 
with the remainder, crosses to Ag^'lla — a most flourishing town of the Tyrrhenians, now 
at deadly feud v^-ith their banished tjTant, Mezentius, and his aUy and protector, Turnus 
(4.54-519). But, meantime. Vulcan, at tlie request of Venus, fabricates armour for 
.^neas (-370-4-53). These are brought by the goddess to her son, who is lost in admira- 
tion at their wondrous beauty, and traces with delight, on the heaven-made shield, the 
glorious deeds of his descendants for many generations (520-731). 

1. Signum extulit. Eeferring to the Roman i 
custom, afterwards adopted, ofcallmgoutthe ; 
cavaliy and infantry, by displacing for the 
former a blue flag, and for the latter a red, 
irom the capitoL Turn us takes the lead, as | 
the previously arranged son-in-law and j 
successor of Latinus, the old king having, j 
as we have seen, resigned the authority. | 

3. ImpuUt, Le., movit {cum sono.'] i 

6. P;-/m J— principal, of chief authority. | 
On Messapus, see vii. 691 ; on Ufens, ra. j 
745 ; and on Mezentius. viL 647. i 

9. Diomede, one of the Grecian princes , 
•who had fought against Troy, returned to | 
Argos after the campaign in Asia, but soon | 
left it again, and, after many wanderings, j 
at last settled ui the south of Italy, and : 
married the daughter of Daunus. kmg of ; 
Apulia. He became partner in his father- , 
in-law's kingdom, and founded Hippius and ! 
other towns. On the urbenh Argyripa, i 
here referred to. see xL 246, and on the j 
result of this embassy to Diomede, xi. 226. I 

10. Consistere — stronger than considere, j 
inasmuch as it signifies not only the act of i 
settUng, but the condition of rest and a^uiet ' 
foUon-ing thereon. It may be translated j 
"establish themselves." i 

13. Multas gentes adjungere. "Wagner | 
finds fault with the poet for introducuig i 
nations as allies of the Trojans, of whose i 
league with ^neas no mention has been \ 
made. He also censures the story of the \ 
embassy to Diomede, as brought in merely I 
to give occasion for his highly finished des- ; 
cription of the interview between that i 
prince and the ambassadors, as recorded in ' 
xi. 225-295. Thiel. however, remarks that ■ 
the phrase multas gentes is not to be consi- 1 
dered a historical fact, but only as the words ; 
of the deputies, who wish to magnify the 
aflFair. in order the better to induce Diomede 
to lend Ilia aid. 



16. Eventum pugnae — not merely the 
"issue of the battle" — victory, for, of course, 
he would wish for that : but the benefits 
that would flow to him from the defeat of 
his enemies. Cupiat — " expect." 

20. On this line, see notes, .^En. iv. 2S5. 

22. This simile is taken from Apollenius 
Ehodius, iii. 754 sqq. On tremulum, see 
vii. 9, above. 

23. Imagine Lunae — ^not the moon Mrself 
simply, but her reflected imase, in the danc- 
ing and unsteady motion of which the point 
of the compaiison lies. 

2.5. On laquearia, see IE.n^ L 726. 

27. Alituum and pecudum aje expressed 
as species, in apposition to the generic term 
animalia. The tbrm alitaum for aUtum is 
also fomid in Lucretius, Manilius, Statkis, 
etc. 

30. Dedit quietem per membra— an odd 
phrase. A common expression is somnus 
diditur, or spcwgitur per corpus, or per 
membra, so here, by a slight modification 
of the expression, .ineas is said, dare quie- 
tem per membra. 

31. Ipse — "in his own person." Deiis 
loci, l-^ix^^P'"? ^£5?- The bank of the Tiber 
was at one time lined -with poplars. Ob- 
serve popidus (£), a poplar tree, lont pdpulus 
(m.), the people. 

34. Carbasus. On the proper meaning of 
the word, see JEn. iii 357. Here, however, 
it means a large garment made of linen, or 
some other light cloth. Ri%-er-gods are usu- 
ally represented in works of art with a 
robe of the kind just noted thrown over 
I their shoulders or thighs. 
1 36. Trojanam urbem, ie., the remains of 
i old Troy, and the elements of a new one. 

37. J^terna — " so that they be imperish- 
1 able: " another instance of the proleptic us© 
I of the adj. See Mn. ii 736. 

155 



B. VIII. 39-58. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. VIII. 



-102. 



Revehis — said with reference to the Italian 
origin of Dardanus. See iii. 167. 

39. Certa domus — like propria domus, iii. 
85 — " a sm"e and lasting abode." 

41. Concessere, le., resederunt, "have sub- 
sided." 

42. Jamque tfoi, etc., indicates the cmtse 
why -lEneas should take courage. Heyne 
considers 42-49 inclusive, as spurious, and 
reads " concessere deum. Nunc qua ratione 
quodinstaV in one line. His grand objection 
is that the repetition of the prophecy of 
Helenus (ill 388 sqq., where see notes) is 
unnecessary and unadvisable. Doubtless 
43^6 occurred at the place quoted, but in 
prophecies repetitions are peculiarly allow- 
able. And, moreover, the poet is, beyond 
doubt, justified in giving his hero the veiy 
great consolation of hearing a former fa- 
vourable prophecy repeated by a deity in 
person, and that, too, in the very tcords in 
which it was first communicated. 

47. Ex quo, scil, tempore. Heyne. Others 
say, "according to which omen." But 
Guenthcr, Jahn, Hand, and Forb. seem 
nearer the truth, in making it equal to ex 
quo loco, "From which place will rise the 
city of Ascanins." It is to be noted, how- 
ever, that the locus is not Lavinium, but the 
site of Alba. 

Wagner remarks (Qu. Virg. xvil), that 
when Helenus speaks of a place whose 
exact position is unknown to him, he says is 
loctis, but here father Tiberinus uses fiic 
locus, when he speaks of a spot fixed and 
certain. 

2'er denis — see note, Mn. i. 71. 

48. Clari cog. The whiteness of the rocks 
on which Alba was situated doubtless gave 
origin to its name, but the white sow gets 
tlie credit of it in the legend. 

52. The prophecy of the Sibyl (vi. 97), 
that "the first road to safety Avould be 
opened through a Grecian city," liore gets 
its fulfilment. Evander [the son either of 
ilercury and the nymjih Carmenta, or of 
the ^^cadian king, Echcmus, and Nicos- 
trata] migrated from Arcadia, and led his 
Pelasgians to the places around the Tiber. 
On the liill, called afterwards Palallnus, he 
built Palhmteum, Avhich, in later times, Avas 
altered to Palantium, and Palatium. In 
Arcadia there was a town and district called 
Pallantium; and among the ancestors of 
Evander was Pallas (son of Lycaon), from 
whom the Arcadians are here called genus 
a Pallante, Evander had a son, Pallas, as 
we learn hereafter. 

Forbiger had, in his first two editions, 
made a most unnecessary confusion of the 
sjnitax of this sentence, but as he has adopt- 
ed the rational construction in his third 
edition, we need not waste time in showhig 
his errors. 

55. Lucunt is more appropriate than 
geriint, as it implies t\iQ protracted continu- 
ance of war. 

57. Ripis, i.e., intra ripas. Recto flumine, 
i.e., recto fluminis cursu. 

58. Suhrectus is the word properly applied 
to those who are carried up against the 
current of a stream. 

156 



60. Junoni. See the same precept en- 
forced by Helenus m ^n. iii. 435 sqq. 

61. Victor — "having gained your object." 

62. Persolves — spoken with certainty, and 
not used as a simple imperative. 

64. Cceruleus — a common epithet of rivers, 
though the Tiber is elsewhere usually called 
Jlavus, or luteus. 

65. Exit, for exibit, as in prophecies it is 
customaiy for a future event to be repre- 
sented as present. The domus is, of course, 
Rome, which is to be caput urbibus, i.e., 
urbium. It is called his domus, inasmuch 
as he will be worshipped in it as a deity. 

66. Lacu, i.e., in the depths of the stream, 
as it were the reservoir of the river, whence 
its supplies flow. 

69. Undam de fiumine, scil., haustam. 
Sustinet — "supports," "helps," and "lifts 
up." 

71. For a similar mode of address, see 
Geo. iv. 321. Unde, i.e., a quibus. 

74. Quocumque lacus — the gods of rivers 
were supposed to dwell in caves. 

75. Quocumque exis — "wherever you dis- 
embogue." The fountain and mouth behig 
both mentioned, the whole course of the 
stream is implied. 

76. Honore meo, i.e., by sacrifices offered 
bj' me. 

77. Observe /mi'<ms in the nom., as a form 
of address. This is very frequently the 
case both in Greek and Latin, especially m 
impressive and dignified language. 

On the epithet corniger, see Geo. iv. 371. 
Regnator Hesp. aquar. — "Prince of Italian 
streams." 

78. Tantum — a word used in prayer to 
urge one petition more especially than the 
others. See vl 74. 

Propius frmes — "more distinctly con- 
firm," by some new and more decided 
omen. 

80. Repeated from iii. 471. 

82. Candida — concolor, i. e., white, and 
tlierefore of the same colour as her young. 

83. Conspicitur sus. On the monosyllable 
termination, see note, .^n. ii. 250, and Geo. 
i. 181. 

84. Enim has the force of strong asseve- 
ration=»era, utique. 

87. Refluens — flowing hack so as gradu- 
ally to equalise his current. 

90. Ruinore secundo, i.e., the sound of the 
water beating against the keel and oars: not 
the shouts of the. sailo-rs, as some imagine, 
as these would be very unbecoming and 
dangerous in a strange land, in the midst of 
enemies, and in a narrow stream. 

01. Abies for navis — see v. 663. Uncta, 
"smeared," scil., with pilch. 

94. Fatigant (fatim, i.e , adfatim agere), 
means to be incessantly engaged in a matter. 
TransL, "Both night and day they are 
incessantly engaged with rowing." " They 
icear out the live-long day and night." 

98. Last syll. of procul is long by the 
arsis. See iii. 464. 

100. ^quctvit, Le., ceguavit et (nunc) 
o'quat ; for such is the primary meaning of 
the perf. 

102. Our poet brings his hero to Evander's 



B. YIII. 103-124. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VIII. 125-143. 



city just at the time of a public festival, 
aiid thus he is atforded an opportunity of 
embellishing his poeiu by introducing a 
description of the rite, and the mjth on 
which it was founded. C£ Horn. Od. v. S'i 
sqq. 

103. Amphitriioniadae, sonof Amphitryon: 
Hercules is so aiUed by Catullus. Ovid, etc. 
Dicisgue — for to what god soever they 
sacrifice it was necessary to invoke the 
other deities after him. 

104. Hide una — a poetic phrase for una 
cur?) hoc. , 

10-5. Jur^num, i.e.. men of military age. 
Pauper senatus — the happy poverty of those 
ancient times is a subject of fi-equent praise 
to the poets. 

108. AUabi, sciL, rates— the ships and their 
creics; for incumbere remis follows, from 
which remis may be easily supplied remiges 
(flie power) as the subject to incumbere. 
The oars are called taciii — "noiseless," 
because they made no splashing in the | ^' 
smooth water, a circumstance which the 
Arcadians would not readily understand 
when they s.aw rowers rising to the stroke 
and yet heard no noise, though the Trojans 
were pulling, in their opinion, against an 
adverse stream. Ser\-ius supposes tacitis to 
mean that the roicers were siient, not in- 
dulging in the celeusma. Thiel says, " be- 
cause they had now reached the shore, and 
ceased to row;" but aliabi and procul (112) 
show that this could not have been the case. 
llu. Vefat rumpere sacra (same as mensis, 
above). It was an act of impiety to inter- 
rupt a sacrifice, and if any such interruption 
took place, the rite should again be per- 
formed de novo. See Li\'j' ii -36. Quos^=et 
eos, scil., epuiantes. 

113. Ignotas vias — for he sees, on a nearer 
approach, that they are strangers. 

114. Qui genus? — t/vsj to yivo;. Thus 
Ovid Fast iv. 66, Gratus uierque genus: 
and so omne genus, id genus, and quodgen us, 
in which the accus. is used adverbially, in- 
stead of the gen. of quality, id genus being 
equal to ejus generis. This construction 
seems an extension of the principle of the 
"Accusative of Ee/erence or Limitation" for 
which see L "22s! See Zumpt, Lat Gr. § 
428, and Madvig, Lat. Gr. § 238. 

tfnde domo, i.e., unde venitis {estis) domo, 
^oh* oiKohv. The phrase is of frequent 
occurrence in Latin writers. See Hor. Ep. 
L 7, -53, abi, quaere et refer, unde domo, quis. 
cujus fortunae. etc. Domus is often used for 
pairia. See JEn. x. 141. 

117. Tela inimica. ^neas was aware 
that this expression would at once gain him 
favour with Evander, as 55, above, will ex- 
plain. 

119. ffcec, i.e., this message. 

121. Tanto nomine, viz., Dardaniae or 
Trojanornm. 

122. "Wagner considers quicumque as a 
voc and therefore omits the comma after o. 

12-3. Succede is always joined with a dat. 
by Virgil, but by other writers ^ith the 
accus. also. 

124. InhcEsit—'' clung to him." It is an 
L 



imitation of the Homeric phrase, ^v t a, fa. 

125. Subeunt luco fluviumque relinquunt — 
an instance of what is called husteron pro- 
teron ("the cart before the iiorse '"), on 
which, see ^n. ii. 3-5-3. and iiL 662. 

127. Cui precari is used liere in the un- 
usual sense "to supplicate a person." Pre- 
cor, with the dat., generally signifies either 
to "imprecate some evil on a person," or 
"to pray on one's behalf " In this instance 
the dat. is perhaps attributable to the poet's 
desii-e for brevifu, which led him to use the 
case required by the second verb praeten- 
dere, lea\-ing the reader to supply quem after 
precari. He would thus have written fully 
qmm precari et cui praetendere. 

128. Comptos ramos prcetendere — " that I 
should hold forth before me branches decked 
with the woollen fillets." On the origin of 
the branch as an emblem of peaceful inten- 
tion Ruhk. remarks, " ilen in a ruder age 
seem to have amved at this rite in a very 
simple way, since by seizing any chance 
branch they showed' that they were un- 
anned, and that they meditated no ill. The 
emblem was found, by early discoverers, to 
be used among the uncivilized nations of 
America for a similar purpose." 

130. Geminis conj uncf us Atridis— from two 
sisters, daughters of Atlas, the Atrid^ and 
Evander were sprung. By the same daugh- 
ters of Atlas there was a' relationship (134 
sqq.) lietween ^neas and Evander, tor 
Dardanus was the son of Jove and Electra 
(daughter of Atlas), while Evander was 
called the son of Mercurj-, whose mother 
was Maia (daughter of Atlas). The object 
of counting kin here is obvious. 

131. 3fea vii-tus, i.e., my confidence of 
mind arising from a consciousness of merit 
and of right. We excuse in the ancients 
that self-glorification which would disgust 
us if met -n-ith in our OTNai day. They had 
no newspapers. 

132. I'erris {le., per terras) <//£?iYa— "pub- 
lished over all lands." 

lo3. Fatis egere vokntem — "urged me on 
under the influence of the Fates, I myself 
too being anxious to come." 

134. Dardanus — see JEii. i. 380; iiL 167 
sq., and vii. 206 sqq. 

136. Advehitur Teucros, for ad Teucros, 
i.e., in Troadem ; see J£.n. i. 2, 307; ^ii. 216. 
Dardanus reaches the Troad, which Teucer 
then held, and there builds the city Dar- 
danus, but his son Ilus founds Ilium. The 
father, however, may even thus be called 
primus auctor Iliacce'urbis. 

] 38. Candida Maia— ''the beautiful Maia." 
It is not likely that the brilliancy of the star 
is aUuded to, though Maia was the brightest 
of the Pleiads. 

139. CyUence — a mountain in the north of 
Arcadia, sacred to Mercuiy : it is now called 
Zyria. The gen. is otherwise written, 
Cytlenes. 

143. The order is, " Nonpepigi teiitamenta 

tut prima per legatos neque 'per artem." 

On the prep, expressed witb onlv one of 

two governed nouns, see iL 512, andvL 692. 

157 



B, yill. 144-180. 



XOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VIII. 181-206. 



144. Pcpigi is for constitui, feci. Me, me 
ipse— the pron. is repeated with remarkable 
emphasis: so in ix. 427, me, me — in me con- 
vertite ferrum. 

146. Gens Daunia — the Rutuli, so called 
from Dauuus the father of Turnus. 

147. 4/bre— see vii. 498. 

149. This verse is slightly altered from 
Geo. ii. 158. 

151. Rebus, scU., gestis, — '•'■deeds of dar- 
ing.'' 

158. The poet slvilfuUy introduces this 
expedition of Priam to Salamis, to visit his 
sister Hesione, who was married to Tela- 
mon the companion of Hercules, and refers 
to his journey onwards to Aixadia, thus 
accounting for Evander's acquaintance with 
Anchises. 

164. Compellare virum—SQe iii. 299. Lex- 
U-am conjungere — see i. 408. 
. 165. Pheneus — a town of Arcadia where 
Evander dwelt before removing to PaUan- 
toum. There is a village on the spot still, 
called /"owja. 

166. The usual present - giving is, of 
course, proceeded with. 

On Lycias sagittas, see vii. 816. 

171. Auxilio opibusquc — " with reinforce- 
ments of men. and supplies of money, and 
llie other appliances of war." 

173. Faventes, i.e., propitio nobis omine. 

175. Reponi — see vii. 134. 

177. Prtscipuum toro — "occupying the 
seat of honour on the couch." Wagner, 
llcyne joins accipit toro, "he receives him 
on the royal couch," as opposed to the 
grassy scat which his less distuiguished 
companions occupied. 

178. Solio invitat, for in solium, ad solium. 
The solium represented in the woodcut is 
that assigned, in tlie Vatican Virgil, to 
Latinus. Those used in early times were 
cut out of the solid block, and had the back 
and sides closed so as to defend the king 
irom assassination. 




180. The canister or canistrum Avas aflat, 
open basket of wicker work, suited for being 
< iu-ned on the head, and employed princi- 

I'ally for holding bread. 




181. Laboratce Cereris — " of prepared 
corn," i.e., of bread. On the construction, 
onerant dona canistris, see note, ^En. i. 195. 

183. Perpetui tergo bovis, i. e., longe por- 
recio tergo. Heyne compares ^/»vs>s'/5 v&Jra 
of Hom. B. vii. 321. 

£.vtis — a confounding of the heroic with 
later times. Hepie. But see i. 469. See 
Ramsay's Antiq., " Religion of Romans." 

184. Amor edendi, 'ipoi t^nrvos. Every 
reader of Homer wiU at once call to muid 
the line of which this is a translation. 

187. Vana superstitio — "It is no supersti- 
tion, groundless in origin, or betraying an 
ignorance of the ancient gods, that has im- 
posed upon us," etc. 

189. Heyne understands novamus to re- 
fer to the annual celebration of the festival. 
But Wagn., Forb., etc., say that if the rite 
were not a new one, but only an anniver- 
sary, there was no need for Evander to make 
an apology. They therefore take novamus 
in its literal sense, "to introduce a novelty," 
"worship a new deity." 

190. Jam primum, i.e., first examine this 
rock, and then learn its history, deinde being 
omitted as frequently; see Geo. i. 162, whei'e 
primum is not followed by deinde ; and 
iEn. V. 66. 

Suspensam — a word often employed to 
things placed on the top of a mountain. It 
may here be translated, "A clifl'hung high 
on a mass of rocks." Forb. explains, 
Cacumen rupis singulis modo saxis cum ipso 
monte cohaerens et ita sjieluncam efficievs, 
mole ipsius montis dirupta et scopulis dis- 
jectis. 

192. Domus montis — "the mountain habi- 
tation," for Cacus made the cave his home. 
Traxere ruinam — see ^n. iL 466. 

194. Caci dira fades, i.e., dirus Cacus. 
So Milton, "The might of Gabriel," for 
mighty Gabriel 

Obsciwe the synizesis in semihominis, to 
be pronounced semjominis, 4 sylls. 

196. Superbis — either "cruel," "remorse- 
less," "savage;" or "exulting," "glory- 
ing," by displaying the heads as trophies. 

197. Join or'a tristi tabo, and not pallida 
tabo. See iii. 618. 

200. Et nobis — " to us also," as well as to 
many others before. 

201. Auxilium adventumque dei, i.e., auxi- 
lium per adventum dei. Maxinius ultor — 
" a most powerful avenger." Hercules was 
regarded by tlie ancients as a beneficent 
deity, aPa|ixa;saj, because it is he who 
averts q\\\, defends the innocent, and takes 
vengeance for acts of injustice. 

202. Tergemini—see vL 287. Geryonm— 
the common reading is Geryonis. 

205. For Furiis some books read furis, 
which is abundantly languid. Nobbius 
supposes/(/?'i5 contracted for furiis. Inau- 
sum aut intractatum — " undevised or uii- 
attempted," the former referring to the 
design, the latter to its accomplishment. 
Obs*^n'e the phrase mens Caci, put for Cacus. 

206. Fuisset is ior esset, in Heyne's opinion. 
But Wagner, with more truth, says, '■'Fuis- 
set suits the person of Evander relating the 



B. VIII. 20S-248. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VIII. 250-278. 



story of Cacus: esset suits the person of 
Cacus pondering tlie thouglat in his mind." 

20S. Forma superante — "of surpassing 
beauty:" the same asfornid superanies. 

209. "And tliat there might be uo foot- 
prints in a forwai'd direction, he dragged 
tlie cattle into tlie cave by the tail, hurried 
them along -v^ith the tracks of their route 
reversed, and (thus) concealed them in his 
rocky dungeon." We have taken the liberty 
of translatmg the participles tractos and 
raptos as verbs in the indie, mood, co-orcLi- 
nate Avith occuUabat. 

212. Qucerenti, the Datkus commodi — "to 
one searching," if one searched, "there were 
no foot-prints leading to the cave." The 
phrase is similar to via jert, or ducit 
alt quo. 

213. Stabulis — "the pastiu-es," at Avhich 
they had halted, as above, 207. 

21-5. Dkcessu — "on then- departure," "as 
they vrere depai-ting." 

216. Colks clamore relinqui — "the hills 
"R'ere abandoned with lowing," Le., the oxen 
lowed as thej' left the hills. Burmann ex- 
plains, " The hUls were left behmd by the 
lo'(ving,"i.e., "The lowing passed over the 
hills, and reached the cave of Cacus in an- 
other part of the momitain." But this latter j 
is absurd. | 

219. Exarserat. ObserA'e the force of the j 
pluperf. for the peil, avhich well expresses ] 
the consequence, so unmechately foUowmg I 
the cause, and represents the mind of Her- 
cules as instantaneously roused. The two j 
abls. fuinis and felle, need not aiford any \ 
difficulty, as the former expresses the means 
or ca use, the latter the place where. ' ' Here- 
upon, in truth, through the fi-enzy of Alci- 
des, his wrath immediately boiled to passion 
in his dark gall." The gall was reckoned 
the seat of anger, as the spleen was that 
©f envy and laugliter. 

220. The que after nodis is epexegetical, — 
"arms, even a club heavy with knots." 

221. Ardua mantis — see ^n. i. 310. 

225. The mention of u-ou chains in these 
early days is an anachronism that is justified 
by attributmg them to Vulcan, the father of 
Cacus, and prince of smiths. But see Ma. 
L469. 

227. Fultos objice emuniit, i.e., as Servius 
thinks by Tiysteron proteron (^n. ii. 353) 
for fulsit ut muniti essent. Objice, a barrier, 
viz., the stone whicli served for a door. 

228. Obser^^e the hypermeter que. The 
two following verses are considered spurious 
by some critics, and deemed wholly un- 
worthy of this passage. 

2-31. Aventini mojitem. See Mi\. L 247, 
270, for similar constructions. 

238. Avulsam solvit, i.e., avulsit et solvit. 

241. Specus et regia—the cave in which 
Cacus dwelt, as in his palace. 

243. This compailson is borrowed from 
Horn. II. ii. 61 sqq. 

245. Invisa, = non visa, as Burmann 
thinks. But the parallel passage of Homer, 
bixia, — TO. Tj ffrwy'ioviTi hotTnp, shows 
that it means '"detested," " abhorred." 

248. Insueta rudentem — "bellowing in a 



strange manner," insolito et horrendo more 
vociferantem. Foi'b. 

250. Molaribus, i.e., "huge rocks, hke 
grmding stones," j^vXcix,i;. Eamis, ie., 
stocks and trunks of trees. 

256. Aniniis, La, prae ira, "by reason of 
his passion." 

257. Qua, etc. "Where the thickest 
smoke rolls onward its wave, and the vast 
den boils with pitchy vapour." Anthon. 

259. Vana, "ineffectual," inasmuch as 
they cannot save hun from death. 

260. Complexus in nodum — "grasping him 
as with a knot," Le., the hands and arms 
of Hercules acted like a knot. Others sup- 
pose the poet to mean that Cacus was com- 
pressed into a knot shape; or "doubled up." 

Angit. There is a zeugma in this word, 
which is properly appUed to stopping the 
breath by compressing the thi-oat, but is 
here to be taken as govermiig oculos as 
weU. 

261. Elidi is properly apphed to a person 
killed by suffocation. 

267. Exstinctos faucibus ignes, for the pro- 
saic, fauces extinctis ignibus. 

268. Ex illo, sciL, tempore, fi'om that tune 
forth. Afinores — posterity. 

269. Primusque Potitius auctor. "The 
expression pr-imus auctor is explained by 
the narrative of Livy (i. 7), where it is said 
that the Potitii came to these rites when 
first established, sooner thiui the Pinai-ii 

270. Domus Pinaria. The priesthood for 
these rites remained hi the Pinaiian and Poti- 
tian houses. The Potitian family continued 
guardians of the rites till the censorship of 
Appius Claudius, b.c. 312, when the cere- 
monies were made pubhc ones, and uitrusted 
to public servants. 

271. Statuit, Le., Hercules erected. Max- 
ima — the Ara Maxima of Hercules was in 
the Forum Boarium at Rome. This and the 
fuUoAving verse are regarded by Heyne and 
others as spurious, but on insufficient 
grounds, as it appears to us. Observe the 
similar ending of this and next line, and see 
397, below. 

274. Porgite, by syncope for Porrigite. 
Mune?'e=^sacrijicio, " In this sacrifice insti- 
tuted in honour of a glorious deed." 

275. Communem deum — "a deity com- 
mon to both Trojan^ and Arcadians." 

277. Since the Romans veiled the head in 
iifferuig sacrifice, it is the Greek custom of 
wealing a garland which is here followed. 
The poplar was sacred to Hercules, hence 
Herculea umbra. Bicolor, refeiTing to the 
different shades of the front and back of the 
leaf 

278. The Scuphus was a drinking cup 
made of beechwood, silver, or earthenware 




Our term, cup, conveys a pretty accurate 
idea of its shape. 

159 



B. VIII. 279-293. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VIII. 294-328. 



279. In mensam, i.e., in aram. 

280. "Meanwhile evening approaches, the 
heaven, i.e., the diurnal hemisphere, declin- 
ing;" coslo, quod quotidie circum agitur, se 
indinante. Forb. 

282. PelUbus cincti— the early custom of 
•wearing skins as clothing was kept in re- 
membrance by a similar style of dress being 
adopted at the Lupercalia at Rome. 

283. Heyne marks this and the next verse 
with asterisks as spurious, particularly on 
account of the mention of the mensae se- 
cundae in the heroic age; but at Dido's 
feast, i. 723, 736, we have this arrangement 
at least hinted at — and if the poet, as we 
have seen, frequently attributes to those 
early days customs of his own times, why 
sliould he not do so in this particular? 
See i. 469. Wagner considers insiaurant 
epulas to mean the evening repast, the other 
having been taken at mid-day: and he 
thinks that the grata dona mensce secundce 
are the libations after supper. 

On instaurare, see Mi\. iv. 63. 

285. Salii. The name was especially ap- 
plied to the priests of Mais instituted by 
Numa, but here tlie poet assigns Salii to 
Hercules. It would appear that the word 
was a common epithet of a certain class of 
priests (a Saliendo), since all sacred rites 
were anciently accompanied with dancing 
and singing. The Saltantes sacerdotes are 
opposed to tlie Sacrificantes. 

Adsimt ad cantus, i.e., advenerunt ut cane- 
rent, et ran tint. 

287. The singers divide into two choruses 
— one of N'ouths, the other of old men. Tlie 
chorus consisted of a crowd of persons danc- 
ing and ringing round the altar. The song 
would be called in Greek v'rop;^y}fia,Tix.ov. 
Santen expresses a suspicion that Vii'gil 
refers here to some old poem in Saturnian 
verse. 

288. Laudes Hprculeas. On this adjectival 
form, see note, /En. ii. 584. 

289. Monstra and angues refer to the same 
thing, the que being epexegetical. See 220, 
above, and (En. i. 2. Juno is called noverca, 
on purpose, to suggest the cause of her 
bitter hatred. On eiiserit, see 261, above. 

290. Disjecerit — cf. Hor. Od. ii. 19, 14, 
tectaque Penthei disjecta non levi ruina. 

291 Hercules stormed Troy as a punish- 
ment for the treachery of Laomedon. See 
Class. Diet. QSchalia, a city of Euboea, 
also taken by Hercules, because lole, the 
daughter of king Eurytus, was denied to 
him. 

292. Fatis Junonis — the fates which the 
enmity of Juno had caused, i.e., the fatal 
necessity which the hatred of Juno had im- 
posed on him. 

293. Tu. Observe the transition to the 
direct mode of address, from the general 
enumeration, in the thii'd pers., of the deeds 
of the hero. 

Nubigenas bimemhres — "the cloud-bom 
(Centaurs) of double form" (i.e., partly 
man, partly horse.) See vii. 674, and on 
the contest of Centaurs and LapithJB, cf. 

160 



Hom. Od. xxi. 295 sqq., and Ovid Met. xii 
536 sqq. 

294. Jlylceus and Pholus, two of the Cen- 
taurs said to have been slain by Hercides. 
See Geo. ii. 456. Cresia prodigia — the great 
Cretan bull, brought alive to Eurystheus 
by Hercules. Afactas—the pres. expresses 
an act and its abiding effect, so that the 
phrase is equal to victor es tauri. 

296. On the descent of Hercules to Orcus, 
see Hom. IL viii. 368, and Od. xi. 623, and 
above, Mn. vi. 392. 

298. Typhosus, one of the giants struck 
by the thunderbolt of Jove, and hurled to 
Tartanis, according to one legend, or be- 
neath ^tna, according to another. 

299. Join arduus with tenens, as ardum 
attoUens sibila colla in v. 277. Rationis 
egentem, " destitute of resource," deprivedof 
plan, of presence of mind, through fear. 

301. Lernceus, see vi. 287. Salve = sis 
felix. Vera — "undoubted." Dexter — "pro- 
pitious." 

303. Super omnia, i.e., maxime, prceter 
cetera, imprimis, "most especially." 

307. Obsitus cevo, "beset by (the marks 
of) old age," i.e., oppressed with age. 

310. Faciles, "quickly moving," mobiles, 

313. Romance conditor arcis — not the 
builder of the capitol, but of the city Pal- 
lanteum on Mount Palatine. 

315. Truncis nata — "born in the trunks 
of trees," referring to the custom of early 
and rude rustics living in the hollowed trees. 

316. Mos — a moral code founded on a 
sense of what is right and good. Cultus 
means the external and substantial arrange- 
ments of clotliing, houses, and food. 

318. Rami, branches, i.e., trees, and their 
fruit generally. Asper victu — hunting is 
said to be asper victu, Ijecause it affords rough 
and coarse food, or because toil and diffi- 
culty are its sure attendants. 

319. The ancient legend concerning the 
flight of Saturn into these regions was de- 
rived, it would seem, from the etymology 
of the word latium, from latere. Saturn, 
however, the national deity of the Latins, 
is connected with Satu, or " satione rerum, 
imprimis frugum. " Heyne. 

322. Composuit — "collected" and settled 
down. 

323. Maluit — he tmhed the land to be 
called Latium rather than Saturnia, La- 
tuisset — Varro also derives Latium from la- 
tere, not, however, on account of Saturn's 
concealment there, but because " latet Italia 
inter praecipitia Alpium et Apennini.'" But 
this is absurd. Abeken finds the root in 
latm, "rXocTv;, so that Latium would mean 
"the level and broad land." 

324. A urea scectda — see Eel. iv. 18 sqq. 
326. Decolor cetas, i.e., an age, the brazen 

or iron, differing or deteriorated in colour 
from its predecessor. 

328. Ausonia manus — the Ausones, com- 
monly called Aborigines. Sicanos — this 
people, being driven by the Ligurians from 
Spain, are said to have crossed into Sicily. 
The poet puts them for the Siculi, who in 
early times dwelt between the Liris and the 



B. VIII. 329-350. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VIII. 352-388. 



Tiber, and who were forced by the Ausones 
and Pelasgians to flee from their settlements, 
and take refuge in Sicily. 

329. Saturn ia tell us was, strictly speaking, 
the sloping gromid of the Capitoline Hill, 
down towards the Tiber; but with the 
poets it became a general name for Italy, 
which had no other special designation. 
Heyne. Posuit. for deposuii, i.e., changed. 

330. Turn recfes — asperque Thybris — the 
que is epexegetical, "kiugs, and amongst 
them Tliybris." 

Albula. See lAvj i 3, line 22. 

333. E.rtrema pelagi. This is m accord- 
ance with the Greek notion, which placed 
the west among lands unknown and uu- 
visited. 

336. Carmerdis, or Carmentae (from Car- 
men) — the prophetic mother of Evander; 
her proper name was Nicostrate. Apollo is 
called auctor, because, as tlie god of pro- 
phecy, lu- imparts to his servants that spirit 
of in>ph-ation by which they foretell future 
events 

341. Nobile Pallanteum. — "that Pallan- 
teum (see 54) would be rendered famous." 

343. Asylum (see Livy i. 8,) 7'etulit, 
i.a, appellavit, for, says Wagner, ''verba 
sunt notce, quibus res quasi referimiis seu ex- 
primimus." Gossrau, comparing v. 598, 
explains it by restitult, because in the time 
of ^neas it was a grove. 

Lupercal — a cave at the foot of the Pala- 
tine hills sacred to Pan. 

344. Parrhasio, i.e., Arcadio (for Parr- 
hasia was a famous town and district m 
Aa-cadia). 

Dictum Panes LyctEei — "named after the 
Lycasan Pan." The name Lupercal was, 
by a foolish etpnology, derived from Lupus, 
as Pan was styled in Arcadia, Xukccio; 
from >^i>x,o?. But Pan received his cogno- 
men from Mt. Lycieus. 

345. Argileti. This grove was beneath 
the Capitoline and Quu-inal hills. The 
name was, by foolish etymologists, said to 
be made up of Argi letum, i.e., the death of 
Argus, one who had been received in hospi- 
tality by Evander, but who was at tliis spot 
put to death by the followers of the king, 
without the king's knowledge. Another 
and more sensible derivation is ArgiUa, clay, 
i.e., "The clay-field," " the potter's field." 

347. Tarpeia secies — the well known place 
of public execution ; the Capitoline hill was 
so called until the time of Servius TuUius, 
in memory of the virgin Tarpeia, as was al- 
leged. See Livy i. 11. It received its name, 
Tarpeia, in the reign of Romulus, and 
therefore the poet is guilty of an anachron- 
ism, which, however, is perfectly pardon- 
able. By Capitolia, the poet means the 
Capitohne heights only, in his days crowned 
with splendid buildings, hence aurea in 
next line. 

348. This line has reference, doubtless, to 
the boast of Augustus, recorded by Sue- 
tonius, That he found Rome brick and left it 
marble. 

350. Silvam tremehant — for this verb used 
transitively, see ^n. iii. 648. Dira — "aw- 



ful," referring to the Tarpeian rock as the 
place of execution. 

352. Quis — see note, ^En. iii. 608. 
Ipsum — " himself in full reality." In the 

golden age, it was supposed the gods held 
closer converse with men, and appeared 
Aisibly to them, talking to them "as a man 
talks to his friend." 

353. Scepe applies to the whole sentence, 
and is not to be confined to concuteret. 

354. yEgis means sometimes a breast- 
plate or cuirass, and sometimes a shield — 
the latter is manifestly meant in this 
place. See below, 435, note and cut. 
There is a comma placed by Heyne after 
concuteret, to join dextra with cieret, since 
no one, says he, would brandish a shield 
with the ri(jht hand, the left being that na- 
turally employed for such a purpose. Here, 
however, the shield is extended not for de- 
fence, but for a " terror to evil doers," and 
therefore the right hand, as being the 
stronger of the two, is naturally used to 
inspire the gi-eater fear. Nigrantem, i.e., 
nigrum — the first sylL is usually long, but 
here short. 

357. On hanc — hanc, for hanc — illam. See 
Eel. iv. 56. 

358. Instead of huic, illi, you would ex- 
pect the words reversed, but Janiculum, as 
being first mentioned is, as it were, upper- 
most in, and nearer to, the mind of the 
narrator, and arx Scdurnia, more removed. 
See Hor. Sat. iL 2, 29, and Jahn's note. 

361. Where the Roman Forum and the 
splendid Carinae now are, oxen then lowed. 
On Carinae, see Topography of Rome, 
Ramsay's Antiq., p. 1 sqq. The wealthiest 
people occupied mansions in this street, 
which received its name either because its 
buildings were erected round the temple of 
Tellus in the shape of the hull of a ship, or 
because the whole locality was depressed 
so as to present that appeai-ance. 

364. Aude contemnere — "have the cour- 
age to despise." Cf. Hor. Epis. i. 2, 40, SO' 
pere aude. 

365. Rebus depends on asper,^ not on vent. 
The meaning is. " do not despise the hum- 
ble home of Evander." To this Juven. xi. 
60, refers. 

368. Libystides ursae — see ^n. v. 37. 

369. Heyne compares the following pas- 
sage with Horn. II. xviii. 369 sqq., and xiv. 
294 sqq., ver , much to the discredit of the 
Roman poet. 

372. Aui-eo, by synizesis, auryo in scan- 
sion. Beds were ornamented with gold for 
royal personages. See Mn. L 698. 

375. Bebita. i.e., destined by fate to des- 
truction. After debita supply vastari, from 
vastabant. 

379. JS'aiis — a general expression, Paris 
only being meant. 

382. Sanctum numen mihi — "to me a 
rcA'ered power;" the art of flattery was not 
confined to mortals in those days. 

383. Nerei flia, scil., Thetis for Achilles 
(v. 825). Tiihonia conjux, i.e., Aurora who 
begged armour for Memnon (see i. 489). 

388. Amplexufovet iouQ.o\iQidie&, "fondly 
161 



B. VIII. 389-416. 



NOTES OjST the .ENEID. 



B. VIII. 417-455. 



embraces." so that the abL, lacerlis, appro- 
priately follows. 

389. Solitdm flommam. The ?C!;?« fallmg 
on the same syil. of this subst. and adj. m- 
creases very mnch the force of the expres- 
sion. Cf. .^n. i. 569 ; ii. 251 ; iv. 345 ; and 
vi. 179. 

391. Tonitru, i.e., cvm tonitru. Rupta — 
observe the two particips. joined to one 
subst. without a copula, and cf. ^n. ill. 70 ; 
V. 764. 

393. Sensit, "perceived the effect." The 
ace. is omitted, but may be easily supplied 
from the preceding. 

394. jEterno — "lasting," " of long stand- 
ing," "of long duration." 

395. Wliy do you advance so "far- 
fetched" and "round-about" arguments? 
Favour alone was sufficient to have gained 
your cause. 

397. Fulsset. Yov asumlur hojnoiot^leuton, 
see 271, above. Jahn thinks that in the 
repetition of /«««'( the poet aimed at con- 
sistency and harmony, and he fi^rther sees 
great force in the recurrence of the same 
foinn of the verb. Generally speaking, a 
repetition of the same word, as in this case, 
is by no means rai'e in conditional proposi- 
tions. See ^n. iv. 312; ii. 80. 

401. Quidquidcurae,\.Q..operce. Quantum 
ignes, etc. — "as much as fire and air (the 
bellows) can afford," (I promise.) To make 
the sentence complete, promitto should be i 
expressed, but it is implied in ahsistepre- 
cando. As the clauses now stand there is 
an anacolouthon (see L 237). Cf. Geo. iii. 
464. 

402. Electrum was a compound metal of 
silver and gold, deriving its name, probably, 
from its resemblance to pale amber. The 
first syllable of the word is properlj^ long, 
fiXixrpov. See Geo. iil 522, and cf. Nitzsch, 
Horn. Od. iv. 71. 

404. Servius alleges that Virgil is the first 
writer to use the verb indubitare. It is also 
found in Stat. Silv. iii. 5, 110. Forb. 

407. Inde, etc. — "Then as soon as (ubi 
prima for vbi primum,) repose had chased 
away slumber (from his eyes) in the mid 
career of the night now far spent" 

409. Colo— of the 2d and 4th dccls. See 
Diet. Tenui Minerva — " the loom yield- 
ing a scanty subsistence;" the name of the 
goddess being put for the art over which 
she presides. So Bacchus for wine, Ceres 
for bread, Vulcan for^re, etc. 

412. Casfum servare cubile, i.e., to gain 
an honourable livelihood ; or one free from 
disgrace. Cf. Hom. II. xii. 435. Edncere is 
for educare. 

414. Ignipotens, an epithet apjilicd to 
Vulcan only by Virgil, it appears. 

416. The ancient poets assigned to Vul- 
can places well known for their volcanic 
character: thus Homer fixes the fire god 
in Lemnos, and here Virgil selects as the 
" smithy" Hiera, one of thcS^olian (Lipari) 

162 



islands, calling the whole district Vul- 
cauia. See note, .^n. i. 52. 

417. Erigitur — " rises from the sea." 

419. Antra 2Et., i.e., such caverns as 
there are in ^tna ; "and the stm-dy strokes 
on the anvils are heard to re-echo the 
sound." 

421. Strfcturae — "themassesofpig-iron," 
not the sparks, as it has been interpreted. 
Chnlybum, the name of the people put for 
the metal which their country supplied. 
Anhelat, "pants"— a beautiful and truthful 
expression which can only be ftdly appre- 
ciated by witnessing the reality. 

423. Hoc — the antique form for hue. 

425. Brontes, (^povt'/i, thunder; Steropes, 
a-npoTri, lightning; and Pyracmon, ^vp, 
fire, and cix,f/,cuv, an an-vil. Obsen-e the 
que lengthened bj- arsis. Nudus membra, 
an example of the construction, "The 
ace. of the remote object." See M\i. L 
228 ; ii. 210, and Eel. i. bb. 

426. Informatum means, "but rudely 
shapen." 

427. Fubnen — quae plurima, a poetic ex- 
pression (borrowed from the Greeks) for 
cujus generis plurima. 

429. Observ-e the skill of the poet in de- 
tailing the various elements entering into 
the composition of the fulmen. Torti im- 
bfis, i.e., hail, formed by a process of con- 
densation and congelation. The thunder- 
bolt is represented on shields, monuments, 
cohis, eta, with twelve rays, three directed 
to each of the fom- sides. Each three are 
emblematic of some phenomena accom- 
panying the \isible manifestation of the 
thunder. 

434. Instabant — "they were hastening 
on to completion," a carriage intended for 
battle. 

435. The primitive form of the aeffis seems 
to be intended here, viz., the goat-skin 
covering the back and breast, and fringed 
with snakes; see 354. But as that form 




of it did not suit weU for representation in 
statuarj', the Greek artists couverted it into 
a breastplate covered with scales, and in 
the centre they placed the Gorgon's head, 



B. VIII. 438-45? 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. VIII. 458-506. 



as seen in the woodcut underneath. Tur- 
baiae, Le., enraged, and therefore dreadful 




43a The Gorgon, Le., Medusa, by way of 
eminence. See vi. 289. 

441. b^su3, le., opus est. Omni arte 
viagistra — " you liave now need for all the 
precepts of art," or "for all your niaster- 
skilL" 

448. Septenos, etc The shield was most 
probably a seven-ply, like Homer^s. C£ 
Horn. II. xviii. 481^ and see ^n. v. 584. 

449 to 453 are found in Geo. iv. 171 sqq., 
where see annotations. 

45-3. The reader will pei'haps be sm-prised 
to see in the woodcut the representation -of 
a modern smithj'; the anvil (incus), the 
pincers (forceps), the trough of water 
ilacits), the bellows (follis)^ the sledgeAmm- 
iner {malleus, or ??iarcus), make us imagine 
that Vulcan's disciples are staunch Con- 
servatives in their implements and forms i 
of procedure. i 




454 Observe the sudden cliange of style, 
from the harsh, rugged, tuid boisterous, to 
the mild, simple, and smooth. Cf. Hom. 
IL il 42; Od. iv. 307. 

Lem7iius pater. The story of Jupiter's 
casting Vulcau out from heaveu, and of the 
fall of the latter in the island of Lemuos is 
wellkno-\m from Hom. IL L 591 scj. 

456. Matutini cantus — most probably the 
twittering of swallows, as commentators 
think. Some have found a ready, thoug h a 
non-epic, explanation, in the presence of 
domestic fowl in Evander's poultrj-'yard. j 

457, Consurgit — "gathers himself up," 
as we say, vulgarl}-, to express difiiculty in 
tJie operation. 



458. Tyrrhena vineula—\\\e epithet Tyrt'- 
hena Is here merely ornamental; the Tuscan 
sandal, howevei-, was a particular lund of 
shoe with a wooden sole, fastened roimd tlie 
foot by thongs of leather. 

459. A Tegagan, Le, an Arcadian, sword, 
(see Geo. L IS). 

461. Limine ab alto — a common epithet 
for royal thresholds, not to be considered, 
however, as expressmg the absolute alti- 
tude or size of the apartment, but its height 
relative to the suiToundmg buUdings. 

467. MecJiis cedihus — a reference to the 
older form of houses in the heroic times, in 
which the oocco; was entered from the ves- 
tibule, and extended the Avhule breadth of 
the mansion. 

472. Pro nomine tanto, i.e.. my power is 
not equal to the fame and reuo-\vn which 
they have gained in your estinmtiou, and 
hi that of the nations around. 

474. Circumtonat — some read circumsonat, 
but the clear, sharp, dui of armour is best 
expressed by the verb Qh-cv.msonare. Forb. 

475. Ingmtes — so called, not without 
cause, for Etruria had twelve Lucumones. 
See note, iEru L 148. 

478. Agijlla or Ccere (see viL 652) the 
most famous commercial town of Etruria, 
well kno-nm to the Greeks. 

479. The false notion of the origin of the 
Tuscans from the Lydians is here referred 
to. See Class. Diet, aiticle "Etruria." 

489. Infanda furentem, " ragmg in a 
manner that baffles description," ei(pa.Ta, 

{/.CCiVOfjiSVOV. 

493. Obsei-ve the so-caUed historic infin., 
and the old form defendier for defendL See 
Geo. L 454. 
495. PrcES^nti Marti, " immediate battle." 
497. Puppes, Le., the ship's crews, fre- 
raunt, sigmique ferre jubent, " mmnnm* im- 
patiently, and express an anxiety to ad- 
vance in mihtary array: " ships were of no 
use in the conflict, and therefore the land 
tei-m, ferre sigxa, is employed. 

499. Maeoniae juvenilis, Le.. Lydian (see 
479), for Maeonia was an ancient name of 
Lydia. The device of the Tuscan prophet 
to delay the inhabitants of C«re in execut- 
hig vengeance on Mezentius is one of the 
most successful of Virgil's inventions 
throughout the development of the plot. It 
has the merit of being eiitirely his own. 

500. Flos is applied to whatever is the 
most excellent of its kind. 

503. Duces, though plur., mean* " a 
leader," so natis, 379, and generi, \tL 98. 
Subjungere — a metaphor taken fi-om the 
binding of oxen to the yoke. 

504. Hoc campo — osiy.Tix.cd?, as if point- 
ing towards it though it was out of sight. 

506. " Tarcho himself sent to me ambassa- 
dors, and the crown of the kingdom, toge- 
ther -^^ith the sceptre, and commits to me 
the (other) badges of royalty." Obseiwe 
the diffei'ence of tense — he seniambassadoi's, 
and after they have arrived, they give into 
my chai-ge. Some MSS. read Tarcho, but 
'\'ii'gil alwflvs irates Greek names in their 
163 



B. VIII. 507-534. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VIII. 542-563. 



Greek termination. Tarcho, however, is 
found in COS, below, for the metre's sake, 
but this proves no more than the single oc- 
currence of Daphnin (Eel. v. 52), for the 
universally used Daphnim. 

507. Misit — succedmn, scil., imperans ut 
succedam. 

508. Saeclis,i.e., many years. Gelu — "the 
frosts of time." On effoeta, see vii. 440 ; 
V, 396. 

509. Serae, for tardae, i.e., past the time 
for, "unequal to," as seri studiorum, Hor. 
Sat. i. 10, 21; or perhaps it is kindred in 
idea to effeta as explained in vii. 440. 

510. Mixtus viatre Sabella, i.e., were he 
entirely of foreign extraction, but he is not, 
for his mother was a Sabine. 

513. Ingred^re — " enter on thy high call- 
ing;" not, "begin to manage the kingdom," 
as some would have it. Cf Geo. i. 42. 

514. Hunc PaUanta, ''■Pallas here,'''' point- 
ing to him. 

517. Miretur — admire, so as to lead to 
imitation. 

518. Evander sends 400 cavalrj'^; 200 on 
his own account he entrusts to Pallas, and 
Pallas on his part places 200 of his own 
raising under the control of ^neas. No 
excellence is denoted by the word Arcades, 
for Arcadia being a mountainous region, 
was ill adapted for equestrian movements, 
and the time since Evander's arrival in 
Italy, was too limited to allow of the culti- 
vation of a taste for such a kind of militaiy 
force, or to ensure its proper organization. 
The advantage of a speedy succour is, there- 
fore, the only recommendation. 

522. Putabant—(et diittim putassent) ni 
dedisset There is an eUipsis here; "they 
began to meditate on hardships," and would 
have continued to indulge in such anticipa- 
tions, had not," etc. The cum mode of ex- 
pression would be, pvtabant cum Venus de- 
dit," etc. 

624. Improviso, for ex improvise, see ii. 
129. 

526. The Tuba was said to have been 
invented by the Tyrrhenians, hence the 
epithet Tyriiienus, which, however, is joined 
with clangor instead of tnbae. Thus we 
have had frequent examples of adj. joined 
to substs. other than those to wliich they 
properly belong. See ^n. i. 169; iii. 411; 
V. 375, etc. In like manner an adj. pro- 
perly belonging to the governed (gen.) 
case, as here, is accommodated to the 
governing word. See 2£n. i. 4 ; vii. 44 ; 
xiL 199, etc. 

528. Arma, scil., those that were being 
brought through the air to ^Eneas from 
Vulcan. 

529. Pel' sudum — " tlirough the clear air." 
Et pnlsa ton are — " and {they hear them) 
dashed together, ringing aloud." There is 
a zeugma in vident, as in videbant mugire, 
361, above, and we must translate it m the 
second clause &&=audiunt. 

533. Olympo, the dative, instead of ab 
Olympo. 

534. Hoc signiim. On this Servius re- 
164 



marks — x,ara, ro ffiwTruy.tvov intelligimtis 
Venerem ei promisisse." 

542. Herculeis ignibus. There has been 
much discussion on this passage. Of the 
different explanations proposed by Heyne, 
Jahn, SUpfl., and Forb. adopt the following: 
The ignes Herculei which are now re- 
kindled, can be none other than those whicli 
were raised the day before on the Ara 
Maxima in honour of Hercules (102 sqq.) ; 
this ceremony, however, is performed, not 
before the city at the altar of Hercules, but 
in the palace of Evander (cf 467 with 541), 
and not in honour of Hercides, but of the 
dii domestici of the king. Nothing remains 
for us, then, but to come to the conclusion 
that Evander had taken home with him the 
fire and embers from the altar of Hercules, 
and placed them on his family altars, and 
that these are the sopitas ignes now kindled 
by ^neas to perform sacrifice to the Lares 
and Penates. 

Wagner thinks that the phrase implies a 
double sacrifice, a second to Hercules on 
the Ara Maxima, and one to the Lar of 
Evander. See Forb. and Wagn. in loc. 

Primum. is answered by post hinc in 546, 

543. Hesternum Larern n)ay mean either 
the Lar to whom sacrifice had been made 
the day previous, or the Lar with which 
.iEneas had become acquahited for the first 
time on the day previous. 

544. Ad'it — " approaches in prayer." 

545. Pariter, pariter, a-^ia, f/,iv, a.f/.a. tz. 
547. Inbella sequantur. Not to a regular 

war, for none yet existed, but they accom- 
panied him as a body-guard in case any 
battle should be forced on him in passing 
through the temtory of strange tribes. 

550. Ascanius had remained with the 
general body of Trojans in the camp, at the 
mouth of the Tiber. 

552. Exsortem — not subject to the chance 
of the lots, but specially selected. 

555. Ad lito7'a, preferable to the other 
reading limina, as 497 shows. 

556. Propius periclo it Timor. " And 
fear now borders more closely on the dang-cr 
itself," i.e., the danger is no longer doubt- 
ful and distant, but it is dreaded as certain 
and innninent. 

558. Euntis, scil., f Hi. 

5.'>9. Inexpletus — this, as the most difficult 
reading, is preferred by Wagn. and Forb. 
The construction is supported by such ex- 
amples as 299, above; Geo. i. 16-3, 320; 
ii. 377, etc. etc. 

560. This and the following verses are 
suggested by Hom. II. vii. 132 sqq.; xi. 
669; and many other places of similar cha- 
racter. Si is here used in an optative sense 
as often. 

561. Qualis ei^am. Cf. Hom. II. vii. 157, 
I Iff &>; ri^cuotfjii. 

562. This incident of burning the armour 
of the vanquished enemy is a historical one, 
for Tarquinius Priscus is said to have thus 
destroyed the weapons of the Sabines in 
honour of Vulcan. It was unitated by 
conquerors afterwards. 

563. Erilum. The name is usually writ- 



B. VIII. 564- 



NOTES ON THE iEXEID. 



B. VIII. 603-630. 



ten Herilum, but the best MSS. give the 
form adopted by Forb. without tlie aspii'ate. 
Ko other writer mentions tliis monsti^ous 
king. 

564. Feronia — see vii. 800. 

56o. Terna anna movenda — he "was to be 
revivified tliree times, and as often con- 
quered, as 567 shows he was. 

566. Wagn. takes hto as the dat, com- 
paiing xii. 464, neque aversos dk/natur ster- 
nere marti, quasi, ad mortem. See Geo. iv. 
432. and ^n. ix. 433. 

567. Totidem exuit armis. Virgil con- 
founds soul and body, it would appear; for 
while attributing three souls to Erilus, he 
gives liini only one body, but he seems to 
forget that it is bodies and not souls that 
wear annour. So say the commentators; 
but may we not suppose tliat Evander, after 
slaying the monster, as he supposed, stripped 
him of his armour, and that a second life 
animating the same body, a second suit of 
arms was provided, to be again carried off 
in triumph by the Arcadian, and that in 
like manner a third time was the same 
ordeal gone through. 

570. Huic capiti, i.e., mihi, finitimo, for 
which last word finitimus is the vulgar 
readmg. For caput used thus, see iv. 613. 

571. Urbem, scil.. Agylla (Caere). 

576. Unutn is a subst. in the neut. gender. 
There is no necessity for supplying locum. 
See Krit^, Sail. Cat. 17, 2. 

577. Fatior, Le., sustineo — "I am content." 

578. Aliquem infandum casum — by a 
euphemism for mortem. 

579. Abinimpe.re vitam — so ahrumpere 
lucem, iv. 631, above. 

581. Seravoluptas, the Homeric T'/i^vyi- 
Tot, o'^'iycvo?. 

58-5. Jamqite adeo — see iEn. ii. 567; and 
iv. 533. 

588. Fictis armis — not only armour orna- 
mented with gold and silver, but also with 
devices painted on the shield, as the Arca- 
dians had, according to ancient testimony. 

589. Ferfusus unda, i.e., as he ascends 
from the lap of Ocean Cf. Hom. II. v. 5. 

591. ExtuUt and resolvit are aoristic per- 
fects, on which see ^n. iii 681, and Geo. 
L 49. 

596. This line is one of the best examples 
possible of ovomatojjoeia, i.e., the soimd 
answering to the sense. It may be well, 
but rather freely translated, " The hoof of 
the quadruped shaketh the mouldering plain 
in its flight." The gallop of horses in the 
distance is heard in fancy as you utter tliis 
verse and its translation in rhythmical 
cadence. The line occurs again at xi. 875, 
with a slight alteration; it is formed after 
Ennius. 

597. Caentis, the gen. of the river's name, 
derived trom the town. Caere would have 
Caeris in the gen. The adj. is Caeretes or 
CaerUis. 

599. CoUes cavi, hills making a hollow 
valley. Nemiis is the ace. governed by in- 
clusere and cingunt. Abieie, by synizesis, 
abjete in three sylls. 

600. Felasgos. Dionysius says that Agylla 



was one of those cities in which the Pelasgi 
settled in great strength, and in which 
their language and customs prevailed. See 
vii. 652. 

603. Ta7xho~see above, 506. 

605. Legio here means a lai-ge body of 
men. 

608. On at, in the beginning of a new 
section of the nan-ative, see iv. 1. 

610. Egelido is the reading of the best 
MSS., but et gelido is adopted by Wagner, 
because (1), egelidus is unsnited to epic 
poetry ; (2), gelidus, and not e-gelidus, is the 
usual epithet of rivers among the poets ; 
(3), the stream had been called gelidus hi 
597, above. In spite of these objections, he 
would admit egelidus, had it been mentioned 
that .iEneas bathed in the stream, which 
615 shows he could not have done. Egelidus 
is sometimes almost the same as tepidus, 
but here the e is intensive, as in edurus, so 
that we may take tlie word as=frigidior. 
Secretum, etc., " Apart from his companions 
by the side of the cool stream." 

612. Fromissa—see 531 and 534. 

617. Honore means the remarkable beauty 
and brilliancy of the armour. 

618. Expleri, i.e., satiari. Atque volvii=: 
volvens. 

619. Inter manus et 6rarAfa— " He turns 
over and over again the helmet, etc., taking 
the smaller pieces in his hands, and the 
larger in his arms." 

620. Flammas vomentem — a poetic image, 
suggesting the highest degree of glancing 
briUiancy. It is an attempt to translate 
Hom. II. V. 4, occ7i ol Ik x,'opv6'oi ti xa] 

621. Fatiferum, "death-dealing." San- 
guineam, i.e., rutiJam, "red-gleaming," as 
being made of brass. 

62-3. Inardescit — "is kindled up," "is lit 
up." 

624. Electro — see above, 402. On ocreas, 
consult Ramsay's Antiq. On Eecocto, see 
note, vii. 6.j6. 

625. The following noble description of 
the shield of ..tineas is written in imitation 
of Hom. Ii. xviiL 478 sqq., but the Latin 
poet differs from the Greek in this, tiiat 
while the latter presents an incomparable 
outline of all human life, the former, intent 
only on celebrating the glory of the Ro- 
mans, confines his devices to subjects of 
Roman history. We are to imagine the outer 
rim of the shield di\-i'ed into eight compart- 
ments, and ornamented with scenes de- 
scriptive of the most prominent events of 
Roman history: and the centre part, or 
umbo, containing, as it were, the grand and 
crowning subject — the battle of Actium and 
the triple triumph of Augustus, the Dal- 
matian, Actian, and Alexandrian (see 676 
sqq). Forb. 

JVon enarrabile — " indescribable." 
627. Vatum, i. e., vaticiniorum, of the 
prophecies which ^neas had formerly heard. 
Some books read fat urn for fatorum., a con- 
traction which Wagner denies an instance 
of among the poets of the Augustan age. 
630-634. The first device of the shield — 
1C5 



B. VIII. 634-652. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VIII. ess- 



Romulus and Eemus suckled by the wolf — 
a favourite subject on Roman works of 
art. 

Feiam — " after bringing forth," not 
"pregnant," as it sometimes signifies. See 
EcL i. 50. 

634. Mulcere aUernos. Of course, a work 
of art could not represent the changes of 
motion hi "licking the boj^s alternately," 
and, therefore, we must conclude that the 
poet does not speak strictly of what was 
actually depicted on the shield, but of what 
we understand to have been done. So, tn 
Mn. i. 4S3, Ter circum Iliacos raptaverat 
Hectora muros. 

635-41. The rape of the Sabine women, 
and the league with Titus Tatius, occupy 
the second compartment. 

Sine more — " contraiy to the law of na- 
tions." 

636. Caveae — properly applied to the 
theatre, but here to the circus. On the 
Magni Circenses (htdij, see Ramsaj-'s Antiq., 
pp. 346, 347. livy and others caU these 
games Consualia. 

637. Cons'ji-gere — an inverted construc- 
tion for consurgens. Hejme. "Wagner, 
however, woidd govern consurgere hyfece- 
rat, which he takes out of addiderat. 

638. Severis Curibiis — "the rigid Cures." 
Cures, austere and rigid in morality and 
manners. See ix. 603. So Horace's Epist. 
ii. 1, 25, says, rigidis Sabinis. 

On Cures, see vi. 812, and above, viL 710. 

641. Porca. Most authorities say it was 
a male and not a female which was sacri- 
ficed at the ratification of a treaty. See 
Livjr i, 24, and Varro, R. R. iL 4. 

642. ]Mettius Fufi'etius and his punish- 
ment occupy the third space. See Livy 
L 27, 28. 

Citae, Le., incitatae — "driven to their 
speed." We have adopted Mettius as the 
form of this name, in accordance with 
Niebuhr's view of it The spelling of it is 
verj' micertain, and the varieties nmnerous. 

643. Maneres—the. imp. for the pluperf., 
on which see .^n. ilL 187, and viL SOS. 
The meaning is, "Then when the horses 
were di-agging you asunder, O Alban, j'ou 
would have -^xdUingly been true to your pro- 
mises." Heyne remarks that though such 
a disgusting sight would be wholly un- 
suited for a work of art of our day, yet it 
was sufliciently pleasing to Romans who 
shrunk not from witnessing the bloody and 
fatal contests of gladiators. 

646-51. The siege of Rome by Porsenna, 
and the deeds of daring perfonned by Codes 
and Cloelia, form the fourth subject ; see 
lAxj iL 9 sqq. On the orthography ot 
the name Porsenna, consult Niebuhr's Hist, 
of Rome, vol. i., p. 532, and Macaulay's 
Lays of Ancient JRome. 

650. Quia is adopted by Forb. and Wagn. 
for the common quod, since quia assigns 
external causes as the reason of anger, 
whereas quod would suggest the thoughts 
passing in the mind of him enraged, — the 
internal causes. Quod is subjective, quia 
objective. 

652. The fifth design — the Capitol be- 

166 



sieged by the Gauls, but saved by Manlius, 
and the cackhng of the geese. 

In su)nmo, scil., clipeo. That smot7?2o does 
not mean the summit of the citadel is seen 
by the term arcis, which imphes the same 
thing. 

653. Pro templo, scil., of Jupiter. 

654. On the Casa Bomuli, see Ramsay's 
Antiq., p. 29. The rude straw roof 
seemed quite fi'esh in the representation. 

655. Atque is used to introduce a sudden 
and unexpected incident. Hie — on the sum- 
mit of the shield (652). Wagner. But 
others think that it is an adv. of time rather 
"upon this," when SlanUus was engaged 
as described. 

656. Volitans canehat vividly suggest the 
half -running, half-Huing attitude, "and the 
screeching note of geese under great alann. 
Auratis porticibus — this does not mean 
that the gates of Rome were at that time 
of gold, but only that Vulcan had formed 
the mimic doors of that metal. 

657. Tenebant — "Avere on the point of 
gainmg." 

659. Aurea, etc. "Their hair is of a 
golden hue, and so are their garments — 
they are conspicuous to the \-iew in then- 
striped tunics." The Celts wei'e notorious for 
ruddy looks, and the Gauls famed for fair 
(milk-white) complexions. On the sagum 
and sagulum, see Ramsay's Antiq., p. 401. 

662. Gaesa — a Gaulish javelin, somewhat 
resembling an Irish pike. 

663. Exsnltantes Salios — ^referring to the 
procession of the Salii through the city on 
the Kalends of ^March, carrymg with them 
the sacred Ancilia (small shields), with 
danchig and singing. See above, 2S-5. 

Hie — in another part of the shield, and 
fornimg the sixth di\ision. 

Luperci— the priests of Lupercus, god of 
fertility. On the Lupercalia they sacrificed 
goats and young dogs to Lupercus, and on 
the conclusion of the ceremony they ran 
through the city half-naked, or covered with 
a mask, and beat A\ith scourges formed from 
the skins of the victims, all the women they 
met. 

664. Apices lanigeros, Le., the Flamens. 
The Apex, properly so called, was a piece of 
wood tapering to a point, and covered at 
the base by a lock of wooL It was some- 
times fastened to a close-fitting cap, as seen 
below, or sometimes to a fillet on each side 
of the head. A woollen tassel (filum) hmig , 
down, hence "famines," as it wore, Jila- 
mines. 




666. Pilentis. The pilentum was a car- 
riage, on two wheels, for elderly women, 
and was used only on gala days : it was so 
constructed that those sitting in it appeared 
to swing in mid-air. The epithet mollibus 
is applied to it on account of its easy and 



B. Yin. 668-675. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VIIL 676-68?;. 



gentle motion. The representation here 
given is only an approximation to what is 
supposed to have been the form of the 
pilentum. The lions are probably a poetic 
exaggeration. See Ramsay's Antiq. 




Hinc procul, Le., in the lower part of the 
shield. See 652. 

668. Instead of Catiline, there were many 
other Eomans such as Sulla, or Cinna. whom 
v,-e might contemplate on the infernal rack 
without strong feelings of compassion, but 
it would have been unwise in the Court 
poet of Augustus's reign to have uitroduced ; 
such an example. The idea of the piniomng ; 
to a rack is borrowed fi-om the stoiy of 
Prometheus, but instead of the vulture, we 
have the Furies, attached to Catnine. : 

669. On tremere, with ace, see ..^n. iii. 
648. , 

6"0. Secretos pios — see ^n. vL 540 sqq., j 
and Hor. Od. iL 13, 22. | 

Catonem. Cato of Utica, as being the ' 
dii-ect contrast to Catilirie. See the history 
of each. To this it has been urged as an 
objection, that Virgil could not with con- 
sistency raise to the judicial bench one who '" 
had laid violent hands on himseltj for all of 
this class he excludes (vL 434) from the 
regions of the blessed, and assigns to them 
a different place in Orcus. But Thiel re- 
plies, that Yrrgil looked on Cato rather as 
one of those ob patriam vulnera passi, \i. 
660, and this opinion accords with the gene- 
ral estuuate made by the ancients of the 
death of the illustrious patilot; thus Hor. 
Od. L 12, 35, Catonis nohile letum. 

671. The central and crowning scene of 
all is now described. Inter haec, " in the 
middle of these" different pictures which 
adorned the mai-gin. The idea of the sea 
is taken from Hom. II. x^-iii 606. 

672. Caerula means simply, "the sea- 
plains," and can have no reference to colour 
here, as that is already decided by the term 
aurea. Forb. 

Fluctu cano — to represent the white ap- 
pearance of sea-breakers the artist must have 
avaUed himself of silver along with the gold. 

673. Argento clarU candentes argento. 
675. In medio, scU., of the shield, not of 

the sea. He3-ne. But as the central part of 
the shield has been already mentioned in 
671, it is perhaps better to take it to mean 
the middle of the sea, or at least the middle 
of the centre piece. Actia hella stands in 
apposition to classes with a peculiarity of 



construction winch wUl be fomid explained 
in note, Eel. ii. 3. Bellum is sometime 
used for pugna as here, as at ^n. ii. 439. 

676. Cernere erat— a, Greeii constructio 
on which see note, Geo. iv. 447. 

677. The promontorj^ Leucate (on which 
see ^n. iii. 274) is said fervere, while the 
fleet is of course the proper object to which 
the verb shoiUd be applied. Auro, sciL, 
of the armour. 

678. Hinc Augustus — so Mnc Antonius, 
685. M. Agrippa was the admiral of the 
whole fleet, Octavianus, vrith JL Yal. Mes- 
sala, and others, acting as general superin- 
tendents. The poet takes care, 679, to in- 
troduce the patres and popuJus, to give his 
patron a show of disinterestedness, and an 
appearance of public sanction. Observe the 
monosyllabic termination of the line after a 
spondee, a combination which gives great 
force and dignity to the line. See ?F.n. ii 
250. note ; and Geo. L 181. 

680. Tempora vomunt geminas flammas 
— not Irom his eyes, but fi-om his helmet : 
the expression seems to be an imitation of 
Hom. II. V. 4 sq., already quoted. 

681. AperUur — "begins to appear," 
" rises to ^-iew." On the Julian star here 
referred to, see EcL ix. 47. During the 
celebration by Augustus of funeral games 
in honour of Julius Cfesar, a comet (sup- 
posed to be that afterwards called Halley's 
comet) appeared, in which the soul of the 
great emperor was supposed to have gone 
to the heavens to increase the number of 
the stars. 

682. 5ec«ndf25— tiU the fifth day the wind 
had been contrary. 

683. Arduus — either " standing high in 
a lofty part of his ship," or " conspicuous in 
a lofty ship." 

684. The corona navalis, or rostrata was 
made of gold, and so formed as to imitate 
by its peaks the rostra (beaks) of ships. The 
woodcut imdenieath is taken from a bronze 
medal, representing the head of Agrippa 

I adorned with this chapleL 

i 




685. Einc, ope harbarica, etc. See 678. 
Antony had vrith htm his legions, which 
had been much shattered and enfeebled by 
his eastern campaigns, and also a large num- 

j ber of auxiliaries from different eastern 
nations, (whence variis armis). 

686. Victor ab, etc., refening to his vic- 
tories over the Partliians and Annenians. 

Littore rubro — ^not the Eed Sea, but the 
Indian Ocean (ipvSoa SoL/.affira,.^ 

167 



B. VIII. 688-696. 



NOTES ON THE ^XEID. 



B. VIII. 697-725. 



688. Ultima Bactra — the very remote 
Bactra, put for the east generally. It was 
considered an unlawful or, at least, an in- 
ferior marriage for a Roman to unite with 
a foreigner, and hence the phrase nejns. 
For the people of the east, too, the Romans 
had a peculiar contempt. See Hor. Od. iiL 
5,6. 

690. This verse has already occmTed, v. 
143. 

693. Tanta mole is joined by some to 
piippibus, but Wagner, Heyne, etc., with 
more show of reason, attach the words to 
viri — the rowers ; of whom there were ten 
benches in some of the ships. 

Turritis. Antony is said to have been 
the first to introduce tower- carrying ships, 
one of which is represented in the woodcut. 
See Ramsay's Antiq., "Naval Affairs." 




694. Telis some take for the slings, fer- 
rum being the bullets. But Wagner be- 
lieves telis to mean the telorum jnctus — the 
act of throwing, and /errww the weapon. 

695. yova caede — "the first brush of 
battle and its attendant slaughter." 

696. The sistrum, as employed in Eg>7)- 
tian revels and lasciviousness, is here intro- 




168 



duced to render Antony and his queen more 
contemptible, and thereby to exalt Octa- 
vianus. The metal rods, inserted into the 
thin oval frame, made a loud, rattling noise 
when shaken violently. 

697. An^ues — referring to the death of 
Cleopatra by the asp bite. Ancient autho- 
rities differ ui assigning the number of asps 
employed by the Egyptian queen. 

698. The deities of both sides are, in imi- 
tation of Homer, represented as engaged in 
the fight. Those of Egypt are called ?«o«- 
stra, because they were represented with 
the heads of beasts. Anubis had the head 
of a dog, hence lutrator. 

704. Jctins Apollo — see iii. 275. Desu- 
per, i.e., /ib Actio. 

706. S<ibaei—the people of Arabia Felix, 
Ye?}ien. 

710. lapygia was the south part of Italy, 
called also Messapia and Calabria. The 
wind, N.W., or rather W.N.W., is by the 
Greeks called lapyx as blowing from it. 

711. " Poeticum phnntnsnia maguum 
el prneclnrum" says Heyne. The Nile 
deity will be represented in human form, 
in a reclining position, and clad, in the lower 
part of his body, with a robe arranged in 
such a way as to expose a sinus in which 
the flying Egyptians may be sheltered. 

714. Last///, the triple triumph of Augus- 
tus—the Dalmatian, Actian, and Alexan- 
drian—is depicted, so grouped as to keep 
each day's scenes separate and distinct. 

715. Fotion in the smg., in apposition to 
a plui". noun, is also found in Livy xxiii. 46, 
5, Spolia hostium Marcelbis, f'uicnio 
votutn, cremnvit. The temples are given 
at 300, but this is not intended to be accu- 
rate ; the definite number is put for an in- 
definite, "a great many." See iv. 510. 
Tlie votiim is called immortale, as consist- 
ing of te/npta, which were opera itninor- 
tulia. 

718. Arae, i.e., altars for sacrifice, more 
particularly mentioned next line. 

720. We are to imagine Augustus as hav- 
ing now entered the city, and seated him- 
self in the portico of Apollo Palatinus (which 
lie had dedicated in a.u.c. 726); he there 
passes in review and inspects (recognoscit) 
I the booty from the conquered nations, espe- 
! cially golden crowns {dona populurum, scil., 
i denictorum). On the epithet candentis, see 
j Hor. Od. i. 2, 31. 

I 721. Apt'it superbis (see above, 196; 
postibus, '• takes care that they are fixed on 
the exulting doors." 

724. Nomridum — see iv. 320. Afros— & 
large portion of Africa, from Cyrene to 
Ethiopia, was on the side of Antony, and 
among his troops was Bogudes, khig of 
Mauretania. The Africans are called dis- 
cincti, loose-robed, to denote their effemi- 
nacy. 

Vulcan's name, Mulciber is derived from 
the verb mulcere, to melt or soften iron. 

725. The Lele^es and Curiam are put for 
the people of Asia Minor generally. 

lielonos, either put for the Dacians, 
against whom M. Crassus fought, or for 
tlie Thracians beyond whom they dwelt. 



B. Vni. 726- 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. VIII. 731. 



See Geo. ii. 115 ; and cf. Hor. Od. iii. 4, 35, 
where they are called pharetrnti. 

726. The Euphrates moves more gently, 
as if he felt himself conquered. This means, 
of course, the people bordering on the river. 
So Hor. Od. ii. 9, 21, says, Medum flumen 
minores volvere vortices. The Euphrates, 
Araxes, and the Daha; are intended to re- 
present the nations of the East generally 
who followed Antony. 

727. The Moiijii—a, people of Gallia Bel- 
gica, occupying the district now called 
Picardy., and the Rhenus bicorr/is (the two 
horns, or mouths, being the Vahalis, Whaal, 
and the Rhenus proper,) are the represen- 
tatives of the nations over whom the Dal- 
matic triumph was celebrated. 

728. The Dahae were a nomad tribe, 
east of the Caspian Sea, hihabiting a dis- 
trict around the Oxus, beiJ^ond the Hyrca- 
iiians. 



Pontem indignatus, "disdaining a bridge," 
poetically descriptive of its powerful and 
impetuous stream. The Araxes {hodie 
Ariis) is a river of Greater Armenia: it 
rises on the opposite side of Mt. Aba from 
that on which the Euphrates has its origin, 
and flows into the Caspian after forming a 
junction with the Cyrus, (Kour). 

731. Attollens kumero, i.e., in humervm. 
He raises up, and throws over his shoulder, 
by means of the shield-straps, the divine 
work of art which bore upon it the prefigu- 
ration of Ids descendants' illustrious deeds. 
On the mode of fastening the shield, see 
Ramsay's Antiq. 

This last line is certainly a great falling 
off from those preceding it. There is what 
appears an attempt at a joke of a veiy in- 
different kuid, wholly unworthy of the place, 
the subject, and the poet. It may perhaps 
be the work of some later hand. 



B. IX. 1-9. 



IsOTES OX THE .EXEID. 



B. IX. 10-27 



BOOK NINTH. 



aegume:xt. 



Ttjexus, taldn? advantag^e of the absence of ^hieas, endeavours to set fire to the Trojan 
fleet (1-76). The ships, ho^vever, are turned into sea nymphs by Jupiter, at the solicita- 
tion of Cybele, fi-om -^-hose sacred grove, on Mount Ida, their timbers had been liewn 
(77-122). At the approach of night Tumus sets watches to prevent a surprise fi-om the 
Trojan camp (123-167) : ■^\-hilc the enemy, on the other hand, de^^se plans to convey to 
-£neas an accomit of their critical situation. Nisus and Euiyalus having volunteered 
their services as couriers, set forth on their perilous expedition, and, after slaj-ing great 
numbers of the sleeping Lathis, are themselves cut down (16S-4-45). Their" heads ai-e 
fixed on spears and carried to the Trojan camp, to the great sorrow and consternation of 
their companions in arms (446-502). Turnus then attacks Ascanius and his followers, 
and a battle, fierce and bloodv, is fought ai'ound, and even withia the Trojan encamp- 
ment (503-818). 



1. Penitus,Le.,prarsus, plane, "entirely," | 
as in EcL L 67, El penitus totu divisos orbe \ 
Britannos. Pcw?Ymj rfjrer5a.therefore,means 
"verj- far removed,'* scU., from the camp of I 
JEneas; ''in a far difiereut quarter." Ea 
gertcnfur, viz., the promise of succour and 
the equipping with ainuoar. 

2. Iris, daughter of Thaumas (whence 
called Thaumantias, in 5) and Elcctra, ap- 
pears in the Iliad as the messenger of the 
gods. She is the personification of the 
rainbow, which, from its quickness of move- 
ment in appearing and vanishing, was con- 
sidered the fleet messenger of Heaven. Cf. 
iv. 694. 

4. Parentis (i.e., avus or abavus) Pilunmi 
— Pilumnus or Sterculins, the son of Fau- 
nas, and his brother Picumnus were two 
important deities in the ancient Roman 
religion. See Diet, of Biog. and Mytli. 
(Smith). 

7. Volvenda dies — "time in its revolu- 
tion." See Mn. v. 78-3; also L 269. 

8. Urbe, Le.. y:ova Troja. 

9. Sceptra. i.e., regnuyn, regia. Palatini 
— by a7iticipation, as is often the case in 
names, both with poets and prose writ.i-s. 
"VVe have many examples of similar prolep- 
sis in the Old Testament. Petit is, by 
Heyne and others, considered the pert", con- 
tracted for pet at. but "STagner denies that 
Virgil ever uses such a sjTiaeresis (see ^n. 
iii -3). Yet, even suppose the contraction 
were allowed, the pros, tense is that which 
is most sttitable, since it expresses more 
distmctlythe true state of matters, viz., that 
JEjieas iias not returned, but is still absent 
on his search after Evander, and other | 
friendly aid. The last s yU. of petit is length- \ 
euod by arsis. See ^^n. iii. 464. | 

He>-ne proposes, to avoid the spondaic ! 
endhi'g of the line, to read Euandri in foiu: 
syllables. But Wagner alleges that this 
separation of the word i>^ in compounds is 
not admissible unless before two consonants. 

170 



as iiiffTpo(po?, or before a doubled liquid, as 
\'C(/.f^iXirti, or before doubled <r, as Hff- 

10. Corythi ad urbes, Le., Etntria, which 
is signified by Connhns, the founder ot 
Cortona. See' .3^. iii. 170, note. 

11. Lydorutn — another reference to the 
vulgar opuiion that Etrurians were of 
Lydian origin. See ^^iL 479. On the con- 
struction petit, penetravit, armat, see note, 
iEn. ii. 482 ; iii. 3. 

12. On the construction tempus poscere. 
see note, JEn. v. 60S. 

13. Turbata arripe castra, the meaning 
is, Attack the Trojans olf their guard, and 
while they are in confusion, and ere they 
regain courage and rally, seize on the camp. 
Thiel takes turbata as proleptic m use (see 
Ji^n. iL 736), and interprets, "Attack the 
camp, and thus throw it into confusion." 

15. Secuit arcum. So tSjWvj/v a^av, i.e.. 
inccssit per arcum. Fuga, fugiem. 

IS. A'tt6/6«A- is the abl. of the instrument. 
"Borne on by the clouds." 

20. Tempest as is just exactly our word 
"sk}-," which denotes the upper regions of 
the air where storms originate in conse- 
quence of the equUibriuui of the atmos- 
pheric coluums being disturbed. 

21. Paluntes Stellas — tins means not the 
planets oifl^-, but the whole body of the 
stars, which, Uke a herd of cattle, browse 
on the plauis of heaven. 

25. Ibat exercitus, etc., are closely con- 
nected with 30, ceu septem, the inten-ening 
fines, 27, 28, and 29, being parenthetic. 

26. Dives is repeated instead of a copuliL 
See vu. 75. Pictuivesiis — see iiL 3-54. This 
phrase, with auri, forms a hendiadys for 
vestibus auro intextis. 

•21. On MessapiLs, see vii 691, and on 
Tyrrhidae, viL 484. Coercent, stronger 
tlian ducunt — it is nearly equal to our 
" bring up the rear." 



B. IX. 29-52. 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. IX. 53-79. 



29. This verse has little MSS. authority ; 
all the best copies do not contain it. 

30. The comparison is — The army at 
other times (in battle) rages furiously over 
the plain, lilce the boiling tide of a swollen 
river, but now it advances quietly and 
calmly, like the peaceful flow of a majestic 
stream. 

Surgens — "increasing in its seven peace- 
ful channels." Soon after leaving the Monies 
Einodi, the Ganges was said by the ancients 
to flow on in seven different channels. 

31. Per taciturn (scil., it), i.e., taciie. 
Similar phrases are, per lor/gum, per subi- 
tum, per ridiculum, etc. 

Pingui flumine—'' with its fertUizmg 
stream." 

32. Refluit — "subsides," "returns from 
the plains to its channel." In words com- 
pounded with re, Yirgil is wont to use the 
abL without a prep. 

3-5. Adversa mole — "a height fronting 
the approach of the Latins." 

37. Tela, adscendite. Some books read 
Tela, scandile, making the a of tela long 
before the two consonants (sc) of the next 
word, but this does not take place unless 
the lengthened syllable be in arsis, which 
here it is not. 

43. The illustration represents one of the 
Roman casteUa, or military forts, which were 
so frequent m the open country, to protect 
the boundaries of the empire, or to defend 
the agricultural population from the inroads 
of hostile and plundering hordes. For a 
description of tlie larger castra camp, see 
Ramsay's Antiquities. 



#■ 



^,1^ 




49. Thracivs — a mere foetic embellish- 
ment, for it is not likely that Latium had 
at that time horses from Thrace. 

50. Ser\-ius pronounces a verse of this 
kind, ui;. wliich there are two abls. (of 
quality; and two nouns that can be dis- 
tinguished only by the quantitj-, very baa. 
See a similar one at 181, below.' 

51. After in hostem, supply se infer at. 

52. Attorqvens. This verb, which is 
found nowhere else but here, is reckoned 
by Wagn. among such obsolete forms as 



advelare, v. 246, and adlacrimare. x. 68. 

For the signification, compare admirari. 
adniti, adsolere, in aU of which the prep, 
increases the force of the simple verb, so 
that altorqiiere would mean valde torquere. 
" hurling with great vehemence." 

53. Arduus — see "viii. 299. Prindpium 
pvgnae — an allusion to the Roman custom 
of the fecialis hurling a spear into the 
enemy's territory after pronouncing the 
clarigatio, or formal declai-ation of war. 

57. Fovere castra — "to keep close to 
their camp," see Geo. iiL 420. 

59. This comparison is a favourite one 
with the poets. See Hom. IL xi. 547, and 
xvii. 657. 

61. Node super media — " beyond the 
middle of the night." Insidiatus — per- 
pessus, i.e., after he has lain in wait, and 
endtired the wind and rain, etc. 

62. Ira is to be joined with saevit, and 
not with improhus, that ira may not be 
superfluous, and that saevit may not be bare 
and meagre. Improhus by itself is used 
(see s. 727) of auger, or any veiy- strong 
unpulse, since it means generally, ninnus, 
ve.hemens, multus ; thus, improbus unser, 
Geo. i. 119, and improbus labor, 146. 

64. Ex longo, scil., tempjore. 

67. Supply cogitanti, or some such word, 
before qua tentet Quae via excutiat, instead 
of the more common phrase qua via excu- 
tiantur. 

68. In aequum — "into the level open 
plain." Wagner's explanation is a httle 
more artificial, "To force them forth trom 
the walls, so that the two armies may fight 
at equal vantage." 

71. Incendia, i.e., torches for firing the 
ships. Ovantes — afready triumphing, as 
being certain of success. 

73. Praesentia Tumi, more expressive 
tliau praesens Turnus, so "the might of 
Gabriel," for miglay Gabriel, as quoted for- 
merly. 

74. Acdngitur — "arm tliemselves," the 
'^Middle Voice.''' 

lo. Focos — either the fires in the Rutu- 
liau camp (Thiel), or the fires quickly kind- 
led by the Rutulians on the scene of action 
(He\-ne), or the fires of the peasants in the 
neighbourhood (Burm). 

77. The stoiy of tlie transformation of 
the ships into ujmiphs is, on account of its 
absurdity, very unfit for an Epic poem, as 
altogether wanting in dignit5^ Many of 
tlie ancients found faidt with it ; but still it 
was less displeasing to them, as it had been 
handed dcmi by ancient tradition; and 
besides, Yirgil might well repeat it, since 
he proposed to himself to weave mto his 
poem the legends of ancient Italy, and more 
especially those connected with the arrival 
of .S^neas. Obsert^e the skill displayed in 
the introduction of the fable — the interfer- 
ence of Cybele, and the promise of Jove. 
See 0^-id. Met. xiv. 527 sqq., and Hom. 
Od. viii. 557 sqq. 

79. Fides means the credit that is due to 

a person giving information, or to the thing 

which is told, i.e., itis=anctoritas : hence it is 

put for a story itself. Thus facto (L e. , fadij 

171 



B. IX. SO-102. 



NOTES ON THE ^XEID. 



B. IX. 104-132. 



fdes prisca will mean — " The story is an- 
cient in its origin, but the circiilation of it 
goes on fi-om year to year." "The truth 
of the story rests on ancient authority, but 
it has never ceased to be related' from 
year to year." 

80. Fartnabat — " was building." See iiL 
osqq. 

82. Berecyntia — see vL 785. Both Ida 
and Berecyntus were sacred to Cybele, and 
therefore the pine grove as -weU. 

84. Domito OlijDipo. i.e., now that you 
have become rider of Olympus, and are in a 
position to grant requests in their full ex- 
tent. The phrase has farther significance 
from the tact, that his mother had saved 
him from the -violence of his father Saturn : 
to this care of hers he owes his present 
power, and it is only fit that he show his 
gratitude now that he is able to return a 
favour. 

86. Arce, i.e., the top of the mountain. 
Fuit — because no longer existing. Fere- 
hani — "used to oflFer." because there is no 
one now to ofter sacrifices. 

89. Anxius angit. He>Tie calls this a 
silly nlliteration. Wagner, however, highly 
commends it, and alleges that Virgil pur- 
posely contrived it to suggest verj' great 
anxiety (as in Cic. Or. L 1, maiimae moles 
motestiarum) and that he intended it as an 
imitation of Lucretius, iii. 1006, Quern 
volucres Incerant atque cxed a7ixius angor. 
Anxi'is. he farther adds, is by no means an 
idle epithet, even with the verb angit, as 
Cic Tusc. iv. 12 proves : Difftrt anxietas 
rtJAXGORE: neqve etiim othties aniii, qui 
angnntur aliquando, nee, qui anxii, semper 
aiignntur. 

93. Torqiiet — "directs the course of" 

94. Quo fata vocas — iuveitis, mutas — 
what change do you wish to make on tlie 
decrees of Fate ? or what favour do you ask 
for these (loved) .<;hips of yours ?" 

95. Fas, used, like Jus. for conditio. Fas 
inmmrtnle — " the privilege of immoitaUty.'' 

96. Certus is forcibly opposed to incertn, 
as in the weU known Ime of Ennius : 
Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur. The 
meaning here is — And that .^Eneas, assured 
of a favourable termination to his voyage, 
should pass through dangers which, -niih- 
out such assurance, would be of doubtful 
issue. 

99. OHyn qunecunque evaserit uvrim 
One had been sunk with Orontes on board. 
Mn. L 113; foiu- had been bunied by the 
women in Sicily, v. 699. Of the twenty 
ships, therefore, only fifteen entered the 
Tiber. 

100. Latirentt'a arva, for in L. arva—see 
Mi\. L 2, 307. 

101. Eripiim, sciL, iis, but this pronoun 
is usually omitted after quicunque and quis- 
quis. 

102. Qncilis N. D. et (qualis) Galaien 
secafit, i.e., qualessunt Dotoel Galatea. quae 
tanquam Sereides secant pontum. Qunlis, 
as we have noted above, is to be supj^lied 
after the conjunction et, but secant applies 
to both names conjointly. The two nymphs 
named stand for the entire sisterhood- 

172 



104. Stygii frairis, I e., Pluto. See vi 
323 sqq. 

105. Torrere, says Hejnie, proprie est 
calrfaciendo siccare, turn oemnre. tundein 
at'dere el fernei e. Jnm quaecunque fervent 
seu colore sen motu et imvetu dicuntur et 
ipsa torrere. Ita tavdem flnmina tirrentia 
sunt ferveniia, rapida But, he adds, the 
rivers in the infernal regions are burning 
with fire, and in this sense torrentes may 
here be taken, and especially so, because 
at other times they are usually mentioned 
as stagriarit. The word pice shows, says 
Forb.. that this second explanation is the 
only true one. For as Euhkopf remarks, 
The banks boil with pitch = the Stygian 
tcater boils -nith pitch, i.e., the Styx : and 
smce it was a lake — see xi. 369 compared 
with 134 and 416 t)f the same book — rapidity 
of motion cannot here be suggested. 

107. Promissa, viz., by Jupiter, as re- 
corded above. 

110. Nova — a strange and sudden light 
biu-st upon (ofiul-sit) their eyes. 

111. Ab Aurora — from the east; becanse 
it came from the favourite haunts of Cybele, 
Berecjmtus, and Ida. 

112. Iiaei choii, viz., of the Corj'bantes, 
who accompanied the mother of the gods, 
and here were hid in the cloud. Cf Ovid 
Met. xiv. 536 sqq. 

114. jN> trepidate — "do not be in anxious 
haste to defend." Le., do not trouble your- 
selves about defending. 

117. Deae is the nom. after ite, in oppo- 
sition to vos. Et, Le., et statim, see v. 504. 
Puppes —the stems, as we have before seen, 
were turned to the shore when in harbour. 

121. This verse is devoid of MS. autho- 
rity, and is either altogether omitted, or at 
least marked with asterisks as spurious, by 
the best commentators. 

122. Reddunt se, i.e., come forth again 
from the water in tlieir tratisfonned shape. 

125. Raucasonans — "soundinghoarsely," 
with a dull and hea^n- roar. A hoarse voice 
is generally assigned to the river gods. 

i27. Ultra is here almost equal to insu- 
per, or adeo — see Geo. iv. 204. "Nay 
rather;" "onthecontrani',"i.e., as explained 
previously, (ii. 145), " contrary to what 
you would expect" This fine is an example 
of the figure epanalepsis, for an explanation 
of which see i. 750, note. 

128. Feiunt — "are auned against." Mon- 
stra — " prodigies of evil omen." The mean- 
ing of the following passage is, Jupiter has 
deprived them of their wonted means of es- 
cape, viz., the ships, which saved them from 
the burnhig Troy ; and now they wait for 
neither the missiles nor the torches of the 
Rutulians. Le., there will be no need of either 
to complete their destruction — all hope of 
flight is now cut off", for of the two means 
by which they might cftiect it, one (pors 
altera), the sea, is now out of their power; 
the other, the land, is in our hands, for we 
occupy the surrounding countrj', and have 
them pent up within their entrenchments. 

132. Tot millia is in apposition to gentes. 
" The Italian nations, so many thousands 
in number." 



B. IX. 135-lSO. 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B.IX. 182-214. 



135. Veneri—see JEu. i. 257 sqq. ; cf. ii. 
291. 

138. Nee solos, etc. Nor does that cause 
of grief affect (come home to) the sons of 
Atreus alone. 

140. Scd. But, says he, some one may 
object, that it is a sufficient punishment on 
the pcrjui'ed Trojans to have once sufiei'ed 
the destruction of their nation and city. 
Yes, rephes Turnus, but in that case they 
should have rested content with having 
once earned off another man's wife, and not 
liave subjected themselves to a second 
punishment by a repetition of their former 
crime. 

141. Modo nan penitus perosos — " all but 
hatmg with an irreconcileable hatred the 
whole female race." Perosos agrees with 
the subject, to peccare, which is not ex- 
pressed. 

142. Quibus. The omission of au ante- 
cedent makes the construction somewhat 
abrupt and harsh here. The harshness 
arises from the excitement of mind in the 
speaker. Supply some such phrase as, " 
foolish and silly men, to whom," etc. 

143. On leti discrimina, see Mn. iii. 684, 
and notes; and cf. Hom. II. xv. 628. 

144. Non for nonne. The meaning is, 
But how can they feel any confidence when 
the regular fortification of a god-founded 
city failed them ? 

148. Vulcani armis — referring to those 
procured from Vulcan by Thetis for AcM- 
les. Non mille carinis— the Grecian arma- 
ment against Troy mustered more than one 
thousand ships, but the round number is 
used in a general way. 

151. This verse is condemned by almost 
all the commentators as spurious, and 
marked with asterisks. The insertion of 
caesis summae custodibus arcis seems to 
them excessively silly. 

154. Faxo — old form for fecero; the 
fut. perf is used for the simple fut. to ex- 
press haste. 

157. Quod superest, scU., diei, understood 
from the foregoing clause. But Wagner 
takes it absolutely, " as regards other mat- 
ters ; " " as to the rest." 

160. Cur a obsidere—seeJEn. v. 638; ii. 350. 

162. Illos—quemque — see BLn. vi. 743; 
and Zumpt, Lat. Gr. § 367. 

170. Onexcubiae (hne 15d),propugnacula, 
pontes, etc., consult Ramsay's Antiq. 

171. On Mnestheus, see Mn. iv. 288, and 
on Serestus, i. 611, and iv. 288. Adversa — 
"threatening dangers." 

173. Rectores juvenum — "commanders of 
the soldieiy," for, as old men among the 
Romans were exempt from war- service, 
juvenes stood frequently for milites. Quos 
dedit esse rectores is a Greek construction 
for ut essent rectores. 

176. In the following beautiful episode of 
Nisus and Euryalus, Virgil took as his 
model, Hom. II. x. 218 sqq., where the 
night excursion of Ulysses and Diomede 
is described. Nisus was the son of Hyrta- 
cus and the nymph Ida. 

180. Non fuit, etc., i.e., of the followers 
M 



of ^neas none were more beautiful on the 
whole, and none more beautiful in annour. 
He was just beginning to mark (darken) 
his imshaven cheeks by the first down of 
youth. 

182. Amor unus — "their attachment was 
mutual." Cf. the Homeric phrase, '^va> 

185. Dira — "unconquerable," "violent," 
"vehement:" "or is unconquerable desire a 
deity to each"? 

188. Fiducia rerum — the gen. of the ob- 
ject — "confidence in their cause." See i. 
462, note. 

191. Dubitem — "ponder about," "delibe- 
rate." This is a frequentative from the old 
verb dubere, whence dubius; cf. '^oa.^o), etc. 

193. Reportent — "carry news" (,to JEn- 
eas), not " bring it back " from him. 

194. The generous Nisus is willing to 
undertake the task, and run the risk, pro- 
vided a sufficient recompense be paid to his 
friend Euryalus, who is to stay at the camp ; 
he, himself, if he survives, being content 
with the glory. 

196. Muros et moenia — see ^u. iL 234, 
note. 

197. Percussus, -TrX'/iyit?. Laudum— 
"glorious deeds." 

200. Fugis adjungei-e— '■'■Do you refuse 
(avoid, evade,) to unite me to you as a 
companion?" So Hor. Od. ii. 4, 22, Fuge 
suspicari, and Od. i. 9, 13, Fuge quaerere, 

202. Argolicum terrorem, Le., the terrors 
of the Grecian war. 

203. Sublatum. It was considered a 
great commendation to heroes that they 
had been accustomed to arms fi-om their 
very infancy. ToUo is the verb particularly 
applied to the act of a father in taking up 
his child from the ground, (on which it was 
laid, at his feet, after birth,) in token that 
he wished it brought up, and that he under- 
took the charge of it : if he did not so take 
it up on his knees, he thus signified that it 
should be exposed. 

Nee tecum talia gessi — "Nor have I acted 
in my relations and connections with you 
so," that you should reject the offer of my 
services ; i.e., I have given proof of my bra- 
very. 

205. Est hie for est meus. Hie is often 
thus used, tiix.TtKus, for ego, so Hor. Sat. 
i. 9, 47, Hunc hominem, i.e., me. 

Contemptor animus — see Sail. Jug. Cap. 
64. 

206. Bene emi—emi vili pretio, or aequo 
pretio. Transl., "And one who thinks that 
that glory to which you aspu-e is cheaply 
pm-chased with life," i.e., with the forfeiture 
of life. 

208. Nee fas; «o?i— "Nor is it right I 
should: no." 

210. Quae multa — "For many such chan- 
ces do you witness in enterprises so dan- 
gerous as this." 

214. Eumo solita — "The earth, the com- 
mon resting-place of all," i.e., the earth in 
which the dead are buried with due and 
customary rites. Wagner raises a difficulty 
173 



B. IX. 215-244. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



13. IX. 246-266. 



by inquiring on what principle mandare is 
followed by an abl. ? To avoid the awk- 
wardness, he punctuates mandet humo : so- 
lita aut, etc., — joining solita with Fortuna 
— and translating, "If Fortvme, as she is 
wont," etc. Of this Gossrau approves. 
Forb. retains the common punctuation, but 
does not propose any feasible solution of 
the question, merely remarkuig that we are 
not to bind down poets too strictly to the 
rules of syntax observed by prose writers. 
May it not, we woiild suggest, be an imita- 
tion of the peculiarity of syntax known in 
Greek grammars as the Consiructio praeg- 
nmis ? on which see ii. 18, note. 

215. Ferat inferias absenti — in reference 
to the custom of statedly olferhig gifts at 
the tomb of a departed friend. See Ram- 
say's Antiq., "Funerals." 

217. Quae te sola, etc. — cf v. 715 sq., 767. 
Moenia Acestae — see v. 755. 

219. Nectis — "weave," because one ex- 
cuse after another is embodied in his gene- 
ral plea. Nectere, says y^ix^nev=implkare 
— to entangle : the use of the term to wiles, 
or deceit is perfectly natural, and easy to be 
understood. The Greek TXi^uv is simi- 
larly employed. 

220. Loco cedit — a military phrase, "to 
give ground." See Mn. viL 332, and Sail. 
Cat. 9, 4, Kritz. 

222. Servant vices — see above 1C4, 175. 
Regem, viz., Ascanius. 

225. Oblita labor urn — "so that they forget 
their toils " — another histance of the pro- 
leptic use of the adj., explained at Mn. ii. 
736, where see note. 

229. Stant adnixi, etc. — cf Hom. II. viiL 
493 sqq. 

231. Orant admittier. On the construc- 
tion, see JEn. vL 313. On the form of the 
inf. admittier, see Mi\. iv. 493, note. 

232. Rem magnam (esse quam adferant) 
etpretium fore morae — "That the business 
was of great importance, and was worth 
the time to be consumed in hearmg their 
proposition." Others make pretium=poe- 
nam. 

235. Spectentur — "be regarded," "judged," 
" estimated." 

236. Ferimus — "we propose." 

238. Bivio portae. " The two roads pro- 
ceeding from the gate;" one led to Lau- 
rentum, and the camp of tlie Eutuli, who 
had approaclied in that direction ; the other 
struclc otf to the left, and passing in the 
rear of the camp, extended into the heart of 
the country. On the position of the camp, 
see Heyne, Excursus L, on line 195 of this 
Book. 

240. Uti quaesitum. The second of these 
words is usually reckoned the first supine, 
depending on uti, and thus equal to ttt 
quaeramus. But others understand quae- 
situm to be the accus. of the particip. jomed 
to Aenean — " ^gEneas sought out." 

243. Ad/ore, i.e., we, not ^neas. 

244. Primam nrbem, i.e., the most ad- 
vanced portions of the city. Sub obscuris 
vallihus, i.e., collocati, being stationed in the 
kiw vaUey. Jahu interprets primam urbem, 

174 ' 



" the first town from this," Nisus not men- 
tioning any city particularly. Transl. thus : 
"In our frequent hunting excursions we 
have seen from the deep (shady) valleys 
the nearest outskirts of the city, and made 
ourselves familiar with the whole course of 
the stream." 

246. Gravis annis. So Hor. Sat i 1, 4. 
Cf. Soph. (Ed. TjT. 17, ol Ti <rhv y^pa. 
fiapii; iipyj?. On maturus animi, see above, 
19, note, ^n. v. 73 ; Geo. iv. 491. On Aletes, 
see ^n. i. 121. 

247. *S^M?) numine Troja — see ^n. ii. 703. 

248. Cf. Hom. Od. iv. 754 sq. Delere is 
used with reference to men by Lucan, 
Silius, Caes., Bell. Civ., iiL 70, etc. etc. 

249. Certa — " assured," " confident," 
"daring," "brave." On cum with the in- 
die, see Eel. x. 10. 

252. Laudibus — see above, 197. 

254. Moresque vestri — "and your own 
virtues," i.e., an approving conscience and 
the deities will afltbrd you a most glorious 
reward. 

255. Actutum (from actus) — "immedi- 
ately," "without delay." Integer aevi— 
"in the vigour of youth." Cf Hor. Od. i. 
22, 1, Integer vitae; Sat. ii. 3, 220, Integer 
animi. Integer aevi is not a useless expres- 
sion, but it conveys a hint that as Ascanius 
is yet only a youth, they shall have for a 
long time as ruler one who will be under 
deep obligations to them, and who will take 
care to return kindness. 

257. Vos — Nisc. So below, 525, Vos, 
Calliope. See note on JEn. i. 140. In this 
case vos is used, as Euryalus is thought of 
as well as Nisus. 

259. Assaraci Larem — this means the 
Lar of his ancestors, one of whom was 
Assaracus (see i. 284) ; and not that Assa- 
racus was the Lar, as Cerda supposed. 
Canae Vestae — see v. 744. 

260. Fides is often put for hope and expec- 
tntion, for we have a certain amount of con- 
fidence in those things Avhich we expect to 
happen. Transl., " All my fortune and my 
hopes." In vcstn's greniiis pono — an ex- 
pression borrowed from a mother's care of 
her infant, and therefore suggestive of the 
utmost affection and tenderness. 

263. Bina, etc. " I shall bestow two cups 
of solid silver (perfecta argento), and rough 
with chasing." Cf Hom. II. ix. 122 sqq., 
and X. 321 sqq. 

264. Arisha, a town of the Troad, not far 
from Abydos. As its inhabitants were allies 
of the Trojans in the war with Greece, the 
event here referred to must have been prior 
to that contest. 

265. Tripodns - see ^n. v. 110. On 
magna talenta, see v. 248. 

266. Antiquum — "of ancient workman- 
ship," and therefore precious. Dat — Wagn. 
remarks that certahi substs. denoting an 
abiding state or condition, as donum, munus; 
prolem, victorem, etc., are sometimes used 
with a verb in the pres. tense ; thus, quern 
dat=^quem possideo donatum a Didone. 
Cf. below, 361 ; Mn. vii. 485, etc. eta 



B. IX 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. IX. 283-30L 



268. Di'cere sortem, i.e., to fix the day, 
place, and manner of the allotment of the 
spoiL Some books read d?jcere, but this 
leads to a greater difficulty than dicere. 

269. On the indie ibat, see note. Eel. iv. 
52, and ^n. ii. 738. 

270. Aureus—'^in golden armour," or 
^' ^o\di-ornamented armour." Cristas ru- 
bentes — see 50, above. 

271. Excipiam sorti — " I shall exempt 
from the lot." It was to be a yipa.s 
i^ocipirov. 

273. This passage is not -well finished, 
but we ought not to reject it hastily on that 
account, as the whole poem was left incom- 
plete at Vii'girs death. Sua arma — " their 
proper implements of toil." Om.nibus re- 
fers, in Forbiger's opinion, to captivos only. 

274 Reference is here made to the sacred 
portion of territory set apart for kings as a 
mark of respect for their office. Innnper 
his, i.e., "over and above these." With 
the poets, and with prose wTiters of a later 
date, insuper is used -svith the abl., and 
sometimes with the ace. Gossrau supplies 
ttddam to govern his, taking insuper as the 
simple adverb. 

275. Spatjis — the figure is taken from the 
stadium or racecourse. See Antiquities. 

279. Some editions have only a comma 
after rebus, and thus connect this line with 
the foregoing. But Heyne, Wagn., and Forb. 
place a semicolon after rebus, alleging that 
the words, iibi maxima rerutn ver bo>umque 
fides, reply to seu pacem seu bclla: res 
(action) has reference to bella, and verbo- 
rum {counsel) to pacem, i.e., delibei-ations 
as to the management of the state in times 
of peace. There is in these words an ex- 
ample of what the grammarians call a c.hicis- 
mus, i. e., the terms are not so arranged 
that the first of the second pair answers to 
the first of the first pair, but they are, as it 
were, placed crosswise \x,^a,(ri^'oi, from 
^laZ^iif, to place crosswise, like the strokes 
forming the Greek letter X,^ This ar- 
rangement is used yvVih. great effect by the 
Latin wi-iters in adding to the force and 
emphasis of an exjiression. "If," says Mad- 
■vig, Lat. Gr. § 473, b., "two co-ordinate 
propositions, or two series of connected 
words, form an antithesis, in which the 
separate words correspond, the second pro- 
position or series is sometimes inverted, in- 
stead of repeating the same arrangement, 
in order to make the antithesis more strik- 
ing: so that the word Avhich stands at the 
beginning of the first member finds its coun- 
terpart at the end of the last, e.g., Ratio 
nostra conse^itit, repugnat oratio." Cf. 
New Test., IMatt. xiL 22, "The blind and 
dumb both spake and saw." Obsen-e the 
zeugma in geram applied to both pacem. 
and bella, and cf. ^n. vil 444. 
_ 281. 'Sulla dies, etc. "No day (of my 
life) shall, as I hope, prove {arguerit) me 
unworthy of this so bold an attempt : thus 
much (do I promise), let Fortune turn out 
(result) favom-able or adverse." We have 
here translated after Heyne, and according 



to the text to which these Notes are ap- 
pended: in it we read arguerit; tan'.um— 
fortunn secunda aut udversa, etc. Others 
join tantum dissimilcm, which affords a 
very good sense. Wagner, in his larger 
edition, adopted Heyne's punctuation and 
interpretation, (as does Gossrau also,) but 
in his smaller and later edition he inclines 
to Forb.'s explanation, which joins tantum 
immediately with fortvna, thus: — "Pro- 
Aided only that fortune, now favourable 
(secunda), turn not out adverse." Forb.'s 
reading is arguerit; tantum fortuna se- 
cunda Haud adversa cadat. Note the force 
of the fut. exactum (fut. perf.) arguerit, 
which expresses the firm conviction of the 
speaker that his hopes wiU be realized. Cf. 
^n. iL 77. 

283. Super is here employed in a use 
kindred to that in which we found it in viL 
462, where it was=insuper. It may be re- 
pi'esented by praeter, impljing, as it does, 
some addition to what has preceded. Cf. 
Geo. ii. 373. 

285. Ilia for Iliaca, as elsewhere Troi'us, 
Danaus, Dardanus, Romulus, etc. See 
^n. i. 119; iii. 602; iv. 552. 

286. Mecutn excedentem, i.e., quin me- 
cum excedoet : or sed mecum excedit. 

288. Inque snlutatam, for insalutatamque 
■ — "and -without taking leave of her ; " lite- 
rally, ''unsaluted by me." On t^a.^ tmesis, 
see (jeo. iii 381, and jEu. v. 603. 

291. Audentior — many copies read auda- 
cior, but see JEn. vi. 95. On the hiatus, 
tui : audentior, see EcL ii. 53 ; ^n. i. 16, 
etc. 

294. With this verse cf x. 824; Horn. H. 
xix. 301, 339, and Odyss. iv. 113 sqq. This 
manifestation of the affection of Euryalu? 
to his mother deeply affected the mind of 
Ascanius, and called up within it similar 
feelings with regard to his father. Peerlk. 
rejects the line as spurious, because patriae 
should rather have been maternae, and be- 
cause iinago pietatis cannot signiiy cogitatio 
pietatis. 

296. Sponde is the reading of the best 
MSS., but others have sponge, sponti, 
sponde o, from which last arises the com- 
mon lection spondeo. This form, however, 
violates the metre, for (as Senius points 
out, on vi. 104.) Virgil always makes o final 
long, except in ego, duo, (and modo, Wag- 
ner,) and in scio, nescio. The two last 
scarcely come under the rule, as they are 
usually scanned in one or two sylls. respec- 
tively by synizesis (see ^n. i. 2, 73). The 
\erh spondeo is used in reference to the re- 
sult expected by us from our exertions, as 
well as to that which we promise to ano- 
ther. 

298. Partumtalem [to riToxAvcci vio 
roiovTov'] — "nor is it a slight return of 
gratitude that awaits her for havmg given 
birth to so noble a son." 

300. On this use of hoc, see note, 205, 
above. 

301. Tibi rebusqne secundis, for the pro- 
saic, tibi rebus secundis utenti. 

175 



B. IX. -302-334. 



NOTES ON THE ^NETD. 



B. IX. 337- 



302. Mnnebunt, i.e., servabuntur — will 
be kept secure for your posterity. 

303. According to the custom of the 
heroic age (see Horn. II. x. 255), the giving 
arras from one's own person was a mark of 
great affection and confidence. 

305. Gnosius — see Mx\. v. 306, and Geo. 
L 222. The Cretans Avere famed for the 
manufacture of arms. Habi/em — see ^n. 
L 318. 

306. Pellcm horrentisque exuvius, i.e., a 
hide taken off a shaggy lion. Similar 
phrases are, in brevia et st/rtes, JEn. i. Ill ; 
veste Julvique pelle leonis, ii. 722 ; cestus et 
anna, v. 410. This figure is called epexe- 
gesis. . 

311. ^nte annos, scil., viriies. 

315. Ante. This word has given much 
trouble to commentators : the most feasible 
explanation is that which makes it mean, 
"before they perished." Some render it, 
"before they reached the camp." Others, 
"before they reached ^neas;" but as they 
did not succeed in reaching J^ineas, this last 
cannot of course be the true interpretation. 

317. Arrectos—'-'- with the poles raised in 
air." 

319. Vina, i.e., vessels with the remains 
of wine. 

322. Cusfodi et consule longe — "be on 
your guard, and keep a sharp look out to a 
distance in front." 

323. Vusta rhibo, i.e., vastabo. Dare is 
not unfrequently (especially in the Comic 
poets) joined to a particip. to express, by 
ch-cumlocution, the simple verb ; thus, ^n. 
i G2, laxas dare kabenas (i.q., laxare); iii. 
70, placata venlidnnl mar in ilq.,p/acant)s 
Tcr. Aiidr. iv. 1. d9,jam hoc tibi inventuni 
daho. And in like manner, when joined 
with the simple ace. of a subst., it signifies 
to render somethhig visible or audible, 
being nearly equal to ejjicere, reddere, 
exhibere ; thus, frn, strain dare, Mn. ii. 
482 ; tortus dare, v. 276. 

324. Foceiu premit may mean either, " he 
checked his voice," i.e., was silent; or be 
equal to premens vocem — " speaking in an 
under (subdued) tone." 

325. Tapetibus nltis, i.e., a/te exstructis. 
The covering {tapetibus) is put for the bed 
on which Rliamiies slept. 

327 sq. Cf. Horn. II. iL 858 sq. 

328. Pes tern— '^ destniction," x,>ipa. f/,i- 
Xocivocv. 

329. Temcre — as chance du-ected. Cf. 
Hor. Od. ii. 11, 13, S7ib alia platano jacentes 
sic temere, and see Orellis note. 

330. Rtmi is by some changed to liemum, 
who is thus made the arw/'ger of Rhamnes. 
But this seems not to be justified by the 
text, since Remus is referred to in ipsi do- 
mino of 332. Juxta has reference to what 
goes before, and is to be translated, " hard 
by," scil., Rhamnes. 

333. Singullantem — '■'■hxMAm^ forth." 
Tepefacta terra el torimadent : — how much 

more expressive is Homer's phrase, ^a?r£- 
lov lia.'Tra.v aly^ocTi 6viv. 

334. Tori is the grassy couch of Remus, 
176 



not the high-pUed bed of Rhamnes, as 
Peerlk. supposed. 

Nee non, scil., premit. 

337. Multo deo, sciL, Baccho, i.e., iiino — 
"overpowered by copious draughts of wine." 
See i. 636, note. 

338. Aiquasset ludum nocti, i.e., if he had 
indulged in play throughout the live-long 
night, and had protracted it till dawn. Cf 
Hor. Od. iiL 8, 15, vigiles lucernas prefer in 
lucem. 

339 sqq. "With this passage cf. Horn. II. 
X. 485 sq. The comparison has reference 
to Nisus, but the direct application is not 
specially urged by the poet: the apodosis 
is wanting. 

Turbans, i.e., driving before him the sheep 
huddled together in tumultuous disorder 
throughout the pen. It=«Xov£«i;v of Homer. 

343. In medio, scil, spatio. In his larger 
edition, Wagner explained the phrase to 
mean, '■'■varies et sine ditcrimine," and in his 
smaller, "■qui prope cubantes se trucidandos 
ei praebent.'" Sine nomine, Le., the ignoble 
rabble. 

345. Ignaros — " unconscious " — applies, 
as the sequel shows, to those mentioned, 
Rhoetus excepted. The form of expression 
is peculiar, but allowable as poetic. 

346. Sed (hke y«^) is often to be ex- 
plained by an ellipsis as here — although he 
saw all, yet he did not oppose Euryalus; 
but, fearing for himself, endeavoured to hide 
behind ajar. These vases were sometimes 
of immense size, so that the attitude does 
not seem at all improbable. 

348. Multa niorte recepit — he drew back 
his sword, (which was accompanied) with a 
copious stream of blood ; thus Heyne and 
Wagn. Forbiger, however, comparing the 
phrases, multa node, multo die, tnulto mane, 
etc., adopts the opinion of Stipfl. and Peerlk., 
morte jam multum progressa, i.e., death 
being now far advanced in its progress, and 
certain ; but this seems rather artificial and 
forced. 

349. Purpuream animam — "the purple- 
tide of life." Voss conjectures purpureum 
to agree with ensem, and his reading has 
been adopted by Buhk., Jahn, and Gossr. ; 
but Wagn., Siipfl., and Forb. exhibit the 
common lection; and in its defence such 
phrases as (poivh 6vf^ov, Hom. Hym. Ap., 
and alf^.ar>7pov f^ivos. Soph. Ajax may be 
quoted. 

354. Nimia caede atque cupidine, by hen- 
diadys for nimia caedis cupidine. Wagn. 
thinks cupidine refers to Ids desire to carry 
off the horses. 

356. Poenarum, i.e., the slaughter dealt 
to take vengeance on the enemy. 

359. Phitleras, scil, of the horse of Rham- 
nes. On phalerae, see V. dlO. AureabulliJi 
cingula, i.e., a belt- adorned with golden 

studs or nails, XP^°''°''^^°^- 

360. Tiburti is not the gen. but the dat. 
(from Tiburs), depending on Remulo. The 
belt of Casdicus was given to Remulus, who 
left it to his grandson, Rhamnes. 



B. IX 363-393. 



NOTES OX THE ^XEID. 



B. IX. 395-427. 



363. This verse seems undoubtedly spu- 
rious. Consult Forb. in loc. 

365. Habilem — " suited " to his head. 

367. Some of the steps of the war are 
omitted by the poet, but they are easily 
understood from the context : Tm-nus had 
irone forward to the Trojan camp to storm 
it, and in the meantime had ordered that 
the arriviil of the forces which were being 
collected in Lairrentum should be hastened 
.<\s much as possible. "With 300 of these 
the hapless Nisus and Euryalus fell in. 

369. Tiirno regi — because Latinus had 
abandoned the helm, as we saw in vlL 600. 

371. Castris, Le., of the Rutuli, as we see 
from 366. 

373. Sublustris, vToXccfiTps:. Cf. Hor. 
Od. liL 27, 31, where the adj. is found. 

374. Immemorem, scU., of his helmet pos- 
sibly attracting attention. 

375. Hand temere visum — " it was not ob- 
served in vain." 

377. Nihil tendere contra — either "an- 
swered nothing," or "made no attempt to 
resist." 

379. Divortia, i.e., the cross roads, striking 
off from the main military way. 

380. Instead of abiiuni some books read 
odifum, but it is evident that the former is 
the more appropriate. Coronant — " en- 
circle," for circumdanf, cingunt. 

383. Rara — "a path appeared here and 
there throughout the wood-covered tract" 

385. Fallit timor, etc. "Feai- (lest he 
should fall into the enemies' hands) causes 
him to mistake the direction of his course. " 
See ^n. iL 737. 

386. Impriidens, sciL, Euryali — " not 
knowing (or forgetful as to) the fate of 
Eurj-alus." 

387. For locos some copies read lacus, but 
the former has the best MS. authority, 
while the latter would be quite inconsistent 
ANdth the statement that Latinus had his 
stalls for cattle there. The -ghiase Albani 
loci is an odd one. wliich the commentators 
cannot well explain. Wagner suggests that 
7oci may mean l>rii^oi, y,uf^a,i, " villages.''' 

388. Observe the want of a connecting 
link (asi/ndetonj hetvreen Albani and tunij 
ubi may be supplied. 

389. Ut stetit is to be referred to evaserat, 
but it has also a prospective connection 
with clamat, understood before Euryale. 

391. In the common editions there is a 
note of inteiTogation after sequar, but 
^Yagner substitutes a comma, and removes 
the interrogation to silvae: for otherwise, 
he says, there is a tautology' m revolvers 
iter, and vestigia retro legit. Jalm and 
Forb. punctuate smiilarly, but not for the 
same reason: their objection lies in simul et 
following the participle revolvens. Lade-^Nig 
follows Wagner, and Gossrau adopts the 
vulgar arrangement. 

393. Silentibus — "quiet," "stUl in the 
sUence of night." Bm-mann refers the 
epithet to the tiptoe, noiseless tread of Xisus, 
and Gossrau to his distance from Euryalus 
preventing him from hearing anything of 
his friend's movements. 



395. Nee longum in med. temp., i.e., nor 
did much time intervene till the shout 
reached his ears. £»" f^^o'^i' is used similarly 
to in medio. 

397. Subifo turbante tumultu — "a sudden 
tmnult confounding him (Euiyalus)." 

399. Qua vi, quibus armis, i.e., qui fieri 
possit ut vi et armisjuvenem eripiat. Forb. 

4 ^2. The intention of Xisns is seen from 
409 — he wished to attack the enemy sud- 
denly, and from concealment, in the hope 
that, not knowing how many lay ui am- 
bush, they might be put to flight by fear, 
and Euiyalus be thus rescued. On adducto, 
cf. Librabat ab aure, 417. 

405. Custos nemorum — " Ruler (guardian) 
of the groves:" so Horace, Phoebe silvarum- 
que potens Diana. Lucidum coeli decus. 
Fraesens—'' -with present help." 

407. Ancient himters were wont to dedi- 
cate certain portions of the prey to the 
gods, on which see Eel. viL 30. Auxi, Le., 
addidi. 

408. TJwlo—ihe tholus (^oXo;), or cupola 
of temples was usually adorned with votive 
offerings. A tholus is seen in the woodcut. 



i^KC^V^. 







Fasfigiurn—thQ triangular projection over 
the principal entrance of a building. 

412. Aversi — "with his back towards 
him" (Xisus). Some MSS. read crrfrersi. 

417. Librabat ab aure — "poised." See 
adducto, 402. 

418. Instead of iit, some books read it. 
but to this form there are metrical objec- 
tions natm-ally suggesting themselves. 

Tempus, the temple, is more fr'equently 
used in the plur.. tempora. 

421. A r dens — the meaning is, enraged as 
he was. bimitng eagerly to rush on the foe, 
he does not see where he can make the on- 
set. Wagn. Quaest. Yirg. xxix. 7. 

422. Tu tamen. From nee conspicit going 
before, there is readily suggested such a 
clause as the following : " I cannot discover 
him who hurled the spear, you, however,'' 
etc. 

423. Some have objected to recluso, that 
the sword had not to be unsheathed at this 
period of the fray, but it is to be remem- 
bered that Euryalus had been taken cap- 
tive, and that hitherto there had been uo 
battle. Burm. reads reducto. 

427. Me. me. scil., petite, occidite; for it is 
not likely that the poet intended the three 
me's to be governed by in. 

177 



B. IX. 428-454 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. IX. 455-503. 



428. Mea fraiis omnis — "mine is all the 
^lilt (of the treacherous attack) ;" for fraus 
=adpa. Nee — nee ; see Eel. v. 25. 

430. Nimium is to be joined with dilexit. 
For "his fault was not in loving, but in 
loving too well." 

432. 2'ransaMit,etc. — '■^went clean through 
his ribs, and (after it has done so) bursts 
open his breast." In the translation we 
have endeavoured to account for the dif- 
ference of tense in the two verbs. See Geo. 
iii. 228. 

433. Leto is the dat. according to Forb. ; 
so leto sternere {Mr\. viii. 566), and leto de- 
jicere (x. 319), which last is equal to neci, 
morti demittere (ii. 85, etc.), and inorti ster- 
nere (xii. 464). 

435. For this beautiful simile Virgil de- 
serves no praise, except in regard to the 
finish of the words in which it is couched. 
Catullus supplies him with the idea succisus 
aratro; while Homer is laid under contri- 
bution (II. viii. 306 sqq.) for t\iQ papavera. 

443. Condidit — so we say "■ planted'' a 
blow. 

444. Exanimum. On this adj. see note, 
2Ea. iv. 8. Some books read exanimem. 

446. Statins, Silius, and Val. Flac, all 
imitate this very beautiful epiphonema, 
which is so well calcidated to excite com- 
passion. 

448. Domits Aeneae, i.e.. the Julian family; 
or, according to some, the Romans generally. 
Immobile — because tlie capitol was deemed 
aelernum. There is, doubtless, a reference 
to the story, that in laymg the foundations 
of the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus, while 
all the statues of the other gods were made 
to give place to the king of heaven, those of 
Teivninus and Juventas were alone allowed 
to i-emain. 

449. Pater Romanus — Jupiter Capitoli- 
nus, say Hcyne and Gossrau ; but as he is 
nowhere else ci\\[(iA Pater Romanus, others 
thhik ^(<v7«5<«'! is meant, and that to him 
the flattering consolation is suggested that 
the sovereign power Avill remain in his fiimily 
at least. Cf. the Avell knoAvn passage of 
Horace, Od. i. 2, 50, Hie ames did Pater 
atque Princeps. Niebnhr thinks that amj 
Roman citizen is meant by Pater Jtonianus, 
and he is of opinion that the compliment 
was intended for the citizens generally, 
who, in the most ancient times, before the 
plebeian order had its existence, were all 
patricians. 

450. Rvtuli. Critics find Virgil napping 
here, for he has called these people Latins 
above, 367. So, in 517 and 519, Volscians 
are called Kutuli. Forb. remarks in defence, 
that "confederate nations are often con- 
founded." And, moreover, as Tunnis, king 
of the Rutuli, was the main opponent of 
jSEneas, and his people the most prominent 
of the allied bands, it is a very natural and 
very common mode of expression which 
our poet uses, in calling all those who were 
ranged under his banner Rutulians. 

452. R/iamnete rcperto — see 359, above. 

453. Primis — "chief men "=primoribus. 
Una caede — "in a common slaughter." 

454. Totperemptis Serranoque, etc., Le., I 
378 



"So many being slain, and among them 
Serranus and Numa:" the latter has not 
been previously mentioned. 

455. Tepidaque recentem caede locum, — 
there is no hypallage here, but an elegant 
and unusual expression. The place is said 
to be fresh with slaughter, the blood from 
which is still warm. 

459 and 460 have already occurred in ^n. 
iv. 584 sq. 

461. Sole refuso — "the beams of the sun 
being again shed on earth, and the affairs 
of men again laid open to view by his 
light." 

464. Suas is the reading of the best MSS., 
instead of the more vulgar suos. Rumo^-ibus 
— stories of the night attack by Nisus and 
Eurj-alus: not exhortations, as Heyne in- 
terprets. 

471. Moesti, i.e., solicitous as to the issue 
of the battle ; they were at the same time 
moved to sorrow by seeing the heads {ora. 
movebant) of Nisus and Euiyalus canled 
round on spears. 

473. With this line cf Horn. II. xxii. 447 
sqq., and Hor. Od. ii. 2, 7. 

476. See Hom. II. xxii. 448, and Ovid, 
Met. iv. 229. Radii— ''tha shuttle." Pen- 
sa — "the web," Revoluta — "Avas un- 
ravelled." 

477. Femineo ululatu — see JEn. iv. 667. 
479. Ilia is used pleonastically — see Mn. 

i. 3, and v. 457. 

481. I'iwe ///e—" could'st thou, then, the 
late solace of my old age, leave me thus 
solitary (bereaved), O relentless one?" 

485. Date, the voc. of datus — see note, 
^n. ii. 283. The calamity mentioned of 
being exposed after death to carnivorous 
animals, was one of the most horrible ima- 
ginable, as we may see from the opening 
lines of the Iliad of Homer. 

486. In the very many different readings 
of this doubtful passage, ie tua funere mater 
seems the best. Te funere is poetically used 
for tiium funus, and produxi for diixi, so 
that the whole may thus be rendered, " Nor 
have I, your mother, conducted your fune- 
ral rites," etc. 

488. Tegem, for et texi. Festina is an ad- 
jective. 

490. Quo sequar, scC, te. " Where shall 
I go in quest of you?" 

492. Hoc, scil., caput — "was it this head 
I was following." Heyne. But Wagn. 
takes hoc to mean '■'■for this." " Was it for 
this I followed," etc. 

493. Si qua est pieias — "if you have any 
tender feeling." 

496. Hoc caput, i.e., me. See ^n. iv. 613. 

499. Infractae — "totally broken," "pros- 
trated." 

501. Ilionei — see vii. 532, on the form of 
the gen.; and i. 521 on the man himself 

503. Observe the stining verses which 
now follow, suited to rouse the mind of the 
reader after the long and melancholy recital 
just concluded. It has been remarked that 
the repetition of the letters t and r is pur- 
posely contrived to imitate the thrilling 
sound of the trumpet. Servius compares 



B. IX, 505-533. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. IX. 534-571. 



the famous verse of Ennius, At tuba terri- 
bili sonitu taratantara dixit. 

305. In connection -with this passage, 
read the chapter (xii.) on the Military and 
Naval Affairs of the Romans, in Ramsay's 
or Adam's (Dr Boyd's Edition) Antiquities; 
and cf Hom. II. xiL 443 sqq. The Volsci 
"vvere led by Camilla, vii. 803. 

508. On 'corona, see 380, above, and x. 
122. Qua, etc. — " where the (Trojan) front 
of battle is thin, and the circle of defenders 
not so dense with men, shows openings 
through it." Anthon. 

512. Infesto pondere, i.e., of " hea\^' and 
destructive weight" The adj. is used simi- 
larly to our ''plaguy,''' or to another adjec- 
tive" which is derived from the common 
name of the great ekejit. 

514. On the testudo, see Ramsay's Antiq. 
Nee jam svfficiunt — "nor can they any 
longer bear up agahist it." 

517. On Rutulos, see 450, above. Caeco 
Marte, sell., under the testudo. Ruunt is 
used transitivelj' — " hurl it." 

522. Pinum — "a torch of pine wood," 
or perhaps an entire tree hastily felled. The 
pine is called Etruscan, because Mezentius, 
with the Etruscans whom he commanded 
(■sii. 652), was applj-ing the torches to the 
fortifications. 

523. See vii. 691, where this line occurs. 
Messapus is here assigned the part attri- 
buted by Homer to Sarpedon. See II. xii. 
387 sqq. 

525. Vos, Calliope. "Do ye (0 Muses, 
and thou in particular), Calliope, breathe 
favourably upon me, I entreat you, while I 
record in song," etc. On this change from 
plur. to sing., see note 257, above, and Mn. 
L 140. 

The object of this invocation, says Heyne, 
is to call the attention of the reader to Tur- 
ims, whose feats of valour are now to be 
recorded. He remarks that Homer is care- 
ful to avoid the appearance that the events 
are the product of his own brain, attributing 
them all to ancient reports Avhich he calls 
on the Muses to remind him of; while 
Virgil's descriptions are too palpably the 
emanations of his own poetic fancy. 

527. Demiserit Oreo — 'Trpoicc-^iv" Aiot — 
Hom. II. L 3. 

528. Evolvite oras — this is a phrase from 
Ennius. Wagner supposes the metaphor 
taken from the unfolding of a painting rolled 
up, whose edges first appear, but which 
gradually discloses the whole scene as the 
process of unrolling goes on. 

529. This verse is not found in almost all 
the best MSS., and is therefore looked upon 
as spurious, being transferred from viL G45 
by some later hand than Virgil. 

530. See ^n. ii. 449 sqq., where the palace 
of Priam sutlers a similar assault. 

Vasto suspectu, as we say, " a look to 
look up to it." So in vL 579, suspectus is 
used of altitude. Pontibus, "bridges," for 
running from one part of the fortifications 
to another, and for crossing to the turris. 
See Ramsay's Antiquities. 

533. Defendere, sciL, certabant turrim, for 



which reason place a comma after certabant, 
and not a colon. 

534. On fenestra, see ^n. IL 482. 

535. Lampada, supposed to be the same 
as malleolus, for which see Diet, of Antiq., 
or " Rich's Companion." 

536. Affixit flammamlateri — "pinned the 
burning vessel to the side of the tower,"' 
which we therefore conclude was of wood. 
Plurima vento, i.e., fanned mto greater force 
by the wind. 

539. The occupants of the tower crowd 
together to one part of the erection, which 
not having any fimi foundation, gives way, 
topples to one side, and falls prostrate, the 
defenders being transfixed by their own 
weapons or by the splintered timber. The 
fire is caWqH pestis, as in v. 683. 

545. Cf. Hom. II. vi. 23 sq. Primcevus, 
" in the bud of life. " Moeonio, L e., 
Phrygio. 

547. Sustulerat — "had reared," scil., at 
his father's request. See note, 203, above. 
Vetitis armis — "forbidden arms," either on 
account of his youth, as Hepie thinks, or 
because the Romans denied arms to their 
slaves, which is the opinion of Senius; or, 
because he was sent without the consent, 
nay, even against the orders of his father. 
This last explanation is the supposition of 
Peerlk., and is adopted by Forb. 

548. Nudo, either " unsheathed," or 
" alone." Nudo ense, with his sword alone. 
Alba parma, "with a shield adorned with 
no device," no ai-morial beailngs. Cf. 
^schyl. Sept. ad Theb. 588. cr?if/,a, Voix 
It55v K6y.?.M and Emip. Phoen. 1119 (1037, 
Bothe): uir'/,y-cc 'd7r?^ci. In JEn. xi. 711, we 
have pura parma in the same sense. 

550. Latinas has been found fault with by 
Peerlk. because only 300 Latins had yet 
arrived, the rest haA^ing remained at the city 
of Latmus; but see on 4-50, above. 

556. Longe melior. This phrase is one used 
by poets only, and by the later historians. 
Cicero and the best prose writers use multo 
for longe, when joined to a comparative. 
Pedibus melior is similar to lingua jnelior in 
xi. 388. 

557. Inter et hostes, inter et arma. On 
the emphatic repetition of the prep, see iEn. 
ii 358, and Hand, Turs. iii p. 409. Cf. 
Tibullus ii 1, 67. The wall must have been 
low, like that of the Greeks at Troy, II. xii 
397, as we see by attingere dextras socium, 
etc. 

563. Cf Hom. IL xxiL 308 sqq. ; xviL 674 
sq., and xv. 690 sq. 

564. Jovis armiger — see jEw. L 394, and 
Y. 255. 

566. Mai'tius lupus—the wolf was sacred 
to JMars, from the she-wolt" nurturing his 
sons Romulus and Remus. 

508. Fastigia, scil., turrium. Saxo atque 
fragmine is similar to molein montesque, i, 
61; monstra geminosque ungues, viii. 289. 

570. Lucetium — a name found in no other 
writer. It is supposed to be Oscan, as Ju- 
piter is called Lucetius (ie., Diespiter) in 
that language. 

571. Corynaeum, ie., "the club-bearer," 

179 



B. X 572-594. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. IX. 596-615. 



rom xopvv'/i. Asilas is an Italian name, 
usually wTitten Asylas. A passage of Silius, 
Miles Tyrrhenus, Asilo nomen erat, would 
seem to show that it is Etruscan. 

572. Longe faUetite, i.e., carrying a great 
distance and striking without warning. 

577. Strinxerat — "had grazed." Demens 
— "fool that he was," because he had ex- 
posed his side by thrusting forward his 
shield. 

578. Ergo, etc. " Thus the arrow sped its 
winged flight, and his hand was phnied to 
his left side, and (the arrow,) hid far within, 
rent his lungs with a fatal wound." Alis 
allapsa sogiita, is an attempt to translate 
the Homeric ^rnpoivrs; oiixroi. Spira- 
menta animae, i.e., his lungs. 

582. Pictus acu chlamydem, etc. "Having 
his chlamys (militarj^ cloak) adorned with 
needle work, and being conspicuous in a 
Spanish purple robe." On the chlamys, see 
Diet, of Antiq., and cf. ^En. iiL 484, with 
woodcuts ; V. 250 ; viii. 588, etc. 

584. Arcens was a Sicilian, and in the east 
part of Sicily was the river Symaethus (the 
Giaretta or Jaretta), around which was the 
grove containing the temple of the Palici. 
Matris, his mother, a nymph ; not Ceres, as 
some have supposed. 

585. On Falicus, see Diet, of Biog. and 
MythoL 

The altar is called pinguis, because abun- 
dantly supplied with offerings ; and placa- 
bilis, because, though formerly requiring 
human sacrifice, it was then content with 
less costly victims. See vii. 764. 

587. Ipse, L e., ipse manu. Liquefacto 
plumho — it was thought by the ancients 
that the leaden bullets discharged from the 
sling sometimes melted in their passage 
througli the warm air. Cf. Lncr. vi. 177. 
It is likely that bullets made of lead once 
melted are meant. 

589. Arena — not to be understood too 
literally — it means simply the level on 
which he stood. 

590. Critics find a gi-eat difficulty here, 
how Ascanius, so recently a boy, fondled in 
the lap of Dido, now suddenly becomes a 
man fit to engage in deeds of military daring. 
Heyne alleges that they assign too youthful 
an age to Ascanius in his dealings with the 
Carthaginian queen, and that they mistake 
the meaning of gremio insidere ; he says 
farther, that they forget that Cupid was re- 
presented as a boy close on the age of 
puberty. Moreover, he had vigorously 
taken part in the chase, in iv. 156, and vii. 
479. 

593. Cognomen Remnlo. As the mention 
of a cognomen at this date is rather strange, 
Wagner supposes that Remnlus was the 
pi'oper name of the person, and that Nu- 
manus means merely "king of Numana;" 
and that the poet called him so, because 
his pride was great, in consequence of the 
newly-acquh-ed dignity, 596. Cognomen is 
sometimes put for nomen, as we see hi 
JEn. iil. 702. 

594. The name of Tumus's younger sister 
is not known : his eldest was Juturna. 

180 



Habebat sociatus thalamo, i.e., was manied 
to. 

596. Novo regno, i.e., intermarriage with 
a woman of royal lineage. Ingentem, as we 
say, "very big." 

599. Bis capti, i.e., once by Hercules, and 
once by Agamemnon. Gossrau thinks it 
means, once by the Greeks, and once by 
us (the Rutulians) now, for you cannot 
escape us. 

601. Quis deus—''' what deity, ay, what 
madness has driven you to Italy? " Italiam, 
i.e., ad ItaJiam. See ^n. i. 2. 

603. With this description of the severe 
life and discipline of the ancient Sabines, cf. 
Geo. ii. 167 sqq., on the praises of Italy; 
and ^n. v. 730. 

Ab stirpe — " in their very stock," i.e., not 
by discipline alone. Primum, i.e., primo 
vitce tempore. Gelu et undis, Le., gelu un- 
darum. 

605. Venatu, dat. for venatui. See Lat. 
Gram., 4th deck Fatigant — " scour." 

606. Ludus — " their pastime is." 

607. Patiens operum, as patiens laboriim 
in Sail. Jug. 28, 5. Parvo adsit^ta, i.e.,pav- 
cis contenta — " accustomed to (and satisfied 
with) frugal fare." Cf Hor. Epist. iL 1, 
139. Agricolce prisci, fortes parvoqve beati. 
On adsuesco with the abl. see note, ^n. vii. 
747. 

609. Ve?-sa hasta — " with inverted spear, " 
i.e., using the butt end of the spear, which 
was cased in metal and pointed ( a-aupur^p), 
as a goad to prick the oxen. Thus the race 
was never at peace, or free from arms, but, 
as he says, omne aevum ferro teiitur — "our 
whole life is spent in armour." 

610. Fatigamtls — "we goad on," or "be- 
labour." dbserv^e the force of the arsis in 
lengthening the final sylL, and see note. 
Eel. i. 39, and iEn. iiL 464. Tarda, in an 
active sense — ^'■rendering slow of move- 
ment." 

612. Canitiem galea premimus — a phrase 
which has called forth the admiration of 
ancient as well as modem critics. Old age, 
he says, is not exempt from service, but its 
hoar iiairs must bear the weight of the mili- 
tary helmet. 

613. This line is transferred from vii. 749, 
one word being altered. 

614. The Phrygians and Trojans are often 
spoken of as if identical in race ; see .^n. 
i. 468. They early gained the name of 
being effeminate and luxurious, which is 
not to be wondered at, since their judges 
were the poor and severe living Greek co- 
lonists. Cf. iv. 215 ; see Horn. Od. viii. 248 
sqq., and II. xxiv. 261. 

Two garments are to be understood, one 
of saffron dye, and another of purple, both 
ornamented with needlework of Phrygian 
execution. On murex, see i v. 262. 

615. Desidiae for desidia, as irae for ira, 
etc. Forb. But these plurals express the 
idea with much greater emphasis than the 
sing. See Madvig, Lat. Gr. § 50, obs. 3, 
and Schmitz, Lat. Gr. § 76, note 2 (Cham- 
bers' ed.) TransI, " indolence is (quite) 
to your mind." Juvat indulgere choreis — 



B. IX. 616-622. 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. IX. 624-653. 



another eastern peculiarity, as far away as 
possible from the Roman customs, since 
almost no Roman would, when sober, be 
seen so engaged. 

616. Manicas — "long- sleeves," another 
mark of ett'eminacy. Rediinicula — "ties," 
ribbons which were attached to the head- 
dress behind, and brought round so as to 
hang down over the breast, as in the illus- 
tration : it was a woman's ornament. 




617. vere Phrygiae! neque enim Phryges 
— a close imitation of Horn. IL viL 96, 
^ A^di ^£j olx. It 'Apf^aiot, 

618. Dindyma — a mountain in Phrygia; 
see above, 82, and references therefrom. 
The plur. form is used for the sing., Dindy- 
mus. Biforem cantum. The tibia used in 
the sacred rites of Cybele had two holes, 
or two branches proceeding from the same 
.stem : the music Avould therefore be of the 
simplest kind, and by no means charming. 




619. Buxus — "the boxwood (tibia) of 
Cybele." See vi. 785. The tympanum, 
which is represented in the annexed wood- 
cut, was a species of drum. It was fomied 
by stretching a hide on a wooden hoop, and 
setting small bells round the rim. It seems 
almost identical with the tatubomine, i.e., 
the tambour de Basque, (extensively made 
and employed in the Basque provinces of 
Spain), both in form, material, and mode of 
construction, and manner of use. 




620. Ferro, i.e., war and its implements. 

621. Canentem dira — "uttering in loud 
tones these biting sarcasms." Canere is 
sometimes used to mean, '■'■magnum aliquid 
et grave eloqui," as in iv. 14. 

622. Obversus — "standing opposite," or 
rather obversa telum equino nervo — "apply- 
ing the arrow to the horse-gut bow-string, 
he stretched his bow." The nervus was 



made either of horse hair, or of the sinews 
and nerves twisted into a cord. 

624. Ante is not a prep, governing Jovem, 
but an adv. joined to precatus — "having 
previously prayed to Jupiter." 

627. Aurata fronte — "with gilt horns," 
as was the custom. Candentem — "white," 
and of equal size with his dam. 

629. Petat, i.e., qui petat — see Eel. iii. 87, 
whence this verse is taken. 

630. Genitor is of course subject to audiit. 
See iEn. L 115, 161, 714; cf Hom. II. xv. 
377. 

631. Sonat una, ^'ty'ii (^I'os ; II. iv. 125. 
Horrendum stridens — cf. Hom. II. 1. 49, 
tuvYi Vi x,Xot,yy7) yivir ccpyvpioto (hto7o. 

634. The change to the dialogue form 
adds great spirit to the narrative. 

638. Crinitus—see ^n. i. 740. Apollo 
was particularly favourable to the Julian 
gens (see viiL 704) ; and therefore Augustus 
dedicated to him a temple on the Palatine. 
Cf Hor. Od. iii. 4, 62. 

639. Urbem, soil., Ifova Troja — the en- 
campment of the Trojans. 

641. Made nova vvrtute, ovaio tvs via,; 
otpiTTi? — "May you have joy in this first 
proof of yom- valom-;" "May this first proof 
of valour issue in good fortune." Mactus 
is the participle of an old verb mago=augeo, 
whence comes the frequentative macto 
{=donare), which was anciently joined to 
other cases than the voc, according to 
Priscian. The vocs. made and madi are 
alone found in ancient writers, except Cato, 
and these forms are sometimes appUed even 
to feminine nouns. The imper. esto, or 
estate, is often omitted. Sic itur ad astra, 
"By this means is a road marked out to 
heaven." 

642. Geniture deos, ^^z.,Julius and Augus- 
tus Caesar, who were deified after death. 

Omnia bella resident — an allusion to the 
shutting of the temple of Janus in the reign 
of Augustus, an event which the Roman 
poets of that age were never tired refer- 
ring to. On Assaracus, see JLn. i. 284, and 
Geo. iii. S5. 

644. Nee Troja te capit — nor can an em- 
pire like that of Troy suffice for thee. Re- 
ference is made to Alba the mother ot 
Rome. 

645. Spirantes auras — "the whispering 
breezes "=^are<es. Sei-vius interprets 5^?'- 
rantes SLS=vitales, which would be a very 
useless epithet. 

647. Butes seems to be the same as he 
mentioned at xi. 690. See II. xvii. 323 sq., 
from which, and from the character Peri- 
phas there introduced, this is taken. 

648. Gustos ad limina (sometimes used for 
Janitor, see x. 253), was not an institution 
of the heroic age. 

650, 651 are taken, with slight alteration, 
from iv. 558 sq. 

651. Saeva, sonoribus arma, ie., saeve, ter- 
ribiliter sonantia. 

653. Aenide is the reading of the best 
MSS. Other forms found in the different 
copies are iEneide, .aSneidae, JEnidae, 
181 



B. IX. 655-680. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. IX. 681-710 



JEneade ; but no MS. affords yEneada, the | 
vulgar reading. Wagner thinks that the 
poet avoided the form JEmades, because he 
is not speaking of the followers, but of the 
son of J^neas. 

655. Paribus non invidet — "and does not 
envy you your skill in archery, which rivals 
his (Apollo's) own." 

656. CciJera— "for the rest." See iii. 594. 
660. Sonantem, pliaretram — see Horn. IL 

L46. 

665. Acres,i.Q., acriter. Ont\iQ amentum, 
see Diet, of Antiq. It was properly the 
thong tied at the centre of gravity, of the 
spear, to increase the impetus of the wea- 
pon when hurled. Its form is seen in the 
woodcut. 



667. FIictu—''hY the battering." 

668. Quantus rephes to tantus telorum 
jactoruni est acervus, contained in the forego- 
ing hues. 

Fluvialibus Haedis — " dm1ng the time 
when the rainy Icids are visible in the sky" — 
an abl. of time. The two stars called haedU 
placed above Taurus, and rising in October, 
brought with them storms of wind and rain. 
They set in December, and to this time the 
poet has perhaps reference. 

670. Praecipitant, scil., se, as in 2En. ii. 9. 
Jupiter is constantly represented as direct- 
ing the clianges of weather and of chmate. 
C£ Hor. Od. iL 10, 15, and also i. 12, 15. 

671. I'ot-quet— ''drives the rainy tempest 
in eddying whirls, and bursts the hoUow 
clouds in the sky." 

672. See Honi. IL xii. 127 sqq. 

673. Jovis luco, i.e., in the grove of Idaean 
Jove. Eduxit—see note, vi. 765. Silvestris 
— " a w^oodland nvmph." 

674. Cf Hom. 'll. v. 560, of which this 
verse is a close imitation. Abietibus is to 
be scanned abjctibus, as before. Some books 
read in montibiis — a conjecture by Bryant; 
but such a venture is unnecessary, since 
Homer too compares Polyphemus to a 
mountain, Od. ix. 191. Heyne would blot 
out the whole line as frigid, and useless on 
account of the similar comparison, 679, 
below ; but Wagner defends the verse, 
and shows that the second simile has re- 
ference to the nu77iber and position of the 
individuals while this first calls attention to 
tlieir height only. 

675. Commissa — "entrusted to their care." 
Others make it ''shut." 

677. Pro turribus—"'m front, i.e., hi de- 
fence of the towers," Avhich stood at either 
side of the gate. Heyne makes it as, or 
like, two towers. 

679. Cf. Horn. II. xi. 131 sqq. Cristis 
corusci is an attempted translation of the 
Homeric x-opv^aiaXog. On the sjnitax of 
capita after corusci. see ^n. i. 228 ; u. 210. 
Aeriae — " towei-ing in air;" see JEn. iiL 680. 
Liquentia — from the old verb liquo, but 
llquens from liqueo. 

680. Athesis (now the Adige), a well 
kno-\vn river of Rhaelia, passing Verona, 

182 



and discharging its waters into the Gulf oi 
Venice. Propter, for prope — "near;" see 
Eel. viii. 87. 

681. Intonsa, i.e., " of dense foliage." 

683. Irrumpunt — "try to burst in,"' 

684. Quercens, and the others mentioned, 
are on the Latin side. 

685. Praeceps animi. On the construc- 
tion, see note, Geo. iv. 491 — " of headlong 
courage." 

686. Agminibus totis — "with their entire 
bands." 

698. Fervere. Obsers'e the quantity; and 
see note, ^n. iv. 407. The verb is applied 
to men engaging with the greatest earnest- 
ness and energy in any work, especially in 
a contest. Patent.es — another example of 
the proleptic use of the adj., on which see 
note, ^n. iL 736. 

696. Primus agebat se — cf. viii. 465; and 
\-L 337. Se agehut=incedebat. 

697. Thebana de matre — his mother was 
a citizen of Thebe [the city of ^tion, father 
to Andromache] in Mysia, near Mt Placus, 
and his father the noble Sarpedon ; on this 
latter see Mn. L 100. 

698. Cojmus — see Geo. ii. 447. Stomacho, 
used here iu the original sense of the Greek 
word, "the throat," " gullet," ^sojyhagvs, 
Le., the food-passage. 

700. Specus — "the wide-mouthed gash," 
reddit vndam atri vulneris, " gives forth a 
foaming tide of black blood," vulnus being 
put for that which came forth as a conse- 
quence of the w^ound. Peerlk. would make 
specus govern vulneris, " the gaping mouth 
of the wound." The phrase atri vulneris 
is in imitation of Homer's /M.£>.«v atf/,x. 

702. Manu is used pleonastically, for it 
cannot mean at close fight, and with his 
sword, since 704, non jaculo, shows that 
those mentioned before Bitias, had been 
slain with the javehn. 

705. Falarica—a large and heavy spear, 
with an immense iron head, and thick 
wooden shaft. Near the point there was a 
mass of lead to add to its weight and eflfecL 



"But with a loud, whizzing noise, there 
came the whhled falarica, hurled Uke 
a thunderbolt, which no two-ply ox-hide 
shield could withstand, nor the trusty coat 
of mail, Avith its double layer of golden 
scales." 

709. Hom. is closely imitated in his well- 
known Une, ^ovTTYxn Vi ^rso-^wv, upaf^nffi 
Ti Tivx,i £'!'' ocvTu. Some take clipeum 
as the nom. 

710. Baiae is called Euboean, because a 
colony from Chalcis, in Euboea, settled at 
Cumai, near Baiae. Jn littore — " on the 
shore," Le., built on the shore; the mass was 
first put together {ante comtructam) on 
shore, and then hurled into the sea. 

Pila—"a. i3ile;" j5<to— "a balL" On the 
constructic)n of the famous liarbour made 
by the junction of the Lucrine lake and that 
of Avernus, see Geo. ii. 161. 



B. IX. 713-742. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. IX. 745-776. 



713. Ruinam t rah it — see ii. 465. 

715. Prochyta (hodie, Procida) was an 
island off the promontory Misenum. It is 
called alta, like other islands, since it rose 
higher than the surrounding water. 

716. Inarime is the name given to an 
island near to Prochyta, more comraonlj' 
called Pithecusa, or Aenaria (now Ischia). 
The frequency of volcanoes led the ancients, 
who were ignorant of the real character of 
such phenomena,to believe that the deities 
had punished the rebellious giants, by lay- 
ing upon them mountains, Avhich pressed 
them so heavily as that they could not alto- 
gether rise, though they were able to timi 
themselves occasionally for relief. Thus 
Typhoeus was placed by Homer s'v Apif/.ot? 
(II. ii 783), but the fable being transferred 
by some Latin poets to the island of Pith- 
ecusa, itself volcanic; the corrupted name 
Inarime was also brought over and applied 
at the same time, and thus the confusion 
arose. 

717. Homer's deities either inspu'e war- 
riors with courage and might, or, in person, 
enter vigorously into the" fight; and Mars 
especially is an ever active power ; but in 
Virgil, even he is tamed down to a mere 
idle allegory. Heyne. 

719. Timor is usually siurounded by 
Night and Darkness, to add to the horror. 

720. Undique conveniunt — the Trojans as 
well as Rutulians, says Forbiger; but the 
connection surely forbids such an interpre- 
tation. Why should those (the Teucri) upon 
whom the war- god had sent Fuga and Timor 
assemble because an opportunity of battle was 
given them ? 

721. Animo — the sing, used with especial 
elegance for the plur., as Geo. iv. 227, in 
sideris (for sidermn) numerum, and JEn. L 
579, arrecti animum. 

723. Qui casus — "what (evU) chance rules 
the day (afifaii-s"). 

728. Demens, v^V/aj— "infatuated in that 
he did not see." The words qui non viderit 
are to be taken in close connection with 
demens, as assigning the ground for the use 
of the epithet. Observe the subj. viderit in 
this expression of the reason. 

729. Ultro—"- contraiy to what you might 
expect." This is the full meaning of the 
word, as seen by a comparison of many ex- 
amples. See above, 676 ; .^n. ii. 145 ; vii. 
236. 

732. Horrendum sonuere — see Horn. IL iv. 
410. On cristce sanguinece, see above, 270. 

733. Miitit—''lle (Turnus) sends forth 
fi-om his shield quivering lightning flashes. " 
Some copies, but these are not the best, 
read mittunt, scU., se. 

734. Agnoscunt turbati, Le., Agnoscunt et 
turbantur, as Wagn. shows. 

737. Dotalis regia — see vii. 52 sqq. Lau- 
rentum is referred to. " This is not the 
palace given by Amata as a dowiy to her 
daughter." On Ardea, see \\\. 411. 

739. Exire potestas — see note, ^n. ii. 850, 
but especially v. 638. 

742. Achiilem — on this form see ^n. i. 



458, and for a passage similar in character, 
cf. ^n. ii. 549. 

745. Vulnus, i.e., ielum, the weapon about 
to inflict a wound. Veniens agrees with 
vulnus, meaning "just approachmg him." 

747. These words are uttered by Turnus, 
but the poet gives us no warning of the 
change of speaker, for which he is censm-ed 
by Peerik. 

748. Neque enim is, etc. " For not of a 
character similar (to you) is he who (now) 
wields the weapon and deals the v»-ound." 

749. Consurgit in ensem — " He rises to the 
blow," as he raises his sword, in order to 
lend greater force to his stroke. 

750. Medium — frontem dividit — " He 
cleaves his head in two." So Hor. Sat. i. 
1, 99. At hunc liberta securi divisit medium. 

754. IIu?ni — on the difference between 
this form and humo, see Mn. i. 193 ; and 
V. 481. 

757. Cf. II. viiL 217 sq. ; xviii. 454 ; and 
xxi 544. 

763. Excipit — a verb used in reference to 
the hunting of wild beasts, ix-lix.^rot.1, 
when attacked from a place of concealment. 
See JEn. iii. 332. It is by some translated, 
"He overtakes," on account of the succiso 
poplite, following, which, they say, shows 
that Gyges was fleeing with the others. 

Succiso poplite — "with severed hamstring," 
the adj. being in a proleptic use (see Mn. 
ii. 736), and the phrase meaning, he anti- 
cipates Gyges as he is rushing agahist him, 
and cuts his hamstring. Rapta-s — "seized" 
from the bodies of the slain. 

766. /p-naros— "ignorant" that he was 
within the gates. Noemonaque — que length- 
ened by arsis. All these were unaware of 
his presence, and aversi, but Lynceus was 
adversus. 

768. "Lynceus, directinghis attackagainst 
him, and summoning his companions, he 
(Turnus), collecting aU his strength, with 
his gleaming sword dexterously anticipates 
from the elevation (where he stood)." 

770. Caput huic uno comminus ictu, etc. — 
" his head struck off by one blow given at 
close fight" Cf Horn. II. xiv. 497. 

772. Felicior—" more skilled," and more 
successful. 

773. Unguere tela is explained by the 
words that follow, armare fei-rum veneno. 
The practice of poisoning arrows is scarcely 
referred to in Homer — the custom was al- 
most entirely confined to the most barbarous 
tribes. See x. 140. 

774. Amicum niusis — see Hor. Od. i. 26, 1. 
" Lord Orrery, in one of his letters to his 
son, has proposed a cmious conjecture re- 
lative to this passage. He thinks that, 
imder the name of Cretheus, Virgil ^vished 
to pay a high compliment to the talents of 
his friend Horace, whom he could not have 
mtroduced in any other way in a poem of 
this description. His lordship was probably 
led to form this opinion by a passage in one 
of Horace's odes [that just quoted] where 
the poet calls himself mmis amicus.'"' 
Galbraith. 

776. Numeros intendere nervis — an inver- 
183 



B. IX. 777-793. 



XOTES ON THE JENEID. 



B. IX. 795-818. 



sion not uncommon with our poet, as we 
have often already seen ; for it is the nervi 
that properly are adapted to the numeri. 
Translate, " To adapt poetic numbers to the 
strings," i.e., to sing to the lyre. 

777. Equos—the Homeric 'i'-T-rov?, i.e., 
war chariots. 

781. Cf. Horn. II. XV. 732. Qico deinde— 
"where next?" Tenditis fugam, like iew- 
dere viam, iter, etc. 

785. Miserit Oreo. Who does not call to 
mind Horn. II. i. 4 ? 

786. Infelicis patrice — " our luckless coun- 
try," i.e., the remnants of Troy, for they 
themselves represented the Trojan stock 
and interest. Some think Italy is meant. 
For deorum one MS. reads parentum, to 
which there are objections that will natu- 
rally occur to any one. 

789. The description of Turnus retiring 
before his enemies has been justly lauded 
by all critics, as not inferior to Homer's 
noble passage (II. xi. 543 sqq. ; 555 sqq.), 
in reference to Ajax under similar cu'cum- 
stances. 

791. Acrius hoc for eo acrius. 

793. At territus. Peerlk., thinking this 
not consistent Avith asper, acerba tuens, 
reads Jiaud territm. The very retu-ing, 
however, denotes some degree of alarm. 



795. The order is. Nee potis est tenders 
contra per tela virosque, ille quidem cupiens 
hoc, viz., tender e contra. On ille, see M\\. 
i. 3. 

803. Sufficere— ''to supply," vTToirxi'iv, 

804. Germance — see xii. 830. 

806. " Accordingly the youth is not able 
to withstand so much [as is necessary] with 
his shield [i.e., to ward off the weapons], 
nor with his right hand [to deal blows]." 
This whole passage is founded on Hom. II. 
xvi. 102 sqq. ; and Ennius, Annal. xv. 

812. Mnestheus is called fulmineus, eithe^ 
on account of the dreadful force of his wea~ 
pons, or because of his own impetuous 
valom-, so destructive to his foes. Thus the 
two Scipios are cdll^d fulmina belli. 

813. Necrespirarepotestas — on the syntax 
see note, ^n. ii. 350 ; v. 638. Agit flumen, 
like the phrase agere gemitum. 

816. Gum gurgite is to be immediately 
joined to ille, and not to accepit. Hand, 
(Turs. ii. p. 161) makes cum an instance of 
the prep, helping to produce an abl. of the 
instrument, while Heyne takes it as equal 
to in. 

817. MoUibus—'' soMy flovdng." 

818. Ccede, i.e., san^ui7ie. 



Ibl 



B. X. 1-8. 



NOTES OX THE ^NEID. 



B. X. 10-16. 



BOOK TENTH 



ARGUMENT 



An assembly of the gods is held, in which Jupiter exhorts all to unanimity Trith regard 
to the war: but Venus and Juno advocate the cause of their respective favourites (1-95). 
Jupiter, in order that he may not offend either his wife or his daughter, declares that he 
will not favour the claims of either of the contending parties, hut that he will entrust 
evers'thing to the Fates (96-117). In the meantime, the Rutulians return to the attack 
of the enemy's defences, and the Trojans, when assailed, make a valiant stand (118-145). 
Whilst matters are in this state in Ijatium, Jiineas, having procured airsiliaries in Etruria, 
returns to his men with a fleet of thirty ships. On his voyage he meets the nymphs luto 
which his former fleet had been transformed, and from them learas the state of affairs in 
the camp (146-255). The Rutuli, obsening him as he lands his troops, attack him while 
his forces are stUl in confusion, and great slaugliter is made on both sides (•256—361). 
Pallas, son of Evander, does prodigies of valour, but is at length slain by Turnus (362-509). 
^neas slays many Rutulians, as inferiae to the shade of his friend, and Ascanius, making 
a successful sally fi-om the city, tmites his forces with those of his father (510-605) 
Juno, fearing for the life of Turnus, presents to him an image of ^neas : which, fleeing 
before the onset of the Rutulian, bounds on board a ship, and is followed by the pursuer. 
Tunms is by this device carried to Ardea, much against his will (606-688). On the de- 
parture of Turnus, Mezentius assumes his place, and, after dealing death and destruction 
among the Trojan and Etruscan bands, is himself, along with his son Lausus, slain bv 
^neas (689-908). 



1. Domus omnipotentis Olympi, to (^lya,- 
pov, TO ou)f/.a — the central and inner part 
of the palace of Jupiter, in which the gods 
were wont to assemble. The epithet "all- 
powerful" properly belongs to Jupiter him- 
self, and the gods, but it is transfeiTcd to 
their habitation. Different readings are 
omnipatmtis and omniparentis. 

2. Concilium — a reading preferable to 
consilium, since Jupiter convokes the gods, 
not to deliberate with them, but to exhort 
them to unanimity and concord. 

4. Dardanidum — see ^n. i. 565 ; ii. 242. 

5. Bipatentihus — "folding," "double- 
valved." Wagner. Forb., however, un- 
derstands it to mean " having an entrance 
at each side, back and front," in which 
opinion he follows Heyne, Jahn, etc. 

6. Quianam — an antique word for qua re, 
Ti yap- See ^u. v. 13. 

7. Versa retro, Le., "changed for the 
worse." 

8. Heyne reckons this passage among 
those which Virgil would have improved had 
his hfe been spared : he objects to it that we 
have not been told pre^"iously that Jupiter 
had forbidden the gods to encourage the 
war between the Latins and Trojans, but 
that, on the contrarj-, he had foretold to 
Venus (^n. i. 263), Belhim ingens geret 
Italia: nor have any of them taken part in 
it but Venus and Juno. Forbiger, however, 
repUes that nhnuere does not mean to inter- 
dict, and he thus explains, "I (says Jupiter) 
was always averse to this war, and always 
wished that ^neas should gain possession 



of Italy without a contest, but the resent- 
ment of Juno has frustrated my inten- 
tions." 

10. Hos (Venus) ; hos (Juno) — see Geo. 
i. 445, aut ubi, aut ubi. 

11. Justum — "proper," "pre-ordained," 
as in lAvY i. 4, adjusti cursum amnis, in the 
former sense. 

12. ^rc/6«5— the Roman capitol: so Hor. 
Od. 1 37, 6, capitolio regina dementes ruinas 
parahat. Olim, used of future time, as in 
xEn. i. 203. The reference is to the devas- 
tations by Hannibal in the second Punic 
war. 

13. Immittet apertas Alpes — a highly 
poetic and forcible expression. " ShaU hml 
mightj' destruction and the opened Alps 
agamst the citadel of Rome." 

14. Res rajiidsse — "to throw all things 
into confusion." The vulgar explanation is, 
" to plunder." Wagn. interprets the phrase. 
'' bello lacessere alterum." Turn is opposed 
to nunc. 

15. Sinite, in the less common sense, " let 
alone," "forbear," "give over," like the 
Greek Ixco. 

16. Nan pauca. So CatuH 55, 20, Ver- 
bosa gaudet Venus loguela. Venus is called 
aurea, in imitation of the Homeric Xf'^'^^ 
' A(ppcoiTri, which m.eans either " altogether 
beautiful," as in Hor. Od. i. 5, 9, a gii'l is 
spoken of as aurea, i.e.. must beautiful, and 
perfect in every particular; or "adorned 
with gold," as Heyne thinks. 

hominum. On the hiatus, see ^li. i 
16, and Hor. Od. i. 1, 2. Fotestas. Le., 
185 



B. X. 19-52. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. X 53-91. 



"sovereign," "raler," the abstract for the 
concrete. So in Juvenal x. 100, Gabiorum 
potestas. 

19. Namque^etc. " For vrhat other power 
remains which we can implore," since almost 
all the deities side -svith Turnus. 

21. Equis, i.e., curru, see Lx. 777. Tumi- 
diis secundo marte, "puffed up by the suc- 
cessful issue of the fight." 

24. Aggeribus moerorum (old form for 
murorum), "the lofty walls." Inundant 
is used intransitively for sanguis inundat 
fossas. 

25. Nunquanme — "are the Trojans never 
to be free from blockade?" refen-ing to the 
siege of Troy. 

27. Heyne, Brnnck, and others put a 
semicoloil after Trojce, and a comma after 
alter, connecting the words nee non exer. 
alter with what follows, as if the poet were 
speaking of two armies, (whereashe is merely 
refeiTing- to the Trojan campaign.) and of the 
similarity of this war to the former one. 

28. Arpi, a famous city of Daunla, said 
to have been founded by Diomede and his 
Aetolians, and to have first been called 
Argos Hippium, of which Argyripa Avas 
considered a corruption. But see Air Bun- 
bury in Smith's Diet, of Geog. 

29. Mea vulnera restant — "wounds still 
await me " from Diomede. This refers to 
Diomede's attack on her at Trov. Hom. II. 
V. 330 sqq. See also Ovid, Met. xv. 7G8 
sqq. 

30. Demoror, etc., i.e., I delay the war, 
since it will not cease till I (thy daughter) 
have felt the force of mortal armour. Wag- 
ner. But Ave rather incline to Gossrau's 
interpretation, " I aAvait moi-tal arms," i.e., 
(tlie force and poAver of) mortal arras are to 
be felt by me. 

31. she pace iua — see Ia^ 56. Hand 
Avould write nee for neqtie in the next line, 
on the gi-ound that neqtie Avith imperatiA'es 
is ncA-er Avritten for et ne. 

33. Responsa — " oracles " (of the gods) — 
see ix. 134; iii. 94. Manes — as of Hector, 
u. 294 ; Creusa, ii. 780 ; Anchises, v. 729 sqq. 

36, 37. On Ei-j-x, see ^n. L 570. On 37, 
see i 50. 

38. Irim—see iv. 694 ; v. 606 ; and ix. 1 
sqq. 

40. Sors rerun). — " portion ot the world." 

41. Allecto bacchata — see .^n. vii. 341 
sqq.; iv. 301. /mmfV^errmeans properly "to 
send upon, for mischief" 

47. Ascanius at least she is anxious to 
keep safe, because the Italian empire was 
promised to him. 

48. Sane has a concessive force — "for 
that matter indeed." 

51. Amathus—Si toAvn of Cyprus, where 
Venus had a famous temple, from which 
she is called Amathusia. 

On Papltus, see --En. i. 415; and on 
Cythera, i. 680. 

52. Idaliae domus—see i. CSl. "Wagner 
asserts that the nom. phir. of donms occurs 
only once in Virgil (Geo. iv. 481), Avhere 
the dull and heaA-y sound of the long us 
suits well the horror of the Tartarean scene; 
and he therefore considers domus the sing., 

186 



Idaliae being the gen., as iu the phrase 
Idaliae lucos, i. 693. 

53. "Command that Carthage exercise 
dominion OA'cr Ausonia with powerful sway: 
nothing from this race (Ascanius and his 
posterity) will mar the prosperity of the 
TjTian city (Carthage)." These words 
have reference to the statement of Jupiter 
in 12. 

55. " Of what avail has it been to escape 
the pestilence of Avar, and to have made 
good their escape through the midst ot 
Grecian fires, and to haA-e exhausted the 
many dangers of the sea, and of the bound- 
less land, so long as the Teuci'i are stiU in 
search of Latium, and of Pergamus rising 
from its ruins?" (recidiva — see iv. 344, and 
vii. 322). 

59. "Would it not haA^e been better to 
settle on the last embers of their country, 
and on the site AAdiere Troy once stood?" 

62. Da Teiicris, etc. "Allow the Teucri 
again to repeat the disasters of Troy." 

63. Obsei-ve that Juno does not reply in 
detail to the remarks of Venus, but that a 
certain amount of excitement on her part 
is betrayed by the someAA-hat confused 
character of her answer. 

67. Esio — see iv. 35, and vii. 313. Cas- 
sandraefuriis — see iii. 183 sqq. 

69. Ventis, Aiz., iu sailmg up the Tiber to 
Evander. 

71. Tyrrhenamfidem agitare — "to canvass 
for a Tuscan alliance, or to disturb the quiet 
of peaceful nations." Fides is often used 
for an alliance formed by the pledging of 
faith. 

72. Fravdem — "mischief." For nostri, 
many copies read nostra. 

74. Tlie following comparison is instituted 
in such a Avay as to turn the odium on 

Venus. Indignum est Quid; for si 

indignum est; an minus indignum, an tole- 
rabilius est? It is unfit, forsooth, etc. 

77. Q«<V?— "what sliall aa-c say of this, 
that the Trojans, Avith blackening torches, 
assail the Latins," etc. etc. On Pilumnus, 
see ix. 4; and on Venilia, vii. 56. 

79. Soceros, plur. for sing. ; see ii. 457 and 
579. Gremiis — " from the bosoms " of their 
parents. Pactas, plur. for sing, again; 
LaAinia is meant. Praefigere arma 2>uppi- 
bus — refening to a custom prcA^ailing among 
the later Romans of fixing a shield or other 
part of armour on the mast or on the prow 
of a vessel returning victorious from the 
fight. See Ramsay's Antiq., "Naval and 
Military Affairs." 

84. juvisse Rutulos aliquid is in syntax 
like the Greek phrase oj<piKuv Ttvd. ti. 

85. Ignarus, viz., of the siege of Nova 
Troja, and of the dangers of his people. 
" I hope he may ever be absent." 

86. Paphus, etc., see aboA-e, 51. "You 
have Paphos," etc.; take him to one of them 
if you like. 

87. Gravidam bellis—' ' teeming Avith Avar. " 

90. Causa consurgere for causa consurgendi. 

91. Europamque Asiamque, i.e., the Greeks 
and Trojans. Furto — see a1 24. It here 
equals, furtive raptu Helenae. 



B. X. 92-111. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. X. 112-146. 



92. The word expiignavit is peculiarly ap- 
]>lied to the forcible violation of chastity. 
It seems to be used here in a double sense. 

93. Cupidine fovive, i.e., I did not protract 
the war by encouraging the lust of Paris. 

98. Deprensa — "caught," "delayed by," 
"intercepted by." 

Miirmura caeca^ " subdued murmurs," 
or rather that "murmuring noise the cause 
of which is not (at once) detected." Persons ! 
accustomed to country life must have often j 
obsen-ed that when standing to the leeward 
of a plantation on the rising of the wind, a 
" smgh " (this Scottish term is the only one j 
that suggests itself to express the meaning) j 
is heard before we are aware of the increased i 
violence of the blast. To this pecuUailty | 
the whole passage evidently applies, as we t 
shaU be con-vinced by examining the follow- j 
ingteiTus: flamina prima — deprensa — caeca 
murmura — prodentia ventos ventures. So 
Cowper says — 

Mighty winds that sweep the skirt of some 

far-spreading wood 
Of ancient growth, make music not mililie 
The dash of ocean on his wmding shore, etc. 
—The Task, Bk. 1. 

100. Rerum prima potestas, ou x,pa,roi 
iffTt f^'iyicTTov, Horn. II. ii. 118, said in re- 
ference to the power of the other gods. 

101. Injit—see v. 708. Silescit— begins to 
be lulled, or hushed. 

102. Tremefacta solo — " trembled from its 
foundation." 

103. Zephyri, put for the mildest vdnds. 
On posuere, see vii. 27, note. Pontus, etc. — 
" The deep lowers its billows so that thej^ 
come to rest," the adj. placida being in a 
proleptic (see ii. 736) sense. 

104. This line has already occurred in iii. 
2-50. Serv-ius alleges that this whole pas- 
sage is borrowed" from the first book of 
Lucilius, where the gods are represented as 
dehberating, and gi^'ing their opinions on 
the death of Lupus. 

10-5. Ausonios — see vii 39, and xi. 2-53. 

107. Hodie — to-day— this the first day of 
the fightmg. Spem secure is a novel phrase 
for sperare. Wagner suggests that it may 
have arisen from nautical ideas and phrase- 
ology, or from the Greek expression ot 
iXTioo; Vivcct. This latter opinion is adop- 
ted by Forb., who compares viam secare. 

108. Fuat — an archaism for sit, from an 
ancient verb /?/o {(pi^co), vi-he-ncefui.futurus, 
fore, etc. Tros Puiiidusve, i. e., sive Tros, 
sive Rutulus. Cf. Mn. i. 574. 

109. Some make Italani (Itcdorum) de- 
pend on obsidione. But others, \\'ith more 
show of reason, jom it to fat is, on account 
of the contracted expression, sive mala er- 
rore Trojae, in the next line. " AYiiether it 
is in accordance with the (good) fates of the 
Italians that the' camp is held in siege, or 
in consequence of some unfortunate mistake 
of the Trojans (in intei-preting the oracles), 
by reason of the ill-staiTed warnings" (of 
Cassandra). 

111. Kec solvo Rutulos, Le., nor do I free 



the Eutulians from this condition, that 
whatever the Fates decree, that must hap- 
pen to them. 

112. Hi5 own achievements shall bring 
to each disaster (laborem), or success {foi- 
tunamque). On que as a disjunctive conj., 
see Geo. i. 442. 

113. The last half of this line and the 
whole of the next, occur in ix. 104 sq. 

116. Sic -finis. On the gender of ^rais, see 
iii. 14-5. Aureo to be scanned as a disssyL 
by synizes!.-. 

117. Medium. In this word, says Heyne, 
you recognise the Roman. Jupiter is con- 
ducted by the gods, as the consuls were 
wont to be by the dignitaries of the state. 

118. Circum is an adv. here, as at EcL 
iii. 45, etc. etc. 

120. The name legio is derived from Ro- 
man warfare. See Ramsay's Antiq., "Naval 
and MiUtary Affairs;" so Testudo atix. 505, 
and cohors at 328, below. 

123. Asius. Consult Diet, of Biog. and 
MythoL 

125. Prima acies — "in the first line." 
On Sarpedon, see i. 100. Ah alta Lycia, 
"from the far-famed Lycia." 

128. Lyrnessius, from Lyrnessus, the an- 
cient name of Adramytium, mentioned m 
St Paul's travels. 

132. Justissima cura — "most deservedly 
an object of care to Yenus," viz., ou account 
of his great beauty. 

133. Detectus caput — " uncovered as to his 
head," i.e., having his head uncovered. See 
i. 228; and iL 210. 

135. " Or as bright as the ivorj^ gleams 
when it is skilfully set in box-wood or 
Orican ebony." Oricus or Oricum was a 
town of lUyrian Greece, near the Ionian 
bay— it Avas afterwards attached to Epirus. 

136. Observe the o of buxo not elided, 
though before a vowel, and see note, ^n. 
i. 16; iii. 74. See also below, 141. 

137. His milk-white neck, too, receives 
his flowing curls, and a circlet of pliant gold 
confines them." 

i 140. Fw/«era, i.e., ie7a, weapons by which 

wounds are inflicted. Calaynos 'armare 

veneno — "to prepare his an'ows with poison." 

j The custom was not altogether a bai-barian 

I one, as we see by Yirgirs ascribing it here 

j to the Lydians ; and to the Cretans, in xii. 

i 858 ; see also Hom. Odyss. L 260. 

i 141. Generose — "well-born," i.e., "born 

of a noble Mteonian family." The o of domo 

is not elided — see 136, above. 

142. Pactohis, a river of Lydia, whose 
I sands were said to be mixed with gold, 
' whence it was also called Chrysorrhoas ; see 
' Hor. Epod. 15, 20. 

I 143. On Mnestheus, see Mn. v. 116, and 
j note. On the feat of arms referred to, see 
i ix. 779 sqq. 

145. Capys, by whom Capua was, in later 
times, said to have been founded. Cf. Livy 
iv. 37. 

146. ^neas retm-ns from Caere. Contu- 
lerant certumina — a short mode of expres- 
sion for contulerant manus in certamine. 
The night of the journey of iEueas, noticed 

187 



B. X. 150-170. 



NOTES ON THE ^NELD. 



B. X. 171-188. 



in the next line, Avas that foUoAving the 
battle round the Trojan camp. 

150. Quidve petat — " or what he seeks, or 
what he has to offer," i.e., what resources 
he has at command. We should expect 
que uistead of ve, but all the MSS. give 
the former. For a discussion of the dif- 
ficulties of the passage, see Forb. Anna, 
Le., copias — "what armed allies Mezen- 
tius unites to himself! moreover, (lie tells 
him) of the violent impetuosity of Tur- 
nus." " He reminds him of the "instability 
of human affairs," hinting thatTarcho him- 
self, and his Etruscans, may soon requu-e 
similar aid to that he now seeks. 

154. Foedus ferit, (see Livy i. 24,) like 
foedus icere, percutere, and the Greek, of)x,ia, 
TSf4,vnv, is a short phrase for ferire porcum 
ad sanciendum foedus. 

155. Lydia gens — see viiL 479. Libera fati 
"unrestrained by fate," i.e., free from the 
oracle which had desired that the Latins 
should make war, havuig taken a foreign 
leader, Qiim, however, they thought to be 
Mezentius, and therefore held back] because 
they now had really such a general in the 
person of ^neas. As one is said to be free 
from his promise who has fulfilled it, so one 
who has executed the decrees of fate is said 
to he free from fate. 

156. Ditci. Aeneia. Again observe the hia- 
tus, and consult 136, above. If we had not 
to deal with a poet here, we might justly 
wonder, Avith some critics, Avhence came 
this ship so speedily, ornamented com- 
pletely after Trojan taste? See the com- 
mentators. 

157. Below the beak proper two Phry- 
gian lions couched, as if supporting the 
prow, and terminating it, and above the 
parasemon [" figurehead"] was a represen- 
tation of Mount Ida. 

159. Hie — "in this ship." 

161. Sidera — iter — "the stars, guides 
throughout the dark night." On this kind 
of apposition, see Eel. ii. 3. Elsewhere, 
iter noctis means either the course of night 
over the heavens, or the jouniey of a man 
performed in one night. 

163. We met with this A-erse at viL 641. 

166. The forces from Etruria are ranged 
in four divisions. 1st, The contingent from 
Clusium [or Gamers, the city of Porsenna, 
now called Chiusi], and Cosas [or Cosa], led 
by Massicus, and numbering 1000 archers. 
2d, Those from Populoniinn and the island 
of Ih'a [or Aethalia, noAv Elba], led by Abas, 
and amounting to 900. 3d, The force from 
Pisa, connnanded by Asilas, 1000. 4th, The 
troops from Caere and the neighbouring 
places, under Astur. The Avhole array, 
therefore, numbered 3,900. Princeps, i.e., 
primm inter socios. The name Massicus is 
probably suggested to the poet by the Mt. 
in Campania of similar designation, as Mes- 
sapus, from Messapia, etc. etc. Tigris was 
the name of the ship, and an image of the 
animal its insigne. See 187, above. 

170. Jnsignibus armis. Heyne thinks that 
shields, corslets, and helmets of iron are 

188 



meant, as the island was in old times, and 
still is, famous for its yield of that metal. 

171. Apolline — Avlth Apollo as the tutelar 
deity in the stem, for such a god was not 
likely to form the parasemon, which was in 
the prow. 

172. Populonia, or Populonium, or Poplo- 
nium, a tOAvn of Etruria, on the coast. 
Mater, i.e., patria. See Diet, of Geography. 

175. Hominum divumque interpres, i.e., 
he Avho reveals to men the will of heaven. 
The four principal kinds of diAdnation are 
here referred to, the extispicium, and the 
aiispiciu7n, the signs by the stars, and those 
by lightning. 

176. Parent— "are subject," since he can 
interpret them for good or bad, as it pleases 
him. In like manner, Avith the poets, regere 
and moderari are said of persons Avho have 
knowledge of an art or science; thus he is said 
to rule the stars who knows their names 
and courses. Things future are thus repre- 
sented as obedient to the persons AA'ho pre- 
dict them, as if these individuals had power 
over them, a belief which superstition still 
fixes in A'ulgar mhids. The above is Hejiie's 
opinion and reasoning, but Wagn., com- 
paring a passage of Suetonius, makes parent 
equal to apparent, i.e., to Avhom the stars 
and their indications are manifest. 

179. The order is, Pisae urbs, Alpheae ab 
origine, Etrusca solo, jubent hos parere, Le., 
"The city Pisae, Alphean in origin, (but) 
Etruscan in situation, orders," etc. The 
belief Avas that the Italian Pisae was found- 
ed by settlers from Pisa in Elis, on the 
banks of the Alpheus ; hence the epithet. 
Observe the elision of the diphthong ce 
before a short voAvel, and see other exam- 
ples quoted by Wagner at i. 650 ; vii. 796 ; 
x. 360, 691. Long a he alleges to be eUded 
only once, at xi. 862, Avhere aciem is treated 
as a dissyl, agem. Pisa was famed for its 
Avarm baths. 

181. Versicoloribtts — not " painted of dif- 
ferent colours," but "made of difterent 
metals," like the Homeric x-Xura Tiv;^icc 
TotKtXa pf^ciXxM. 

182. Tercentum is the accus. after adjici- 
unt, quiCaerete domo, etc., being the subject, 
to the A-erb. Caere had sent 1000 men with 
Mezentius, viL 652, hence the small number 
of 300 is not to be wondered at, poAverful 
though the city Avas. The Minio (Mignom) 
Avas a small river of Etruria. 

184. Pyrgi — a seaport used by the people 
of Caere as their harbour. Graviscae, far- 
ther up the coast, Avas situated in Ioav 
marshy ground, Avhich rendered its atmos- 
phere unhealthy. 

186-8. These "versus desperatissinii," as 
Gossrau calls them, have baffled all com- 
mentators, from Servius downward, and 
indeed they appear to be hopelessly inex- 
plicable. For a full discus^on Ave must 
refer students to Wagner, Forbiger, and 
Gossrau, and content ourselves Avith briefly 
indicating the explanation Avhich seems to 
us most worthy of approval. Omit the 
comma usually placed after Cinyra, making 
this word the abL coupled to paucis and de- 



B. X. 190-202. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. X. 204-216. 



pending on comitate, take crimen amor 
restrum as parenthetic, and translate, "Nor 
sliould I pass you by without notice, 
Cupavo, attended by Cinyras and a few 
followers (you, I say,) from whose head 
arise the fea'thers of a' swan (love was the 
c&ViSQof your family's (vestrumj misfortune). 
and. or /few. (the plume) the memorial-badge 
of your father's (altered) form." But though 
we have endeavoured to interpret te and 
vestrum so as to bring out their full force, 
yet they offer difficuhies which cannot 
easily be got over. Crimen would thus | 
mean the cause of eril. The story was i 
that Cycnus, king of the Ligurians, while ! 
lamenting the untimely fate of his relative [ 
Phaethon, was changed by Apollo mto a j 
swan, {cycnus). See Ovid 5let. ii. 367. { 

190. Umhram sororum. i.e., the shade of j 
the tree into which the sisters of Phaethou 
(the Heliades) had been changed. See EcL 
vi. 62. 

191. Musa, i.e., cantu, — "by singing." 
On the song of the swan, see Eel. viiL 55, 
and ix. 29. 

192. Buxisse, i.e., induxisse — "induced," 
"became covered with soft downy plumage 
as she sang." 

193. Linquentem et sequentem, for Uquisse 
et secutum esse. 

194. Aequales— "of his countrymen," the 
Ligurians. Heyne understands it to mean 
"equal in number," %-iz., 300, refeiTing to i 
1S2. Better still, perhaps, to imderstand it 
of " coevals ;" — a chosen band. 

195. The ship was called "Centaur," and | 
had as its figurehead the image of a Cen- 
taur holding a stone in his uplifted hands, j 
which appeared ready to hurl the mass i 
upon the wave. Heyue. But we rather j 
incline to Peerlk.'s interpretation, which | 
takes saxum to mean "the huge and heavy ! 
rock-like mass of the ship." as in viii. 691. ' 
pelago credas I'nnare revukas Cycladas. out , 
monies concun-ere montibus alios: for other- 
wise the cohesion with etsulcat, etc., is awk- 
ward, and the transition abrupt: and, besides, 
it does not seem a very appropriate device 
to, represent the water as threatened by a 
stone, which would soon sink, and be swal- 
lowed up by it — ^were the object threatened 
a solid, we 'might then appreciate the atti- 
tude and the missile. Prop , however, iv. 6, 
i'd, prorae vehunt Centauros saxa minantes, 
gives some coitnteuance to Heyne's intei-pre- 
tation. IJle — see vii. 110. 55S. This dissyL 
is opposed to a law laid down by Bentley, 
that in case of caesura after the fifth foot, 
the sixth foot should consist of two mono- 
syllables. A dissyl., however, is allowable, 
he says, if the word itself is repeated, or 
another added equivalent to it in sense. 

19S. Omus — the same as Bianor, son of 
Manto ('genitive, Mantus), a nymph, (hence 
caReA faiidicae,) and the god Tiber. 

201. Bives avis, ie.. which had many il- 
lustrious and powert'ul ancestors, and which 
therefore was powert'ul in former times. 

202. Gens illi triplex. The Mantuan 
population seems to have been made up 
from three races, Greeks, Etruscans, and 
Urcbrians, and of each race there were four 

N 



popiili, or Ir.fiot, and thus there would be 
in the Mantuan territory twelve ^y.f^oi alto- 
gether, of Avhich Mantua was the head, 
while the real strength lav in Tuscan blood. 
But Niebuhr (Hist, of Rome, vol. i. p. 291, 
note.) thhiks that hyoentes is signified tiibus, 
and by populi, or,f^oi. 

204. In se arniai, sell., by his cruelty he 
made them his enemies. 

206. The ship of the Mantuans had as its 
parasemon a figure of the god of the MLn- 
cius, which river, rising from the Lake 
Beiiacus (patre Benaco), Logo di Garda, or 
rather from the Alps, and flowing through 
Benacus, empties itself into the Po, near 
Andes, the village of Virgil's birth. River- 
gods are usually represented "crowned 
with reeds." Cf Geo. iii. 15. 

Pinu — put for a vessel of pine wood. 

207. Gravis, i.e., slow, on account of the 
size of his ship ; but there is also an idea 
of strength contained in it. 

Ceniena arbore, i.e., centum remis. Dis- 
tributive numerals are sometimes elegantly 
used for the cardinals. See Eel. viiL 73. 

208. Verso marmore — "the glassy sur- 
face of the deep being swept (by the row- 
ers)." Verso is from verro rather than from 
verto. 

209. The parasemon of the next vessel is 
a Triton blowing a conch. 

210. Frons laterum tenus, etc., by enallage, 
for ipse a f rente usque ad laiera, seu medium 
corpus, irlis upper parts were those of a 
human being, but his lower extremities 
assumed a fish shape. See ^^n. iiL 427. 
On the government of ^en;/,?, see Diet. In 
one passage of Val. Flacc, it is followed by 
an accus. 

212. The Pristiswas a sea monster, gene- 
rally represented, in ancient works of art, 
with "the head of a dragon, the neck and 
breast of a beast, fins being put instead or 
front legs, and the tail and body of a fish." 
as seen in the woodcut. 




212. This verse has been translated by 
our poet from ApoL Rhod. L 542-3. 

213. Ter denis—see note on ^n. i. 71. 

214. Campos salis-" the sea plains" — a 
favourite expression with the poets, as at 
%T. 724 ; Liter, v. 489 : Ovid Met. xi. 356. 

215. This is the third day after ^neas 
had left the camp and that on which the 
Rut ah made the attack, and the poet takes 
up the narrative from 147. 

216. Xoctivago Phoebe, Le., Luna. Pul- 
sabai — a word properly applied to the pat- 
tering of horses feet on the ground. 

189 



B. X. 218-251. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. X. 253-278. 



218. Velis minisirat — " sen'es the sails," 
i.e., regulates the sail ropes, velis being 
the dative. 

219. Medio in spatio, sciL, of his journey, 
for ill ix. 122 we were told of the ships 
turned into nymphs settmg forth to sea 

220. Gyhebe. This Greek forai (K£/,G;5/3 57) 
of the name Cybele is used by other poets 
also when the penult is required long. 
Habere numen maris — "to haA-e divine 
power in the sea," "to have the dignity of 
deities of the sea." 

223. This line was met with at ix. 121, 
where it has been, doubtless, Inserted bj' a 
later hand than Virgil's. 

Lustrant choreis — "disport around the 
ship of iEneas in bands." 

228. Vigilasne, deitm gens, i. e., genus, 
"^toyiv'/ii. The phrase is borroAved from the 
services of religion. The vestal virgins used 
on a certain day to go to the Rex Sacrorum, 
and say to him, Vigilasne rex ? vigila!" 

229. Imrnitte velis rudentes — "let go the 
sheets." This is similar to the phrase in 
viil 708, and to the formula, eqiiis immittere 
fi-ena, or habenas. 

230. Idaeae, etc. Some make this word 
the nom. plur. to agree Avith piims, but 
others consider it the gen. sing, to be joined 
to matris, i.e., Gybeles, understood. 

232. Praecipites may be explained either 
as a general epithet of ships, " swift ;" or 
as referring to the position of the A'essels, 
standing on a sloping shore, at the time of 
the assault of Turnus. 

234. Refecit faciem — "has re-fashioned 
our appearance," i.e.. altogether changed it. 

237. Horrentes Marie — " bristlmg with 
all the armaments of Avar." 

239. The Arcadian cavalry, the 400 pro- 
mised by EA'ander, and the Etrmians from 
Caere, came by land, and Avere desired to 
form a junction Avith ^Eneas near the mouth 
of the Tiber; but Tuinius endeavours to 
prevent this by placing a body of troops to 
intercept (media) them before they reached 
the Trojan camp. 

240. Jungant, scil., se. 

242. Primus — "immediately on the dawn 
of day." Wagner. 

243. Invictum — "that cannot be o\'er- 
come;" " iimncible." Observe the conj. 
atque connecting two members not similar 
in construction. Wc should supply cujus 
before oras to make the clauses quite paral- 
lel. 

245. Acervos caedis — "heaps of slain." 
Caedis put for caesorum. We use the Avord 
carnage similarly. 

247. Modus is not the manner of impel- 
ling simply, but the intensity — the degree 
of force to be employed, and is equal to 
moderatio. 

249. Aliae, scil., naves — the other ships 
quickened their speed to keep up Avith that 
of .iEneas. Servius AA-ould make aliae refer 
to nymphae — the other nymphs accelerate 
the course of the other ships. 

251. Supera conrexa — see JEneid i. 310; 
iv. 450. On pa}'ens Jdaea deUrn, see ix. 112. 
The adj. Idaea is often used in reference 

190 



to things connected with the worship ot 
Cybele. On Dindyma, see ix. 618. 

253. Turrigerae — cf vii. 631. Ad frena, 
scil, Juncti — see iiL 113. 

254. Pugnae princeps, i.e., j'ou first urge 
and encourage me to the fight. Propinques, 
TiXaiTKi, means properly to " bring near,'" 
and augurium sometimes is applied, as 
here, to the issue of an omen: thus the 
phrase Avould mean, " Cause that the issue 
of the omen be speedily brought about." 

256. Revoluta ruebat, i. e., revolvebatur, 
redibat. Matura luce, i.e., plena die. "And 
meantime day was returning in its revolu- 
tion, light being by this time fully in, and 
(indeed it) had dispelled the night." 
258. Signa does not here mean vexilla — 
j the standards, but the " orders given by 
j signal." 

264. This comparison is deriA'ed from 
I Hom. II. iii. 3 sqq. The point of resem- 
j blance is the noise, and the eager alacrity 
i exhibited by both. The cranes are sup- 
I posed to be starting for a southern clime at 

the approach of Avinter, on Avhich occasions 
! birds have a very strong instinctive desire 
j to remove, so strong, indeed, as sometimes 
; to overcome the aftection for their young, 
j Avhich they not unfrequently leave behind 
I them. 

265. Strymoniae from the riA'er Strymon, 
in Thrace, whose banks abounded Avith 

I these birds. See Geo. i. 120. Dant signa, 

I scil., voce — " tokens of joy and earnest de- 

i light." 

I 266. Notos — put for strong and rainy 
Avinds generally, though the south wind 
blew frequently in autumn, and brought 
rain and clouds. Gossrau explains the pas- 
sage as referring to the return of the birds 
to the Strymon from a south latitude ; but 
this is hardly consistent Avith atris nuhibus, 
and fagiunt Notos. Secundo — "joyous." 

269. Totum aequor allabi classibus. The 
phrase ought to be classis allabitur per totum 
mare; but, by a poetic mode of expression, 
the sea is represented as " gliding ouAvards 
to land" — an illusion, by the by, which 
readily presents itself to one obser\-ing the 
approach of a large vessel, or vessels. 

270. Apex, Xo(poi — the "cone" sur- 
mounting the helmet, and acting as the 
receptacle for the crest, is here put for the 
whole head-piece. A vertice, etc. — "a flood 
of light is poured from his crest above." 

272. Non seciis, etc. "Just as if at any 
time, in a cloudless night, blood-red comets 
shine Avith portentous glare, or (as if) the 
blazing SIrius — that star which bi'ings 
thirst and diseases on wretched mortals 
QitXois /5/)0To;ff-/,)— rises and saddens the 
face of heaA'en AA-ith his baleful light." 

Siiius ardor is for Sirius ardens, or Sii-ii 
ardor, like the phrase before quoted, "The 
might of Gabriel," for, the mighty Gabriel 

276. This line Avas met with at ix. 126. 
Praecipere litoru, i. c., occupare — "to be 
first to take possession of." 

278. This verse is wanting in tho best 
MSS., and is therefore omitted by some 
editors as spurious. 



B. X. 279-292. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. X- 295-322. 



279. Perfringere is here nsed absolutely — I 
"to finish the matter," "to put an end to ( 
the affair at one stroke." j 

2S0. In manibvs Mars ipse— the very god I 
of war is on our side, and entirely in our | 
power; so that the issue must be favourable i 
to us. "The fate of battle depends on our- I 
selves." j 

281. Referto—"- recall to mind," or rather | 
"imitate." "Bring back again by imita- 
tion." 

282. Ultra, Le., "before the enemy ap- 
proach to attack us." See note, ^n. iL 
145, 193. 

283. Trepidi, scil., sunt. Egressi, for 
which most editors read egressis. is connected | 
to trepidi — " while they are yet in disorder, 
and whilst, having newly landed, they tot- } 
ter in their first attempts to Avalk." | 

288. Pontibus—"gangvrajs,"oi';rofid.&ptzi;. ! 
The Pons was a broad plank, such as that I 
seen below, extending from the vessel to 
the shore. 




289. Servare recursus. Of the different 
explanations of this passage, that seems the 
most consistent with the context and with 
common sense which interprets recvrsvs 
languentis peJagi as the state of the water 
at the moment when the wave, after run- 
ning up on the land, began to return, at 
which time it is of course iceakest, having 
spent its inward-bound force, and not hav- 
ing yet acquii-ed momentum in its ebb. 
"JIauy (impatient of the delay) watched 
the turn of the weakened wave, and com- 
mitted themselves to the shallows with a 
bound," i. e., bounded ashore, so as to get 
out tu diy land before another wave ap- 
proached." Others again used oars to assist 
them in vaulting ashore. 

291. Spirant, Le., aestuant, fervent motis 
fluctibus. Taixhou selects a place where 
there was no surf. 

292. "But the sea, unobstructed by rocks, 
glides up to the shore with the swelluig 
wave;" "glides up unbroken" (by rocks). 
Crescenti aestu—th&t is. the force of the 
wave increases at each flow from the sea to 
the land. Forb. But there is scarcely any 
perceptible tide in the Mediten-aneau, so 
that the increase in the violence must have 
been very slight indeed, owing perhaps to a 



breeze setting in landwards, or to the 
mingling of the waters of the Tiber with 
those of the sea. 

29-5. I'ollite, scil., naves, for the prow was 
raised aud uplifted from the water by a 
united stroke of tlie rowers. Ferte — " bear 
on," " urge forward," 

299. Tonsis, Le., remis (see viL 28.) 
301. Forb. makes sedere the perf. of the 
verb sido. Innocuae — "safe," "unharmed," 
for the word has this meaning as well as 
" har.nless." 

303. Z)or5o— "a ridge of sand," which, 
by the action of the waves, is increased and 
rendered more dense and solid. 

304. The description is very good — the 
poLsing upon the ridge of sand, and the 
doubtful result of balance or no balance — 
the beating of the waves, each tending to 
keep up the equilibrium, and finally the 
capsize — all true to nature. 

307. Retrahit pedem, Le., the wave, as it 
returns, drags the feet from beneath them, 
and causes them to slide. 

310. Signacanunt — "the signals," Le., the 
trumpets, sound; or "they (the trumpeters, 
tubicines) sound the signals." In the foniier 
method, canunt is intransitive, in the latter 
transitive. 

311. Omen pugnae is in apposition to 
stravit Latinos; for that the first who fell 
were of the Latins, those rustic bands, was 
an indication of victory to ^neas, and of 
then- final subjection. 

31-3. Aerea suta — "the brazen corslet," 
made by plates of brass fastened closely 
together, or by chains. Some books read 
scuta. Beneath the corslet was a richly 
ornamented tunic, which, being longer than 
the covering above, was partly displayed to 
view. 

314. Eaurit latus apertum — "drains his 
gashed side," Le., " gashes his side, and 
drains it of its blood." If we take haurit as 
"opens," "pierces," we must recognise a 
prolepsis in apertum. 

316. Tibi Phoebe, sacrum — " sacred to 
thee, Phoebus," to whom, as the god of 
surgeons, he ovred his life, preser%-ed from 
the dangers of the Caesarian operation. 

317. Longe, an adv. of place used for one 
of tune, is to be joined with Dejecit leto. Cf. 
the similar phrase in Geo. iL SO, Kec longwn 
tempus, et . 

318. Clava — they fight with the club, as 
being the sons of Melampus (not the famous 
Augur), the companion of Hercules (Alcidae, 
Le.. descendant of Alceus). 

321. Usque dum — " as long as." 

322. Phai'o may be either the dative or 
the nom. The former explanation is pre- 
ferable. Clamanti thus agrees with it, and 
is better than the reading clamantis; for, 
though the construction, Pharo clamantis 
is bearable in Greek, yet it would not be 
tolerated in Latin Inertes voces — expres- 
sions that betray the braggart rather than 
the hero — "silly an dunwar like expressions." 
Taubmann remarks that the thought is a 
happy one to represent such a brawler as 
wounded in the mouth, his guilty instro- 
ment of self-laudation, 

191 



B. X. 325-361. 



NOTES ON THE JENEID. 



B. X. 362-384. 



325. Nova gaudia is in apposition to 
Clytium. 

326. Securus amorum — "regardless of 
your loves." Miserande, the voc, by at- 
traction, for miserandus, on -which see ix. 
485, and ii. 283. Some editors separate 
miserande from Jaceres by a comma. 

330. Covjiciunt. Observe the peculiar 
construction here. This verb is not coupled 
xoforet. but is co-ordinate with the present 
notion implied in septern numero, Le., qui 
sunt septem numero. Septena — " seven at 
the same time." 

334. Steterunt — "have been fixed." The 
sentiment is. All of them took effect on 
Greeks, how much more shall they on 
Rutulians. Cf. Horn. II. xiv. 453. 

338. Observe the effect of the repetition 
of f rater, fratrem, intended to heighten our 
feelings of compassion for the brothers. See 
600, below. 

341. Ner'vis — "the sinews." We must 
consider two spears to have inflicted the 
wounds on the two brothers, and not un- 
derstand that one and the same weapon 
passed out through the body of one and 
penetrated the other. 

342. Fratris, i.e., Maeon. 

343. Et^etiam. Magniijue for sed magni. 
345 Curibus, if the name of a town, may 

be joined to Clausus, " Clausus of Cures" 
(see Eel. i. 55, and j&n. iv. 36) ; or it may 
be governed hyjidens. Jahn suggests that 
curibus is a common noun, meaning a kind 
of spear with wliich Clausus was armed, 
the Sabine word for a spear being quiris or 
curis. On Clausus, see vii. 706. 
347. Pressa for impressa. 

350. De supreina gente — sprung from 
Boreas, as the most remote founder of the 
family. Boreas was a king of the Thra- 
cians, who sent assistance to Priam in the 
Trojan war. 

351. I.imara, for Tsmarica — Is. Patria, 
i.e., Thrace, from Mount Ismarus, a well- 
known ))eak in that country. 

352. Some books read occurrit, but accu7'- 
rit seems more suitable when the descrip- 
tion is of a fight cariied on so much single- 
handed. On Halesus Auruncaeque manus — 
see vii. 723 sqq., and on Messcpus. vii. 691. 

354. ExpeUere, i.e., depellere loco. 

356. The comparison is borrowed from 
Homer, various places, but see IL xvi. 765. 

358. Observe cedunt agreeing with the 
.subject nearest to it. Tliis is called hypo- 
zeugma. See JEn. i. 623. 

3-39. Obnixa contra is a pleonasm, similar 
to retro redire, ante praesentir-e, etc. — "all 
tilings are in equal poise, striving one 
against the other," i. e., the two winds 
struggle for the mastery; and so the two 
clouds ; and so two portions of the ocean. 

361. Haerct pede pes. These lines are 
closely borrowed from Honi. 11. xiii. 130 
sqq. Voss lakes pede as the ancient dative, 
but examples are quoted by Bunnann and 
Wagner (e.g., Ovid ]\Iet. v. 38; xii. 9-5, and 
Lucan i. 507), in which haereo is followed 
by an abl. No traces, however, aie found 
in Virgil of haereo with dative. 

192 



362. Floods of the Tiber, or mountain- 
torrents, had broken up the ground on one 
part of the field of battle, so that the Arca- 
dian cavalry, who were in that locality, im- 
able to employ their horses, dismounted 
and fought on foot. But being inexperi- 
enced in that kind of combat, they were 
readily driven in, and made to give way ; 
when Pallas comes up, and, by his example 
and exhortation, restores the fight, and 
gains success. Rotantia, scil., se. 

364. Insuetos acies inferre pedestres — "un- 
accustomed to engage on foot" Latio, i.e., 
Latinis, or Kutulis. 

366. Quando=quandoquidem — "since the 
nature of the ground — rough and uneven — 
prompted them to dismiss their horses." 
The construction is someAvhat pecuhar: we 
should expect either quis without quando, 
or iis with it. But the poet, after writing 
the relative, added quando, that the idea of 
there being a suitable cause for their con- 
duct might be more prominently bronght 
forth. 

369. Pervos,eic. Wagner, quoting some 
passages in which the pron., in similar ad- 
jurations, is not governed by the prep., but 
depends on rogo (obsecro, etc.), would here 
supply rogo, which is implied in the appeal 
ne fiJite, '372, and make per et=^per. But 
this seems rather a summaiy mode of deal- 
ing with the conj., and one which has no 
sanction: we therefore prefer to take vos as 
depending on per, with Hand and Forb., 
which, as it will be observed, makes the 
two clauses balance — nomen Euandri an- 
swering to vos, and bella devicta to fortia 
facta. The modesty of Pallas suggests to 
him to place his father last, and leads him 
to adopt the novel mode of beseeching men 
by their own persons. 

370. Bella devicta, i.e., pugnata, depugnata 
— "fought out," "brought to a termination." 

371. Aemula laudi, etc. — "which now 
conies forward to rival my father's gloiy. 

374. " Here does an exalted country de- 
mand as its right you and your leader Pal- 
las; "or, "By this road does our exalted 
country demand the return of you and your 
leader Pallas." Peerlk., offended at the 
plirases reposcit and alta patria, suggests 
Troja altera poscit. 

378. Deest to be scanned in one syllable — 
Djest. Trojam, scil., novam, i.e., the Trojan 
camp. Although their way home did not 
lie by sea, yet he puts the sea before them 
as an alternative, better, even with its 
chances of peril and misfortune, than defeat 
by the enemy. 

382. Discrimina, etc.— "where the spine 
(passing up) the middle (of the back) pre- 
sented intervals between (i. e., separated) 
the ribs." The last syll. of dabat is length- 
ened by the arsis, on which consult remarks 
made frequentlv in the preceding pages, as 
i. 16, 308. See also Eel. L 39. 

384. Super, perhaps better written as for- 
ming one word with occupat {superoccupat, 
as superven ire), is equal to super hoc; thus 
quern super would mean — "whom thus 
engaged." 



B X. 385-419. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. X. 423-447. 



385. Ante is to be joined with excipit. 
On excipit, see iiL 332. Incaiitum morte — 
"rendered heedless (regardless of danger) 
in consequence of the sad death of his com- 
jianion. 

392. Indiscreta suis — "unable to be dis- 
tinguished by their friends, and a source of 
mistake pleasing to their parents." We 
prefer to make suis refer to relatives and 
acquaintances, and to apply parentibus to 
their parents properly, who could distinguish 
between them, but who were constantly 
amused by the mistakes of casual visitors. 
The redundancy of suis as applied to pa- 
rentibus, and the circumstance that indis- 
creta belongs to proles and not to error, 
lead us to this decision. 

Daucia proles — " sons of Daucus." 

394. Thymbre. Above he was called 
Thymber, but such variation in proper 
names is not unusual with the poets. 

39-5. " Thy lopped-off right hand, Larides, 
seeks for thee its owner," dominum being 
understood to suum. 

396. Micant, etc. — "twitch and try to 
grasp the steel once more." 

398. Viri, viz., Pallas. Praeter fugientem 
bigis — "as he hastens past in his chariot." 

400. Hoc spatium, etc. " This interval of 
time, and so long delay, was granted to Ilus " 
previous to his death. The next line ex- 
plains that Pallas had hurled the spear at 
Ilus, but that Rhoeteus drove rapidly past as 
the weapon sped from the Ai-cadian's hand, 
and received the wound aimed at Ilus. 

403. Curru, i.e.. e curru. • Caedit arva — 
see below, 730. On semianimis, see iv. 8, 
and iii. 578. Rutulorum for Latinorum, as 
in 512, Teucris for Arcadibus. 

405. With this simile, cf. Horn. II. xi. 155 
sqq., and xx. 490 sqq. Optato — " according 
to his wish." 

406. The epithet dispersa is taken from 
Avhat follows, viz., the spread of the fire by 
its own means, and not by the shepherd's 
exertions. Heyne. But Wagner prefers to 
refer it to the operations of the shepherd, on 
account of the phrases correptis mediis, and 
coire in unum, in which latter expression 
the whole force of the comparison lies. 

Silvis — either the woods proper, or the 
stubble, or the rank grass among the plan- 
tations. 

407. Mediis — the intervening parts. 
409. Victor, i.e., voti compos. 

411. Halesus — leader of the Aurunci — see 
above, 352. 

412. Colligit se in sua arma, Le., bending 
his body, covers himself entirely with his 
shield. Heyne compares the Homeric 
phrase, ffVffrc&Xus iv oc,(r'r'iot, or wit' ecffTr't- 

417. Canens— see il 124. The father of 
Halesus was a prophet, and knowing the 
fate of his son, had brought him up to a 
shepherd's life in the woods, remote from 
war and its incitements. 

419. Telis sacrdrunt — a phrase taken from 
the idea that those who were appointed to 
die were consecrated to the Dii Inferi, or 



Manes. Telis Euandri, i.e., to the spear of 
Pallas. Others say that Euandri is used 
because Pallas had received the spear from 
Evander. 

423. Before this verse we must supply, 
with Wagner, quod sifeceris. Tua quercus, 
Le., the oak sacred to you. So Romulus 
fixed the spoils of Acron on an oak sacred 
to the shepherds, Liv. i. 10. 

425. Inermum — this adj. is usually of the 
3d decl., but the poets often use the more 
antiquated forms, which are of the 1st and 
2d decl., e.g., hilarm, sterilus, gracilus, sub- 
limus, etc., for the more common ending in 
— is — is — e. See Kritz, Sail. Jug. L 1 ; Cat. 
59, 5 ; and Forb. Lucr. i. 341. 

426. Lausus — the son of Mezentius, vii. 
649. Caede viri tanta, for caede tanti viri. 

Ferterrita — a Greek construction for per- 
terreri. 

427. Pars ingens belli — " 2« quo stat magna 
vis belli" — Gossrau; or belli = pug nantium 
in bello. Primus for primo. 

428. IVodo pugnae — the phrase is derived 
from the Avood-cutter's art, for as the knot 
resists the efforts of the wedge, so does the 
warrior Abas baffle for a time the onsets 
of the foe: Heyne and Gossrau. Others 
think that nodus has not reference to the 
knots in timber, but to the knots of a cord 
as difficult to untie, and as causing delay. 

430. Graiis imperdita corpora, i.e., indivi- 
duals whom the Greeks, by fighting, could 
not destroy. 

432. Extremi addensent, etc. The rear 
press on those in front, and thus render the 
front line more dense, so that the soldiers 
with difficulty move their arms. 

438. Fata manent, etc. Lausus was slahi 
by ^neas, and Pallas by Turnus. 

439. Soror, viz., the nymph Juturna — see 
xii. 139. For succedere some books read 
succurrere, but as Lausus was as yet in no 
real distress or danger, the latter is mani- 
festly less appropriate than the former. 

441. It is to be remembered that the 
battle raged in two parts of the field more 
especially, viz., at the place where the fleet 
of ^neas came to land, and in the ravine 
where the Arcadian cavalry had dismounted. 
In the former struggle Turnus had been 
hitherto employed, but now he comes to the 
help of his men hard pressed by Pallas. 
Pugnae is the dat., and not the gen. 

443. Debetur, sc\\.,fatis, ex fati voluntate. 
By parens ipse we prefer with some to 
understand Evander — "I should eagerly 
desire his father (Evander) himself to be 
present," that I might slay him before his 
eyes, which explanation 450 perhaps re- 
quires. Others think Daunus, the father of 
Turnus, is meant. 

444. Aequorejusso, i.e., from that part of 
the field from which they were ordered to 
retire. Some books read jussi. 

445. The order is. At juvenis, Rutuldin 
abscessu, turn (i.e., after their departm*e) 
miratus jussa superba, siupet in Turno, 
(stands in amazement while beholding 
Turnus). 

447. Omnia — either " all things connected 
with Turnus," or all the surrounding cir- 
193 



B. X. 448-481. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. X. 482-506. 



cumstances," e.g., the departure of the Ru- 
tuli, the field left to himself and Turnus, etc. 

448. Tyranni=regis, i.e., Turni. 

449. On the spoUa opima, see vi. 842, and 
860. 

450. Sorti (ferendae) pater aequus (par) 
utrique, i.e., my father is of such a character 
that he will bear patiently either result. 
There is reference to 443. 

451. In aequor, i.e., in campum. Frigidus 
—see V. 395, and ii. 120. 

453. Desiluit. Turnus alighted from his 
car, so as to be on an equality with Pallas 
— a regulation which the etiquette of the 
heroic age required. 

455. Meditantem inproelia, i.e., preparing 
himself for the fight, "practising for it," as 
by spurning the sand -\vith the foot, threat- 
ening a blow with the horn, etc. Similar 
phrases are proludere in pugnam, audere 
in proelia, irasci in cornua, etc. 

457. Contiguum missae liastae foi'e, " that 
he was within cast of the javelin." 

458. Ire prior — "anticipated him." Si 
qua, etc., scii., experturus, "to try." 

4G0. See viii. 362 sq. 

465. Audiit et — premit, a rather unusual 
expression for postquam audiit premit. In- 
anes, "unavailing." 

467. Stat sua cuique dies, " His appointed 
time is definitely fixed to each man," to 

[X,Opffifjl,OV 7ifJl,(tp. 

471. Sarpedon — see i. 100. Other sons of 
gods who fell were Achilles, Memnon, As- 
calaphus, etc. etc. 

472. For Vacant some MSS. read manent, 
but this latter is a much more tame and 
commonplace expression. Observe the 
position of ad after its case. 

474. The particle at marks a return to the 
narrative before entered on, but interrupted. 

475. This verse has been considered spu- 
rious by lleyne, Poerlk., and others, but on 
insufficient grounds, as it appears to us. 
For Diripit some copies read deripit, but 
the former is much preferable, since the 
idea is a quick drawing of the sword from 
the sheath, so as to be naked, and not a re- 
moval of it from one place to another. See 
Geo. ii. 8. 

476. By summa te.gmina some understand 
the shield, but others (Forb., Gossr., etc.) 
with more show of reason think the words 
apply to the corslet. This would account for 
the circumstance that though Pallas hurled 
Ids weapon magnis viribus, yet it merely 
grazed the shoulder of Turnus, for if it had 
passed through the edge of the shield only, 
which was thinner than the rim, it ought 
to have done greater damage. 

478. Strinxit de corpore, tov tTu^a.ro^ 
iTiypa'^'i. Cf. Hom. II. iv. 139. 

479. Roburfei-ro praefixum. Heyne notices 
this as a translation of the Homeric phrase, 
cckKifAov iy^oi ciKX^fAivov o^it ^ocXkui. 

481. Penetrabile — used actively — "pene- 
trating," as in Geo. i. 93, penetrabile frigm. 
Mage for magis, in imitation of the ancient 
poets, Ennius, Lucretius, etc. So Horace 
uses dissociabilis. 

1U4 



482. The shield is perforated, though cov- 
ered with so many plates of metal and plies 
of hide. 

485. Loricae moras — "the obstructions of 
{he. cor&\Qt" =loricam morantem, scil., teluvfi. 

Pectus ingens, viz., of Pallas, as a brave 
and noble youth. Jahn thinks the term 
ingens misapplied to the breast of a strip- 
ling, and therefore suggests that it is used 
adverbially, in close connection with per- 
forat. 

487. Animus for anima. Corruit in vul- 
nus — "he fell forward on the wound." 
Namque omnes, says Lucretius, plerumque 
caduut in vulnus. Sonitum dedere, apei- 
(i7](n Ti Tiv^i It" a.vru. 

492. Qualeni meruit, etc. — 1st, as he (Pal- 
las) deserved, being a brave and valiant 
youth. 2d, As Evander deserved. We 
prefer the former. Remitto — " I send back " 
to his country for burial. Some think that 
a sneer is contained in the words qualein 
meruit, but we think no such idea is con- 
veyed by them. Had feelings suggesting 
such an insult to the dead prevailed in 
the mind of Turnus, he would likely have 
denied the right of sepulture to the body. 

495. Hospitia — "his hospitable reception 
of -^neas," the word being used in an active 
sense ; but in i. 671, Junonia hospitia, it is 
found in a passive meaning. 

496. Exanimem. On the different forms 
of this adj. see note iv. 8. Baltei to be pro- 
nounced as two syllables. 

497. Caesamanusjugalinocte. The device 
on the belt represented the murder of the sons 
of ^gyptus by theii* wives, the daughters of 
Danaiis. See Smith's Class. Diet., and com- 
pare Horace, Od. iii. 11, 26. Observe the irre- 
gularity in the syntax. Caesa manus should 
be in the accusative, in apposition to im- 
p?'essum nefas, which is governed by rapiens, 
but the poet departs from the construction 
with which he set out (anacolouthon), and 
changes to the nominative, for it would be 
an awkward combination to say rapiens * 
* * caesam manum et thalamos. But if 
we take from una to cruenti as an exclama- 
tory parenthetic clause, there will be no 
ground for accusing Virgil of carelessness, 
or of a blunder. 

For a phrase similar to rapiens nefas, see 
viii. 731. 

500. Gaudet potitus — on this construction 
see note, yEn. ii. 377. 

502. Observe that servare is made co- 
ordinate with fati and sortis, all these de- 
pending on nescia. "Ah, human mind, 
ignorant of fate and of future fortune, and 
incapable of preserving moderation, when 
elated by prosperity." 

503. " To Turnus the time will come 
when he shall wish that Pallas were unhurt, 
when he would purchase his safety at a 
great ransom, and when he shall hate those 
spoils, and the day on which they were won." 

506. The scutum would seem from this 
passage, says SUpflius, to have been oblong 
and oval, and made of a lighter material 
than the cltjpeus. All will call to mind the 
expression of the Laconian matrons when 



B. X. 507-540. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. X. 542-558. 



delivering the shield to their sons before 
starting for the fight, v -rav, '^ It) rav. 

507. Dolor aUjue deciis, i.e.. a cause of 
grief by your death ; but a source of honour 
by your brave exploits. 

"oil. "And now not merely the rumour 
of so great a disaster, hut a trustworthy 
messenger hastens to ^neas, (declaring) 
that his^friends are in the most imminent 
peril," literally, "are placed ^vith but a 
slender baiTier" between them and death." | 
See note, JEn. iii. G84. 

512. Tempus succurrere. On this con- 
struction, see notes, ^n. ii. 350 ; v. 6-38. 

514. Lunitem — " a path." The word is 
applied to the cross paths or lanes, four of 
which were left by the Romans in their 
fields, so as to atford easy access to differ- 
ent parts of the crop for the pui-poses of 
cultivation. 

517. Sulmone creatos. Sulmo is by some 
taken to mean a town of the A^olsci, — by 
others a town of the Peligni, and by others 
the person mentioned at ix. 412. So Ufens 
is the name both of a river and of an indi- 
vidual 

520. "And sprinkle the flames of the 
funeral pile with the blood of the captives." 
The avenging of Pallas, the burial of the 
body, andlhe immolation of captives as in- 
feriae to the 'M.\nes (xL 81), are borrowed 
from Homer, in his description of the events 
connected -svith the death of Patroclus. See 
xxi. 26 sq., and xxiii. 175 sq.. of the Iliad. 
This slaughtering of human beings at the 
tomb of a great man was perpetrated even 
by Augustus himself, when, in B.C. 40, at 
the conclusion of the war of Perusia, he put 
to death some 300 prisoners at the altar of 
the great Caesar. 

521. ilago is the dative for in Magum. 
Subit astu — " the other (i.e., Magus) stoops 
cunningly." 

524. Per pair ios Manes. Pope remarks 
on the great skill exhibited in this passage 
in introducing a suppliant addressing the 
Pius .tineas -svith such adjurations, the 
Manes of his father, and the hopes of his son. | 

527. The gold was either in unworked I 
masses {mjecti), or in manufactured vessels ! 
and ornaments {coelali, facli). 

531. " The talents of gold and silver 
which, many in number, you speak of, re- 
serve for your children." Gnnfis is used 
for the sing, (as in iii. 488, and L 4), for we 
see by 525 that he had but one son. 

532. euvititercin belli — "the fiiendly in- 
tercourse of war," i.e., the ransoming or 
exchanging of prisoners. 

534. This line refers to the form of adju- 
ration employed in 524. 

537. AitQV nee procul supply est, or ver- 
salur. There is no ground for accusing the 
poet of careless writing by saying that he 
ought to have given Hnemonidem in the 
accus., to be governed by agii in 540. 

540. Ingenii u7nhro, i.e., the shadow of 
death, which is called ingens, as no other 
shade is more dark, or more impenetrable, 
or more lasthig. iEneas is said to cover 
him with the shade, " es nolo Mo loquenrti 
more" says Wagner, ''quo, quod per ali- 



qnem fit, id ipse facere dicatur." Some 
liave supposed the phrase to apply to the 
shadow of iEneas as he stood over him: 
but it is a manifest attempt to translate the 
Homeric expression (Tkoto: o<r<r Iko-Xv^iv. 
Imviohit — "sacrifices," as a victim to the 
shade of Pallas. Supersiare governs some- 
times the dative, and sometimes the accus. 

542. Lecta, viz., by ^neas; for it was 
customary for the victors themselves to 
collect the armour of the slain hero. 

544. On Caeculus, see ^n. viL 678, and 
on Umbro, \u. 752. bardanides, i.e., x^^neas. 

546. Some have thought the pluperf. 
dejecerat expressive merely of great quick- 
ness of movement ; but Wagn. has shown 
that this tense is employed; here in refer- 
ence to obtulit in 552, lines 547, 8, and 9 
being a parenthesis. " JEneas had just 
lopped off with his sword the left hand of 
Anxur, and the whole orb of his shield — 
(that person had uttered same great boast 
[or some great spell], and had believed that 
power would attend the speech, and was 
forsooth just then (at the time of his death) 
uplifted m his mind high as heaven, and 
had promised to himself gray hairs and 
long years of existence) — when Tarquitus 
proudlj" bounding fonvard, in his glittering 
armour, to meet the foe. presented himself 
as an adversary to the Trojan, burning with 
excitement." 

548. Coelo ferebat animum — a mode of 
expression signifyhig great pride and self- 
satisfaction. Cf. Hor. sublimi feriam 
sidera ve/tice; and again, caelum ipsum 
petimus stidtitia; and again, palma nobilis 
terrarxim dominos evehit ad deos. 

551. Crearnt — this verb is often used in 
the sense of gignere, or parere; see vi. 
367. Observe the pleonasm in obvius ob- 
tulit, and see note, M\\. i. 614. 

552. Ilk (yEneas) red acta, etc. ^neae 
poised his spear above his shoulder, ex- 
tending the greater part of it behind him, 
so as to gain more power in the hurling, 
and with his weapon pinned together the 
shield and the corslet of his antagonist. 
Tarqiutus. In prosaic diction we should 
expect hastam lorica impedit, " he stuck his 
spear fast in the corslet, and in the huge 
and ponderous shield." The shield was so 
fast pumed to the breastplate, as that it 
could not be moved upwards to defend the 
neck of the wearer, and so liis head is lopped 
oft' by iEueas. 

555. Terrae, for ad terram. Super, next 
line, is equal to insuper. 

558. Patrio sepidchro. "Wagner and others 
think that they have found Virgil nodding. 
in having used this phrase, after telling us 
in 551 that the god Faunus was the father 
of Tarquitus. "But (1,) Faunus, though 
deified, had been a man, and was slain by 
Hercules: [Even Jupiter's tomb was said 
to be in Crete.] (2.) ^neas not knowing 
his pedigree, assumes as a matter of course 
that the father of Tarquitus was a man, just 
as he assumes that his mother is still alive; 
and (3,) Patrio may mean merely " belong- 
ing to his family," "his ancestral tomb," 
or, "a tomb in his native coimtry" (patria). 
195 



B. X. 561-575. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. X. 581-614. 



561. Prima agmina—eilheT •rpof^.a-xoi^?^ 
or a-piffTili, or perhaps both ideas are in- 
cluded. 

562. Fulvum (so called from the colour of 
his hair), i.e., v-zoTuppov, int^ermediate he- 
tween flnv?js (^ocv^'oi), and ruber {'^vppoi). 
This word gives origin to the name of the 
Fulvii, as Jidvus to that of the FlaviL 

564. Ausonifiumiov Au.<;onidar7im. These 
are the Ausones -who originally occupied 
all south Italy, and who, even to a late 
period, inhabited the lower part of Latium. 

The epithet unitis, as applied to Amy- 
clae, may be explained in two ways: First, 
The city, which was on the coast between 
Terracina and Caieta, was so infested with 
serpents, that the inhabitants were obliged 
to abandon it, and thus silence reigned 
through its streets. Second, Some suppose 
that Virgil, either tli rough an error, or in- 
tentionally, confounds the Laconian Aniy- 
clae with the Italian, and gives the name of 
the former to tlie latter. Amyclae in La- 
conia was a famous town in the heroic age, 
and was an object worthy the ambition of a 
conquering tribe; and the legend runs that 
the inliabilants, being often groundlesnly 
alarmed by reports of the approach of an 
enemy, passed a decree that no one should, 
under severe penalties, again mention tlie 
subject. Thus when the enemy did actually 
attack the town, there was no one to give 
the alarm, and the fortress was taken. 
Hence the " silent Amyclae " passed into a 
proverb. 

565. On Aegnenn, or Briareus, see note, 
vL 287. Virgil differs from Homer (II. i. 
402 sqq.) in his acc-ount of him. The order 
is, (Juiilis cum Aenneon, etc. " Like as 
Aegaeon (who, they say, had a hundred 
arms and a hundred hands — from whose 
fifty mouths and from whose breast flames 
burst forth), wlien against Jove's tliunder- 
bolts lie clashed with so many (i.e., 50) 
shields of equal make, and drew so many 
(Le., 50) swords; so did ^neas," etc. 

569. Sic — " in like manner," i.e., as if he 
had a hundred hands. Desaevil = valde 
saevit. 

572. honge gradientem, a translation of 
the Homeric (/.a-xpa. (hifouvTct. 

575. Bijugis. The first woodcut repre- 
sents a light Bigae used for racing ; and 




the second illustrates the mode of yokhig 
by means of the cross-bar passing over the 
withers of the horses. 




581. The meaning is, "You escaped 
Greek men — but you shall not escape us 
who are Italians." 

586. On penr/rnii in terf)e<n, see note, v. 
146. Bijitgus and qnodrijtigux are usually 
declined by Virgil after the 2d decl.— three 
times only after the Sd. See Geo. iii. 91 ; 
Mx\. X. 571, and xii. 355. 

592. ^F^neas sarcastically hints that the 
fault belongs to Lucagus alone, that the 
chariot had fallen into his power. 

593. Viinae umbi ae — refei'ring to the case 
of Niphaeus in 572. 

597. Fei qui te — on this form of adjura- 
tion, see note, JEx\. ii. 142. 

598. Sine — "spare," so i«-v in Greek. 
Hand diidum, " not so long ago." 

601. The objections which comnnentators 
have raised against this line on account of 
the insipidity of the addition pectus will 
disappear if, with Jacob, Wagner, For- 
biger, etc., we punctuate thus : — turn, 
Idiebms animne, pectus viuiroue recludit. 
This makes pectus the principal subst. with 
latebras in apposition, and //<// Intcbras the 
principal, with pectus m apposition. Jahn 
remarks that the mention of pectus was 
necessary, as some writers placed the souJ 
in the hend. 

606. We now come to the device of Juno, 
by which she for a while prolonged the life 
of Turnus. The words of Jupiterare Intterly 
ironical, and have reference to the speech of 
Juno, in 63 sqq. Jupiter liad forbidden the 
deities to engage, and now, therefore, all 
the merit of victory belongs to the unas- 
sisted valour of i^ueas and the Trojans. 

609. Vivida betto deitm — so elsewhere 
vifida niri/is; the opposite phrase is /ci^ida 
be/to dextera, xi. 338. 

611. I'ulrhe) rime con jus. Juno is not 
usually so complimentary. Tristia, ie., 
"harsh," "bitter," "cuttuig," "sarcastic," 
or it may mean, " your words of mournful 
destiny," refening to Jupiier's speech in 
tlie beginning of this book, 6 sqq., which 
see. 

614. Nnrnqtie is in a very unusual posi- 
tion, and has given considerable trouble to 
the learned. Some take it as equal to pro- 
fecto, "of a truth," "assuredly." Others 
attach it to mihi as a strengthening enclitic, 
like if^oiyi, "to me, at least" But we 



B. X. 617-631. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. X. 



-670. 



prefer the mode adopted by Gossrau, viz., 
to take si as equal to iilinam, to put a note 
of admiration ai'tcrforet, and make namque 
ne^ares the apodosis, translating thus — 
" Would that my love possessed the same 
influence that it once had, and which it is 
seemly that it should have! for (in that 
case) you would not deny me this, all- 
powerful one, (so peremptorily as) that I 
should not be able to withdraAv Turnus 
from the fight, and presei-ve him unharmed 
to his father Daunus." 

617. Nunc pereat—'' As it is, he must 
perish, I suppose," This is said in pretended 
resignation, but with a petted remonstrance 
implied. His blood she calls pius, as he is 
engaged in defending his country and his 
betrothed wife. Perhaps, too, it is anticipa- 
toiy of line 620. 

618. No?nen nostra origine. This means 
simply that he was of divine origin, his an- 
cestor in the fourth stage being the deity 
Pilumnus. Perhaps, however, reference is 
made to Saturn, from whom Pilumnus was 
said to be descended. Que after Pilumnus 
is said to be equal to nam, but it is rather 
used in its explicative sense, as often, add- 
ing some piece of information more specific 
than what has preceded. See i. 2. 

620. The idea brought out in this line is 
one which is very often found in ancient 
writers. Belief in the efficacy of large offer- 
ings has not yet, we fear, been banished 
from the mind of man. 

623. {si) Seiitis me ponere ita — " If you 
wish me to ordain it so;" or, "If you un- 
derstand me to ordain it so." With this 
passage compare Horn. II. xvi. 440 sqq. 

625. Vacate etc. — "I am at liberty to in- 
dulge you so far;" or, " It is allowed me." 

628. The ellipse after quid si, Wagner 
would fill up as follows: Quid fades, si 
petnm a te, ut menie des id, quod voce dare 
gravaris? But it is difficult to suggest 
any very proper sentiment to fill up the 
blank: we often begin a sentence thus, in 
making a diffident request, verging on the 
borders of a remonstrance, "What if you," 
etc., when we scarcely know what words 
we should supply to complete the question 
begun by "what;"— perhaps our 7«/wrf says, 
"What would you think of " doing so and 
so; ie., "How would it do to act thus?" 
Translate, "What if you were to consent 
mentally to that which you are loath to 
grant verbally, and what if this life [which 
1 intircene for — such is the force of h nee, 
which has reference usually to the speaker] 
should be confirmed [maneret rata] to 
Turnus ?" 

630. Observe nunc mnnet immediately 
following maneret, and note how compas- 
sion is excited by the application of the verb 
to two ideas so contrary as the fix&dness and 
permanencf/ of earthly life, and the certainly 
of a miserable death. Nunc — " as it is." 

631. Ai(t feror vnna vert — " else I am 
kept in ignorance of the truth." Vann — 
'• empty," " without ground': for deciding," 
"unhiformed of" The genitive is used 
after vnna, hi Greek fashion, instead of the 
abl, or the abl. with a preposition. 



Quod is by some considered a conjunction, 
" but." By others it is taken as the accus. 
after ludar, on the principle that " intran- 
sitive verbs may have the accusative of 
pronouns and adjective pronouns in the 
neuter gender, in order to express, in a 
general way, the direction in Avhich a feel- 
ing or condition is manifested." See 
Zumpt Lat. Gr. § 38-3. Compare also note, 
Mn. i. 67. Ut is for utinam. [" But, or,] 
In which I pray that it may rather turn out 
that I am mocked with a groundless dread, 
and that thou, who canst, art altering thy 
decrees towards a happier result." 

636. Cava nube — see note on .32n. ii. 360. 
" Then an airy and pithless (sine viribus) 
phantom, formed to resemble the person 
\infaciem) of ^neas, — a portent wonder- 
ful to behold — the goddess in the hollow 
cloud equips with the weapons of the Tro- 
jan, — both the shield and the crested helmet 
of his divine head she imitates, — she sup- 
plies unmeaning woi'ds, she gives sound 
without significance [or, the power of voice 
without a mind to suggest], and she coun- 
terfeits his gait as he goes. Such was the 
image, as are the forms which, it is said, 
flit about when death has passed upon us, 
or as those dreams which mock the slum- 
bering senses." 

648. Turliidus — " in a tumult of exulta- 
tion and delight," ideas which, though not 
expressed by turbidus, are suggested by 
animo and spem. Servius says it is equal 
to " tjimens, elatus arrognntin."' 

652. Nee videt, etc. "Nor does he per- 
ceive that it is the wind that bears onward 
the object of his joy," i.e., that the object 
of his joy is a mere phantom, without nerve 
or strength, and the sport of the wind. Or 
we may take the phrase as figurative, 
meaning that his joy is groundless. 

654. Scalis et ponte — the ladder which 
was set at the bows of the ship to embark 
or land passengers, and the pons, or 
"gangway," a broad plank or platform, to 
put on board such things as the scnlne were 
unsuited to. See above, 288, note and cut. 

655. Osinius is supposed by some to be 
the same as Massicus, mentioned in 166, 
above; by others he is thought to have 
been the Lar of Ciusium, and a general 
under Massicus. 

660. Revoluta aequorn — "the refluent 
sea," But as "the tides in the Mediter- 
ranean are slight, and in most parts scarcely 
perceptible, not rising to more than a few 
inches," we can hardly imagine that the 
force of such an ebb tide would carry out 
to sea the vessel into which Turnus bounds. 
We must therefore suppose that the poet 
meant to attribute it to divine agency, for 
he must have been aware that neither 
Greece nor Italy had tides. The current 
of the Tiber would carry the ship so far, 
but not all the way to Ardea, 

666. Ingrntus salutis. Observe the gen., 
and see above, note, 631, vana veri. 

667. On duplices, see note, .^n. i. 93; 
and on tendit, ii. 688. 

670. Quae fuga, etc. — " what a disgrace- 
ful flight bears me away, and how degraded 
197 



B. X. 671-e 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. X. 681-712. 



(does it make me) in character." Some 
copies read reducit, and others reducet, but 
the former has most MS. authority. After 
reducit we are to supply ex acie — "bears 
me away from the battle." 

671. Iterum videbo — "shall I ever again 
look on," i.e., with what face (how) can I 
again behold. 

672. Quid mantes, etc., i.e., quid fiet de 
manu ilia — "what will become of that 
band?" Gossrau and others would supply 
dicet, but the remainder of this line, and the 
two following ones, show that Turnus is 
now thinking rather of their fate, than of 
what then- estimate of himself will be. 

673. Quosne. This reading, instead of 
the more simple and common one quosque, 
is adopted by Wagner, Forb., etc., and ex- 
plained as a double interrogative, like qin)ie 
in Hor. Sat. i. 10, 21 ; quaene te manet vita, 
in Catull. 8, 15 ; and quemne ipsa reliqui in 
the same writer, 64, 180; or as a mixture 
of interrogative and relative (eosne reliqui 
et quos reliqui). It appears to us, however, 
that a much simpler, and, at the same time, 
more suitable interpretation, is afforded by 
resolving quos hito its equivalents, et hos 
(for, as already stated, i. 232, a relative, 
whether pronoun or conjunction, is equal to 
a demonstrative and a conjunction). The 
lines we consider as spoken by Turnus with 
bitter and self-upbraiding feelings, and we 
translate them thus: "And have I — O ac- 
cursed act! — abandoned all tliese on the 
brink of a hideous death, and do I now see 
them straggling in flight, and do I hear the 
groans of the falling ?" In soliloquies of 
regret for bad fortune, or ill-managed affairs, 
or in self-reproaching reflections, we often 
thus begin our sentences with an "and," 
which connects our coming words to some 
fancied utterance or thougiit which has 
preceded. Anthon says quosne is equal to 
eosne, but this is absurd. 

675. For the common reading deJiiscet, 
the subjunctive dehiscat is adopted by 
Wagner, and almost all succeeding editors, 
on the ground that "Turnus pronounces 
this very thing most miserable, viz.. that 
even though he exceedingly desired it, yet 
he conld not be swallowed up by the earth, 
as he is now borne on the surfece of the sea 
— a doubt and even impossibility which 
potius in the followi'ng line shows was pre- 
sent to his own mind." All readers of 
Homer will at once call to mind, '^ori f^oi 
^avoi ivpiia x^cov. 

677. Volens — "heartily." Observe the 
great force lent to the expression by the 
use of the proper name Turnus, instead of 
the pronoun ego. " It is Turnus himself 
prays to dash this his bark against the 
pointed crags or rocks, and to hurl it on the 
merciless .shallows of some boiling quiclc- 
sand." Syrtis is to be taken as the gen. 
sing., governed by vadis, and not as the 
accus., equal to in Syrtes. 

680. Fluctuat animo — "he wavers in his 
mind, (inclining) now to this resolve, now 
to that." 

198 



681. Induat sese mucrone, an inverted con- 
struction, meaning to clothe, as it were, 
and entirely conceal the blade in his own 
body. Some books read mucroni in the 
dat., in which case the phrase is similar to 
that used by Caesar, B. G. viL 73, se ipsi 
acutissimis vullis induebant, and may be 
translated, "fell upon the blade." Exigat, 
next line, is stronger than adigat; it means 
to drive the whole sword through, how large 
soever it be. 

686. Miserata animo — "pitying him in 
her mind." Some copies, however, read 
animi — "pitying his emotion," "his ex- 
cited feelings." 

691. Uni — uni. For other examples of 
the repetition of a Avord (anadiplosis), see 
above, 180, 400. Uni — "against him alone." 
Omnibus agrees with odiis. 

698. Atque is here again epexegetical — 
"with a stone, [with a stone, did I say?] 
ay, even with the huge fragment of u 
mountain." 

699. Observe the two accusatives after 
occupat, Latagum being the immediate ob- 
ject, and 05 faciemque the " accusative of 
nearer definition," — the first giving the 
whole, the second the part. This is called 
by the Greeks, o'Z^f^'^ ^^^ ''^"^ '"^' fiipog. 
See xii. 161. 

Succiso poplite — " with severed ham- 
string." 

701. On donat habere, see note, ^n. i. 66. 

704. Face praegnans. Hecuba dreamed 
that she was to bring forth a torch. Her 
vision Avas fulfilled, for it was this son, 
Paris, who lit up the fire of war destined to 
prove the destruction of his native country. 
Homer makes Hecuba the daughter ot 
Dymas; but in Euripides "Hecuba," she is 
called the daughter of Cisseus. 

705. For Paris the vulgar reading is 
creat. The extraordinary acuteness of 
Bentley led him to suggest Paris instead of 
creat to avoid the repetition of the idea con- 
tained in dedit, and to provide a subject, to 
occubat. Potter testifies that he found 
Bentley's conjecture verified by six Parisian 
MSS. 

706. Ignarum, i.e., ignotum, in a passive 
sense, "unknown to fame." Though born 
on the same day, and though brought up 
together, how different have been their 
destinies, and how remote from one another 
do they now lie ! 

708. Vesulus, now Monte Viso, a peak of 
the Cottian Alps, and the source of the 
river Po. 

As Mount Vesulus and the Laurentian 
marshes are so far sepai-atcd, we must take 
multos palus Laur. as applying to a different 
boar from that of Vesulus. 

709. Laurerdia palus, i. e., the marshy 
land around Laurentum. 

711. On the hunting net, see note, ^n. 
iv. 131. Substitit is equal to subsistere solet. 
See note, -^n. iiL 6SL. 

Inhorriiit armos — "erected the bristles 
on his shoulders." 

712. Irasci— "■to be so enraged as to 
acquire boldness from his passion." 



B. X. 714-739. 



NOTES OX THE ^NEID. 



B X. 743-78C 



714. CuTictatiir — "He, howcA-er, undis- 
mayed, hesit.itingly turns towards eveiy 
point," being undecided on which to make 
a rush. Tlie lines beginning lUe auteiii, 
and Beniibus, are usually put ai\:er Missilibus 
longe, iustead of before Haud aliter. 

720. Observe the last syll. of profugus 
long by arsis. Acron was from Conjthus. 
Le., Co'rtona, and though betrothed was not 
yet married, jl/wcewfeni— " throwing into 
confusion." 

722. Purpureum pennis, L e., purpureis 
pennis. Translate, "All bright with a 
plumed crest, and with a purple robe, (the 
work) of his betrothed wife." 

723. ImpaMus, i.e., "ravenous." Stabula 
does not mean the stalls, but tlie pasture 
groimds — "the stations" allotted to the 
tlocks for feeding. They are called alta, 
either because they are in the mountain 
glades, or because, being in the woods, the 
trees in them (the Saltus) are high ; or per- 
haps better still, because the pastm-age is 
deep, and the grass long and luxuriant. 

725. Surgeiitem in cornua. It is easier to 
fancy that attitude of the stag which sug- 
gests this phrase, than to express in words 
its exact meaning. Cf. ^n. i. 189, capita 
alta ferentes. See also 0\-id, :Met. x. 53S, 
celsum in cornua cervum. and below, iEn. 
xii. 104, Irasci in cornua. The stately motion 
of the stag advancing with head erect, and 
with every prong of his branching antlers 
displaying life, animation, and energy, 
makes us extend the corporeal idea of the 
beast to the very tips of his horns, and 
judge of his height by their altitude. 

727. Lavit. On this word Forbiger re- 
marks that " Vu-gil never uses the 3d sing. 
pres. but in the form lavit, although in other 
parts of the verb, lavant. lavabant, kivabo, 
kivandi, he follows the first conjugation." 
Jahn says that "Horace always uses the 
lavei'e (od conjug.) fonns. except hi tlie 
participle ?<ari-cf« to; while, on the contrary. 
Ovid seems to have been entirely ignorant 
of this lavere." Improba — "greedy," "in- 
satiable," "persevering in mischief." See 
Geo. L 119, where the wild goose is called 
improbus, from its veiy great voracity, dis- 
played hi the tearing up of plants, roots 
and stalk, and from the mischief it there- 
fore does to the crops. 

731. Infracta — " broken in his body." It 
often happened that the weight of the spear 
shaft caused the wood to break near the 
iron, especially if the point had come in 
contact with a bone of the wounded warrior. 
Fugientein. in the next line, means shuply, 
" with his back towards him." 

734. On the position and use of que here, 
see Geo. i. 142. 

735. Furto — fortibus — the similaritj^ in 
sound between these two contrasted terms 
is not accidental, but intended. 

736. Abjectum, i.e., dejectum, prostraium. 
In 738 join conclamant secuti, " unite in 
singing the pajan, following his example." 

739. Those about to expire were supposed 
to have a prophetic power, as we see from 
Cicero, de Divin., Plato, Phaed., and Apol. 
Soc, etc. etc All will remember the wam- 



I ing given to Hector by the d\-1ng Patroclus. 
' and to Achilles by the dying' Hector. 
I 743. This speech of Mezentius is one usual 
' to those who wish to put an end to such 
I a conversation. It is supposed, however. 
i to be fronical, as is requfred from him, who. 
' we are told in viL 648, was a contemptor 

divOm, and who, in line 773 of this book. 

declares that his god is his right hand and 

his weapon. 

745. Ferreus somnus — p(^i>iXx.ios Z-ttvoc, 
of Homer. 

746. For an explanation of the syntax 
called '" constructio praegnans,"' exemplified 
in the phrase clauduntur in noctem, see note, 
^n. ii. IS. In the following lines the Latin 
names denote Latins, and the Greek names 

I Trojans. The Latm names ai-efor the most 
; part derived from rustic operations or ob- 
I jects, as Ciedicus from ccedo, Eapo from 
j rap urn, or rapa, a turnip. 
i 74id. Lycaonium — "son of Lycaon." See 
I 123, above. 

j 754. Longe faUente sagitfa, Le., with an 
I arrow which carries a long way, and which, 
j on account of the great distance whence 
it is shot, is unobsen'ed by him against 
I whom it is aimed. 

[ 756. On par iter, pariter, see viii. 545. 
\ Ruebant — "fell prostrate." Some copies 
: read cedebant histead of ccedebant, in which 
I case ruebant will mean " took to flight." 
I 75S. Inanem iram — "fruitless rage:" 
j fruitless because not giA-ing the -s-ictory to 
I either side. Amborum, "of both parties." 
I Obsei-ve the change of construction from 
I iram in the accus. to an infiu. mood, esse, 
' the clause tantos esse labores bemg co-ordi- 
j nate with iram, since both depend on misei- 
antur. See note, ^n. ii. 5. 

763. Turbidiis, sell., ira, furore. On 
Orion, see Smith's Diet of Biog. and 
Mythol. 

771. On the monosyllabic termination ot 
the Ime, see note, ^n. iL 250. Mole sua — 
! as a rock stands firm by its own gravity 
. and balance, so does Mezentius by his bulk. 
' 773. It is best to remove the commas 
j usually put after dexlra and deus, since the 
. order is, dextra et telum mihi adsint deus. 
j See above, 743. 

I 774. Voveo, etc. "I vow yon yourself, 
I Lausus, as the trophy (to be) clad with the 
I armour torn from the body of the robber 
j ^Eneas," Le., he means to clothe his son, 
I Lausus, in the armour of ^Eueas, the young 
I man sen-ing for a trophy-block. As Me- 
zentius owns no god, the trophy is to be 
erected to his own bravery. 

777. The spear of Mezentius glances from 
the heaven-made shield of ^neas, and 
pierces the groin of Antores. 

7S0. Haeserat — "had clung to," "had 
remained finn to his person and interest." 
Alieno vulnere — "a woimd intended for 
another." 

7S4. Cavum aere, Le^ concave, and made 
of bronze. Tribus tauris, Le., with three 
bull hides. 

786. Haudpertulit vires — " it did not con- 
tinue its force throughout" 

199 



B.X. 788-821. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. X. 824-857. 



788. For femine the vulgar reading is 
femore, but the former has the sanction of 
the majority of MSS. 

791. Mortis casum. The latter word is 
added to signify the very great disaster in 
the death of one so young, so affectionate, 
and so brave. Lausus appears to us in a 
most favourable liglit, as the devotedly- 
attached son of a father, who, though im- 
pious, and detested by his fellow-men, and 
detesting them in turn, yet exhibits tokens 
of the strongest natural affection and gentle 
regard to his own offspring. 

792. Vetustas generally refers to the past, 
but here to the future — " distant posterity." 
Tanto operi — "to so noble a service," \iz., 
the saving of his father. Some take the 
words as referring to the ^Eneid, as a niag- 
7mm et nohile opus. 

794. Inque ligatus for inligatusque {illiga- 
tusque) by tmesis — "entangled," "impeded" 
by the spear wbich had passed through his 
shield, and penetrated his groin. 

796. Proripuit is read by Wagner, etc., 
instead of the wA^ax prorupit, and it seems 
much more suitable, as it implies haste and 
quickness, while the latter signifies 5<re»g'</2. 
As ^neas rises (assurgentis) to inflict the 
blow with greater vehemence, Lausus falls 
beneath his hand. 

799. Socii, etc. — his companions, shouting 
loudly, second his efforts. Abiret is in the 
subjunctive mood, as expressing wish and 
inciination. See JEu. i. 5. 

803. With this simile compare Hom. II. 
xii. 156, and Ovid, Met. v. 158. 

805. Observe the homoioteleuton [see ili. 
656], or similar ending, in orator and viator; 
and the anaphora [see iii. 247] in the repe- 
tition of omnis. These defects have made 
some critics consider the passage imperfect, 
and one of those which the poet had marked 
out for revision and alteration. But this is 
hyper-criticism. 

806. Amnis ripis — "the banks of a 
stream." This refers, of course, to a deep 
bank, hollowed out by an impetuous tor- 
rent. There are many such guUeys in 
southern countries, where the rains are sud- 
den and heavy, or in mountainous regions, 
where they are frequent, and where the 
quickly-swollen stream gains force to wear 
away the soil, bj' the great inchne of its 
channel. 

808. Exercere dism — " to employ the day 
in labour." 

809. Nubem belli, v'i<po? ■TroXif/.oio. 
" .^neas sustains the cloud of battle till it 
exhaust its thunder," i.e., in the hope that 
it may soon abate in violence, the subjunc- 
tive expressing the 7cish that it may soon 
cease, and the intention of enduring still, as 
above, 799. 

814. Extrema fila legunt, i.e., gather the 
straggling fibres to spin the last part of the 
thread of Lausus' Ufe. Exigit — see above, 
682. 

821. The feelings of pity attributed to 
^neas as he looks on the youthful warrior 
lying in his gore, and the softness of a 
father's heart displayed in the touching 

200 



recollection of Ascanius and the chances to 
which he is exposed, are eminently calcu- 
lated to excite our compassion, and render 
our interest in the scene and the characters 
more intense. 

824. For subiit, the reading adopted by 
Wagner, Jahn, Forb., etc., many editors 
have strinxit, but without sufficient MS. 
authority. Imago pietatis, etc., i.e., .S^neas 
pictured in his mind the effect that such a 
scene would have on him, were he as a 
father looking on his dead son, Ascanius. 

825. Pro laudibus istis — "for these great 
merits of yours," viz., his bravery in con- 
fronting a superior warrior, and his filial 
piety in endangering his life for his father's 
safety. 

827. Habe arma tua. It was reckoned a 
great honour to the dead not to despoil him ; 
and it was customary to bury along with 
men those things which they had deUghted 
in when alive. 

828. Si qua est ea cura — "if that be any 
satisfaction to you" in your death; "if 
you care for that." 

830. It is some consolation in defeat to 
think that one has been worsted by a 
worthy antagonist 

835. Procul — " hard by," as in EcL vi. 16. 

838. Fovet — "supports," "eases." Foveo 
properly signifies to foment with either hot 
or cold applications. Hence it means gene- 
rally "to tend," "take care of," in the 
most suitable way. We have translated it 
"supports;" an idea which seems most 
applicable, when we remember that the 
neck was un wounded, and when we take 
into account the word anhelans. 

On the construction fusus barbam, see 
^n. i. 228. 

839. .Wultumremittit — "often despatches." 
Some editors, Wagn., Jahn, Gossr., etc., 
retain the vulgar reading multos. 

845. Tendit palmas ad coelum. This is 
rather at variance with the usual character 
of Mezentius — see 743, 773. Inhaeret cor- 
pore — " fondly clings to the body." Some 
books read corpori, but Virgil does not elide 
a long vowel except after another long 
syllable. 

8-19. Morte tua — "at the price of your 
death." Instead of exitium, in the next 
line, some books read exsilium, but Mezen- 
tius speaks of exile in 852. The former has 
much better MS. authority. The meaning 
is: Death was formerly a matter of less 
consideration, as it affected only externals, 
viz., my body ; now, however, it cuts my 
inmost soul, " the wound is driven deeply 
home ;" I go to death with my mind dis- 
tressed by the considerations that my son 
does not survive me, and not only so, but 
that he was slain in my defence. 

853. Debueram, with si omitted. " Since 
I had become liable to punishment to satisfy 
the claims of my country and the enraged 
feelings of my fellow-citizens, I would that, " 
etc. 

857. Vis, i.e., his diminished strength im- 
pedes him, and renders his movements less 
active. Cf. Livy, aetate et viribus gravior, 
a. 19. 



B. X. 858- 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. X. 883-906. 



858. Hand dcjectus— either "not downcast 
in mind," or "not shaken in his resolve to 
rush on death, and leave life." 

860. There is something very affecting 
in this address of the now childless and 
friendless Mezentius to the sole surviving 
companion of his former years. The mind 
of man is prone to find a confidant even 
amidst the brutes, more especially among 
those of them which have been familiar to us. 

863. Lausi dolorum, either my grief /or 
Imusus, making Lausi the objective genitive 
(see ^n. i. 462, note) ; or the griefs of 
Lausus, viz., his wound and death. In this 
latter case Lausi would be the subjective 
genitive. 

865. Credo is inserted parenthetically in 
Wagner's opinion, and jussapati is governed 
by dignabere. For an explanation of the 
change of syntax fi-om an infin. mood as 
the object of a verb, to the accusative of a 
noun, see note, Geo. i. 25; ^n. ii. 5, and 
iii. 180. 

869. On the syntax, fulgens caput, see 
^n. i. 228. 

870. "In that one heart there burned a 
keen sense of shame [for his flight], and a 
mad ardour for battle, together with deep 
grief commingled." Some copies read imo 
for ■)ino. 

872. This line is wanting in all the best 
MSS. ; it was doubtless inserted by some 
later hand from ^n. xii. 668. 

874. jEneas agnovit enim. The presence 
and position of enim here render the phi-ase 
difficult of explanation. Heyne considers 
enim as equal to enimvero, " of a truth." 
Wagner writes agnovit enim in brackets, and 
takes que as coupling laetus to the idea ex- 
pressed by agnovit enim, the keen feeling of 
the poet running away with his regard for 
close and exact syntax. In this view we may 
translate thus : "^neas, forhe recognised 
him, and being (was) rejoiced thereat, prays 
as follows." Others again take enim as sug- 
gestive of a supposed clause, like the Greek 
yO'P, and interpret, "JSneas recognised 
him, [for (enim) why should he not, since 
he had already fought with him ?] and being 
rejoiced prays as follows." All of these 
methods are so unsatisfactory, that we are 
at a loss to select the " least of evils." We 
must look on the passage as one of those 
marked out by the poet for revision and al- 
teration. A few inferior MSS. read eum 
for enim. 

875. Faciat, i.e., " cause " that you en- 
gage with me in fight. 

880. Nee divum parcimus ulli, i.e., I re- 
gard not the gods — I neither fear death, 
nor do I dread any one of the gods, even 
those whom you, iEneas, mention (in 875). 
May not Mezentius refer to the divine ori- 
gin of ^neas, in a taunting and bitterly 
sarcastic way? "I have no particular 
dread of death myself, nor have I any su- 
perstitious scruples about inflicting a wound 
on any deity;" (this is said with derision, 
either in reference to the pedigree of ^neas, 
or to the assistance rendered to the Trojan 



hero by his mother Venus in the combat 
with Diomede, which story we must ima- 
gine was by this time known to Mezentius). 
The following line would seem to confirm 
this view, its venio moriturus answering to 
nee mortem horremus, and its haec tibi 
po7io dona, to nee divum paiximus ulli. 
Without such reftrence the defiance of 
heaven is uitroduced in a rather uncalled- 
for manner. 

883. Figitque volatque, i.e., figit volans. 
Aureus umbo — the boss and some other 
parts were of gold, but the shield generally 
was of bronze. 

892. 7'ollit se arrectum, etc. As it is not 
at all natural that a horse wounded in the 
forehead should kick with his hind feet, we 
agree with Wagner, Forb., etc., in applying 
calcibus here to the fore feet, and in under- 
standing the passage in this way, that the 
horse when wounded reared violently, and 
pawed the air ; that he thus fell backward 
on the top of his master {secutus ipse impli- 
cat), and overlaid him with his shoulder 
(armo). It may be said that cernuus means 
"with his head towards the earth," and 
that therefore the phrase must signify that 
the horse kicked with his hind feet and fell 
forward {cernuus) on his head. Bwt, first, 
if he had kicked with his hind feet and then 
lost his balance through giddiness on ac- 
count of the wound in the forehead, he 
would not have fallen forward like a biped, 
but to the one side; and, secondly, that if he 
had kicked behind he would have flung his 
rider so far forward as that his shoulder 
could by no chance have overlain the body 
of Mezentius. The matter, however, is one 
of small importance. 

894. Ejecto armo. Some make ejecto re- 
fer to the rider, "and faUing headlong he 
lies with his shoulder on the unhorsed rider." 
Others consider ejecto as an adj. belonging 
to armo, in the sense, "he (the horse) 
throwing out one of his legs, lies upon him" 
(the rider). 

895. Incendere is often used in the signi- 
fication, "to do anything with great j'fre and 
energy ;" hence it means " to make a thing 
great," as here "to make a great shout." 
The (p'kiynv of the tragic poets, in the sense 
of iyiipnv, probably tended, if not to sug- 
gest, at least to confirm this use ; but indeed 
it may be said to be a general feature of all 
Languages and all people, to associate the 
idea of^re and the process of its kindling 
with all operations of gradual growth, espe- 
cially with the propagation of a shout 
which is caught up from one to another, 
and Avhich increases in intensity and danger 
as it meets with matter calculated to re- 
ceive and to fan it. 

899. Suspiciens auras — "looking up to 
heaven;" hausit — (he drank in, i.e.) "he 
eagerly gazed on the sky, and recovered his 
consciousness." 

903. On the mode of adjuration, per si 
qua, etc., see JEiW. ii. 142. 

906. Concede me consortem, scil., esse, i.e., 
facias me consortem. 

201 



B. XI. 3-9. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. XL 11-24. 



BOOK ELEVENTH. 



ARGUMENT. 



^NEA3 raises a trophy to Mars over the slain Mezentins, and sends the dead body of 
Pallas to Evandcr, for the celebration of funeral honours (1-99). A truce for twelve days 
is granted by the Trojans to the solicitations of the Latins, for the burial of the dead, in 
which duty both parties occupy themselves (100-224). Venulus, who had been sent on 
an embassy to Diomede to beg assistance, returns with an unftivourable reply; and 
Latinus, baffled in this hope, proposes, at a council of war, to send ambassadors to ^neas 
to sue for peace (225-335). "While Di-ances and Turnus indulge in mutual recrimination, 
-^leas prepares an attack on the city; and this becoming known at Laurentum, the 
council is dismissed, and steps taken to defend the town (336-4S5). Turnus devises 
measures to defeat the object of ^^ineas, and to suiprise him by an ambuscade (486-531). 
The historj' of Camilla (532-596). The cavalry battle is described, as also the deeds and 
death of Camilla (597-835). Aruns, the slayer of Camilla, does not long enjoy his 
triumph, but he in turn is killed by an arroAv discharged by one of Dianas emissaries: 
the Rutulians, being disheartened by the death of Camilla, take to flight, and prepara- 
tions are made by tlie Trojans for besieging the town (836-895). Turnus, when he hears 
the fatal news, hastens from the place where he had concealed himself in ambush; but 
the night being near at hand, both parties suspend operations, and encamp before Lau- 
rentum (896-915). 



3. Praecipitant curae, i.e., his anxiety 
m-ges him exceedingly to give due time and 
attention to the bmial of the dead. Funere, 
sciL, of Pallas. 

4. Eoo primo — (1) To " the god of mor- 
ning (Lucifer) first of alL" (2) " At early 
dawn," (see iii. 588), to pay sacrifices to tlie 
gods. 

6. Tumulo. It was customary to erect 
trophies on artificial hills, if natural ele- 
vations were not to be had. Pompey 
raised his trophy over the Spaniards on the 
Pyrenees. 




S. Mars is sometimes called "Bellipotens," 
and sometimes " Armipotens." So Vulcan 
is designated " ignipotens." 

Aptat — "he fits," \\z., to the oak, which 
formed the trophy block. 

9. Tela trunca viri — "the broken speai's 
of the hero." It was usual to break the 

202 



iron head oflf before placing it on the trophy. 
Bis sex, Le., "very often," a definite num- 
ber being put for an indefinite, as is common 
in all languages. 

11. Eburnum ense.m, i.e., his sword with 
an ivory handle, or with the scabbard 
adorned with ivory. 

14. "An affiiir of the greatest moment 
has been accomplished, my men. Let all 
fear be absent as to the future of the war : 
these are the spoils and the first fruits 
wrested from a tyrannical king, and here 
in my power is (all that is dangerous of) 
Mezentius." Hie may also be taken as the 
nom. sing., to agree with Mezentius, or to 
be in apposition to it — " and this is Mezen- 
tius in my hands." 

18. Ai-ma parate animis — "in your mind 
get ready your armour," i.e., "wish for 
arms," " desire arms;" and "in hope antici- 
pate the war." 

19. Vellere signa. The pulling up of the 
standards refers to the Roman custom of 
fixing the " colours " in the camp when 
halting, and taking them up again when 
setting forth on the march. If they were 
easily taken up, it was a good omen ; but 
if not, the reverse. 

22. Que after rnhumata is epexegetical 
(see note, Mn. i. 2), and is to be translated, 
"even," "that is." 

24. Observe the recurrence of the " verb 
of sajing," ait, in the middle of the speech. 
The change of person from mandemus to 
dtcorate seems to have suggested its repe- 
tition. Some have supposed that the object 
was to add force to the words uttered. 



B. XI. 25-47. 



NOTES ON THE ^.NEID. 



B. XI. 50-81. 



25. Hanc pairiam, i.e., " the new settle- 
ments in Italy." 

30. Limina — vM. The corpse was wont 
to be "laid out" in the atrium, with the 
face towards the door, as if ready to go 
forth. 

31. Parrhasio Evandro. On this hiatus, 
see ^n. i. 16, note. On the term Parr- 
hasius, see viii. 344. 

32. The office of armiger, 6ipu.^uv, was 
one of high trust and distinction. It gene- 
rally implied almost equal courage and 
military sliill in the attendant as in the 
master. Thus Achates was the armiger of 
.lEneas; and Automedon of Neoptolemus. 
In this case, however, the duty of Acoetes 
seems to have been that of guardian and 
trainer rather than companion and feUow- 
fighter. 

35. Moestum is here used in an active 
sense — "their sorrow-betraying hair." The 
Trojan females dishevelled their hair, and 
allowed it to float loose in token of their 
sorrow. As in Homer's time, so In many 
later, and even in some modern nations, 
wailings for the dead are led principally by 
the women. 

38. Moesto luctu — " by the dismal sounds 
of grief." Peerlkamp would read mwto for 
moesto, to prevent the latter word from re- 
curring so soon again after line 35. 

40. Levi pectore — "in his smooth" (i.e., 
" boyish," " downy " — not yet covered with 
coarse hair) breast. So nivei, above, is 
expressive of the freshness and clearness 
of youthful beauty. 

42. Cum laeta veniret — " when she came 
to my assistance with joyous influence." 

43. iV^e videres, neque velierere. These 
two phrases are not contrasted, but the 
second, the result, is represented as arising 
from the former. Neque is equal to et ne 
(Le., et ut nan), 

45. Promissa. The promises are not re- 
corded, but we easily imagine that they 
were assurances, to a certain extent, of the 
safe return of Pallas, and of Eneas' great 
care of the youth ui battle. 

47. Mitteret in magnum imperium. These 
words are differently understood: First, 
Heyne takes them to mean, " When he 
dismissed me to take possession of (to found) 
my great empire," i.e., the empke, subject 
of so much prophecy, and afterwards ad- 
vanced to so immense an extent by the 
Romans. Secondly, Peerlkamp interprets, 
"to my great command," viz., the leader- 
ship of the Tyrrhenian army. But as mit- 
iere in with the accus. rather implies hos- 
tility, we feel constrained to differ from the 
above explanations, and to suggest that the 
meaning is, " When he sent me [i.e., not 
sent me as the Fates or the gods would do, 
but simply dismissed me with his blessing 
as I was parting from him to go to the war] 
against a mighty empire (or nation)." We 
are led to this opinion both by the connec- 
tion, metuens moneret — acres vivos— proeiia 
cum dura gente ; and also by such prophetic 
references to the difficulties JSneas would 
experience in founding his empire, as the 



following: ^n. i. 263, Bellum ingens geret 
Italia, populosque feroces contundet; x. 87, 
gravidam urbem hellis; iv. 229, Italiam 
gravidam imperiis ("teeming with powerful 
nations") belloque frementem. See note on 
iv. 229, explanation 3. 

50. Fors is often used as an adverb, 
"perchance," "perhaps." See note, Mn. 
ii. 139. Cumulat — "piles," or "overloads." 

51. Nil debentem coelestibus. The idea is, 
that Death pays all a man's debts, even 
those due to the gods above; after death 
we are in the power of tlie dii inferi. 
Special reference may, however, be made to 
vows offered by Pallas (or by his father — 
see 50) for his safe return ; and for these he 
is of course not responsible now that his 
prayers have not been granted, 

56. Nee sospite, etc. " Nor shalt thou as 
a father (be compelled to) Avish an accursed 
death to your son, saved " (by disgraceful 
flight) ; i.e., You will not be forced to curse 
your son, and wish him an unhappy end, 
in consequence of his having disgraced his 
name and lineage, while he saved his life. 
This is Peerlkamp's idea. But Servius and 
Heyne refer optabis and funus to Evander 
himself. "Nor will you wish to yourself 
a miserable end (a premature and mmatu- 
ral death) by reason of your son behig 
saved through dastardly conduct," i.e., you 
have not a son whose disgraceful and cow- 
ardly conduct would make you wish you 
were dead, even by a horrible end. 

59. Haec deflevit — "ended these lamen- 
tations." In connection with the following 
passage, let the student read carefully in his 
" Roman Antiquities," Ramsay, or Boyd's 
Adam, the sections on the Burial of the 
Dead. 

64. Crates etferetrum — "the wicker work, 
even (or, that is) the bier." See above, line 
21, note. A wicker work bier was hastily 
constructed. On the feretrum, see vL 222, 
note and woodcut. 

66. Obtentu frondis — "by a screen of 
leaves." Agresti stramine — "a rustic litter" 
(a stretcher). Wagner explains, '•'■virenti 
fronde substrata.'''' 

69. Languenti hyacintho — "the drooping 
hyacinth." The term languens is most ap- 
propriate to the flower, and to the fable of 
its origin. Such comparisons are so plenti- 
ful in the poetry of all nations, that it is 
unnecessary to quote any special passage. 

72. It was customary to burn garments 
and other precious articles along with the 
dead body, as here the robes, etc. 

75. Fecerat et disc7-everat — "which Dido 
had made — ay, and (et) she had parted the 
warp with a fine thi-ead of gold." See 
above, 21 and 64. Dido had beautified her 
Aveb by inserting at intervals longitudinal 
threads of gold. 

77. Amiciu, i.e., with the second of the 
two robes he covered the head, the first 
being employed to envelop the body. 

81. Manus — quos, a short expi'ession for 
maniis eorum (juvenum) quos. Or it is per- 
haps more simple to consider this filling out 
unnecessary, and to take the phrase as ex- 
hibiting a striking instance of the constructio 
203 



B. XI. 82-115. 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. XL 117-152. 



ud intellectum^ otherwise called synesis, 
(2KV2<r;j), -which see explained in note, 
^n. i. 70 ; iii. 676. See also Eel. iL 71, and 
below, 172 of this Book. 

82. Caeso sanguine — see above, x. 520, 
captivo sanguine, and note. For sparsuros 
some editors read sparsurus, from MSS. 
of the highest character. The sing, repre- 
sents ^neas as much more decidedly and 
immediately the avenger of Pallas. 

84. Duces ferre truncos. Observe the two 
accusatives joined to the infin., the one ex- 
pressing the subject and the other the ob- 
ject. This is contrary to the grammatical 
rule laid down by Quinctilian, Inst. \'ii. 2, 
16 ; but here there is no ambiguity arisuig 
from the use of the double accusative. 

87. With projectus supply est. Sternitur 
— "he falls, and lay stretched upon the 
earth with his whole body." Cuitus means 
a Rutulian chariot, not a Trojan. 

90. Humectat ora. So the horses of 
Achilles are represented by Homer as 
weeping. Immediately before the death of 
Julius Caesar, horses are said to have wept 
in like manner. As Roman men of high 
rank were wont to lay aside their ornaments 
at funerals, so here the horse is represented 
as divesting himself of his phalerae, trap- 
pings. 

96. Alias ad laaHmas—'- to other objects 
of lamentation," viz., the Trojans and others 
who had been slain in the battle. 

97. Sahe — vale. For the ceremony of 
bidding good bye to the dead, see note, ii. 
644, but especially iii. 68. AVe are not to 
take the words salve and vale in their pri- 
mary meaning, of course, but in their use 
of salutation and farewell. 

101. Velati ramis oleae, i.e., bearing in 
their hands olive branches, adorned with 
lillets ; see ^n. v. 366, and vii. 154, note. 

105. Soceris. This word properly refers 
to Latinus, but is here apphed to the people 
generally, as he was tfieir head and repre- 
sentative. 

111. Oralis. Observ'e that the last syl- 
lable is lengthened by the arsis. 

112. Instead oiveni in the perf indie, we 
should have expected venissem, the pluperf 
subj. The indie, is often thus used for the 
subj. to express the cei'tuinty of the result, 
should the hypothetical part of the propo- 
sition be fulfilled. In the example before 
us, where the speaker's presence proves 
that the result has actualUi come to pass, 
the indie, is employed with peculiar pro- 
priety, the subjunctive, dedissent, imparting 
to ve'ni a portion of its own conditional cha- 
racter. "Nor should I have come, as I 
have done, had not the Fates assigned the 
locahty and the kingdom." See Zumpt, 
Lat. Gr. § 519; Madvig, Lat. Gr. § 348. 

115. Obser\'e fuerat in the indicative 
mood. See Eel. i. 80. The subj. is not the 
proper mood in sucli phrases, but the indie, 
which is used in our own language, in 
Greek, German, etc. Huic morti—"' snch 
death as these slain have met;" not, "death 
at this hand of muie," as some interpret. 

204 



117. Jlis telis— either, "these weapons 
I use," pointing out his own; or, "such 
weapons as these slain use." Vixet for 
vixisset; so exstinxem for exstinxissem, iv. 
606 ; and traxe for traxisse, v. 786. 

121. Conversi oculos * * tenehant, ie., 
turning towards one another, they kept 
their eyes and countenances in the same 
steady attitude. See note on .^n. iL 1. 

126. Justitiae mirer. This is an imitation 
of the Greek construction 6a,vf^oiZ,iiv rivu, 
rivoc. See 280, 416, and 73 of this Book. 
Jahn thinks that justitiae and laborum are 
governed by laudibus repeated from the 
preceding lina Some MSS. read ju^titiam. 

133. Sequestra [from secus = sequis (se- 
quiorJI means properly a mediatress. Hence 
it maybe translated, "under the protection 
of the peace." Impune — "Avithout injuring 
one another." 

137. Olentem, i.e., odoratum — "fragrant" 
On the cedar of the Greeks and Romans, 
see viL 13, note. 

140. Replet. Observe the re, long. 
Some copies read complet. Quae modo, etc 
— "which but recently announced Pallas 
as victorious in Latium." 

142. Be more vetusto. The poet, says 
Heyne, refers to an ancient custom of the 
Arcadians, which was common among the 
Romans, viz., the conducting of the funeral 
procession by night with torches and wax 
tapers. 

145. Jungit is read by some MSS. instead 
of Jungunt. Forbiger adopts the former, on 
the ground that Virgil joins a plural verb 
only to those collectives by which a plural 
noun is separated into parts (as xii. 277) ; 
or to those to which two verbs are added in 
the predicate, the one in the sing, and the 
other in the plural (as ii. 31). But Ave jtre- 
fer jungunt as affording a beautiful example 
of the synesis construction. See note, 81, 
above. 

147. Incendunt — see note, x. 895. 

150. Procubuit is used in an aoristic (and 
instantaneous) sense, Avhile haeret, the 
pres., expresses continuance. 

151. Et via, etc. — "and by reason of his 
grief, it was with difficulty that at length 
the passage of his voice Avas opened." 

152. The connecting link between this 
and the following Ime is not very clear, and 
the opinions on the construction and expla- 
nation of the passage haA-e in consequence 
been various. (1) Jahn, in his first edition, 
supposed the words sed potius promiseras 
fore to be understood before %it cautius velles 
credere, " But you rather promised that you 
would cautiously engage in dreadful battle." 
(2) In his second edition, he understands 
the passage in the dhectly opposite A-iew, 
" / only expected you would perish; for you 
had not given your parent tlie promise that 
you A\ould cautiously engage," etc. But 
this sober and calm vicAV of the case is 
totally at variance Avith the preceding and 
succeeding lines, descriptiA'e of the intense 
agony of EA^ander ; and besides, the ellipsis 
is so violent as to be wholly inadmissible. 



B. XI. 152. 



NOTES ON THE /ENEID. 



B. XL 156-196. 



(3) Tliiel and Serviiis vrould put a note of 
interrogation after Marti, making non equal 
to noiuie, as in ^n. iL 596, " Did you not 
give tlie promise to your fattier tliat you 
would not engage ?" etc. (4) Wagner and 
Forbiger make ut equal to utinam. 

To the first of these explanations we ob- 
ject, (1) that the ellipsis is too long and too 
forced; (2) that the construction of pro- 
mittere with ut, and the subjunctive instead 
oftheaccus. and infin., is, if not unprece- 
dented (see Zumpt, Lat. Gr. § 602), at least 
very, very rare; and (3) tliat the use of volo 
(velles credei'e) &f\.&T & promise, is unsuitable. 
To the second we liave already offered our 
opposition, to which may be added argu- 
ments 2 and 3, above. To the third, Nos. 
2 and 3 of our objections to the first mode 
are equally applicable. The fourth mode, 
wliile it avoids the faults of the others, and 
while it atfords a reasonable sense and a 
proper grammatical construction to the se- 
parate clauses (for nt velles, instead of uti- 
nam veiled, is quite defensible — nay, in this 
case is perhaps even more proper than 
utinam voluisses), yet fails, we think, in 
this, that it renders the speech of Evander 
unnecessarily incoherent and unconnected, 
and that it leaves ignarus eram of the follow- 
ing line entirely without point or application. 

We therefore prefer to punctuate with a 
comma after parenti, and not with a full 
stop, as Wagner, nor with a mark of admi- 
ration, as Forbiger; and we suggest that 
roganti, or precanti, should be supplied after 
parenti. Indeed, the phrase promissa de- 
deras implies a request mack, and haud ig- 
narus eram, of line 154, can only refer to 
such a request, being inserted to explain 
why Evander had felt it necessary to en- 
treat caution on the part of his son. If 
haud ignarus eram is put in merely to ac- 
count for the death of Pallas, [I am not 
eurprised at your death, for I was not igno- 
rant, etc.,] as the commentators seem to 
think, why should we not have the present 
tense to explain an event present and only 
now known to Evander ? Moreover, bitter 
disappointment and wild grief do not readily 
nor willingly find apologies for the decrees 
of Fate, and the crushing afflictions which 
arise from them ; and we do not think it at 
all lilcely that Evander is here, in his first 
utterances, endeavouring to mitigate the 
severity of the blow, or to lighten the load 
of his sorrow. Such an attempt would be 
wholly unlike the character of an aged man 
devotedly attached to a dutiful and only 
son. We therefore translate and connect 
thus: "These, O my PaUas, are not the 
promises you gave to [me] your father, 
when I begged (roganti) that you would 
("wish," "make up your mind to,") deter- 
mine to engage with great caution in the 
dreadful battle ; (and I entreated this) for I 
was not ignorant how great was the in- 
fluence of fresh glory," etc. The causal 
particle nam is very frequently omitted, 
as in 172, below. Servius says that some 
read (or wished to read) petenti for parenti: 
but this is, in Wagner's opinion, only the 
interpolation of some silly scribe. 
O 



156. Propinqui. It is on the proximity 
ofthe war that Evar.der lays the blame — 
had it been more distant, he should not 
have sent, or perliaps been called upon to 
send, his son. 

162. Obruerent Rutuli. Wagner explains 
thus, " dehebant me telis obruere tum, quunv 
te obruerunt."' " The Rutuli should have 
overwhelmed with tlieir weapons me fol- 
lowing the allied arms of the Trojans— I 
myself should have (readily) given up my 
life — and this procession should now be 
bringing me honie, and not Pallas." Others 
take obruerent as equal to utinam obruerent. 

164. iV'ec is equal to non tamen — "How- 
ever, I Avould not accuse you, O Trojans," 
etc., i.e., I do not by these complaints mean 
to accuse. 

169. Quin ego digner — "But I -may not 
[i.e., forbid that I should,] honour you 
with any other funeral," etc. 

171. TyrrlienUm is the proper reading in- 
stead of TyrrhenHmque, which spoils the 
metre. The repetition of the noun serres 
for a copula. 

172. Nam is omitted at the beginning of 
the line, as often. See 154, above, and note 
on 152, at end. Observe the curious con- 
struction, tropaea quos, and see, for an ex- 
planation, 81 above, note. 

177. " That I drag out a hated existence, 
your right hand (i.e., my expectation of 
your valotir,) is the cause, for you see it 
owes Turnus to a son and to a father." 
Resolve the relative quaju into et hanc, or, 
better here, perhaps, into nam hanc. 

179. Meritis and tibi are both datives, de- 
pending on vacat. "This is the only place 
left open for you, for (the display of) your 
kind services to me (i.e.. you have already 
conferred many favours, and now there 
remains but one as the crowning sheaf), 
and the only means by which you can 
establish your fortune." 

180. Vitae is the dat.— "I do not seek 
joys for life." Sed pe>:ferre—'' hnt to carry 
the news (scil., of the death of Turnus,) to 
my son to the Manes in the lower world." 
On the change of construction, from quaero 
gaudia to quaei'O perferre, see Mn.. ii. 5; x. 
758. 

185. Pyras. The pile is called pyra, says 
Servius, when it is made up ready for use, 
and is only a heap of wood: it is called 
rogus when on fire ; and bustum when con- 
sumed. The poet preserves this order, 
since he calls the heaps pyras, in 185; rogus, 
in 189 ; and busta, in 201. 

187. Conditur in tenebras. This affords 
another instance ofthe syntax called "con- 
structio praegnans," which will be found 
explained at ^u. ii. 18, note. On the cere- 
monies connected with the burial of the 
dead, and on the terms here used, consult 
Ramsay's or Boyd's text book of Roman 
antiquities. 

194. i)eco?-os— "beautiful." The epithet 
is not an idle one, as it was the most beau- 
tiful specimens of each separate offering 
which they presented. 

196. Nonfelicia. i.e., with which they did 
not succeed in defending themselves. 

205 



B. XI. 197-226. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. XI. 227- 



197. Morti is to be taken as personified — 
"To Death." Heinsius ^Aoites it with a 
small initial letter, and considers it as the 
ablative for morte — "in death" — but this 
la absurd. 

199. Jugulant in flammam — " slay them 
over the fire," i.e., slay them, and unmedi- 
ately fling them on the fire — another exam- 
ple of the constructio praegnans, on which 
gee ii. 18. 

201. On Busta, see 185. Donee, etc.— 
"TiU moist night inverted the heavens, 
spangled with brightly burning stars," Le., 
till morning. 

205. Avecta tollunt — another example of 
the proleptic use of the adjective, which see 
explained in note, ^n. ii. 736. In Italy, it 
was at one period customary to burn the 
dead, and at other times to bury them; 
hence the double mode of dealing with 
them here described. 

2U6. Urhi, i.e., Laurentum. Some think 
"each to his own city," but this is most 
unlikely. Finifimos, going before, seems to 
settle the question. 

207. -Cetera, i.e., corpora. Que is epexe- 
getical — " even." Caedis — " carnage "—is 
put for caesorum, a case of the "abstract for 
the concrete." See ii. 579. JVec numero, 
nee Iionore, ie., "neither counted, nor dis- 
tinguished by special and individual hon- 
ours." 

211. Ruebant for eruebant — "tossed up," 
"searched out." It Avas usual to collect 
the ashes and bones on the second, or 
sometimes the third day, as here. 

212. Tepido aggere — "a warm mound of 
earth: " warm either by reason of the pyres 
burning on it, or in consequence of the 
bones being buried in it wliile stUl hot. 
The former is preferable. 

213. Jam is often used by tlie poets, in the 
transition to anew subject, especially if the 
events which it introduces have happened 
amongst, or simultaneously with, those 
already nan-ated. Jn ted is— ''under cover," 
"ill the houses," is opposed to ''tha plain,"' 
in which the scene has hitherto been laid; 
and lest any one should suppose that tectis 
applies only to the palace of Latinns, he 
adds, tirbe Latini praedivitis. Urbe is not 
therefore in apposition to tectis, but is rather 
explanatory and independent of it. Tins is 
the opinion of Jahn and Forbiger, and it is 
evidently the right interpretation. The 
supposed apposition of in tectis, urbe, had 
sta^gei-ed many commentatoi's, and several 
suggestions had, m consequence, been made 
to remove the objection. 

On the propriety of the ^gMheX praedivitis, 
see iEn. vii. 170 ; and xii. 23. 

215. Caro— "beloved," viz., by their 
brothers, wlien alive. 

218. Jpsum, almost equal to so^MTTi— "him 
alone." Observe the apparent tautology in 
armis and ferro. The poets often lend force 
to an expression, and importance to an idea, 
by such a repetition. 

223. Obumbrat—'' screens.'' 

226. Super for insuper. Forbiger and 
Gossrau tliink that magna is applied to 

206 



Diomede's city, "because they expected 
great help from it." 

227. Nihil actum — " that nothing had 
been accomplished after all the expenditure 
of so great labour." Opus is sometimes 
used in the same sense as opera. 

235. Imperio, i.e., pro imperio — "in vir- 
tue of his sovereign authority." 

239. JEtola ex urbe, i.e., the city which 
Diomede the ^tolian founded. See \-iii. 9 ; 
X. 28 ; and below, 246. Remissos — " sent 
back " without gainmg their object. 

242, 3. Farier, old form for fart. Argiva 
castra, i.e., the city Argja-ipa, on which 
consult viii. 9. So we have JVova Troja, 
built by iEneas, called Tro'ia castra. 

246. Argyripam, patriae cognomine gentis. 
It was probably only a mere etymological 
fancy which derived the name Argyripa 
from Argos Hippium of the Peloponnese. 
Diomede's connection with it is also doubted 
See Mr Bunbury in Smith's Diet, of Geo- 
graphy, under " ArpL" 

It is not correct to say that Diomede was 
an Ai-give— he was an iEtolian, but by his 
Avife ^gialea, the daughter of Adrastus, 
king of Argos, he had a claim on the Ar- 
give throne. 

247. Victor. He had assisted Daunus 
against the Messapii, on the condition that 
he should receive part of the conquered 
territory, and as they were successful, he 
now enjoyed the fruits of his Aictoiy. Gar- 
ganus is a well knoANTi moimtain and pro- 
montory in Apulia. Japygis is the gen. of 
the subst. Japyx, put for the adj. lapygius. 

250. Observe the change in constn;ction 
from docemus nomen to docemus qui intule- 
rint, and see note 180, above, with the 
references there given. After attraxerit 
supply nos. On Arpi, see above, 246; x. 28; 
and below, 428. 

252. Foriunatae — "blessed," because once 
ruled over in the " good old times " by 
Saturn. Ausonii for Ansones. 

254. Ignota bella — "wars of which you 
have very little idea," as we should sa5^ 
Others think that ignota means simply 
" with a sti-ange nation," but this would be 
very tame and common-place. 

255. Violavimus — " done violence to," 
"polluted." The verb violare is used, as 
the objects injured were sacred, and the 
special care of the gods. The mishaps 
which befell the ditTerent Grecian chiefs who 
took part in the Trojan war are detailed by 
Diomede. 

257. On Simois, see i. 100. Premat, i.e., 
holds down beneath his waters. Supplicia 
and poenas are strong expressions, having 
reference to violavimus, in 255. 

259. Manus, etc. — "a company to be pitied 
even by Priam." Compare ^n. ii. 6 sqq. 

260. Sidus Minervae—see i. 39— i.e., a 
storm sent down by Minerva, for the con- 
stellations were supposed to be the cause of 
tempests. Que is epexegetical. " The Eu- 
boean rocks, and (among them) the avenger 
Caphareus." Caphareus was a promontory 
in the S. E. of Euboea, dangerous to ships, 
by reason of sunken rocks and whirlpools ; 
and noted for the destruction of the Greek* 



B. XL 261-273. 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. XI. 275-295. 



on their return from Troy. It is now called 
Cavo B'Oro, or Xylofago. UUor refers, of 
course, to the shipwreck of Ajax Oileus, as 
a punishment for his sin against Miuer\-a. 
He was one of those who anSenQd. poenus 
scelerum, 258. 

261. Abacti — "driven from their com-se." 
Proteus was king of Egj-pt, according to 
one version of the legend regarding him, and 
had his residence in the island of Pharos. 
He is said to have taken Helen from Paris, i 
substituting to the Trojan a phantom in her 
stead, and to have restored the real woman 
to Menelaus, on liis return from Troy. In 
imitation of the phrase columnas Hercidis — 
"the pillars of Hercules," an expression de- 
noting the extreme lunit of the world in a 
westerly direction, the poet uses columnas 
Protei, " to signify '^'^''y remote regions. 
Adusque, i.e., usque ad: so abusque for 
usque ab. With the passage in the histury 
of Menelaus, compare Odyss. iv. 81 sqq., and 
351 sqq. 

263. Exsidat — "wanders as an exile." 
On the Cyclopes, see Mrv. iii. 569 sqq. 

264. Owregna Neoptolemi, seeiiL 296 sqq., 
and on versos Penates Idomenei, iiL 121 sqq., 
and notes. 

265. Some of the Locri, the followers of 
Ajax Oileus, settled in Bruttium, and some, 
according to the version of the stoiy here 
adopted, in Africa. See iii. 399. 

267. These lines refer to the death of 
Agamemnon by the hands of his wife 
Clytaemnestra, and her paramour ^gisthus. 
Intra jyima li/nina is not to be taken lite- 
rally, as meaning the door threshold, or the 
atrium^ but in a general way, "ere he had 
well reached his home," Le., before he was 
any length of time returned. 

268. Devictam Asiam is not to be taken as 
equal to victorem Asiae — "the conqueror of 
Asia," Le., of Troy; but it means the wealth of 
Asia gained by Agamemnon in his conquest 
of Troy. Subsideo means to lie in wait for, 
with hostile purpose, as a hunter for a \\Tld 
beast, and thus the phrase may be trans- 
lated, "An adulterer lay in wait to seize 
(the spoils of) conquered Asia." 

269. Inridisse depends in syiitax on re- 
feram, in 264, the intervening lines bemg a 
kind of parenthetic mention of the chief of 
the expedition, nitroduced as an after- 
thought, before the speaker winds up with 
his own case. Such a sentence, beginning 
with a "why even," and vaiying in con- 
struction from those preceding and follow- 
ing, is neither olijectionable iu itself, nor 
uncommon in oiu" own awtiiors. 

270. The common legend makes Diomede 
return to Ai-gos to liis kmgdom, after the 
Trojan war, and soon migrate from it again, 
on account of the disgraceful conduct of his 
wife ^gialea. Virgil seems to follow a 
different story. 

273. Aves — the famous "Birds of Dio- 
mede." The Liomedeae Insulae (three m 
number), now culled Isole Di Tremiti, ofif 
the coast of ApuUa, and about fifteen mUes 
distant from it, derived their name from the 
legend here mentioned, viz., that upon them 



the companions of Diomede were trans- 
formed into birds. They were frequented 
by immense numbers of birds of a large 
size, supposed to be a kind of Puffin, or 
Petkel, perhaps the Procellaeia Pitf- 
Fixus of Linnaeus. See Mr Bunbury, in 
Smith's Diet, of Geog., under " Diomedeae 
Insulae." Petierunt — "they sought," at the 
time of their transformation, and now va- 
gantur et implent — "tliey do not cease to 
roam about and fill," eta Fluminibus — 
"around the rivers." 

275. Speranda, in the sense of metuenda. 
Coelestia corpora, viz.. Venus and Mars. 
See Hom. B. v. 330, and 793 sqq. 

278. Observe the p.culiar force given to 
the sentence by the repetition oine. 

280. Laetor inalorum may be defended on 
the same principle as inirerjustitiae, in 126, 
above, where see note : but it is perhaps 
better to arrange the words thus, memini 
mulorum, et laetor (rnalis). ilcdoi'um means 
the toils and disasters of war: "I do not 
remember their former disasters, so as to 
rejoice at them." See note on xii. 19. 

283. Quantus = quanta ri — "with what 
mighty power (or force) he rises to the 
shield." Assurgere in clipeum refers to the 
practice of waniors, who, -n-hen about to 
inflict a blow with the sword, raised them- 
selves slightly on tiptoe, to give additional 
power, and at the same time elevated their 
shields to use the umbo, or boss, as a kind 
of club to knock down their antagonist 

284. Quo=quanto — "with what a fearful 
whirlwind he hurls his spear." 

286. On ultro. see JEn. il 145. note. In- 
achias, i.e., Argive, Inachus being the name 
of the first kijig of Ai-gos, and also of the 
chief river of the kingdom. Dardanus — 
"the Trojan," Le., the Trojans. 

288. Quidquid cessaturn est — "whatever 
delay there was " [to the Greeks in gaining 
the victory] ; or, " during all the tune that 
our success was delayed, the A^ctory of the 
Greeks was retarded by the bravery of 
Hector and of .Eneas, 'and defeiTcd its 
arrival till the tenth year." Cf. Hom IL 
xvii. 513. 

293. Qua—'^hy whatever means," "on 
whatever condition." 

295. Bello is said to be the ablative case. 
"Tlie ablative," says Zumpt, "is joined 
with nouns and verbs to express a particu- 
lar circumstance or limitation, where, in 
English, the expressions, 'with regard to,' 
'aslo,' or 'in,' are used." Thus, we should 
translate the present passage as follows: — 
"And what is his opinion in regard to this 
great war." Others take bello as the dative. 
" Praestat tamen, nisi fcdlor, bello pro 
Bativo accipere, vt bello tamquam pcrsonae 
cogitato, ipsi sententia aliqua tribuatur; 
quae hello stet sententia — qua sententia 
bellum geri velit, Le., ex qua sententia bellum 
gerendum sit:' Thus wiltes Forbiger, who 
claims as his supporters Thiel and Gossrau. 
We see notliing gained by the personification 
of War; hut if hello be taken as the dative, 
we would translate simply, " and what is 
his deliberate advice (opinion, judgment, 
207 



B. XI. 296-318. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEII>. 



B. XL 319-340. 



i.e., what course he advises) for (our conduct 
of) this great war." But we prefer the first 
iuterpretation. 

296. On qm in this peculiar sense, 
"when," see ^n. ii. 692, note. Ohserve 
the frequent recurrence of the letter r in 
this and the three following lines, not, it 
would seem, without intention. The harsh- 
ness of the letter suits well the scene de- 
scribed. 

301. Praefatus divos — "haAong first ad- 
dressed the gods." The ancients (that is, 
the more pious of them, as, for example, 
Cato and Gracchus) did not di. em it right 
to begin a speech without invoking the 
deities. 

302. Siatuisse — "to have deliberately de- 
termined. Tali tempore — "at so critical a 
moment." 

305. Importunum — "unseasonable," or 
" dangerous." Gente deoruiiu viz., ^neas. 
The Trojans are called invkti, as being 
overcome not by mortal means, but by the 
intervention of the powers of heaven. 

307. The unyielding character of the 
Romans, who, in the midst of their greatest 
calamities, did not despair, is referred to in 
the phrase, nee vied, etc. 

309. Spes sibi quisque, scil., est. "Each 
man is his own sole hope ; but you see how 
slender this hope is." 

311. Sunt illustrates a peculiar kind of 
attraction. It is put in the plural, by its 
proximity to the plurals, ante oculos intej-qne 
manus, on the principle of the sjmesis con- 
struction (see ^n. i. 70), tliough it should 
properly be represented by est, the words 
being thus aiTanged: est ante oculos inter- 
que manus vestras, qua (i.e., quanta) ruina 
cetera omnia perculsa jaceant. Thus the 
commentators ; but we are inclined to think 
that omnia does not agree with cetera 
(which already implies "a// other things") 
but that it means ail data in the sense that, 
" All the facts are manifest before you, (to 
prove) in what a crippled state are our 
other appliances of war [Le., our forces, and 
munitions of war]." 

312. Poluit quae plurima virtus, etc. 
•' Valour has been displayed as abundantly 
as it was possible." This refers to nee 
quetnqtiam incitso, and means to exculpate 
all from individual blame, while the next 
clause, toto certatum, etc., is intended to 
defend the government of the kingdom, 
and to commend the miited eflbrts of the 
whole community. 

31G. Est antiquus ager mihi — est mihi 
may mean, either " there is under my rule," 
or "I have as my private property," 
'*T5/A£vo5 regio." This latter seems pre- 
ferable. Tlie territoiy mentioned lay near 
the Tiber, and extended from the neigh- 
bourhood of Laurentum far to the west- 
ward, even beyond the frontiers of the 
Sicani. 

318. On the Aurunci, see vii. 723 ; and on 
the settlements of the Rutuli, vii. 412. In 
offering to give away his private territory 
for the good of the state, Latinus takes 
oare to uuderraluc the gift, either from 

208 



natural modesty, or from a desire to render 
the concession as little galling as possible 
to the nation. 

319. Horum (collium) asperrima is simi- 
lar to coerula coeli, strata viarum, etc. See 
note, ^n. i. 310. 

32-5. Si possunt decedere — "if they can 
bring themselves (see 307, above) to depart," 
as Forb. and Gossr. interpret ; or, " if they 
are allowed by the Fates to depart," as 
Wagn., Jahn, and others thiuk. Some 
copies read poscunt. 

329. It is to be remembered that the 
Trojan ships had been destroyed in the 
battle with Turnus, and changed into sea 
deities; and therefore it is that Latinus 
proposes to make them good. Aera, i.e., 
the metal requu-ed in the builduig of the 
ships; manus — "the hands," Le., the 
workmen; navalia, the saUs, ropes, pitch, 
etc. etc. 

331. Centum oratores — see y\\. 153. De 
prima gente — "of the first families," "of 
the highest rank." 

333. Munera portantes — "carrying as 
gifts." Aurique eborisque talenta. The tal- 
ent is a weight, and apphes to the valuing 
of ivory as well as gold. Some think that 
the words are placed in an aAvk\Aard order 
and position, and that talenta belongs to 
um-i only, while sellam governs eboris. This, 
however, is unnecessarj^ as we have seen. 
The sella curulis and the trabea (see Roman 
Antiquities) were famous as badges ot 
authority among the Romans. On the 
trabea, see vii. 612, note. 

335. Consulite in medium — "consult for 
the common weal." So quaere in medium, 
Geo. I 127. 

336. Drances. This character is supposed 
by some to represent Cicero (Turnus being 
the prototjT)e of M. Antony) ; by others 
Polydamas (Homer II. xii. 210 sqq.) ; by 
others Achilles ; but Heyne prefers to con- 
sider him as the counterpart of the Homeric 
Thersites— all idea of defonnity in body, or 
weakness in intellect, being omitted. The 
meaning of idem is somewhat obscure. 
Wagner takes it as serving the purpose of a 
conjunction, et, introducing a series of par- 
ticulars — et infensus, et invidus, {et) largus 
opum, et melior lingua, etc. etc. But we 
follow (jossrau and Forb. in thinkhig that 
idem is used to call our attention to the fact 
that this is the Drances mentioned before 
as infensus in 123, above: " The aforesaid." 

3.38. Largus opurn. For an explanation 
of the sjTitax see 73, above ; and compare 
Geo. iv. 310, 491; ^n. i. 178; and below, 
417 of this Book. The phrase may refer to 
his worldly substance, or perhaps, from its 
very close connection with lingua melior, it 
may denote the fruitfulness of his brain, and 
the abundance of his menial resources. Ob- 
sein-e the change in construction in the clause 
''sed frigida," etc., (sometimes called the 
nomhiative absolute), and the return again, 
in the followmg words, to the former order 
of syntax. 

340. Potens seditione, i.e., (1) seeking his 
popularity and power by civil broils; or (2) 
powerful in raising and conducthig a sedi- 



B. XI. 342-359. 



NOTES ON THE JENEID. 



B. XL 361-403. 



tion. " His mothcx";: family gave Iiim high 
rank (on that side of the house), -o-hile he 
always had (ferebat) the reputation of being 
of low origin {incertum — for if his father had 
been high, he should have been known) by 
the father's side." The parenthesis, from 
genus to ferebat, is irregular in construction, 
and, in fact, the wiiole sentence has a 
slovenly and untinished air. 

342. Onerat, \iz., Turnum. 

343. Nee is a more emphatic negative 
than ne(jue: "Hence," says Wagner, "Vir- 
gil places it at the beginning of sentences 
where the metre permits. In this case, 
however, it is found in an unusual position 
with nosfrae, to mark a strong contrast be- 
tween the persons, thus: There is no reason 
^vliy I should explain, etc., for all here 
know," etc. 

345. Ferat = postulet. Mussanl — "hesi- 
tate." iirt;5sare properly means to ''mutter,'''' 
to speak in a low, indistiuct tone." 

346 Flatus — "inflatedness,"i.e., "haugh- 
tiness." " Let him give over his haughti- 
ness." The Greeks call it (pvcrnf-^-a, 

347. Itifaustum auspicium — " ill-starred 
leadership." The phrase has reference to 
the practice of the Roman generals in taking 
the auspices before engaging in an expedi- 
tion, and to the usual expression that "alfairs 
were conducted under the auspices of such 
a one." Hinistros mores— '■• unlucky toxTD^ei;" 
Le., violent, overbearing, as impUed in flatus, 
above. We use "unlucky" and "unfor- 
tunate " in the same sense. 

351. Territat caelum armis. This is a 
proverbial expression, meaning to make a 
^•eat noise without much likelihood of 
injuiy, by tlureatenmg objects not liable to 
attack. 

352. Unum eiiam — "One thing besides," 
or " in addition." Mitti refers to the port- 
able things, viz., gold, ivory, curule chair, 
etc, projiosed in 333 ; and dici to the ager 
(316), and the naves (326.) 

354. Violentia ulUus — "Nor let the vehe- 
ment opposition of any one prevail with 
you so as to prevent you from giving your 
daughter," etc. Amata, the viife of Latinus, 
is probably hinted at ; and hence, perhaps, 
the introduction of the w'ord pater, in 356. 
Pater has peculiar force, since the father 
had the absolute control of his children, 
and could dispose of them in marriage as 
he wished. 

357. Quod si. This sentence is somewhat 
ellipticaL The meaning is, " But if so great 
dread possesses you," as to prevent you from 
adopting this plan. 

358. When a verse or sentence begins and 
terminates w-ith the same word, the repeti- 
tion is called epanadiplosis, or inclusio. 

359. Cedaf, etc. — " Let him j-ield (to our 
entreaties) and resign to his king and to his 
country their proper right," viz., of marry- 
ing the princess Lavinia to whom they 
please. Instead of patriae some would read 
patri; but mention of the natite country 
cannot well be omitted, as its safety de- 
pended, according to the oracle, on the 
marriage of .Sneas with Lavinia. 



I 361. Projicis and aperta tend to heighten 
much the bitterness of tlie expression. Pro- 
j jicei-e means to throw away thuigs worthless 
and despised. Objicere is very often used 
-svith periculum, but it does not imply any 
such accessory idea as that referred to 
in the explanation of projicere. Caput — 
"source," i.e., "author." 

363. Inviolabile pignus, viz., the marriage 
of ^ueas to Lavinia. Invisum, in next 
line, is used in an active sense, equal to 
inimicum — "Your enemy." Ignotus, igna- 
rus, nescius, penetrahilis, etc. eta, are used 
either in an active or in a passive sense. 
Et esse nil rnoror — "and I care not to be 
so," i.e., 3"ou are at liberty to believe me so 
if you wish. 

371. Scilicet — "forsooth," said with bitter 
irony. So in dotalis, above, it is hinted that 
the dowry of a kingdom is the main object 
of the love of Turnus, 

374. Adspice contra — so our "s-iilgar 
phrase "face him," meaning give him fight. 
See 2 Kings xiv. 8; and compare the 
Greek expression, xvnfs'ki-rBiv, and the 
Homeric avr-ziv uirilistv. Patrii Mortis, 
Le., patriae virtutis. 

381. Distinet is a much more suitable 
reading than detinet, since it means to keep 
apart things hitherto separated, while de- 
tinet signifies to "keep back," to "delay," 
simply. 

386. Insignis, from the verb insignire — 
"to render conspicuous," "to adorn." 

389. Imus — "we are going to meet the 
foe : why do you linger ? " We might have 
expected the pres. subjunctive. 

S94. Totatn domuni cam stirpe — " the 
whole family with the parent stem," i.e., 
Pallas, who w-as an only son, and by whose 
death the family became extinct, the hope 
of increase being cut off. 

395. Arcadas, put in plural, though re- 
ferring to only one, as that one represented 
the whole nation. 

396. Haud ita — "itw^as not thus," ^nz.. 
as a coward and a conquered person, that 
Pandarus and Bitias (on whom see ix. 672; 
experienced me. 

399. liulla Salus. The words of Drances 
in 362, are here repeated Avith much sar- 
castic bitterness. Cane, etc. — Foretell such 
results, thou madman, to (or, for) the Tro- 
jan chief, and thine ovn\ cause." 

402. Vires bis victae gentis — "the might 
of the nation twice conquered (already)." 
viz., first by Hercules, and then by the 
Greeks. Premere — "to depreciate." 

403. This and the succeeding lines are 
ironical. They insinuate that the refusal of 
Diomede to enter into an alliance with 
them against the Trojans is made up for a 
purpose, and that the embassy sent to 
Apulia had been fraudulently detained by 
Drances. The train of ideas -will be under- 
stood by the following paraphrase : — " You 
would make us believe, I suppose, that the 
chiefs of the MjTmidons dread the Phrj-- 
gian weapons ; that Tydides and the Laris- 
sean Achilles shudder at their terrors ; and 
now, even the river Aufidus rushes back ia 

209 



B. XL 405-415. 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. XL 416-459. 



consternation from the waters of Hadria." 
The absurdity of the idea is heightened by 
introducing tlie Myrmidons, who had no- 
thing whatever to do with the affairs of 
Italy, and Achilles, now dead ; as if he 
were to say, " Oh, don't say Diomede only, 
but tell us at once that Achilles and all his 
Myrmidons are tenlfied." 

405. The Aufidus (Ofanto) was a river of 
Apulia, flowing past Cannae, and emptying 
itself into the Adriatic. The name of the 
river is put for that of Diomede and the 
Apuliaus. 

406. Fel cum has given great difficulty 
to commentators, since (1) the sentence has 
no apodosis; and (2) this part does not 
seerh balanced with another portion in a 
similar construction ; and (3) there is no 
clause preceding, from which we might take 
a verb or other word to make the sense 
complete. As it is, it is ungrammatical, 
unless we take vel cum for quid, or quod, 
or quin etiam, as some do, explaining the 
oddity as an archaism. Wagner, however, 
in his small edition, supplies the apodosis 
thus, quale illud est cummentum? We 
should, in this view, translate, " O, ivhat a 
falsehood is it, when this monster of deceit 
pretends that he is in dread of ray reproach- 
ful threats, and embitters his accusation 
against me on the ground of his (alleged) 
fear." In our pei-plexity we are inclined 
to adopt this interpretation as the most 
feasible one we have seen. 

407. Artificis scelus is put, by an inversion 
of the syntax, for artifex scelestus, but in the 
translation above we have given it a turn 
which brings out better the full force of 
tcelus, in its substantive character, repre- 
senting Drances as the very essence of guilt 
itself 

408. Talem animavi — " such a craven 
soul." Uac dextra, i.e., with this right 
hand of mine which meets in fight with 
heroes only. Observe the keen bitterness 
in the phrase, hiibitet tecum, et sit pectore 
in islo: "Let it abide with thyself [i.e., 
soul and body are well matched, and ought 
not to be disunited], and remain in that 
dastard breast of thuie." 

412. Deserti, viz., by Diomede, for he 
was the only one asked to help them. 

415. After quamquam wc must under- 
stand that there is a sudden break in the 
sentence (aposiopesis — see i. 135), for the 
speaker, seeing that his sentiment would 
not be pleasing to many of his hearers, re- 
frams from stating very broadly his disap- 
proval of tlie proposal to sue for peace, and 
contents himself with mdirectly signifying 
his ideas by the opinion he expresses with 
regard to the happiness of those who have 
died before such a proposition has been 
made. " Although — Cthe result ought to be 
far dijfi'rent) — (but) Oh ! would that some- 
what of om- wonted valour were still dis- 
played !" 

The words o! si solitae quidquam virtutis 
adesset, may also be taken as a parenthesis, 
and then quamquam will be connected im- 
mediately with ille mihi, etc. This is the 
plan approved by Wagner and Forbiger. 

210 



416. Mihi — "in my opinion." Fortuna- 
ius laborum — " happy in misfortunes ;" 
laborum meaning the calamities of defeat 
and death in battle. See xii. 727, and note. 
Egregius animi — "noble in spirit." On 
tlie construction of the two genitives, see 
note 126, above. Semel—'''- once for all." 

420. Urbes Italae — Italian cities, to contrast 
with the Greek colony of Diomede, to which 
an appeal had been made in vain. 

423. Tempestas — "the storm of battle." 
Beficimusin primo limine — "fail in spirit 
in our very entrance on the war," Le., ere 
Ave have well entered on it. 

425. Mult a, etc. — "Many things have 
length of time, and the now favourable, now 
adverse, toils of chequered ages restored to 
a better condition : many persons has For- 
tune, now kind, now adverse {alterna), in 
her retmming visits mocked, and again (on 
an after occasion) established on a solid 
basis." The Homeric parallel, vIkyiV Ittci- 
fisi^irai civlpKs, need scarcely be quoted. 

428. On Aetolus et Arpi, see 239 sq., and 
246, above; and on Messapus, vii. 691. 
Felix, as applied to Tolumnius, means 
powerful, abundant in resources. 

430. Nee parva sequetur. Some editors 
read tarda, which makes a most appropriate 
sense, but it has not equal MS. authority. 
On Camilla, see y\L 803. 

437. Pro tanta spe, viz., the hope of 
having the honour of being looked upon as 
the sole instrument in the salvation of my 
country. 

438. Animis — "courageously," "boldly." 
Vel licet ille praestet — "even though that 
person (you speak of, viz., ^neas) show 
himself (to be) a mighty Achilles," etc. 

442. " JEneas calls for me alone ; and I 
pray that he may call for me: and if tlie 
wrath of heaven is manifested in this affair, 
let not Drances, rather than me, atone for 
it witli his death ; nor, if it be the glorious 
reward of valour, let him carry away the 
glory." 

445. .^neas advances against Laurentum 
in two bands — the infantry advance over 
the hills, the cavalry by the plain. 

453. Manu is a pleonastic ornament, in- 
serted because arms are Avielded by the 
hand. Forb. But may poscunt manu not 
refer to gesture, d&f remit does to sound ? 

457. Padusae. The Padusa was one of the 
mouths of the Padus (Po),now closed up. On 
the Padus, see Smith's Diet, of Geography. 
The stagna are called loquacia, from the 
notes of the swans which frequent tliem. 

459. This is spoken ironically. We may 
suppose that before immo there is understood 
such a phrase as, "Don't on any account 
take arms! Nay, rather, my fellow-citizens, 
says Tumus, seize this favourable oppor- 
tunity to collect a council, and, sittmg quietly 
in deliberation, be loud in your praises of 
peace." Arrepto tempore may also be jomed 
Avith ait. " Turaus, taking advantage of 
the opportunity, says." Illi ruant — "let 
the foe yonder (the Trojans) rush in arms 
to the palace," [i.e., into the very heart of 
the khigdom.] 



B. XL 463-507. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. XL 510-53L 



4G3. Edice and not edic. So elsewhere 
addice, indice, etc. Wakefield would write 
duce for due in the next line; but the simple 
verb is not capable of being treated like 
the compound in the formation of its im- 
perative. 

464. Eqnilem in armis, i.e., eqidtem arma- 
tum. A substantive with a preposition is 
often joined thus to another subst. to serve 
as an adjective, as belluni ad Mutinam for 
bellumMntinense: soamorergaparentes. Ob- 
serve Messapus and Coras in the nommative 
instead of in the vocative, after the Attic 
fashion. This is very common with the 
poets; more rare in prose writers. Coras 
cumfratre, viz., Catillus. See viL 672. 

466. For firmet, capessaf, some copies read 
firment, capessani. Jusso, next line, is for 
jussero, so declarasso for declaravero, dixis 
for dixeris, etc. See Rudim. Lat. Gr., vol. 
L, p. 327, note 14. On ilicet see ^n. ii. 424. 

469. Pater — Observe the last syllable 
lengthened by arsis. See note on viL 39S. 
Magna incepta, Le., the restoring peace to 
Italy. 

472. Urhi, Le., in urbem, in regnum. Ad~ 
sciscere urbi is therefore equal to adsciscere 
consortem regni. 

473. Praefodiunt portas, i.e., fodiuntfossas 
ante portas. Saxa sudesque— these were 
either for a rampart or for missiles. 

477. Compare Hom. II. vi. 68 sq., and 
229. The worship of Pallas in Italy, at 
this early period, is considered extraordinary 
by some writers. But see ^n. i. 469, note. 

480. Oculos dejecta. On this syntax, see 
the note on ^n. i. 228. Observe the hiatus 
tanti, oculos, and see note, Mi\. 1. 16. 

482. De limine. Those who addressed 
the gods made their vows from the outer- 
most part of the temple, and not from the 
inner, as we do. The prayer is translated 
almost verbatim from Hom. II. vi. 305 sqq. 

484. On Tritonia, see note, JEn. iL 171. 

487. On the syntax of indutus thoraca, 
see 480, above. The meaning is, he put on 
a brazen corslet, formed with scales, which 
presented a rough surface. Besides, he 
inclosed his legs in greaves, a specimen of 
which may be seen at ii. 393. For Rutu- 
lum, some read rutilum, but MS. authority 
is in favour of the former. 

489. Tempora nudus — see above, 480, 
and reference there. 

490. Aureus has been objected to by 
Heyne, but Wagner shows that auro ful- 
gerc, and aureuTnfuIgere, are very different 
expressions, the latter meaning simply ut 
aurum. So we have aurea mala — aurea 
sidera — aureus amellus, etc. Horace ad- 
dressing a female calls her aurea. 

492. Lines 492-7 are translated from Hom. 
Ii. vi 506-11, which see for parallel phrases. 

494. On ille, see Mn. i. 3. 

499. Desiluit ab equo — " quickly dis- 
mounted,'" as persons at Rome did Avhen 
meeting a magistrate or a patron. Cohors, 
usually applied to infantry, is here used for 
turma, a "troop of cavalry." 

507. Horrenda — "worthy of admiration," 
" awfuL" 



510. Partire, imperative mood— "sharo 
with me the danger." He says "share 
Avith me," on account of her expression, 
sola, etc., in 504. Supra oinnia, Le., su- 
perior to (regardless of) all dangers, and 
aU Aicissitudes of fortune. 

512. Ifnprobus — "indefatigable," "un- 
wearied," in which signification we met the 
word before; or "wicked," "unprincipled," 
in its broadest sense, since Turnus is not at 
all unlikely to have employed dislogistic 
expressions in reference to his rival See 
Geo. L 119, 146; and ^n. ix. 62, note. 
Obsers'e that ut is omitted before quaterent, 
and see iv. 683. 

514. Construe thus, *' Per deserta montis 
ardua ad urbem ndventat, jugo (ea) supe- 
rans, Le., per jugum nrdui desertique mon- 
tis appropinquat.'" Wagner. 

515. Convexo tramite silvae, i.e., a by- 
path in a A'aUej^ of the forest ; the curvus 
anfractus of 522. On bioias fauces, see 
below, 522, 525. 

519. In 510, Turnus had proposed that 
Camilla should share the labour of com- 
mand with Mm, and now he foUoAvs up that 
plan by requesting her to undertake his 
duties in that part which he assigns her, viz., 
against the cavalry of iEneas, and the auxi- 
liaries sent by Evander. 

522. dalles, an old form of the nom., is 
read by the best MSS. instead of vallis the 
vulgar lection. Curvo anfractu, Le., in tho 
high grounds over which the Trojans were 
to pass there Avas a A-alley Avith a Avinding 
defile. Jlnfractus [amb and frag, root of 
frangd] seems here to mean not simply a 
winding — a circuit ; but a narrow pass 
with precipitous ledges, as the fuller des- 
cription, in 525, appeal's to show by the 
phrases, tenuis semita, anguslae fauces, 
and maligni aditus. 

525. Maligni aditus — a "niggard," 
"scantA%" or "confined approach." Ma- 
lignus, quasi maligenus, (so benignus beni- 
genusj means primarily, "of evil disposi- 
tion," "ill-disposed," "malicious," and from 
this, "dangerous." From the idea of 
"Avant of inclination," or "ill-disposed," 
comes that of "niggardly," and from this 
again "scanty," "petty." So malignus 
partus — "a harbour that shows no desire 
to accommodate ships." 

526. The meaning is, "Above this pass 
there is on the AicAA-commanding heights 
(speculis), and in the very summit of the 
mountain, a plateau Avhich no one Avould 
suspect to be there (planities ignota, the lat- 
ter Avord applying to the extraordinary 
position of such a plain, and not to the 
circumstance of the Trojans knowing it or 
not knoAA-ing it), and a place of safe retire- 
ment (or concealment), w^hether you wish 
to meet the enemy, attacking you on the 
left or on the right, or Avhether you desire 
rather to assaU him from the cliffs [or, to 
take your stand on the cliffs], and roll down 
upon him huge stones." 

531. Iniquis, Le., "dangerous " for .lEneaa 
to pass. 

211 



B. XI. 532-558. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. XI. 563-582 



532. Opis — a name sometimes applied to 
Biana herself, but here to one of her atten- 
dant nymphs. 

536. l^ostn's armh — see 652 and 844, 
below. On Camilla, see vii. 803 sqq. 

639 sqq. This is one of the passages 
which we believe Virgil would have altered 
had he lived to revise his great poem. It 
seems very absurd to introduce Diana re- 
cording to Opis, at such a critical moment, 
faets in the history of Camilla, of which the 
nymph must have been already well aware. 
And we are, therefore, of opinion that the 
additional details, in regard to tlie life of 
Camilla, were given by the poet as an 
iifterthou^iit, when the character came be- 
fore him a second time; but that this fur- 
ther description (539 to the middle of 584) 
would, upon revisal, have been intei"woven 
with the former sketch, in the end of Book 
vii. 803 sqq. The latter part of this note is 
the idea of Peerlkamp. 

540. Privernum^ now Piperno Vecchio, 
was situated near the river Amasenus, and 
at first belonged to the Volsci, but was 
afterwards included among the towns of 
Latiuni. See Mr Bunbiuy, hi Smith's Diet. 
of Geog., sub. voc. 

In Metahus, tyrannical to his subjects and 
hated by them, yet fondly devoted to his 
child, we have a parallel to the case of 
Mezentius, as detailed in x. 839 sqq. 

543. CarnWus or CasmiUus, was a term 
applied to a boy witli both parents alive, 
who was emjjloyed in sacred offices. Hence 
it means a minister or servant, generally, 
and was applied by the Etruscans to Mer- 
cury as the messenger of the gods. The 
Etruscans received the word from the 
Pelasgians. 

547. On the Amasenus, see vii. 685. 

551. Subito vix. Vix refers to the diffi- 
culty of pitching on a feasible plan, from 
the many suggesting themselves, and subito 
to the suddenness of tlie conception and 
adoption of that now mentioned. It seems 
verj- forced and unnatural to take vix as 
equal to sinndac, a conjunction, and to con- 
nect the clauses as Wagner does — subito 
sedit sententia, et simulac (vix) sedit telo im- 
plicat natam, etc. 

553. Robore cocto, i.e., of oak "dried," 
"or hardened," or " seasoned by the fire," 
or "burned at tlie point," like tlie weapon 
with which Ulysses bored out the eye of 
Polyphemus. But the epithet solidum ren- 
ders tlie former explanation preferable. 

Telum immune is not the direct object to 
any verb or preposition, but is an emphatic 
introduction of the subject, on the principle 
fully laid down in the note on JEn. i. 573, 
which consult. 

554. Clausuin, etc. — " wrapped closely up 
in bark and in the wild cork." 

555. Habikm — "so as to be easily han- 
dled" or "managed." 

558. Ipse. The pronoun is particularly 
expressive — " I myself, her father." " Pa- 
rents usually desire that their daughters 
should marry, but /, father though I be, 
devote her to you, O Diana, and to per- 
petual virginity." 

212 



Tua tela. So Diana says nostra arma, in 
536. 

563. Camilla is called infelix, either on ac- 
count of the trial to which she was subjected 
at so early an age, or in anticipation of her 
unhappy and premature end. 

566. Donum, viz., the child, as he had 
vowed. Victor — "successful in his attempt." 
On Triviae, see iv. 609. 

568. Neque manus dedisset — "Nor would 
he, by reason of his savage nature, have 
submitted to restraint," i.e., the restraints 
of civilized, social life. Dare manus means 
to give the hand in token of submission, or 
for the purpose of making peace or friend- 
ship, or in entering into ties of hospitality. 
Tectis means private houses, but moenibus 
the state generally. Solis — " lonely." 

570. Equae armentalis — " a mare from 
the herd;" el ferino lacte — "even on the 
milk of a wild beast." The et is epexegeti- 
cal, for, says Wagner, ferns is sometimes 
the same as cquus. See ii. 51, and v. 818. 

573. Fr/mis plantis, i.e., with her feet 
used for the first time ; not the front part 
of her feet, as some interpret. Observe 
the truthful elegance of description in the 
words onemvii and patmas, and, in fact, in 
the whole passage. The infant Amazon 
stands before us in all her engaging beauty, 
as with bronzed and healthy complexion, 
firm limb, and well-knit frame, she bears in 
both her hands the Liliputian dart, and 
rattles on her shoulder tiie tiny bow and its 
companion quiver; while we picture to 
ourselves the savage Metabus, gazing with 
fond pride on his only child, the full mea- 
sure of a father's aftection swelling in his 
bosom. 

576. Crinnli auro — either a hair pin, or 
comb; or perhaps a kind of net-work cap 
common in Italy even to this day. The 
woodcut represents a boxwood comb with 
close set teeth (densn der/te), and with a 
cross-bar of ivory inlaid with gold, reaching 
over the back of the instrument. See Rich, 
p. 482. 



-t< 


1 


||||H 


■El 


i 


I 


^^^^g 







On the palla, see ^En. L 648, note and 
woodcut. 

580. Strymoniam — see x. 265, and Geo. 
i. 120. 

581. Tyrrkena per oppfda. The Etrus- 
cans, at an early period, made settlements 
hi Campania, into which district Metabus 
directed his steps after he had crossed the 
Amasenus. Heyne. 

582. Sola conlenta Diana. This phrase, 
together with Latonia Virgo (557) and 
dununi Triviae (566), afford to Peerlkamp 
a reason, from their unsuitableness in the 
mouth of Diana herself, for considering this 



B. XI. 586-649. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. XL 651-671. 



whole passage, from 539, to colif, 584, as 
much more appropriate to the end of Book 
vii. See note on 539, above. Intemerala 
— '• impoUuted." Correpta suggests sud- 
denness of decision as to engaging in the 
war, and danger arising from it. It may be 
transhited " hastily entangled." 

586. Supply, "Had she not engaged in 
this war," before the words, "She would 
have lived to be still beloved by me (as 
hitherto), and to be even now one of my 
companions." 

590. Hacc. i.e.. a bow and quiver. 

593. On cava niibe, see note, JEn. ii. 360. 

594. Feram lumulo. Another example 
of the dative being put after a verb of mo- 
lion, instead of the accus. with in or ad. 
So coelo is very often used for ad cochim ; 
conipeUere hibisco (Eel. ii. 30) for compellere 
ad hihiscum. Report am is equal to reddere, 
and therefore rightly followed by a dative. 

604. Frafre, i.e., CatiUus ; see above, 465. 
Ala is applied to cavahy. In next line, join 
longe with redurtis. They drew their spears 
far back, to be able to give a more vigorous 
blow or thrust. 

607. Adventus viriim — " the tramp of 
men approaching." 

612. TyiThemis is the name of an Etrus- 
can, and Aconteus of a Latin, for, as Wag- 
ner remarks, Virgil often gives Gi'eek names 
to Latins and Rutulians, as ix. 573, 672, 
etc. etc It is the violent concussion of the 
horses, and not a blow from his adversary, 
that " hurls Aconteus from his seat like a 
tlmnderbolt. or a stone cast by an engine." 

619. Rejici'int parmas — " they place their 
shields behind them," to defend the back. 

622. The necks (colla) of the steeds ai-e 
called molli'a, as being easily turned by the 
rein. Penitus, in next line, is to be jomed 
with refemntur. 

624. Alterno gurgite — "with alternating 
flow," i.e., sometimes rushing to land, and 
sometimes again to sea, not, however, by 
the tide, for none such exists in the Medi- 
terranean, but by the force of the wind. 

627. Rapidus retro, etc. "Rapidly re- 
treating, and sucking Avith it again the 
stones rolled up by its tide, it careers on- 
ward." Or retro may be joined to fugjt. 

Labente vado — " even the shallow parts 
slowly receding," i.e., the waters leave the 
beach so entirely that not only the deep 
places fail, but even the shallow parts which 
you might expect to remain after the de- 
crease of the wave, also disappear. 

630. Bis rejecti, etc. "Twice repulsed, 
they look back on their pursuers, covering 
tlieir backs with shields." 

633. Observe the nominatives, gemitits, 
arma, corpora., without their proper verb : 
supply sunt. 

644. Tantus in arma patet — "of such 
great dimensions does he lay himself open 
to the attack of weapons ;" or, " in so 
large a portion of his body," viz., as his 
head and shoulders. 

649. Amazon, i.e., nt Amazon. Unum 
exserta latus — "having one breast bared 
for the fight." On the syntax of exserta 
latus, see note, Mn. i 228. 



651. Spargens denset — " hurling her jave- 
lins in different directions, she showers them 
down in quick succession." On the bipennis, 
see ^n. ii. 479, note and woodcut. 

656. The secitris was a rustic implement 
assigned as a we.npon to the ItaUan shep- 
herds (vii. 627, etc.), and to Camilla and 
her companions, who were brought up in a 
similar mode of life. 

659. The Thermodon was a river of 
Pontus (now called Tejvneh). The primi- 
tive abode of the mythical race, called 
Amazons, was said to be the region of 
Caucasus, but they migrated thence to 
various quailers, especially to Pontus, 
where they founded Themiscyra, on the 
banks of the Thermodon, near the position 
of the modern Trebizond. 

660. Reliant ur is an archaic form for 
bellant, as in Geo. ii. 425, nutritor for nu- 
frito ; so also comperior is sometimes used 
for comperio, and copulor for copulo, etc. etc 
Pidsant, Aiz., with their horses' hoofs. 
Flumina, the streams, i.e., the banks. 

661. Hippolyte and Penthesilea — queens 
of the Amazons. Sen cum se Penthesilea 
refert, Le., seu circum Penthesileam guum 
refert se. 

662. Magno vhdante tumultu, i.e., ipsae 
ululant cam tujnnltu— ''they utter tumul- 
tuous cries." The word ululare, like its 
Greek and Irish brothers. hXoXv^nv and 
PhiUelew, is sometimes used in a good sense, 
as equal to "shout in tiiimiph," or "for 
joy." On the pelta lunata, see Mn. i. 490, 
and ii. 479, with Avoodcuts. 

666. Eunaeus Avas a Trojan. "With Clytio 
patre supply notum. Liris and Pagasus 
were Etruscans ; while those mentioned in 
673, 4, and 5, were Trojans. 

671. For svffosso, the reading of' the best 
MSS., Wagner adopts si/jfuso, which is 
found in a fcAv codices of inferior note. He 
objects to the former on the ground that, 
as Si/Jfosso means "stabbed from beneath," 
a wound of that kind was impossible under 
the circumstances, there being no infantry 
in the troops commanded by Camilla. But 
is it at all improbable that such a bloAv 
should haA'e been inflicted by some wamor 
AA'ho liad been unhorsed, and Avho was 
fighting his Avay on foot oiit of the battle 
as best he could ? We think not. And we 
do not see that the poet could be blamed 
for omitting the mention of such details, 
Avhen they Avould interfere Avith the action 
of the principal characters on Avhom our 
whole attention is centred. Wagner's in- 
terpretation seems perfectly sDly. Suffuso 
means, according to him, "suffering from 
the disease called suffusio peduiu " — a kind 
of inflammation. And thus, forsooth, an 
Epic poet introduces into his grand descrip- 
tion of a battle a horse with inflamed feet, 
or corns, or tender frogs, perhaps, to account 
for the death of one of his heroes! If sitffuso 
mean simply "throAvn on the ground," by 
some accident or other, as Gossrau in- 
terprets, (though he giA'cs no example of 
the AYord in that sense,) then this will be 
213 



B. XL 678-705. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. XL 708-750. 



by far the most ready explanation of the 
passage. 

678. A7-mis ignotis, ie., with a strange, 
novel, unusual kind of armour : his thorax, 
and the covering of his shoulders, were the 
hide of a bull, while his helmet was the 
skhi of a wolfs head, vdth the gaping jaws 
and white teeth showing visibly, as seen in 
the woodcut at note 666 of Bk. viL 

Iapyge=Iapygio, Le., Apulian. 

680. Pugnatori is by some joined to cut, 
signifying "his shoulders, as he entered 
the battle, were covered," etc. But it is 
better to attach it to Juvenco, (which other- 
wise would have no epithet) to denote 
the strength and ferocity of the bull, and 
also to state more distinctly that with this 
verj^ buU Ornytus himself had fought. K 
pugnatori be put in apposition to cui, the 
meaning \vi\\ be very tame and insipid. 

682. The sparus was a kind of rustic 
hunting spear, having a straight iron head 
attached to a wooden shaft. But from this 
straight iron head there branched off a 
curved hook, fitted for dragging: so that 
the weapon resembled a modern hedge- 
di-essing knife, or an Irish pike. 

684. E.vceptitm — "overtaken;" for it was 
not difficult (labor) to do so, since the whole 
line had wheeled, and the flight of each in- 
dividual was in consequence impeded. Su- 
per=insiipej\ 

686. Tyrrhene is a gentile name only; 
his proper name was Ornytus. 

687. Advenit dies qui redarguerit — "the 
day has arrived which shall have shown (i.e., 
will, ere its close, show) your (boastmg) 
words to be false." 

691. Bates — not the Buies mentioned iu v. 
372, and perhaps not he of iv. 647. Aver- 
suiii does not necessarily imply that Butes 
was in flight, for in a cavalry battle, ranks 
arc more kregular, and the position of indi- 
viduals may readily be different from that 
of the gcnci-al body. Sedentis, scil., in equo. 

695. Interior gyro — a phrase taken from 
the Circus, and having reference to the 
rounding of the vieta. Camilla was there- 
fore on the left of Orsilochns, and since her 
circle was smaller, from being the pursued 
she became the pursuer, sequilur sequentem. 

698. Congeiytinat securim — she deals the 
blows of her axe in rapid succession. 

700. Huic for in hunc. Appennicola is not 
found elsewhere. Ovid, however, uses Ap- 
pennigena. Appennini is usually written 
with one p, but Wagn. and Forb. follow 
those MSS. which exhibit two. 

701. The Ligurians were famed for then* 
wiles and their perfidy. The hilly and 
wooded country in which they lived afforded 
them abmidant opportunity of practising 
deceptions upon their invaders, and hence 
perhaps the character for craft arose. 

702. Ecadere pugnce — the dative after 
evadere is very rare. The accusative, or 
ablative, is much more common, or the abl. 
with a, preposition. 

705. Quid tarn egregium — " What so very 
fine a thing is it (after all), if, woman though 
vou be, you trust in your thorough-bred 

•2U 



steed? Dismiss your means of escape," 
etc 

708. Ventosa gloria — " the love of glory, 
puffed up" with confidence, "braggart;" 
" the bubble reputation." 

711. Furaparma, like alba parma of is- 
548, means a shield without armorial bear- 
ings. Thus Heyne, Forb., etc. But closely 
connected as it is Avith interrita, the phrase 
seems to us to signify "nothing but her 
shield — not even her horse, as before." 

714. Citum — " put to his speed." Ferrata 
cake, " -^vith steel-armed heel." The Greeks 
knew the goad, but not the calx armata. 

718. /^«ea, "quick as fire." Fernicibus — 
from pernix, "untiring," compounded pro- 
bably of^er and the particip. ot'nitor. 

719. Equum may be the accus. sing., de- 
pending on transit, or the contracted gen. 
^Iwc.for equorum, governed by cf/rsM, "him" 
being supplied as the accusative to transit. 

721. The latter part of the comparison 
responding to quani facile, is not given, 
since it is implied m. the foregoing descrip- 
tion of the fight. Sacer ales, as bemg a bird 
of angurjr. 

725. Non nullis oculis — "not with unin- 
terested eyes." Virgil endeavours here to 
translate the Homeric phrase, ovl' aXaocr- 

730. Variis vocibus — " expressions of dif- 
ferent kinds" — such as remonstrance, exhor- 
tation, and entreaty. 

732. Nunquam dolituri, i.e.. You who wUl 
never feel shame or grief for your cowardice 
and remissness : men whom neither auger 
nor a sense of shame can move. 

736. Compare Hom. II. iv. 340 sqq. The 
reference in this hue is the more cutting 
that it is ft-om a woman they are fleeing. 
The Etruscans were notorious for their 
luxury, a fact which the poet turns to his 
OAvn account. 

737. On the tibia curva, see ix. 618, note 
and woodcut. 

738. Exspectare depends, in the infin., on 
segnes, or rather on segnes estis conjoined. 
Observe the change in construction from 
in venerem to the infin. exspectare, which 
both depend on segnes. See note ii. 5, on 
this subject. 

740. Secundus haruspex — " the soothsayer 
announcing favourable omens;" or, "the 
soothsayer favourable to you and yo\u- glut- 
tony." Nuntiare is the verb properly used 
of soothsayers and augurs, as messengers 
of the gods, sent to declare the will of hea- 
ven. According to the ancient custom 
among the rustics, the sacrifices and fol- 
loA\'ing feast were held in a grove. 

741. Et ipse seems to refer to inter ccedes 
of 729—" he, too, about to die, like many of 
his companions in arms." Moriturus, either 
" destined to die," or "resigned to death," 
if it should so happen. On Venulus, see viii. 
9. Servius says that Cscsar was once car- 
ried off in this way by a Gallic horseman- 

750. Exit vim viribus—'' eludes force by 
force." Apertas partes, above, means " un- 
protected pai'ts " about his tlu'oat. 



B. XI. 752-774. 



NOTES ON THE iENEID. 



B. XI. 775-801. 



752. ImpUcuit pec?e5— "has entwined his 
talons (ill the serpent's coils), and clung to 
Mm with his claws." 

759. Eventum — " the success." Mceonidce, 
i.e., the Etrurians, called so on account of 
their fabled descent from a Lydian (Le., 
Mseonian) colony. An-uns was one of the 
Etrurian followers of Tarchon. The name 
is usually written ^\ith one r, but the best 
authorities give two. 

760. Prior may be taken in two ways— 
1st, Arrmis cuxles round the swil't Camilla 
-with his spear (ready to be hurled), and first 
{prior, i.e., beforehe hurls it), with much cun- 
ning, etc. : Heyne, Wagn., and Forb. 2d, Ar- 
runs wheels round the swift Camilla, superior 
(prior, as prior pieiate in 292) to her in (the 
use of) the javelin, and in his practised cun- 
ning: Peerlk. and Gossr. If jacuh meant 
the actual hurling of the spear by AiTuns, 
we should adopt the former explanation, 
but as his threatening with the javelin must 
have been simultaneous with his successive 
trials of cunning, we prefer the latter, in 
order to give prior its proper meaning. 

761. Quce sit — "what may be (where may 
be) his readiest chance" of hitting her. 

767. On improhus, "indefatigable," see 
note, 512, above, and ix. 62. 

768. Chloreus sacerdos. The introduction 
of a priest is m imitation of Horn. II. v. 9. 
" Fighting bishops " are not unknown even 
in the history of our own countrj'. Oli?n, 
"formerly," viz., ere his country was de- 
stroyed. 

770. The horse of Chloreus was what is 
called cataphractus, Le., entirely covered 
with defensive armour. Next his skin Avas 
a hide, for softness, and this was covered 
with plates of brass shaped like scales, and 
made to overlap one another, as feathers do 
(inplurnam). The two edges of the hide were 
fastened together, below the belly probably, 
with golden clasps. In is often used for 
iristar. 

772. Clarus — "conspicuous to the view 
In barbaric red and purple;" or, as others 
wUl have it, as a hendiadys, " Conspicuous 
in barbaric purple of a dusky hue." Gor- 
tyna, a city of Crete, was famed for its 
arrows, as Lycia was for its bows. 

774. The use of cornu and arcus, as ap- 
plied to the same instrument in the same 
description, and in so close juxta-position, 
has oifended commentators, some of whom 
have devised far-fetched interpretations to 
relieve themselves from the difficulty, and 
others have candidly avowed their inability 
to explain the peculiar repetition. The 
following appears to us the simple explana- 
tion of the passage: In 773, the poet men- 
tions the arrows as the principal object of 
contemplation, the bow being introduced in 
a quite subordinate, unimportant, and inci- 
dental manner, and being called by that 
generic name which it had received from 
the material (cornu) of which it had at first 
been made. And that he should caU a golden 
bow cornu, we need not be sm-prised who 
talk of gold, silver, or brass candle sticks, 
and metal mile stones. In 774, however, 



when he goes on to describe the bow more 
minutely, he uses arcus, since it would not 
be so strictly proper to repeat cornu, or to 
consider it repeated, to be joined with the 
adj. aureus. 

lib. Cassida, of the 1st decL : the usual 
form is cassis, of the 3d. On the cMamys, 
see iii. 484, with woodcuts. On carbasus, 
see note, iiL 357 ; and on two adjs. {cre~ 
panics and carbaseos) joined to the same 
subst., consult v. 24. "He had collected 
into a knot, with afibida of yellow gold, his 
saflfron chlamys, and its rustling folds of 
fine linen." 

777. On the syntax of pictus tunicas, see 
note, L 228, and iiL 483. The barbara teg- 
mina crurum was a kind of breeches, worn 
by the Phrj^gians, Medes and Persians, 
Gauls, etc. The poet enters into tliis 
minute description of the priest's attire, to 
account for the especial ardour of Camilla, 
in whom, as a female, (see 782,) the fond- 
ness for dress and gaudy colours seems for 
a time to have been equal to the desire for 
deeds of arms and glory. 

780. Venatrix may be joined with virgo, 
or with the clause immediately preceding, 
ut se ferret venatrix. 

784. Super OS — the plural for the sing., as 
often. See L 4, and iiL 488, notes. 

785. Arruns was a very common name 
among the Tuscans. The person here men- 
tioned seems to have been from the region 
round Mt. Soracte, ruled over by Messapus, 
but to have been banished, and now to have 
hoped for a return home, should victory 
declare for jEneas. Gossrau. 

786. Primi — "He above all others." 
Pineus, as adjectives in eus, signify the ma- 
terial of which a thing is made. Pineus 
ardor here means "the blaze of pine-wood." 
Similarly: virgea flamma, stuppea flamma, 
saxea umbra, etc Cui — "in whose hon- 
om-." 

788. Premimus vestigia, Le., "plant our 
footsteps firmly and fearlessly." Coal is 
called pruna when alive, and carbo when 
dead. 

789. Da — aboleri—see note, Mn. L 66. 

790. Though it would have been a glory 
for Arruns to slay an Amazon, as it was 
for Hercules, yet he avows that it is not dis- 
tinction, nor spoil he seeks ; and therefore, 
should he succeed in slaying Camilla, he 
will not strip off her armour ; but, re- 
fraining from that act of triumph OA-er a 
vanquished foe by wiiich the conqueror 
Avas publicly known, he wUl be content to 
return home T\ithout any honour being 
connected with his name in reference to the 
affair. Accordingly, when he does succeed 
in Avounding Camilla, he immediately retires 
into the crowd so as to avoid observation. 

795. Bedit mente — "mentally granted," 
though he gave no sign. Altapatria (797) 
— "his exalted, (far-famed, illustrious) 
country." 

798. Notos, put for the Avinds generally. 

801. Nee aurce, nee sonitus, refer to 799. 
On exsertam papillam, see above, 649. 

215 



B. XI. 804-857. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. XI. 858-892. 



804. Observe Medt in the proper perfect 
sense, "took its hold, and there it stuck ; " 
so the Greelc Aorist, e.g., typa'^a, — "I 
have written (a letter) and there it is." 

806. Ante omnes is to be joined to exter- 
ritus, not to fugit. for his own men were 
not in flig-ht. Unless it mean that Arruns, 
conqueror though he was, fled faster atcay 
from the corpse than the friends of the 
dead ran to defend her — a result which you 
might have expected to be exactly the con- 
trary. 

809. Ilk — luptis: so ilia * * virgo; ille 
* * * aper. 

821. Sola fida ante alias, i. e., in prose, 
una ante alias fidissima. 

822. Quicum, properly speaking, is the 
ablative of the pronoun quis, which quis 
is sometimes common gender, and is some- 
times used for the relative qui. 

834. On copia in the sing., used for 
"forces," see ^n. il. 564. Observe densi 
in the masc, belonging to all the nouns 
which follow. 

836. We quite agree vnth Peerlkamp, 
that the following passage is more worthy 
of the insipidities of Silius Italicus than of 
the vigorous thought and nervous diction 
of Virgil. 

Interrita in 837 seems inserted merely to 
make out the metre. Its propriety as ap- 
plied to a deity, and that deity apart from 
the danger of battle, seems very doubtful. 
It may, to be sure, be answered that a 
female unaccustomed to such sights would 
be deeply affected by them even at a dis- 
tance, and that interrita finds its defence in 
the fact that Opis, as a huntress, remained 
undismayed, though one less experienced 
might have been ten-ified. 

843. Coluisse does not so much mean 
"worshipped," as "practised the art of," 
Diana in the thickets of the lonely wood. 

845. Indecorem — "unhonoui'ed," referring 
to the fact that though slain she had not 
been despoiled. 

848. With this line compare 591, and note 
the difference of mood. Here, when the 
l)ody of Camilla has been violated, the m- 
dic. OTotoyii is used; whereas in 591, when 
the wounding was only prospective and 
contingent, Ave find the subjunctive. 

850. Dercennus is mentioned nowhere 
else. He was an ancient king of Laurentum. 
Ex terreno aggere — " of a mound of earth," 
as has been customary in almost all nations, 
and in all different ages. 

854. Laetantem animis is the most ap- 
proved reading, instead of fuhjentem armis. 
Tumentem vana, "puffed up without rea- 
son." The Greek equivalent for tumere in 
this sense is oyKovaSai or (^viTiov(r6a.i. 

855. On the construction diversus abis, 
see note v. 162. 

857. Tune etiam—^' shalt thou die too by 
the weapons of Diana?" i.e., is such a wretch 
as you worthy of such a death? Others 
(Wagn., Forb., etc.) tliink that no dispar- 
agement to An-uns is intended, but that the 

•216 



sentence is highly ironical, expressive of 
the utter impossibility of his hoping to 
escape. M would thus be equal to nonne, 
as at i. 40, where see note, " Won't you die 
by the weapons of Diana?" i.e., don't you 
wish you may escape? 

858. Opis is called Threissa, because the 
Thracian women were good hunters. 

861. Ca;5tto— " the tips of the (two arms 
of the) bow." Coirent — "approached." 
^quis manibus — " Avith hands equally 
stretched," i.e., the left grasping the stock 
connecting the two arms, and extending it 
till the hand touched the point of the an'ow, 
and the right drawing back the string till 
it was close on the breast of the archer. 

866. Obliti — "neglecting." Ignoto pulvere 
— "the ignoble dust;" or in a part of the 
plain which was little frequented, and which 
none took care to mark. 

870. Dw/ecrt—" straggling in flight." De- 
solati — " abandoned by their commanders." 

875. Quadrupedumque. On this line see 
viii. 596, and on onomatopoeia generally, 
consult note i. 53. Translate— And the 
I hoof of the I quadruped | shaketh the | 
mouldering | plain in its | flight." " And 
the"isthe ^'basis" of the line, and the word 
"flight," at the end, is a syllable so heavy 
as to represent a spondee. 

879. The gates of the city are, in the first 
instance, left open, since the inhabitants 
suppose themselves safe so long as their 
army is between the town and the foe. 
But they are shut Avhen the first rush ot 
retreating troops has entered. Numbers 
are thus excluded, and the first comers 
are so pressed upon by those who follow 
that many are trodden under foot, or ac- 
cidentally pierced by the weapons of their 
own friends. 

880. Super=insuper, i.e., in addition to 
the fear of the enemy, or it may be joined 
Avith premit. Observe the indefinite qui 
foUoAved by the demonstrative hos, instead 
of the antecedent and relative. See note, 
^n. iii. 95. 

Inimica — " dangerous," " damaging," 
referring to the Latins tliemselves, and not 
to their enemies. 

882. Tuta domorum, is similar in con- 
struction to strata viarum. L 422, where see 
note ; consult also i. 310, note. 

886. The slaughter caused at the gates is 
still committed by friends upon friends. 

888. Pars — exdusi. On this '■'■ synesis'' 
construction see note i. 70, and iii. 676. 
Urgente ruina — "destruction pressing on 
them," i.e., the crowds of their own fellow- 
soldiers ; not the earth of the bank, as some 
have supposed. 

890. Arietat — "tilts against the gates, 
and the doors strengthened by the bolt." 

892. Ut videre Camillam. These Avords 
are rather unnecessary, as all the CA'ents 
noAV being recorded are said to have hap- 
pened in consequence of the death of Camilla. 
The Avhole passage, indeed, is objectionable, 
and is not finished Avith that care which we 
should have expected. 



B. XI. S95-90S. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. XL 912-913. 



895. Praecipites — " with headlong speed." 
897. Xuntius — "A message," not "a 
messenger." Fert tunuiltum, i.e., brings 
news which raises a iumultus (" deep agita- 
tion ") in the mind of Turniif. 

900. Coi'ripuisse onmia — '-that they had 
seized on all places," and things. 

901. Compare Horn. II. i. o—^'k V 
iTiXitiro (iovXri. 

904. Apertos campos, i.e., the plains free 
rom the enemy. 

908. Simid may be for simul atque, '-as 
soon as, " being answered by continuo ineant 



as the apodosis; or it may be an adverb, 
"at one and the same time," ^neas saw, 
etc., and Turnus recognised, etc. 

912. Instead of ineant, tentent, and tingat 
in the pres. subj. we should have expected 
iniissent, tentassent, ni tinxisset; but the for- 
mer is much more Uvely and distinct, bring- 
ing us, as it were, into the very midst of 
the actions. See iil 187. 

913. Hihe.ro gurgite — "ui tlie Iberian 
deep." The Italians used to say that "Sol 
descended with his horses and cai- into this 
sea, near the Promontorium Sacrum," now 
Cape St Vincent. 



217 



B. XII. 1-8 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. XII. 11-19. 



BOOK TWELFTH. 

AEGUMENT. 



TuEXus seeing that after the two defeats of the Latms all hope is centred in him, de- 
termines to engage with -(Eneas in single combat, and sends a message to him to that 
effect (1-106). "iEneas ■s\ith delight accepts the challenge, and an agreement is made 
between the two armies, and sanctioned by an oath (107-215). By the wiles of Jmio, 
ho-wever. the treaty is violated, the augm* Tolumuius having wounded a hero on the 
Trojan side (216-276). Both parties rush to arms, and ^neas while endeavouring to 
restrain his men is wounded bj- an imseen hand, and obliged to retire from the battle- 
field (277-323). Turnus takes advantage of the absence of his i-ival from the fight, to 
slay great nmnbers of the Trojans and their allies (324-382). But meanwhile Venus 
plucks an herb from the Cretan Ida, and heals her son, who now recruited m strength 
retimis to the conflict and loudly calls on Turnus to fulfil his former engagement (383- 
445). Turnus, however, is kept away by his sister Jutunia far from that part of the 
field where ^Eneas is known to be, and .^neas behig unable to find him slays many of 
those whom chance opposed to him, and commences an assault on the city (446-592). 
Turnus, hearing that Amata had in her despair committed suicide, and seeuig that 
matters had come to the last extremity, renews his challenge to ^-Eneas (593-696). In 
the combat iEneas is victorious, and Tunius is slain (697-952). 



1. Infractos — " entirely broken." See v. 
784, note ; also ix. 499. On de/ecisse, see 
xL 423. 

2. Promissa—see xi. 436 sqq. In reposci, 
re has its proper force, "the fulfilment of 
his promises is demanded." Re implies 
obligation on the part of Turnus — a neces- 
sity to redeem his pledge. 

3. Ultro implacabilis ardet — " even with- 
out being incited by others, he boils with 
eagerness, and is implacable." An adj. thus 
used, instead of an adverb, has this especial 
fi)rce, that it is equal to another assertion; 
as "he bums implacable," is here equal to 
" he bums, and he is implacable." See note, 
V. 573. 

5. JUe — leo. TUe is emphatic, and may 
be reduced to that class of the uses of this 
demonstrative, which have reference to 
things ahcady noticed, or supposed to be 
known. So here, ille leo meajis "the Afri- 
can lion," of whose practice you must have 
heard." Ilk is often used thus as a re- 
fresher of the memory. See note, i. 3, and 
xi. 809. 

7. Lafronis, i.e., the hunter, who, like a 
robber, lurks for his prey, and encroaches 
on the peculiar property and station of 
another. 

8. Peerlkamp pronounces this line spurious, 
(1) Because none of the later poets has 
imitated it ; (2) Because a lion does not 
imeditate how he may easily break the 
weapon hurled at him, but how lie is to 
rush upon his adversary ; and (3) Because 
the phrase os cruentvm does not seem a 
happy one with regard to a hon which has 
not been mentioned as engaged in hunting, 
or in devouring flesh. But these objections 
are very trivial 

218 



11. In Turno, Le., in me. See note, i. 48, 
on this subject. 

13. Congredior — " I fight him," said with 
abruptness and decision. It is [equal to 
" Stat congredi." Concipe refers particularly 
to the form of words in which the oath and 
treaty were conceived. 

14. Dardanimn, when used by itself 
without such an adjunct as Aeneam, ducem 
dactorem, etc., implies strong contempt 
" that Dardan, the Asiatic runaway!" 

15. Sedeant — "let them sit at rest," as 
tlie custom is ; see Hom. II. iii. 68 sqq. 
In spectent there is a reproach of the coAvar- 
dice of the Latins conveyed, and an expos- 
tulation against their selfishness in allowing 
one man to fight for all. 

16. Crimen commune. Either, "the ac- 
cusations made against me by all tlie 
Latins;" or. " the accusation of cowai'dice 
wliich, m consequence of their flight, has 
been fixed on all the Latins." This latter, 
which is the opmiou of Gossrau, we prefer 
on account of the contrast between solu 
and commune. We do not see that solu 
would have any appropriate meaning ac- 
cording to the oither mode. 

17. Ilabeat victos, i.e., "let him hold in 
subjection us (me) vanquished— let Lavinia 
he ceded to him as his spouse." Compare 
a simihu- passage in x. 863 sqq. 

I 18. The antique form olli (see i. 254), and 
j the spondaic numbers, are admirably suited 
! to tlie sense. Sedato corde are in contrast 
to the turbidtis in fit of line 10. 

IP. On the svn'tax of praestans animi, see 
xi. 126, 416. the construction is made in 
imitation of the Greek. Zumpt Lat Gr., 
§ 437, note 1, says, " The poets and those 
prose writers who, deviatmg from the ordi- 



B. XII. 23-48. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. XII. 52-85. 



nary mode of speaking, use poetical con- 
structions, to give animation to their style 
(especially Tacitus), extend the rule of 
joining a genitive with adjectives vei*y far. 
They construe in particular aU adjectives 
expressing mental emotion with tiie gen. 
of the thing to vrhich it is dh-ected, e.g., 
anxius fiituri ; henigmis vini; certiisscelens; 
[certus eundi] laetus labo7-is [see xi. 73, laeta 
laborum], etc., where in ordinary prose the 
prepositions de, in, or ad would be required, 
and where we use "in respect of," or "in 
regard to." We must notice especially the 
use of the gen. animi (instead of the abla- 
tive) which occurs so frequently in late 
prose writers, and is joined with all adjec- 
tives ; thus anxius, urgens [egregius animi, 
xi. 416] nimim animi, etc. etc. ; and owing 
to this frequent use of the gen. with adjs., 
it is found also with verbs denoting anxiety, 
as discrucior animi, angor animi." See xi. 
280. 

23. The old man uses first those argu- 
ments which are most likely to calm the 
excited mind of Turnus. He refers to his 
father's ample domain, to the cities gamed 
by the valour of Turnus, and to his own 
wealth, and willingness to impart to Tur- 
nus of that wealth. With auruni mihi com- 
pare XL 213. 

25. Indecores — on this adj. see note, vii. 
231. With the plirase nee genus indecores, 
Sei-vius compares the Greek expression, 
oi/x uff^Yif/.ovi; ro yivos. 

Sine nee, etc. "Permit me to declare 
candidly (sublatis dolis) these things (though) 
not agreeable to be mentioned." 

29. Observe the repetition of victus, add- 
ing force and vigour to the sentence. Cog- 
nato sanguine — "kindred blood," because 
Turnus and Lavinia were cousins, their 
mothers, Venilia and Amata, being sisters. 

30. Rupivinda — "I have broken all ties," 
viz., of rehgion and of faith. " I have taken 
away his betrothed bride from my (future) 
son-in-law." Latinus had promised Lavinia 
to iEneas, see vii. 267 sqq. 

33. Primus — " you yourself in an especial 
manner;" "you more than all others." 

35. Recalent— not "wai-m again," as if 
referring to the two battles; but "warm up 
from its cold temperature." This is a com- 
mon meaning of re in composition, viz., 
to bring about a state the opposite of that in 
which an object had previously been. 

37. Quo re/'eror—" whither am I home 
back?"Le., why am I so often dissuaded 
from peace with the Trojans, when I am 
inclined to it of myself. Make peace I must 
if Turnus dies : why not do so now, and save 
him alive ? 

43. Belli varias res— see x. 160, eventus 
helli varios. 

46. Aegrescit medendo — " the disorder in- 
creases by the attempts to cure." 

48. Pro me is twice used, to increase the 
bitterness of the expression. It is hinted, 
that though Latinus pretends to be warm 
in his interest, and anxious for his honour 
and happiness, he is too easily led away to 



favour the pretensions of a stranger to his 
daughter's hand. 

52. Longe erit, i.e., aberit, "will not help 
liim." Quae tegat, " to cover him as he flies 
^vith a woman's defence, and to hide him by 
unsubstantial shades." Wagner thinks that 
tegat and occulat are put in the subjunctive, 
as being referred to the mind of ^neas, and 
what passed in it on the occurrence of 
danger. But Voss and Gossrau are of opin- 
ion that the meaning is, "his mother will 
be far from him to cover him as he flies 
with a woman's defence, and to hide herself 
[in case she be wounded again'] behind un- 
substantial shades." By this second mode, 
a sneer is given, not only at ^neas and his 
boasted origin, but also at the pretensions 
of Venus to divinity. Some think vanis to 
refer to the hoUowness of the professions 
put forth by ^neas as to his being the son 
of a deity. 

56. Per si quis — see note on ii. 142 ; and 
X. 369. 

58. Decus, etc. "The dignity and autho- 
rity of Latinus are vested in you : on you 
the whole family leans for help in its totter- 
ing condition" {inclinata). 

65. Genas perfusa. On the sjTitax see 
note, i. 228. The mention of marriage in 
the presence of Tumus brought the blush 
to the cheeks of the fau- La\'inia ; though 
we do not gather fi'om any portion of the 
^neid whether her preference fixed on 
Tm'nus or ^neas as her future husband. 

Cui (equal to et Ei) plurimus rubor, and 
a plentiful, Le., " a deep blush Idndled up 
the fire Avithin her, and overspread her 
flushed countenance." 

67. Cf Horn. II. iv. 141 sqq. Violare= 
(phipitv, fyttccivsiv. 

72. Observe the very frequent repetition 
of the e sound in this line. Omine tanto — 
it was considered a token of death to those 
departing, if tlie persons from whom they 
separated gave way to much grief. 

74. JVeque mora, etc — " for the means of 
delajang death are not at the disposal of 
Turnus." 

78. N'on is not to be joined to agat, which 
is used as an imperative, but to Teucros. 
But as the clauses non Teucros agat in Ru- 
tulos, and nostro dirimamus sanguine bellum, 
are directly contrasted, the translation will 
be, "Let him urge not the (whole body 
of the) Teucri against the Rutulians, but 
let us two put an end to the war by our 
own blood." 

81. Wagner would make the apodosis be- 
gin at rapidusque, and he would take que as 
equal to "then." "When he had uttered 
these words, then he hastUy retired into the 
palace." Gossrau, Forb., and others, inter- 
pret, " When (as soon as) he has uttered 
these words, and has retired hastily into 
the palace, he demands," etc., the apodosis 
beginning at poscit. In imitation of Homer, 
the poet glorifies the pedigree of the horses 
of Turnus. 

85. The officiousness of the nimble and 
bustling groom is well brought out by the 
adj. propeii; and the phrase lacessunt pec- 
219 



B. XIL 87-120. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. XIL 121-161. 



tora plausa adds a touch to the picture 
-which renders it reality itself. In plausa 
we have an example of the " proleptic use of 
the adj.," on which see note, ^n. ii. 7-36. 

87. Orichalco, not aurichalco, for the 
Greek is opup(^a.X>:ov, " yellow copper ore." 
Album is said to be employed not in reference 
to the true colour of the metal, but onlj- to 
its conspicuous splendour. But it is possible 
that the epithet is intended to be understood 
literally, as vessels have been found in Her- 
culaneum of a whitish metal, which is stip- 
posed to be the orichalcum. 

88. Habendo=ad habendum — "for ready 
management," i.e., he adapts them so that 
they shall be easily caught and wielded by 
the hand. 

89. Cornua — the Imobs, or cones, in 
which the crests of the helmet were inserted. 
The effect of the Styx would be to harden 
the metal, and make the weapon imperish- 
able. 

92. Quae, scil., hasta. This is another 
example of the indefinite pronoun, followed 
by a demonstrative, (which in this case is not 
a pron. but the subst. itself,) explained in 
note, ^u. iiL 95, Avhich see. Spolium Ac- 
taris, below, means "an article of spoil 
taken from Actor." 

95. Vocatus meos. Nouns of this kind of 
the 4th decl. have rarely a plural 

96. Te maximus Actor, sciL, gessit, which 
is to be supplied from gerit. 

100. Vibratos calido ferro — "curled with 
hot iron," i.e., with the calamistrum, or 
curling irons. This instrument resembled 
verj' much that in use among ourselves in 
the present day : it was much used by both 
sexes in the time of Plautus, Varro, and 
Cicero. With Semiviri Phrygis compitre 
JEn. iv. 215, 

103. In prima proelia does not mean 
" his first battle, " but "the first part," "the 
beginning of," or "the prelude to the fight." 

104. Irasci in cornua — "to collect his 
•wrath in the point of his horns," that is, to 
work up his passion, and centre it, as it 
were, in the weapon of his vengeance, so 
that the first blow given with aU his fury 
may be decisive. Perhaps it is intended 
by the expression to suggest that attitude 
which a bull often assumes in the circum- 
stances described, when he lowers his head 
as he approaches his adversary, and sets his 
horns hi a position suited for stabbing. 
This -siew would seem to be confirmed by 
the words arboris obnixus trunco. C£ 
Eurip. Bacchae, 742, y-^U x-ipa-i iviJbovu-ivoi ; 
and Geo. iii. 232 sqq., where these same 
verses occur with a slight variety. 

105. Ventos lacessere — "to beat the air:" 
it is equal to ventilare — a word used of 
gladiators, who Avere wont to go through 
their sword exercise when waitmg for an 
opponent on the day of ordeal. 

120. Yelati limo — " clothed in the limus." 
Tliis garment was a kind of petticoat, bound 
round the waist, and reachhig to the feet, 
having a purple stripe ruiming round it at 
the lower extremity of the skirt. The Popa, 
and other attendants engaged in the sacri- 

'220 



fices, wore it. Some books read lino. On 
the syntax of vincti tempora, see i. 228, note. 
On verbena, consult Smith's Antiquities, or 
Latin Dictionary, and see note on Eel. viiL 
65. 

121. Pilata — "armed with the pilum," 
or large spear. The Pilum had a wooden 
shaft of five and a half feet long, with an 
iron head of about nine inches. In the war 
with the Cimbri, Marius ordered that one 
of the kon pins by Avhich the head and shaft 
were fastened together shoiild be supplanted 
by one wood, sothatwhen thcAveapon struck 
vrit\\ force on an enemy's shield, the wooden 
rivet should break and the one end of the 
javelin hang do-nm, thus preventing the 
possibility of its being hurled back agaiiL 
Plenis portis — "the crowded gates," not 
"the gates Mide open thrown." 

124. Observe the synesis construction (see 
note, i 70 ; iii. 676) in exercitus instructi. 

127. On the Trojan Mnestheus see v. 116; 
on the Etruscan Asilas, x. 175 ; and on the 
Latin Messapus, vii. 691. 

131. Studio effusae — "pouring forth in 
their eagerness," viz., to see. On tnermum 
see note, x. 425. 

135. Neqiie nomen — "neither name (be- 
cause AlbaLonga had not then been built), 
nor dignity (honos, because the feriae Latinae 
had not then been instituted), nor glory" 
(as arising from both considerations). 

139. Sororem, i.e., Jutiu-na. Diva deam 
— " a goddess addressing a goddess." 

141. Sacravit — "has given as her sacred 
(or iiniolable) gift." Decus fluviorum. So 
the moon is called decus astrorum in ix. 405. 

142. By gratissima Virgil seems to have 
attempted to translate the Homeric expres- 
sion — E/Wa/ Kiy^a.piafJbi'ii 6uix.m. 

144. Observe that the principal or pen- 
themimeral caesura is wantuig in this line. 
Ingratum — "unwelcome," ie., unwelcomed 
by me ; the couch to which they were not 
welcome. 

147, Qua=quatenus — " as far as," 

152. Praesentius — " wth more efficacious 
aid," more present help. Perge, i.e., fac, 
age. 

155. Honestum, ie., pulchrum, according^ 
to Forbiger. 

161. Inierea reges * * I.atinus * * * 
Turnus it. This and the following luies 
have been variously punctuated and ex- 
plained. The difficulty is the absenceof averb 
to which reges shall be subject; and the most 
usual way of getting quit of the objection is 
to make reges nom. to procedunt (169)— all 
the intervening words being parenthetic 
But such a plan is unnecessary. The ap- 
parent difficulty may be removed on the 
principle fully explained in the note on Mn. 
i. 573 ; or by that construction so well 
known in Greek as the ff^^il^a, x.u.d' oXoi 
Kdi f/.ipns, Le., making mention of the com- 
prehensive plural first, and then of the par- 
titive singulars, on which see Jelf. Gr. Gram. 
§ 478, 708. Compare Horn. Odyss. xiL 73, 
o'i 01 Ivcd a-KOTiXoi, /u,iv * * ♦ Ikkvii, 
eta ; and see below, 275. 



B. XII. 164-205. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. XII. 206-234. 



Ingenti mole means "of large size," (so 
Priam's bodj^ is called ingens truncus in ii. 
155) ratlier than "with great pomp." 

164. Soils avi specimen — "token of his 
descent from his ancestor Sol," the Sun god. 
Latinus Avas by one form of the legend son 
of Circe, daughter of Helios (the Sun). The 
twelve rays had reference, probably, to the 
months of the j^ear, or the twelve signs of 
the Zodiac through which the Sun passed. 

165. On bina and crispans, see note, JEn. 
i. 313. 

167. Sidcreo — "shining like the stars." 
Coelestibus — "heavenly," as procured from 
Vulcan. The phrase magnoe spes altera 
Romce is said to have been first used by 
Cicero, on hearing Virgil's Sixth Eclogue 
read in the theatre. The spes prima was, 
of course, Cicero himself, as Servius and 
Donatus allege. 

170. On bidentem, see iv. 67. The Greeks 
were wont to sacrifice a lamb in making a 
league, but the Romans a sow. 

172, Observe the order of procedure in 
the ceremony. The priests, looking to the 
rising sun, sprinkle the mola salsa on the head 
of the victim, and then having cut off some 
hair from the brow of the beast to throw 
into the fire, they pour out a libation of 
wine upon the altar. See vi. 245, and note. 
On the syntax of couversi lumina, see i. 
228, note. 

175. Stricto ense — " with drawn sword," 
as if ready to take vengeance on him who 
should violate the treaty. C£ Horn. IL iii. 
-^77. 

177. Observe propter following its case, 
and see note, L 348; iii. 684; and vi. 451. 

189. Non, nee * * nee. This is like the 
Greek ov, ol/Ti * * ovn, and may be ex- 
plained by considering the first negative, 
iwn, as- giving a strong negation to the 
general assertion, and the other two, nee, 
nee, as applying to the detailed particulars 
of the sentence. The non is thus like a 
iiegative sign before brackets in Algebra. 

190 Paribus legibm — "on conditions of 
equality," as already predicted in vii. 256, 
which see. 

192. Saera deosqwe dabo, i.e., I shall insti- 
tute sacred rites to my countiy's gods, to 
Vesta and the Penates; but Latinus will 
stiU retain the sovereign power to which he 
has hitherto been accustomed. 

194. Urbem — see i 5, dum conderet urbem, 
etc 

198, Duplex genus — "the two children." 
Observe the first syll. of duplex lengthened. 
This is unusual before a combination of 
mute and liquid so soft and light as pi. 

199. Tnfernam vim deorum, i.e., vim in- 
fernorum deorum. Sacraria — "the holy 
abode of inexorable Dis." 

201. Medios — either "in the midst of us," 
or "mediating,'' "the mediating fires." 

205. Diluvio- — "with a deluge," i. e., 
causing earth and sea to be mixed by the 
action of a flood. Coelum in Tartara solvat, 
i.e., should any power break up the firma- 
ment, and cast it into the abyss of Tartarus. 
P 



206. ?7if— "so surely as." We need 
scarcely refer students to Hom. II. i. 234 sqq. 
for the original of this passage. As ^neas 
grasped his sword in his hand while swear- 
ing, so Latinus holds his sceptre. 

211. Bedif gestare,m<Lededitmulcere, JEn. 
i. 66, and dederat diffmidere, i. 319, where 
see notes. The construction is an imitation 
of the Greek one so frequently met with, 
in which an "infln. active is used where we 
might expect the passive, the verbal notion 
being referred to the actual subject of the 
feeling, rather than to the grammatical 
subject of the sentence." Thus, Eur. Med. 
1060, " 



'Toii lf/,ois }ccc^vfipi(rcii—'^ to insult them," 
l.e., "that they should insult them," Le., 
"to be insulted." See Jelf, Gk. Gram. § 
667 (2d ed.). 

213. Rite sacratas—seQ note 172, above. 
Jugulant in flammam, i.e., slay them and 
throw them on the fire. This is another 
instance of the comtructio praegnans, ex- 
plained in the note on Mn. ii. 18. 

218. Propius cernunt — supply eos esse — 
"when at nearer view they see them to be 
of unequal strength." 

219 Adjuvat, etc. The sight of Turnus, 
as he advances with silent gait, and as he 
in a suppliant (and timid) manner worships 
the altar, Avith downcast eyes, tends to 
confirm (adjuvat) their forebodings." 

222. With this passage compare Hom. 
II. iv. 86 sqq., where Pandarus breaks the 
treaty, at the instigation of Minerva. Ga- 
mers has been mentioned in x. 562. 

227. Haud nescia rerum — a very imneces- 
sary piece of information, when we recol- 
lect that a deity is the person spoken of. 
Some have, on account of the words quoted, 
denied the geuumeness of the whole phrase. 
232. This verse has been the subject of 
much controversy, and many different ex- 
planations of the word fatalis (which 
forms the difficulty) have been offered. It 
appears to us that the only interpretation 
deserving approval is that of Forbiger, who 
refers fatalis to the prophecy which de- 
clared to the Etruscan army that it should 
be headed by a foreign leader, before it 
could successfully engage in a struggle 
with the dethroned Mezentius and his 
protector Turnus. Let the student read 
^n. viii. 477 to 504, and we doubt not 
he will agree with us in o•^x opinion. The 
phrase infensa Turno, "exasperated at 
Turnus " on account of liis pi-otecting Me- 
zentius, puts the matter beyond dispute, 
we imagine. Fatalis is used of course 
ironically. Wagner and Jahn, m their 
later editions, offer explanations almost 
identical with that of Forbiger. Jahn far- 
ther thinks that fatalis manus is used mth 
a double meaning; for the phrase, "that 
fated band," may signify both, "that band 
which thinks itself called on by fate to 
avenge injmies," or, " that baud which has 
come to receive its fate," i.e., its destruction. 
234. Aris Hejaie takes as equal to ad aras, 
in the sense, "he devotes himself to death 
in defence of the Latms, a league having 
221 



B. XII. 2E5-2S1. 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. XII. 283-301. 



lieen ratif ed at the altars erf the gods." 
But Wagner refers the phrase to the pro- 
posal of JEneas in 192, sacra deosque dabo, 
and esplahis it as meaning "for," Le., "in 
defence of the altars of the gods." This is 
to be preferred. 

235. Ftretur virus per ora, i.e., his me- 
mory shall still be fresh; his name shall 
ftill Uve in the hearts and mouths of his 
comitrymen, even after his bodily death. 

237. Qui suggests the reason of defeat — 
"because we now are remiss." 

243. Infectum pi-ecantur foedus — "pray 
that the league had never been made." 
Verbs of " wishing " are very frequently 
construed thus %vith the perf. part. pass. 

Iniquam sorte/n Tumi — either, "the 
pitiable lot of Tmnus ;" or " the mijust lot," 
as Tumus was obliged to fight single- 
handed, in consequence of the cowardice of 
all others. 

245. Signum — " a portent," the same as 
monstro in next line. Praesentius — " more 
effectually." 

252. Convertunt fagam, Le., cease to fly 
before the pursuer, and in tmn become 
themselves the pursuers of the eagle. Con- 
vertere viam is similarly used. 

256. Projecit fluvio is another instance of 
the constructio praegnans. The abl. fluvio 
comuig after the verb of motion projecit, 
instead of the accus., expresses not only 
the luirling towards the stream, but also 
the bemg in it. See note, ^^n. iL 18. 

2-58. Expediunt manus — "make ready 
their hands." -viz., to take armour. The 
more usual phrase is expediunt arm a. 

259. Saepe cannot, if literally taken, be 
very applicable to so short a period as that 
(luring which the war had been carried on. 
Wagner, therefore, considers it as used for 
ter, ter quaterque, i.e., valde, magnopere. 
Accipio, scil., omen. Obsen-e the repetition 
of hoc in this Une, and of 7He in the next 

263. On populat see i. 527. And on the 
sj-ntax, quos terriiat, et Utora populat, cf. 
X- 242, and Eclogue viiL 3. 

274. Sutilis balteus, i.e., one made of 
woollen cloth, or of hide, but most probably 
strengthened by metal plates. Translate, 
'• Where the sewn belt rubs against the 
beUy, and where the buckle clasps Giterally, 
hites or pins together) the sides (or edges) 
where they met, (Le., the joinings of the 
sides). 

275. Juvenem — castas transadigit. Ob- 
serve the two accusatives folloAving the one 
verb. This is an example of the construc- 
tion (explained in 161, above) in which the 
irhoh (juvenem) is first mentioned, in a 
general way, and then the part, costas, 
specially aftV?cted is more particularly de- 
tailed. In Greek this syntax is very com- 
mon. 

277. Fratres — pars — pars. See above, 
note on 161, Interea reges — Latinus — Tumus. 
See also xL 887, exclusi—pars — pars. 

281. AgijUini, Le., Etruscans, inhabitants 
of Agj'lla or Caere. On the syntax amor 
decern'ere see note, iL 10, with the references 
there quotecL 

222 



283. In this ven,' vivid description of an 
irregitlar and tumultuous fight we are, o 
course, to miderstand the diff"erent operations 
as assigned to ditferent individuals. Some 
earn.' off torches trom the altars and use them 
as weapons; others hurl javeUns so thickly 
that a shower of iron haUs down on the 
combatants; others carry off the sacred 
vessels, and plunder the hearths of the gods. 
This last action is perhaps not one of plunder 
but of protection. 

286. Referens pulsates deos. As we are not 
told that Latinus brought any images with 
him to the sacrifice, and as we do not 
know that it was customary to have sucli 
present at the making of treaties, we must 
not apply these words literally to the actual 
cai-ryuig back of the deities to Lam-entum. 
We must either take the phrase figuratively, 
"retummg to Laurentum, his divuie ordi- 
nances and ceremonies bemg mocked and 
baflied by the unsuccessful attempt to make 
a league ;" or else we must consider referens 
as equal to imitans, as it is in Mn. iv. 329. 
The former we prefer. 

290. Messapus rushes eagerly against 
Aulestes, desu-ous to cut off aU chance of 
reconciUation (avidus confundere foedus). 
by slaving a king, or Lar, of the Tyrr- 
henians. 

Avidus confundere. This inflnitire of in- 
tention depends on the adj. avidus, m (jreek 
fashion. A prose -RTiter of the Augustan 
age would have used either ad with the 
gerund, or the dative of the gerund, or vt 
or qui with the subjunctiva See note, 
^n. L 527. 

291. Proterret— ''by terrifSing, pats to 
flight ;" adverso equo—"- by riding his horse 
right at him." 

292. Aulestes stumbles agamst the altars 
wliich are opposed to him as he retreats, 
keeping his face to the foe. 

293. In caput, inque humeros is a transla- 
tion of Homer's expression i-t) (sps^^fAov 
Ti Kcc) ufjt-ovs, n. V. 586. 

294. Tela trabali, i.e., his spear, huge as a 
beam. "The staff of his spear was like a 
weaver's beam." 

296. Hoc habet. This is the phrase used 
with reference to a gladiator when he re- 
ceived a wound m the combat: habet, "he 
has it ;" " he has caught it," as we say, ia, 
I he is wounded. 

j 300. Occupat OS. As Ebusns (one of the 
followers of Mczentius, it would seem,) ap- 
I proaches, and is in the act of dealing a blow. 
Cor>niaeus, a Trojan, anticipates him by 
! hurling a torch in his face; then, while his 
i beard is burned, and he himself is con- 
; founded. Cor\niaeus follows up his advan- 
tage, and seizing him by the hair, brings 
liim to the eiirth, and slays him. 

301. Ipse is used because a sentence in- 
tervenes between the subject and its first 
verb, occupat. and its second, corripit: and 
also because Corj-naeus had first attacked 
at a distance, but now engages in close 
fight. Ipsum, in 303, seems to mean. " the 
whole body of the man," as opposed to the 



B. XII. 307-355. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. XII. 363-397. 



hair which his enemy had seized. So Homer 
uses the pronomi kvto?. 

307. Podalmus, a Trojan, follows close 
upon Alsus, a Rutulian, and hangs over 
liun with Ills sword ready to inflict the 
death- wound, when the latter, with a back 
stroke of liis battle-axe, splits in two the 
head of his pursuer. 

310. Glauduntur in noctem. This is ano- 
ther example of the constructio praegnans, 
explained in ^n. ii. 18. 

312. Nudato capite. Why was ^neas 
thus exposed, it has been asked ? In order, 
says Servius, that he might be known by 
his ownx men. But it seems more natural 
to suppose that the poet mentions the cir- 
cumstance to exalt the character of his hero, 
by bringing out strongly his faith in the 
gods, and his reverence for them, as dis- 
played in his omitting to protect or arm 
himself Moreover, as the story requires 
that .^neas should be wounded, it would 
ill consort with the inviolability of heavenly 
armour that its wearer should be injured, 
despite its protection. 

313. Repens — this is the adj.=rep«?ii!ma, 
and not the participle of repo, to creep, as 
the metre shows. 

316. A-uferte metus — either " away with 
fear as to the issue of our single combat," 
or rather, " dismiss your fears of any pre- 
sent danger;" no real danger now hangs 
over you, sufficient to lead you thus to act. 

319. Alls sag itta, etc., Le., an aiTow with 
feathers at the back end to du-ect its flight, 
'■' pinnata sagitta." 

322. Fressa esit — "is hushed," "kept 
secret." This and the folio whig line are of 
course said Avith kony. 

326. Superbus—''' elated " "he leaps into 
his car with a bound." 

330. Hastas — " spears," whence procui'ed? 
From the bodies of those slain. 

331. It is a great comphment to Turnus 
to compare him to Mars. Thrace is assigned 
to the war -god as one of his favourite 
haunts, and mention is hence made of the 
Hebrus (now the Maritza). 

332. Clipeo, i.e., concusso. Thi3 has re- 
ference to the act of the consul in setting 
forth to war. 

335. Thraca — the Greek ©paKYi, for 
Tliracia. Irae, in next line, is the nom. 
plur., and not the gen. sing. 

342. Hunc — hunc may depend on dedit 
neci, for congressus is here used absolutely ; 
fmd, besides, it is usually found with the 
dative, not the accus. 

344. There should be only a comma after 
armis, as the following infinitives, conferre 
and praevertere, depend immediately on the 
clause preceding. 

347. Homer does not represent Dolon as 
at all valiant; but Virgil, we have seen, 
often differs from his great model. For the 
story of Dolon, see Hom. II. Ek. x. 

352. Pretio, i.e., praemio, which means 
poena, scil., death. 

355. We are to suppose that Turnus, 
after following his victim, at length wound- 
ed him, by hurUng his javelin through a 



long space (longum per inane). Wagner 
i-emarks on the great number of conjunc- 
tions in this and the next two lines, as ex- 
pressive of quickness and eagerness on the 
part of Turnus in the transaction. 

363. Chloreaque. Observe the g«<e length- 
ened by arsis. Sternacis equi — " of a restive 
horse" — a horse that readily, or often, 
throws his rider. 

365. Edoni Boreae — "of the Edonian, 
i.e., Thracian, north wind. The Edon 
were a Thi-acian tribe. Such a wind was 
strongly felt in the ^gean sea. Dantfugam 
i. e. , fugiunt — ' ' hasten. ' ' 

367. Venti, i.e., the blasts of Boreas. 

370. Adverso curru — "by reason of h 
car being driven against the wind." 

372. Frenis is to be johied with spumantia 
— "foaming on the bit." 

374. Retectum — "uncovered." It must 
have been his right side which was wound- 
ed, as that was the one which would have 
been exposed to Turnus, when Phegeus 
seized the horses with his right hand, and 
clung on to them as they galloped on- 
ward. 

380. Phegeus, now that he has been 
slightly wounded, turns round to retaliate 
on Turnus, but he is struck by the wheel of 
the chariot, and hm-led headlong on the 
ground ; and Turnus, as he whirls past in 
his furious career, lops off his head, and 
leaves the trunk on the sand. 

In praecipitem we have another instance 
of the proleptic use of the adj., explained in 
the note on ^n. ii. 736. 

386. Cuspis here, as at i. 81, means the 
lower end of the spear, the a-o-vpooTrip. 
^neas supported himself by the spear as 
often as he put forth the wounded limb 
Nitentem — this verb has two meanings, 
either to support oneself by something, or to 
move forward. Both are probably implied 
here. 

391. lapis — instead of this word, lapyx 
is found in some copies, but it does not 
seem so appropriate as the former for the 
name of a physician. There is obviously a 
reference to the verb la-ffSoci. 

394. Dabat—"- offered to give," as we see 
by what follows. 

395. Depositi parentis. The ancients Avere 
in the habit of exposing invalids before 
the doors of their houses and temples, in 
the hope that they might be cured by some 
chance passer by, who had once been af- 
flicted Avith the same or a similar disease, 
or at all events that they might restore to 
the earth their last breatli. Hence depositus 
came to mean, '■'despaired of," as here 
Fata, i.e., mortetn. 

397. Mutas artes, viz., medicine, and the 
art of healing. The medical art is called 
" silent," i.e., "■less showy," as compared 
to the more fashionable and sho\A'y accom- 
plishments of augury, music, and archery 
and the term Avas more particulary appli- 
cable among the Romans, Avho employed 
slaves, or Ubertini, or Greeks (Grceculi esuri- 
entes), than it would be now-a-days. Forb 
thinks that mutas may be taken literally, 
223 



B. XII. 



-422. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEIP. 



B. XII. 424-488. 



since the duty of the physician must be 
done in quietness and silence, while pro- 
phecy, smging', and archery necessarily im- 
plied noise and excitement. Tiiis, however, 
is rather prosaic. 

398. Acerba fremens — " murmuring bit- 
terly," wrathftilly muttering bitter com- 
plaints. 

401. Fceonium is to be scanned as three 
syllables, Pceonjum. Jahn thinks that the 
four syllables should be retained in full in 
the scansion, the o being shortened, as the 
i is in orichakum, above, 87, and as the long 
vowels of foreign words are often treated 
by the Roman poets. Poeon. in mor., " after 
the manner of Apollo." See Article, "Apollo," 
m Clas. Diet 

Ilk — senior. A substantive is often thus 
added to a demonstrative pronoun to im- 
part emphasis, and to mark more distinctly 
the person mdicated. See note, ^n. v. 
262. 

402. Manu medica, etc. — "with healing 
skill and with the powerful herbs of Phoebus, 
he makes many anxious trials in vam — in 
vain with his right hand he loosens [shakes 
for the purpose of loosening] the barbs, and 
again and again grasps the steel with the 
griping forceps." 

405. Nulla Fortuna, etc., i.e., Fortune in 
no degree directs to the means of cure, and 
Apollo, mventor of the art, lends no assist- 
ance. Horror^ " di-ead," is put for the 
cause of dread. 

408. Puhere stare coeJum, i.e., the dust, 
when it has once risen, combines with the 
air, and makes it gain such consistency as 
that the compound seems to stand firm in 
its place. The phrase is an imitation of 
Homer, "rol^v "B'vTiviph Konr/i 'Io-tcct 
ci,iipofji,'ivn. 

411. Indigno dolore — "undeserved pain;" 
"pain inflicted in a disgraceful manner." 

412. Dictamnus — the herb dittany, which 
was found in great abundance on Mts. Dicte 
and Ida. The herb now called dictamnus 
by botanists is quite different. 

413. Caulem, etc— "a stalk rich in ma- 
ture leaves and purple flower;" i.e., there 
was on the stem an abundance of leaves, 
(neither too young and milky, nor too old 
and dry, but) of mature growth, and of full- 
blown blossoms. 

414. Non incognita capr is. Cicero, N. D., 
says that it is reported that "Avhen the 
wild goats in Crete are hit with poisoned 
an-ows, they seek the herb dictamnus, and 
when they have tasted it the weapons drop 
out of their bodies." 

417. Venus "with this herb infects the 
river - water (amnem), which had been 
poured into the shining basin, secretly im- 
jiarting to the liquid a curative power : she 
sprinkles, too, the health-giving juice of 
ambrosia, and the sweet-scented panacea." 
Panacea — (^«v, a;£sr(r^a/)—anherb which 
was believed capable of curing all things. 

422. Quippe, for utique, certe, ^'^ iiaoTu?. 
Forb. aud VVagn. " As was natural to ex- 
pect" 

224 



424. Novae, etc.— "His vigour returned 
fresh to its former state." 

429. Agit—'' incites," "urges on to ac- 
tion." Observe the peculiar force of the 
pluperf. incluserat, in next line — "he had 
by this time enveloped his legs in hia 
greaves." 

432. Hahilis est, i.e., aptus est. Fum cir- 
cum, by anastrophe and tmesis, for circum- 
fusis. The practice of embracing with the 
armour on was of common occurrence. 
See Quiuct Declam. ix. p. 197, quoted by 
Peerlk., jamque sujprema per galeam deck- 
ram oscula. 

435. With this affecting passage compare 
Horn. IL vi. 474 sqq., and Soph. Ajax, 550 
sqq. Verum laborem, etc. — "Learn from 
me true virtue in enduring toUs." Servius 
interprets, " true, real, labom-— that which 
I undergo myself, for myself— not using the 
services of others." 

437. Dabit defensum — "will render yon 
safe." This circumlocution by dare, in- 
stead of the simple verb, expresses the 
effect and permanent result See note, L 
63. Inter magna praemia — "into the very 
midst (into the enjoyment) of great re- 
sults." 

438. Tufacito, etc. " See to it, when yon 
have come to maturity, that you be mindful 
(of these things); and let yom- father 
^neas, and your uncle Hector, rouse yon 
to energy, as you call to mind the examples 
of your kindred." 

444. Caeco pulvere, I e., the dust which 
makes blind. 

447. Gelidus, etc. This Ime has occurred 
at ii. 120, where see notes. 

ibO. Atrum a(/?«e« —"his dusty band," 
i.e., cither "in dense array," or "covered 
with a cloud of dust" 

454. " It will overtlirow the trees, lay low 
the crops, and level all thingsfar and wide."' 
Puo is here active transitive. 

456. Rhoeteius ductor, i.e., Trojanus; Sf> 
called, from the promontory Ehoeteum in the 
Troad. See iii. 108. 

458. Thymbraeus and the other victors 
are Trojans, wliile Osiris and the conquere<l 
are Latins. 

460. On Tolumnius, see above, 258 sqq. 

468. Virago — "a female who does deeds 
of valour equal to men." Media inter lora, 
"while he was driving." 

473. The comparison of the swallow seems 
to be original to Vu'gil. 

475. Loquacibus nidis — vioffffoli rpuZ^ovtri, 

477. Stagna means the pools of water in 
the imphivium, according toLersch., but we 
prefer to consider it as referring to the lakes 
of the country, and not to the small troughs 
and wells of the city. 

481. From its primary meaning, " to lay 
in order," kgo comes to mean " to pick out," 
"to choose," and hence, when applied to 
such words as vestigia, oras, and vias, it 
signifies "to watch closely," "to follow 
nimbly." 

485. Retorsit avei'sos. Proleptic use of 
adj., on which see note, /En. u. 736. 

488. Euic, i.e., in hunc, viz., ^Eneas. 



B. XII. 491-533. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. XII. 534-612. 



"Messapiis, as he happened to be carrying- 
in his left hand two phant javeUns pointed 
Avith steel, with a sudden attack {levis cursti 
for levi cursu), brandishing one of these, 
hurls it at him with unerring aim." 

491. " ^neas halted, and gathered him- 
self up under covert of his shield, sinking 
down on his knees." 

494. Suiactus msidiis — "being roused to 
indignation by the treacherous deaUngs" 
(of Messapus). 

501. Diversas — " in different parts of the 
field." Inque vicem for invicemque. Ob- 
sei've that irwiceni is coupled to toto aequo7'e, 
though the two members are of entirely 
different character. On this subject see 
note, Geo. i. 142, alta peiens pelagoque. 

503. Placuit. This verb is used in regard 
to the unalterable decrees of heaven. 

505. "This encounter first rallied and 
stayed the routed Trojans." Haud multa 
morantem, L&, the slaying of whom did not 
occupy him long. 

509. Amycum and Diorem are governed 
hjferit, and not by congressus. On hunc— 
hunc, see note, x. 10. 

515. Echionium nomen, i.e., his Mher was 
Echion. Nomen has reference to his origin, 
as the latter part of the line shows; so in 
vi. 763, Silvius, Albanum nomen, means, 
8ilvius, Alban in race and origin. Nomen 
is in apposition to Onyten. 

516. Hie. seiL, Turnus. Fratres Lycia 
missos — these are, as Forbiger thinks, Clarus 
and Themon, mentioned in x. 126. 

ApolUnis agris. Lycia is so called on ac- 
count of the famous temple of Latona and 
Apollo in Patara. 

518. Lerna was properly a stream and 
lake of Argolis, but was not far distant 
tirom Arcadia. 

519. Pauper domus. The fisher's life was 
esteemed in ancient times one of extreme 
poverty. See Theocr. Idyll, xxi., " His 
tiather cultivated a hired [rented] farm." 

521. For tliis same comparison, see Mn. 
a. 304 sqq. 

522. Silvam et virguUa sonantia lauro — 
that is, either lauream silvam et virgulta; 
or silvam may mean the woodland pasture 
with its long grass. VirguUa sonantia lauro 
is equal to virguUa laurea. 

524. Aequora — "the level ground," "the 
plains;" not the seas, as the first words of 
the next line very evidently show. 

528. Itur in vulnera. Our verb, to go, 
is often used in this sense, in slang phrase- 
ology. Hie, in next line, refers to ^neas. 

530. Sonantem — "malting a great noise 
about," i.e., "boasting of." Actum, i.e., 
du£tum — " derived," "handed down." 

531. Turbine means a cast or throw by 
which the missile rotates in its journey to 
the mark. 

533. Rotae provolvere, etc. The wheels, 
i.e., the chariot, rolled him beneath the 
lora and th&juga. The lor a may be either 
the reins, properly so called, or the thongs 
by which the horses were bound to the 
yoke. If the latter, the phrase will be 
quite intelligible and appropriate; but if 
the former, it wiU be more difficult to com- 



prehend. Juga means, of course, the yoke, 
and thence the team. 

534. The order is, '■^ Incita ungula equo- 
rum nee memorum (i.e., immemorum) do- 
mini proculeat super creb7V pulsu. 

536. Tempora aurata — his temples covered 
with a golden helmet. 

546. Mortis is what is called the " geni- 
tive of apposition, " since Twors is the meta. 
So we meet in Horace, hederoe prcemia; 
and in Cffisar, peeunioe praemia. See Mad- 
vig, Lat. Gr., § 286, with notes. 

552. Observe quisque nituntur, and con- 
sult notes, i. 70 ; iL 31. 

556. Clade, i.e., metu dadis. 

560. Accendit, scil., animum ejus. 

562. Capit tumulum — " he ascends a 
mound;" thus Eoman generals mounted 
the suggestus (an artificial mound or plat- 
form) to harangue their soldiers, and orators 
to address the public assembly. 

563. Nee seuta deponunt — the meetmg 
was so hurriedly called, that they had not 
time to follow the usual practice of piling 
armour. 

566. 3fihi is an example of the Dativus 
EtMcus explained in i. 261, where see note. 

568. Frenum accipere — this demand was 
contrary to the treaty ; but, as the opposite 
party had broken their engagement, ^neas 
was fi-ee to depart from his. Frenum is 
seldom used in the singular. 

Victi. This is an example of synesis, on 
which see i. 70. We should have expected 
victa, to agree with urbs (taken from m-bem 
preceding). Fatentur in the pres., is much 
more forcible in a threat, than the future 
would be, though the latter tense might 
here be expected. 

572. Caput — summa — Laurentum is called 
so as being the caput., or head, of the nation 
carrymg on the war. Forb. 

575. Cuneum dant, i.e., faciunt — "forma 
wedge." With sealae supply apparuerunt, 
from apparuit following. 

585. Trahunt regem in moenia — "they 
drag the king (Latinus) to the walls," to 
look after their defence, and to make peace 
with ^neas. Gossrau takes trahunt regem, 
as referring to JEneas, in the sense, "they 
wish (i.e., they try) to get ^neas received 
within the walls." 

588. Observe the perfect in a frequentative 



589. Trepidae rerum is an imitation of a 
Greek construction. So fessi rerum, i. 178. 

593. Haecfortuna — "the followmg disas- 
ter," viz., the death of Amata. 

599. Turbata mentem. See on the syntax, 
i. 228. 

603. Nodum leti, for nodum Utiferum. 
Informis, i.e.,foedi, turpis. 

606. Laniata genas. On the syntax, con- 
sult note, i. 228. " It was a custom among 
the ancients," says Servius, "to pour out 
human blood, that either of gladiators or of 
captives ; but if a sufficient number of such 
victims did not appear, the mourners shed 
their own blood, by lacerating their cheeks. 
The laws of the XII. Tables, however, for- 
bid women to tear the face." 

612. Many critics reject this and the next 
225 



B. XII. 616-653. 



NOTES ON THE .ENEID. 



B. XII. 654-696. 



line, which are not foitnd in many of the 
best MSS., and are not mentioned by Ser- 
vius or Donatus. They occur, with the 
alteration of two words, in xL 471, 2. 
Wagner, however, defends them, (1) Be- 
cause they are not identically the same as 
xi. 471, but are changed, according to Vir- 
gil's practice, in a word or two. (2) Be- 
cause, if they are omitted, there is some- 
thing wanted to complete the sentence; for 
nowhere in Virgil does an absolute clause 
end in the nom. of the participle. (3) Be- 
cause in the Codex Mediceus (one of the 
best MSS.) 611 ends a page, so that 612 
and 613 might have been readih^ omitted. 
And further. Ser^•ius and Donatus, ha\-ing 
aken notice of the verses when comment- 
ng on Bk. xi., might naturally have deemed 
t superfluous to mention them again. Forb. 
agrees with "Wagner. PeerDc condemns 
the verses, and reads the precetling luies 
thus : et scissa veste * * * puh-ere turpat. 

616. Minus atque minus successu Icetus — 
Heyne understands these words as referring 
to the gradual diminutionl n the speed of 
the horses of Diomede; Wagner to the 
diminished success in this equestrian mode 
of fighthig, in consequence of the fatigue of 
his horses. But we think that successu is 
to be taken literally, implying that his steeds 
were stiH. successful and vigorous, not wearied 
and misuccessful ; and that minus atque 
minus laetus signifies that now, though 
slajing considerable numbers of the enemy, 
yet he is dissatisfied with the opponents 
presented to hira, and longs for combatants 
more worthy of his steel; that he every 
moment feels so mnch more keenly his dis- 
grace, as he reflects on his desertion of the 
hottest of the field, that now he takes no 
pleasure in his present success, but would 
rather brave all danger, and meet every 
disaster than seem to skulk like a coward 
from his great rival 

617. Caecis ierroribus, ia, terrors, the 
cause of which was unknown to him. 

621. Diversa urbe — " in a remote part of 
the city." 

62-5. Occurrit huic — "opposes him," i.e., 
hLs objections ; " meets his difliculties." 

630. On the cacophony produced bj- re- 
cedes begmning with the same syllable as 
the preceding word hono-re ends in, see 
-En. ii. 27; iii. 203, notes. Nuniero, Le., in 
the number of slain. 

634. FaUis — "tiy to deceive." 

638. Some understand that a phantasm 
appeared to Turnus: others that he actu- 
ally witnessed the scene. 

646. Usque adeone — " Is it then so very 
miserable a thing to die ? " This half verse 
lias gained celebrity from its alleged repeti- 
tion by Nero. See Suet. Ner. 47, 

648. Observe that the final syllable of 
anima is not elided before atqtie ; and that 
the middle syll. of istius is short. See .^n. 
L16. 

649. Avorum — dignm and indignus are 
often joined by the poets and later prose 
writers with the genitive, instead of the 
ablative. 

653. Suprema salus, as elsewhere summa 
226 



salus, *' our final safety," or " our last hope 
of safety." 

654. Fulminat — a very expressive and 
emphatic word. So below, 700, intomic 
armis. In vL 843, the Scipios are called 
duo fulmina belli; and Scott calls Nelson a 
"thunderbolt of war." 

657. Mussat — "deliberates secretly," or 
rather, the meaning is, " mutters dissatis- 
faction at the present arrangement, and 
hints that his own inclinations are to change 
it, taking ^neas as his son-iu-law, and 
making a league with him." Generos, the 
plur. for the sing., as we have often seen 
ah-eady. The plural in such cases takes 
the place of a generic noun. 

659. Tuifidissima. This phrase is formed 
on the model of such as tui studiosissima, tui 
amaniissima. Some doubting the Latinity 
of the expression, have changed tui to tibi. 
But the best MSS. have tui, and m Silicus 
we meet with perfida pacti. It seems only 
an extension of the principle of the objec- 
tive genitive, on which consult note, ^n. L 
462. 

664. Deserto in gramine — "in the grassy 
plain, now abaiidoned by the enemy." 

665. Obstupuit, etc " Confounded by 
this varied pictiu-e of events, Turnus was 
stupified ('astonied stood'), and remained 
fixed in silent gaze : in that one heart there 
bums a deep sense of shame, and mad rage 
mixed with grief, and love urged to distrac- 
tion by the Furies [of Jealousy and Despair] 
and the consciousness of merit" (and inno- 
cence). 

669. Utnbrae — the haze or mist which the 
sudden news spread over him. 

673. Vortex — "a pointed blaze." Undare 
is often applied to flames and smoke, from 
the resemblance which they present to the 
successive surges of the sea. Compactis 
trabibus — "with closely knit beams." 

679. Morte — " I am determined, by en- 
during death (morte), to sutler all the bit- 
terness (quidquid acerbi) of death." 

680. Ante — "first," i.e., "before my 
death." 

Furere furorem. This phrase is similar 
to somnium somniare, xitam, virere, voce 
rocare, etc., in all of which the verb and 
noun are of the same stem and meaning. 
The construction is also found with verbs 
and nouns of kindred meaning though not 
of the same stem. It is of very common 
occurrence in Greek. So we might say, 
"to rage out my passion," though "rage 
out my rage " would be rather awkward. 
See Mn. i. 67, note. 

681. Arvis for in arva. 

684. This comparison is borrowed from 
Homer II. xiiL 137, which see. Observe 
the variation of the construction : — instead 
of putting imbre and vetustate m the abL, to 
be co-ordinate with vento, the poet changes 
the syntax, and makes them the nonri., the 
pron." referring to saxum being miderstood 
in the accus. 

687. /mjBro6?« seems to mean here "un- 
able to be checked [persevering, as we had 
it befoi'e], and destructive." 

696. Biscessere. Note the peculiar ap- 



B. XII. 699-727. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. XII. 732-751. 



propriateness of the perf. tense in express- 
ing the readiness and haste with which the 
hosts gave way for the champions. 

699. Praecipitat omnes moras — " flings to 
the -svinds all c^iuses of delay." Heyne in- 
terprets, ^'' omnia quae eum niorari poterant 
festinanter agit," but this is verj- tame and 
deUberate. The idea is, not the doing any- 
tliing, however small, but the immediate 
and entire breaking off from everj- engage- 
ment which could retard the combat in the 
slightest degree. In the translation of the 
phrase we have changed the metaphor, as 
110 English plirase occurs to us exactly cor- 
responding in idea, 

701. On AtJios. now 3fonte Santo, consult 
Smith's Diet of Geog., and see note, Geo. 
i. -332. On £rpx, see ^n. i. 570. Ipse is 
to be joined to Appenniuus to mark out one 
peak particularly, either as being the prince 
of Italian mountains, or because it was 
nearer than the others here mentioned, and 
iu sight, as it wera Observe the iiTegular 
iirrangement of the words, quantus^ ipse, 
pater, Ap., etc etc. 

703. Appenninus. Wagner imagines that 
this range was so called because it joined 
close on the Peunine chaui, and that the most 
ancient form of the name was .drfpeuninus. 
The original stem of the name is manifestly 
Pen — a hill, or mountain, which occurs in 
all Celtic languages. Some -will have it 
that the Mts. were called from the god 
Penninus, aitd that thus the epithet Pater 
is naturally transferred from the god to the 
mountain. But does the hoar head {nivali 
sertice) attributed to the mountain not sug- 
gest a reason for the use of the term, Paterf 

70S- Observe that every word in this line 
ends with & To avoid this sameness of 
termination, son^ read diversi, but all IMS. 
authority is on the side of the other lection. 

709. Cermre, for decernere. Some copies 
read viros el decernere. 

lYL Intadtint martem — "commence the 
fight" Clypeis atque oere — "with their 
shields, even the loud ringing brass," atque 
being epexegetieaL This refers to the 
violent dashing together of the shields. 

714 Fors et virtus miscentur — "chance 
and skill are combined;" i.a, each comba- 
tant displays skill, but chance or accident 
is also observable in giving and recei^-ing 
blows. 

715. On Tabumus, see note, Geo. \L 38; 
and on Silas, Geo. iiL 219. 

717. Cessere is the frequentative perf 
(see iiL 681), " are wont to retira" Ma- 
gistri. La, pastores, 

719- Nemori, La, pascuis. La, annentis. 

725. This notion of the balances has been 
derived from Horn. XL viiL 69, and xxiL 
209 sqq. y£quato examine — " with the 
tongue (of the balance) right m the centre," 
not veering to either sida 

727. This and the two preceding verses 
are by no means carefully finished. The 
idea on which quern damnet labor depends 
may be very easily supplied from i?nponit, 
" He places (in the scales) the different 
fates of the two, to ascertain which of tham 
t he toil of battle is to doom, and to which 



side death is to incline by its weight," " by 
the weight of which of them the death scale 
is to be incUned " (or "depressed"). Vkgil 
translates Homer's cit'(n//./)v '/ifx.iiip by letum, 
and his ps-'^i by vergat. By laborWagn. un- 
derstands pugna (so 't'ovo; in Greek) — " the 
toil of battle." Peerlk. mterprets it as the 
movement of the scales— & most extraordinai-y 
idea. May not the use of labor be attri- 
buted to Vu-gil's fondness for Greek imita- 
tions ? And as he translates Homer, word 
for word, iu the second clause, may this 
term not be an attempt to bring out the 
idea of death and the dead, expressed by 
yAftvM, 01 y.ccy/ov-z; ? In this view, labor 
will mean "death," or "the decree of 
death," and the second clause ^vi^ be a 
mere repetition of the idea of the first, 
only presented in a shghtly different aspect. 
We are aware that strong arguments may- 
be urged against this interpretation, but 
we feel, at the same time, equally strong 
objections against the explanation first 
given. For labor, used iu a similar sense 
to that we propose to assign to it here, see 
xi. 416, and note thereon. 

732. Deserit contains in it, or at least 
suggests, the idea of betraj-ing, so that the 
meaning will be, "The treacherous sword 
deserts him, and would have abandoned him 
to tlie enemy, had not flight come to his help." 

734. Ignotum capulum—the hilt is called 
"strange," "unknown," as belonging to 
another and not to himself. 

739. Ad arma Vulcania del — so ui Horace 
we find mea scripta timentis, for scripta 7nei 
timentis. The Greeks, especially the Tra- 
gedians, were veiy fond of this construc- 
tion. 

740. Mortalis mucro — "the blade ot hu- 
man make." 

743. Implicat incertos orbes. La, he pur- 
sues a circuitous and verj' irregular course, 
not knowing what to do, or where to turn. 

750. Puniceaepennaeformidine — the rope, 
or formido, Avith purple feathers set in it at 
intervals, to wave iu the wind, and thus 
teiTify the beasts. 

751. We prefer, with Forbiger, to omit 
the commas after Cursu and latratibus, so 
that renator and canis may be taken toge- 
ther, as "the hound," "dog of the chase." 
Similarly, we meet bellator equus, latrator 
Anubis, etc. K venator is taken to mean a 
"huntsman," the comparison wiU not be 
properly balanced, as m that case we will 
have two parties (the hunter and his dog) 
against one (the stag); while, m the event 
as it happened, there was but one (iEncas) 
against one (Tm-nus). ^neas is the dog, 
and Turnus the stag, but who is the hun- 
ter (venator) f Though the formido and 
snares imply the agency of a huntsman, 
yet the dog and the stag are the two 
main actors, and the two prominent objects 
of contemplation, and in theii- relative states 
and acts the point of the comparison lies. 
TransL, "As when a hound (venator canis), 
coiiiing upon a stag hemmed in by a stream, 
or enclosed by the purple-feathered scare, 

227 



B. XII. 75S- 



XOTES ON THE JEXELD. 



B. Xn. 7S2-S11. 



presses hard upon him with fleet niuning 
and -with bai'king: the other, on his pait, 
liowever, terrified by the snares and the 
deep bank, flees, and flees back again by a 
thousand paths; but the keen Umbrian 
(dog) witli open mouth foUows dose upon 
him, and now, even now, lie gi^asps him, 
and gnaslies his teeth as if in the act of 
seizing Mm, and is baflied (or mocked) by 
a fruitless bite.'' 

75S. Si/milfiigiens — simuUncrepat. Forb. 
considers this as one of those instances in 
which the participle is used for the finite 
verb, as in ix. 488. Otherwise the clauses 
■will not be equally balanced, for simul — 
simitl, like et — et, ought to connect two 
words or phrases of the same character. 
Thiel thinks the simul is repeated to add 
emphasis to the word; he removes the 
comma after fagiens. 

7-59. Xomine quemque vocaiis — "calling 
each by his name;" a plan which com- 
manders usually followed so as to give no 
otfence to individuals, and to concihate tlie 
favour of all by such a mark of attention 
and interest. So in Hom. II. x. 68, Aga- 
memnon desires Menelaus to summon the 
chiefs, Tocrpohv Ik yiyir,; ovo//.ci^eov eivoptu 
iaaffTOv, 'Travra,; Ki/oaivuv. See also 
Iliad ix. 11. 

761. Si rjidsquam acleat. This example 
does not violate the rule that quisquam is 
used only hi negative sentences; for it 
means that ^neas did not expect that any 
one would approach, and that he took pre- 
cautions that 710 one should attempt to in- 
terfere. Quisquam is not itself negatire, but 
being the most general of the indefinite pro- 
nouns, it is almost equal to a negative, and 
is thus found in negative sentences. 

Terret tvementes. This may be explained 
either as a proleptic use of the adj. (iL 736), 
" terrifies them so that they tremble ; " or, 
as, strictly proper use of the present particip., 
•' tenifies, still more, them already in trepi- 
dation." Saucius — " though wounded." 

764. With these lines compare Hom. IL 
xxii. 158-101, of which they are a close 
imitation. 

767. Lignum, for arbor, as in Hor., Odes 
iL 13, 11. Faunus was the tutelary deity 
ILaurenti divo] of the city, and therefore 
the mariners who >isited tliat locahty paid 
their vows of thanksgi>ing to him. Gossrau 
thinks that Famius is the deitj- selected for 
such ofterings, as the pine, of which ships 
were built, was sacred to him ; and because 
he is often confounded with Pan, whom the 
Greeks called kktios or a.?.lTketyKTo:. 
On the custom referred to, see Hor., Ode.=, 
i 5. 14. 

770. Stirpem. This word is masc. in 
Virgil when trees are spoken of, and fem. 
when a race of mankind is signified. See 
above, 208, and note on -En. L 626, and 
consult Ruddiman, LaL Gr. vol. i. p. 3-5. 

XuUo discri.'iiine, Le., without making any 
diflerence between sacred andcommon trees, 
Puro — "unimpeded," "without obstruc- 
tion." "cleared" 

773, Commentators have had much dis- 

228 



cussion on ienehat and its subject. Wagner 
considei-B that oleaster is the subject, and 
that its repetition is rendered unnecessary 
by Mc and hue, which readily suggest it. 

I Others have changed the reading, leavuig- 
out et, and others agahi have omitted botii 

: et and in. But we see no necessity for any 
of these plans. As it was the impetus which 

; carried the spear to the tree, so it was the 
abiduig influence of that impetus which hehl 
it m the stump after it had been driven far 

I in by reason of the force. With this pas- 
sage compare Hom. II. xxL 174. 

: 782. The two sides of the split wood grasp 

1 the head of the speai- like a forceps, hence 

: the use of morsus. The verb ma?-dei^e is 

I also applied by Virgil to the catch of a 

I fibula. 

788. Sublimes is referred by some to the 
attitude of body, "with erect carriage ai.d 
uplifted amis. " Others again, to the braver\- 
and daruig of their minds, but this would 
be too evidently tautological with the fol- 
lowing phrase, annis animisqiie refecti. 

I 790. Cer^a ??}»?€ is a much preferable read- 
ing to certamina. Transl., "They stand 
opposed to one another in the conflict of the 
panting fight." Some make anheli tho 
noni. plur., but this would be inconsistent 
with 788. 

793. Quid resfat, Le., What plan or method 
is still in reserve, by wliich you avlU be able 
to injure ^neas, or to throw obstacles iu 
his way ? 

794. Indigeiem—i'yx'^F^"' See lAvy L 
2, at end. 

797. Mortali ritlnere — "by a wound in- 
i dieted by a mortal." 

I 799. Ereptum — not " taken by violence, ' 
j but simply " taken away fix)m." 
, Viclis. 'Tliis word is used for victor, the 
I singular, says Heyne. But Wagner mor& 
, philosophically explains by saying that 
] " the plural is often referred to one, to indi- 
; cate what kind of a man the indi^idual is, 
or in what condition he is. Thus vict'S 
: would mean, "the conquered," generally, 
I as a class, Le., a conquered man; but victo 
! signifies the individual overcome in the case 

mentioned. 
I SOL Aec is equal to et ne. Tacitam — 
I quietly meditating by yourseK £t after 
! nee acquires a negative power. 
] 80-5. Lefortnare domum, sciL, Imtu, re- 
I ferring prhicipally to the recent suicide of 
j Amata. Similarly Horace uses deformis 
1 aegrimonia; and i.wcixi\, deformemdolorew. 
I 811. Cincta flammis. This means, as 
; Wagner thinks, " all shining ^vith fire," in 
: proof of which he quotes Silius xiL 727, 
Mirantems'iperumvultusetflammeamembra. 
1 Thiel applies the term to the glittering 
\ armour of the deity. And Forbiger takes 
it as signif\ing " in the verj- thickest of the 
fight," opposed to solam aei-ia sede, above. 
Battles and fires are often mutually com- 
pared, and often exchange terms and ideas 
to enhance the description of each other, so 
that it is probable that the interpretation 
of Forbiger is the true one — "in the keen- 
est of the fight ;" and the poet may have 



B. XIL Sl-2-830. 



NOTES ON THE ^^TEID. 



B. XII. S3-2-S49. 



had in his eye the ^if'tas -rvpo; ii^aftitata 
of Homer. 

For sub ipsa aeie some books read sub 
ipsam aciem. to -w-hich latter "Wagner ob- 
jects that sub after siarem must signify rest 
£», and therefore govern the ablatire; 
whereas, -when it denotes motion totcards. 
it is followed by the accusative But this 
ai^imient cannot be pressed lar when we 
call to mind such phrases as esse in potes- \ 
tatem^ habere in custodiam, which are equal ! 
to two enunciations : (1) " to come into the 
power of a person," and (2) '• to remain in 
it ;" (1) " to receive into custody," and (2) 
" to retain in it." So the clause before us 
would mean, Q.) '■ I would enter the line of I 
battle.'' and (2) "maintain my stand there.'" \ 
This is called "constructio praegnans." on 
which see more fully, note, jEn. iL IS: Geo. [ 
iL 243. 

Digna indigna is a proverbial phrase 
equal to qvidris. or omnia. So aequa 
iniqua. fanda in/anda. etc 

S12. Traheremin pro€lia Teucros means, i 
" I would attack the Trojans, and compel 
them to fight." For he who assails another 
drags him into a contest I 

813. This verse refers to what has been [ 
stated at 13S and 152. above. | 

■816. Caput Stygrifontis — "the source of 
the Stygian river." Le.. the river itself 
Implacahile — "that caimot be appeased,'" 
if the oath sworn on its sanctity be violated. 

817. Una supersiiiio, etc This is an 
adaptation of the Homeric idea, o^"^ 

uaxdfis's-i ^nTs-i, IL xv. 37, 8. Superstitio 
means religion, and the fear thence pro- 
ceeding. Reddita^ccmcessa. 

820. Pro majestnte tuorum, referring to 
Saturn, and the fact of Ms being king in 
Italy. He uses tuorum. as Latinus too had 
his origin from the same source as Jupiter. 

^2-2. Leges etfoedera. This is said to be 
hendiadys (see ^^- L 2. note) for foedera 
/egibus (Le., condition ibutj inita. But we 
rather think that foedera refers to the treaty 
putting an end to war, and leges to the civil 
laws which both are to observe after peace 
has been cemented, and both nations incor- j 
iwrated into one tmder the name "Latins." ! 
The following lines provide for other things : 
which shaU preserve the nationality of the \ 
people but the leges are matters to be de- j 
cided by mutual consent. Mutan rocem — 
see ^n. iv. 618. | 

827. The meaning is. Let the Eomans be 
powerfhL but as ItalLms, not as Trojans, 
Le., let Italian valour, and not Trojan, gain 
the credit of success, i 

830. For es some inferior books read et, { 
which has no ilS. authority. The meaning | 
is. You prove yourself to be a true sister of 
Jupiter, and daughter of Saturn, for you | 
Toll beneath your breast huge billows of 
passion. Tanfos is explanatory ("iuasmuch 
as") of the foregoing line, (Jossran explains 
thus: "You enjoy the highest honour and 
power after Jupiter, and yet you aUow 
yourself to get into such a passion." 



S32. Submitfe, Le., depone, "lay aside." 
Inceptum, Le,. conceptum. 

■S-3-3. Remitto, Le., I yield myself to thee : 
" I so far cease team my opposition to your 
wishes, being prevaDed on by yon^ nay, 
rather of my own wish and inclination." 

S35. This only (tantum) will I grant to 
the TriDjans, that being mixed with the 
Latins in the general mass {corpore), they 
may settle down among them ; (I mysel£ 
says Jupiter, shall add (Le., enjoin) the 
character and ritual of saCTed ceremonies,} 
and I shall make the whole body Latins, 
with one common laugnage. 

837. For Adjiciam, some editors suspect 
that Tirgil wrote adjicient^ with Trojani as 
its subject. Bm there is no difficulty in the 
passage to render such a change necessary, 
as Forbiger shows by an analysis of the 
ideas. We quote his opinion: "Jupiter de- 
clares that he wiU cause the two nations to 
coalesce closely into one, with one language, 
the same laws, customs, and institutions. 
But as a common religion tends to the per- 
fect tmity of a people, and as men are wont 
to be especially tenacious of their own 
opinions and ceremonies, he promises that 
he himself will so arrange matters as that 
both nations may preserve their own saa^ed 
rites, and yet each adopt those of the other. 
Thus, without disturbing the harmony of 
the two races, the religious observances 
may, like the nations, be^ blended into one 
common system." As this is the only thing' 
which the Latins are to have imposed upon 
them by the victorious Trojans, it is neces- 
sary that it be distinctly stated— this state- 
ment, however, is couched in words as little 
offensive as possible, by the tise of adjiciam, 
which makes the king of the gods himself 
the agent in the matter, 

S39. Supra homines — supra deos. This is 
a proverbial phrase, meaning "above aU 
others." Pietas, in this and .similar expres- 
sions, seems to mean — "a careful oteerv- 
ance of what is just and right."' 

840. See Ovid. Fast. vL 51 sqq. ; Livv v. 
21 sq. 

&iL Retorsit, Le., injlejrit, mutatit, In- 
ierea means, " while this is going on." 
CoeJo, Le., from the cloud. 

S45. In Bk. ix_ Tii^ had represented 
Iris descending fit)m heaven to call away 
Jimo nx)m the fight; here, then, it was 
necessary to vary the agency, and conse- 
quently we have one of ttie Furies deputed 
to do the disagreeable office. Yirgii is soli- 
tary, among andent authors known to us, 
in assigning the place of the Ftuies to 
heaven, in close proximity to Jupiter. 
Megaera, however, retains her place in the 
infernal regions, in Tartarus, or in the en- 
trance to HeU. Alecto and Tidphone being 
promoted to the upper worid. 

846. y"ox intempesta — "Ni^it, unseason- 
able time for work." 

S47. Paribus is equal to pariter — "all in 
the same way.'" Ventosas alas, Lcl, wings 
so large and powerral as to cause wind in 
beanng the air. 

849. Jupiter is called saevus oa. accoimt 
229 



B. XII. 854-876. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. XII. 878-912. 



of his relentless disposition in carrying out 
the decrees agamst Tunius. 

854. In omen is equal to " ut esset omen.'" 

857. -Farthus is repeated to call especial 
attention to that nation most particularly 
renowned in the art here spoken of. The 
Cydonians, i.e., the Cretans, seem to have 
also adopted the custom of poisoning their 
arrows. See ^n. x. 140, note. 

859. Immedicabile telum — "a weapon 
whose wound is mcurable." Incognita — 
" undetected by the sight." 

The epithet celeres is applied to umbrae 
(the dark air traversed by the arrow) be- 
cause those very minute and light particles 
of vapour, of which the clouds consist, are 
in constant motion, and therefore urge for- 
ward the missile along with them. Gossrau 
explains differently: he says, "teansilit 
uiUBRAs, quas infra se ipsa facit, dum per 
aerem volat, et celekes eae umbrae sunt, 
quum cekriter volet, umbraeque sagittam 
sequantur.'" Heyne remarks that had Vir- 
gil had an opportunity of revising his work, 
he would not have retained the same adj., 
ceJer, three times in immediate succession, 
853, 855, 859. 

862. Farvae alitis. This is generally 
thought by commentators to be a kind of 
small owl, whose melancholy notes still 
cause alai-m to the superstitious. But the 
adj. parvus is pexiiaps only used relatively, 
i.e., the size of the owl is, at the largest, 
.small in comparison with that of the deity. 
" She, a deity of full size, transforms herself 
into a tiny owL" 

864. Heyne intei-prets importuna as equal 
to intempesta nocte; and Forbiger, as said 
'• de funesto et male ominato bubonis cantu, 
ut sit fere, Lq., infesta. To us it appears 
that the idea is rather that of long continu- 
ance and annoyance (without the means of 
relief,) arising therefrom to those who are 
compelled to listen ; and this point of the 
comparison seems to be carried out in the 
frequency and contimmnce implied in fertque 
refertque, of the application to the case in 
question. Everberare, too, signifies a 
lengthened, constant, and violent beating. 

869. Stridorem et alas. We see no neces- 
sity for understanding these words as equal 
to stridorem alarum; they rather mean — 
" when she recognised the whizzing noise, 
and the (peculiar) movement of the wings." 
This view gains confirmation from line 876, 
nosco verbera alarum, letalemque sonum. 

873. Durae seems to be used here, like 
crudelis hi iv. 681, in the sense of immitis, 
"mifeeling," " devoid of natural affection," 
inasmuch as Jutuma is calmly to look on at 
her brother's death, without endeavouring 
to save him. Thus, we frequently find per- 
sons who lament the hard dispensations of 
fate, taking upon themselves the blame at- 
tributable to fortune, although they cannot 
)U"event the execution of her decrees; thus 
Wagner and Forbiger. But Heinrich inter- 
prets dura sorte utente — " me, hard-fated 
one;" which is perhaps the most natural 
and obvious meaning. 

876. Obscoence volucres. On the plur. used 
for the sing., see above, 799, note. The 
•J30 



meaning is, " one of the class of ill-omened 
bu-ds." 

878. Repotiit, i.e., rependit. Quo = cui 
bono. 

880. Possem. Before this word the mind 
will supply "wj adempta esset mortis con^ 
dicio.''' Nunc certe, vvv dvi. 

881. Per umbras. Heyne prefers sub 
umbras, but per is more appropriate, as ap- 
plied to a fond sister wishing, not only to 
accompany her brother to the shades, but 
also to remain with him there as his com- 
panion. 

882. Quidquam dulce meorum, i.e., what 
one of my former pursuits is now agreeable 
and inviting? 

885. Glauco, almost equal to cceruleo. 
The epithet is one usually applied to sea 
and river deities. See x. 205 ; viiL 33. 

887. We now return to the point at which 
we left off in 790. 

888. Arbor eumvaedovs^ "large as a tree;" 
so trabale telum in 294. 

889. Deinde, i.e., since matters are so 
situated, and all things invite to the contest ; 
since you have in vain attempted to escape 
by flight, and since you have recovered 
your sword, " what is the next cause of de- 
lay that now retards you?" Retractas, 
"refuse." 

891. "Tm-n yourself (Proteus-like) into 
every shape, and summon up aU your powers 
either of courage or of cunning" (or " skill"). 
Use all devices, however extraordinary, yet 
you shall not escape the contest. The ex- 
pression is a proverbial one, denoting ex- 
treme despair. All will call to mind the 
words of Psalm 139, verse 7 sq. 

895. Ferox. We have no equivalent in 
English for this word. Perhaps "self-con- 
fident" comes nearest to the idea. 

896. Saxum. We thus find the Homeric 
heroes ha^^ng recourse to such weapons, 
and even the gods do not disdain their use, 
as in Iliad xxi. 403 sq., which see. It is to 
be remembered that Tunius had got his 
sword restored to him, but that he had no 
spear to hurl at .^neas from a distance. 

900. Qualia nunc producit tellus — " om 
vZv (iporoi iifft." "Such men as live in 
these degenerate days." 

903. Neque cognoscit, etc. "He did not 
recognise his former self (i.e., his former 
strength), either in running (to lift the stone) 
or hi advancing slowly (to the fight), or in 
raising with his hand, and hurUng the huge 
rock." We are not to accuse Tunius of fear 
or cowardice in this display of weakness and 
torpor, but we are rather to attribute his 
imbecility to physiological and psychological 
causes, which often operate in the most 
daring and valiant men, rendering them 
incapable of action and exertion even for 
their own safety. 

906. Lapis viri^^^ the stone hurled by the 
man." Inane vacuum — " the empty void." 

912. Observe sequuntur agreeing with the 
subject nearest to it. Viam — "a way 
(mode) of conquest." Virtute is added by 
the poet to keep us in mind that it was the 



B. XII. 917-942. 



NOTES ON THE ^NEID. 



B. XII. 944-952: 



Di\'ine power alone which rendered Tumus 
timid and so unlike himself. 

917. Observe the changed construction, 
nee videt, quo, * * nee qua, * * nee 
currus nee aurigam. 

920. Fortunam, i.e., a place where a 
wo mid might be given; so we say "a 
chance." 

922. Murali tormento — " a wall-battering 
balista." Nee fulmine, ie., nor does the 
noise of thunder roar so loud, as (i.e., when) 
it spreads itself over the heavens. 

928. Duplicato poplite, i.e., on bended 
knee. Gemitu is put for cmn gemWi. 

930. In protendens governing oculos and 
dextram in two senses, we have an example 
of the figure called "zeugma," on which 
see ^n. IL 258. 

941. Infelix — "unlucky," as we say. 

942. The bulla was a boss or stud of 
metal, made in a cuxular form, to resemble 
a bubble floating on the water. Bright 
ornaments of this shape were used to adorn 
girdles, shoulder belts, scabbards, etc, etc. 
One of the kind described is seen in the 
iliustration. 




944. To be consistent, we ought to have 
cujus introduced along with insigne. 

947. Indute, i.e., since you are clothed 
with. The voc. is used here for the nom., 
as at ^n. ii. 283, where see note. 

949. Scelerato sanguine — "his guilty 
blood," ie., guilty In having slain Pallas. 

952. Heyne sums up as follows: "And 
now, since, by the death of Turnus, the 
conditions of the treaty, which had been 
entered on, are fulfilled, and Lavinia is ob- 
tained in marriage by the Trojan prince, 
jSineas unites the Trojans and Latins into 
one nation, founds a city, Lavinium, and 
secures the right of succession to the king- 
dom after the death of Latinus ; and thus 
accepit sedem in Italia Iniulitgue deos Laiio, 
as the poet had declared in Bk, i. ^ G." 



231 



APPENDIX, 



[The following Abstract contains what is most valuable in Wag- 
ner's learned discussions — the Qucestiones Virgillance. It is matter 
of regret that limited space has rendered it necessary to make but 
few references to passages illustrative of the principles enunciated. 
It is hoped, however, that those which have been noted will prove 
satisfactory as examples, and will stimulate students to farther 
inquiry, and to more careful observation in their daily reading. 
Those who have leisure to pursue the study more deeply, will do 
well to have recourse to A-Vagner's original work.] 



EPITOME OF WAGNER'S QUiESTIONES VIRGILIAN^. 

I.— Ab. 

Ah is not used by Vii'gil before consonants, unless when it de- 
notes place and origin^ and is equal to a.^n-'o^ '^ from." Moreover, it 
is never joined to passives in the sense of y^ro, " by." In this view 
the reading of Burmann, in JSn. ii. 429, " confixi ab sociis,^^ is not 
allowable. But even when equal to «to, it is not always written 
ab, but it has preferences for particular consonants and favourite 
words. Thus it is written ab only before the consonants, J, L, R, 
S, and T, and before the following words— Joue, iEn. i. 380; Litore, 
Mn. xii. 787; Lceva, Mn. viii. 460; Eadice, Geo. ii. 17; Sede, 
JSn. iii. 687; Rege, JEn. xi. 230; Rupe, iii. 647; Stirpe, viii. 130; 
Terra, Eel. viii. 40; Limite, Eel. i. 54. So perhaps ab Stabulis, 
Geo. iv. 14; ah Troja, Mn. iii. 149; and ab vulnere, Mn. vi. 450, 
from MS. authority. 

But in Geo. ii. 312, and in ^n. iii. 94, we have apparent ex- 
ceptions, a stirpe being the only reading in both places. In the 
former case the reason for the diiference seems to be, that while a 
stirpe means '^ at the root,'" ab stirpe would signify "-from the root 
all up to the top.'' In the latter, ab would have been harsh after 
two heavy monosyllable words. 

II.— Ex. 
Ex is rarely found before consonants. But we meet the fuU form 
in the [following cases; (1.) when a monosyllabic pron. follows ; 



APPENDIX. 

tx 6-6, Geo. ii. 218; ex we, ^n. xii. 435; ex qiio^ Mi\. v. 47. The 
poet is evidently guided in these instances by sound. (2.) When 
it indicates number [or part of], as JGn. i. 171, omni ex numero; 
Mn. ii. 659, nihil ex tanta urbe. But pauca tibi e multis, Mn. iii. 
377, and sola multis e matribus^ ix. 217, are exceptions. (3.) In 
such phrases as ex diver so., Mn. iii. 232; ex longo^ ix. 64; ex more, 
V. 244. (4.) When it follows its case, or when it stands between 
the adj. and subst., the substantive preceding, as arce ex summa, 
Mn. iv. 410. Hence the reading bello ex tanto, in ii. 718, is to be 
preferred. (5.) In the special cases, inimico ex sanguine, Mn. xl. 
720, and scelerato ex sanguine, xii. 949. For this there may be two 
reasons alleged, 1st, That the word occurs in the fourth and weakest 
foot of the verse ; and 2d, That a long syllable precedes [and also 
follows]. But when only one of these causes operates, e and not 
ex is written, as at Geo. iv. 200; iEn. x. 263; and in x. 221, 
where a short syllable is elided. 

III. — Accusative of Proper Names. 

The accusative singular of Greek masculine substantives, ending in 
as and es, is made in an and en; and thus we ought to read 
Anchiseu, Hylan, Idan, Oronten, Achillen. But in Italian nouns 
am is the approved termination, as Lucam, Numam. 

A^irgil seems to have used in as an accus. ending of nouns in is, 
only for the necessities of the metre, as in Eel. v. 52 [see our note 
on -^n. viii. 506], im is the form of authority. Thus we write 
Alexim, Daphnim, Parim, Phasim, Thetim. 

IV. — Greek Terminations, os and on, of 2d Decl. 
Ill Greek nouns of the second decl. Virgil does not appear to 
have followed any regular law in forming the accus. sing. (1.) 
In names of islands he prefers the Greek forms — os, on, as Lesbos, 
Samos, Naxon, Paron. (2.) Countries, mountains, and rivers are 
sometimes made in the Greek, and sometimes in the Latin mode, 
as Epiros, yEgyptos, or ^Egyptus, Pelion, Pactolus, Ismarus. (3.) 
Cities are almost invariably in the Latin form. (4.) The names 
of men rarely in the Greek form, as Mnasylos, Epeos. 

V. — Third Plural, Perfect Indic. Active. 
Both forms of the 3d plur. perf. act., erunt and ere, are frequently 
used. In the middle of a verse the necessities of the metre will at 
once settle the question, as the following most useful example will 
readily show: — 

nium etiam lauri, etiam flevere myrkce. 

Moenalus et gelidi elevekunt saxa Lycaii— Ecl. x. 13. 

When at the end of a line, the lighter form ere, is much more pleas- 
ing to the ear, as forming a more gentle cadence than the harsh 
and strong syllable vnt. The longer form is preferred when the 
perfect retains its full meaning of have, as in Eel. iii. Ill, sat prata 
biberunt. For examples of the above principles, see Geo. i. 287; 
iii. 83, 115, 378; ^n. i. 398; ix. 686; Geo. ii. 422. 

234 



APPENDIX. 
VI. 

The substance of this section, ''on the confusion of the moods 
and tenses of verbs," will be found in our special annotations on 
the various passages where the codoces exhibit different readings, 
as jEn. i. 49, etc. 

YII. — The Interchange of Present and Perfect. 
The pres. and perf. are very often interchanged when they have 
the same number of times, and a similar sound. This takes place 
most frequently in the verbs fundere, Unquere, rumpere, and their 
compounds. In cases of variety, we must take into account, first, 
the character of the MS., and secondly, the nature of the sentence. 

I. As regards the MSS.., the pres. is much more frequently changed 
into the perf. than the perf. into the pres. in those verbs whose 
perf. differs from their pres. by the omission of a letter (fundit, 
fudit) ; for a letter was much more likely to be taken away than 
added, and the consonants m and n are very often written merely 
by a horizontal stroke, in the more recent MSS., so that copyists 
might have readily omitted the letter of the present altogether. 
Hence, if the majority of ancient copies have the pres., it is better 
to adopt it instead of the perfect. 

II. If we regard the meaning, we find that both historians and 
poets very often use the pres. for the perf., (1.) when they wish to 
introduce the reader to past events as if in progress, and present. 
Thus qui redii in ^En. ii. 275 [where see our note]. This usually 
occurs when excitement, vehemence, and zeal on the part of ourselves 
or others are expressed. So -^n. iv. 488 ; x. 890. (2.) When our 
attention is to be strongly directed to something future, or imme- 
diately to happen, as when the speech of any one is about to be 
detailed. Thus, fatur and adfatur are constantly used in refer- 
ence to a speech about to be uttered, but fatus and effatus of that 
which has already been given; see .^u. v. 482; vi. 55. But some- 
times the perf. is used to suit the metre, as Geo. iv. 530 ; iEn. iv. 
632; or sometimes because another perfect comes in immediate 
sequence, as ^n. iv. 650. (3.) When the poet is hastening to 
what follows, as Mn. vii. 573 ; examples of this are very numerous. 
In this way may be explained many apparent exceptions to the 
foregoing remark, as fatur in Mn. vi. 1; and xi. 718. 

III. On the other hand, the perf. is often used as a present. (1.) 
To denote traaqnillity and composure. Of this many beautiful in- 
stances may be seen in Geo. ii. 495-513 ; and in JGu. i. 124 sqq. ; 
V. 90 sqq. (2.) To signify that scarcely any time appears to have 
elapsed between the commencement of an action and its comple- 
tion, as Geo. ii. 81 ; ^n. ix. 418, dum trepidant, iit hasta Tago per 
tempus utrumque; v. 336, jacuit. So fugere and stravit in Geo. i. 
330. 

IV. A past tense, especially the perfect, and the present, are often 
so combined and connected, as that the latter denotes an action or 
state consequent on the former. Thus, in ^n. ix. 432, ensis tran- 
SABiiT et rumpit; xii. 380, prcecipiteni Impulit, effunditque 
solo; viii. 606, misit mandatque; vii. 621, impulit et rumpit. Hence, 

235 



APPENDIX. 

it not imfreqiiently happens that after a protasis consisting of quum 
or postquam with a Perfect, there follows an apodosis in the Present. 
[We must be cautious, however, not to refer all examples of sucli 
interchanges to the principles above laid down.] 

YIII. — The Permutation of the Numbers of Yerbs. 
The changes in verbs from sing, to plur., and vice versa^ are very 
common, and are to be accounted for, generally, by Virgil's strong 
desire for simplicity. 

I. The great majority of examples of a change from sing, to plur. 
arise from the proximity of a plur. noun. This kind is twofold ; 
for (1.) either a real plural immediately precedes or follows; or (2.) 
a sing, noun of the same form as a neuter plur. occurs near the 
plur. verb. Thus (1.) Geo. ii. 113, Bacchus amant colics^ aquilonem 
etfrigora taxi. See also ^n. ii. 208 [and consult our note there- 
on.] (2.) Mn. iii. 499, Quam vestrae fecere maims, et quae fuerint 
minus ohvia Graiis. [But most of these apparent anomalies are 
removed by various readings.] 

II. On the contrary, the plur, of a verb is often changed into the 
sing, by the proximity of a sing, noun, as Eel. viii. 58, Omnia vel 
medium FIAT mare; but the better reading is Jiant. So in JEn. i. 
308, for videt, some books read vident. 

III. (1.) When two nouns are subject to the same verb, the verb 
usually adopts the number of the nearest noun: Eel. i. 58, Nee 
jmlumbes * * nee cessabit turtur. M\\. iii. 274; i. 16, Hie 
arma^ hie currus fuit. This takes place even when the metre would 
allow either number, as in ^n. i. 574; ii. 597. (2.) The plur. is 
frequently employed for the sake of the metre, as Geo. ii. 215, Et 
tophus scaber, et creta negant: JEn. xi. 184, Jam pater Jj^neas^ jam 
Tarchon constituere pyras. In Mn. ii. 478, succedunt is used in 
the plur. to express more distinctly the notion of midtitude [and 
conjoint effort.] On this same principle of the " expression of 
simultaneous and conjoint effort," may be explained, ix. 171, In- 
stant Mneslheus et acer Sergestus. But when the ideas of succession 
and individuality arc to be brought out, the sing, is rightly pre- 
ferred, i.e., if the nearest subject be sing., as in xi. 597. 

IV. Plural verbs are rarely joined with collectives. But this 
takes place (1.) in circumlocution, when the genitive of the noun 
which constitutes the real subject is added; thus, Geo. iv. 461, 
At CHORUS aequalis Dryadum iMPLErw??^. iEn. iii. 675 [where see 
our note.] (2.) When the word pars is the subject, a plur. noiin 
having preceded, to which pars refers, or alii being used as the Jirst 
term in the distribution and division of the vMle. Geo. ii. 10, aliae 
veniunt^ pars surgunt; Mn. i. 210; iv. 402, it agmen praedamque con- 
vectant ; xii. 277, etc. etc. In ^n. vi. 642, there occur the phrases, 
pars exercent^ pars plaudu7it, which seem at first sight to contradict 
the foregoing remarks. But it will be observed that the plurals 
norunt \jm(\. 2ilso fortunatorum neinoriim^ equal to "the groves occu- 
pied by ^/le Wesse(i "] have preceded, and that therefore this ex- 
ample comes under the principle already laid down. Quisque is 
used similarlv to pars. [Many of the peculiarities exemplified 

23C 



APPENDIX. 

above, and others not specially mentioned, are referrible to the 
Synesis construction, explained in our note on Mn. i. 70, which see.] 
V. In many places, after a singular verb has been used v^^ith a 
collective noun, a plur. follows in the second clause, as Mn. ii. 31, 
Pars stupet donum, et ndrantur molem equi. But this and similar 
cases are to be explained as ^n. iii. 676 [where see our note.] 

IX.— Changes in the Cases and Number of Nouns. 

I. — Change of Case. — The case of a noun is often changed in 
consequence of the case of a neighbouring noun. This takes place 
most usually in adjectives, but not unfrequently in substantives ; 
thus, Geo. ii. 330, Zephyrique tepentibus auris (some read ZepTiy- 
n's); iii. 334, sacra nemus accubet umbra (some read saa-um.) So 
in ^n. iv. 441, we meet annoso for annosam. [The instances of 
such changes (if they be rightly called so, and are not rather inten- 
tional combinations, striking from their novelty) abound in Virgil, 
and have been very often noticed in our annotations.] 

II. — Change OF Number.— (1.) The sing, is much more fre- 
quently changed into the plur. than the plur. into the sing. But such 
alterations are often to be accounted for in the same way as the 
changes of cases, viz., by the proximity of some noun of a different 
number, ^n. iv. 219, aram for aras ; viii. 60, irasque minasque for 
iram. 

(2.) It is to be remembered, however, that Virgil often unites 
two substantives of different numbers, in order that a more agree- 
able sound may be produced, by avoiding the similar ending. See 
Eel. iv. 40, rastros^ falcem ; JEn. i. 455, manus, laborem^ etc. 

(3.) The sing, is frequently made plur. when the letter s follows, 
as umbras for umbram, Mn. ii. 693. 

(4.) A sibilant letter occurring often in a line seems to have so 
influenced the ears of copyists, as that they wrote a plur. for a 
sing. Thus, Geo. ii. 395, aras for aram ; ii. 492, strepitus for strepi- 
tum ; Mn. ix. 314, umbras for umbram. 

(6.) The eyes of copyists seem to have wandered to the last 
words of a preceding or following verse, and thus led them to con- 
clude a line with a plur. instead of a sing., as at Geo. i. 284, vites 
for vitem^ in some MSS. ; and in 366, umbras for umbram. 

III. The poets are said to have used the sing, and plur. of many 
nouns indifferently, but a close examination will show that this is 
not the case. 

(1.) Aura. This word is usually found in the plur. in Virgil. 
The plur. is employed to denote, (a) the atmosphere, as Geo. iv. 
499; Mi\. vii. 287; (6), the freer air, as opposed to the closeness 
of a prison, or chamber, ^n. iv. 388; (c), it is always found after 
ad^ in^ pfj% sub, except where the metre requires the sing., and that 
occurs only twice, -^n. iv. 278, and ix. 658, where the same line 
is repeated; (d), the air in motion, a breeze, especially a wind 
favourable to those on sea, as ^n. ix. 312; vii. 8. But here 
again the metre causes a few exceptions, as ^n. xii. 870, 617. 
[The exception in JEn. i. 546 is accounted for in our note on that 
passage.] 

Q 237 



APPENDIX. 

(2.) Flamma. The sing, denotes (a) fire as possessing the power 
of lighting and burning, without any idea of substance or of a thing- 
burned, gi'eat or small, as -3^n. i. 176; vi. 6; (6), one fire or one 
torch, as ^n. vi. 518 ; ix. 536. And hence (c) it is applied meta- 
phorically to afi'ections of the mind, e,g.^ love or anger, ^n. i. 673: 
vii. 356; vi. 300. 

Flammce in the plnr. denotes (a) several fires together, ^^n. ii. 
258, regia puppis Jiammas extiderat; (6), many, ^^e., frequent fires 
in succession, Geo. i. 473; Mw. i. 44; ii. 478; (c), the sun's light 
and heat, ^n. iv. 607; (c/), the fiery appearance of a meteor, Geo. 
i. 367 ; iEn. v. 526 ; and hence (e), any great conflagration, as of 
cities, houses, or funeral piles, ^n. ii. 759. 

From the above considerations, we need not wonder that Yirgil 
should vary the numbers very much, and sometimes even in close 
proximity, as iEu. ii. 632, Jiammain inter ei hostes expedior; dant 
tela locum, flammaeque recedunt. [In this case the sing, denotes 
the general conflagration as one great danger, the enemy being 
the other; while the plur. signifies the separate and several fires 
passed by in his course, as tela refers to individual foes, and succes- 
sive attempts made by them on his life.] 

(3.) Herba. (Per) herham signifies a grassy place; while (per) 
lierbas denotes rather individual blades of grass, and small portions 
of pasture ground, and is used of a number of men or beasts wan- 
dering at will everywhere over the turf. See ..^n. iii. 221; Geo. 
iv. 121; ^n. i. 214; iii. 236. 

(4.) Ora. This word, when applied to the earth, means, in the 
sing., the extreme part of any laud adjoining the sea, i.e., litus^ 
alyta.xii, Gco. 11. 44; -S^u. ill. 707. In the plur. it is used as a cir- 
cumlocution, a region or country, as equal to y^, or z^'^^j thus 
lialce orfe= Italia. 

(5.) SiLVA. Silva, in the sing., means (a) some particular wood ; 
(/>) a wood Avithout reference to its extent ; and (c) any collection 
of trees or shrubs: e.g., ariindlnea silva, viyrtea silva. 

Silvae, in the plur., denotes (a) no particular wood ; (h) a large 
tract of forest; (c) various kinds of trees. See Mn. xi. 134: 
viii. 82. 

(6.) Terra. The distinction between the use of the sing, and 
plur. of this Avord is not so evident. But, first, the sing, is em- 
l)loyed when there is no necessity that we should think of any large 
extent of territory, or of various regions. But as it usually depends 
on the will of the poet whether this idea is to be conveyed or not, 
we often find now the sing, and now the plur. in sentences other- 
wise alike. See Geo. i. 330 ; iEn. i. 133. The plur. is generally 
applied when unknown regions are spoken of; ^En. ii. 800. 

The sing, is used (a) of the earth as the nourisher of trees, 
shrubs, and plants; (6) of the ground; (c) of arable land. But 
when there is no idea of particular locality, the plur. is found. See 
Geo. ii. 136, 286 ; 37, 45 ; iii. 525. When the soil is meant, or 
various ];inds of soil, the sing, and plur. are used indiscriminately, 
as the passage may require. 

Ad terram means, " descending verticallv on the earth," Geo. iii. 

2r;S 



APPENDIX. 

524; ^n. ii. 565. But, on the contrary, ad terras is applied to 
horizontal motion towards the earth, as from the sea, Geo. iii. 
239. In xii. 451, we meet terras in the plur., contrary to what we 
might expect, but metre seems to have decided its use. 

(7.) Umbra. This word, in the sing,, means («) a shade, as 
tempering the heat, Geo. iv. 402 ; (h) but, as a shade, or screen 
from the heat, is made principally by the leaves of trees, it comes 
to mean the foliage of trees, as Geo. i. 191; ^n. ii. 514; (c) the 
night and its darkness, Geo. i. 366; .En. xi. 210; {cT) the spirit of 
a dead man, .En. ii. 772, etc. etc.; or the Manes, .En. v. 81: but 
in this case it is plural. 

Umbrae^ in the plnr., signifies (a) the shadow cast by anything 
presented to the rays of the sun, Eel. i. 84; ^n. vi. 139; (6) shady 
places, Geo. ii. 435; (c) a dense shade. Eel. x. 76; (d) a dark or 
darkish place, M\\. vii. 619; (e) the darkness of the lower regions, 
-En. iv. 660; (/) the clouds, chiefly those of night, ^n. iv. 351 ! 
Sound seems to have sometimes decided the use of sing, or plural, 
as ^n. ii. 693; vi. 452, 490; xii. 864. 

(8.) UxDA. The singular is used (a) as a mere cii'cumlocution, 
thus, Julia unda, Geo. ii. 163 ; Trinacria unda^ .En. iii. 384 ; (h') to 
signify the sea, Geo. i. 360; (c) a river, Geo. ii. 451; {d) a w^ave, 
without regard to its vehemence or quietness, ^n. i. 161. 

The plural signifies (o) a great expanse, or abundance, of water. 
Hence the plural, and never the sing., is joined with the preposi- 
tions ew, per^ sub. (6) A boisterous sea, or raging river. Thus, 
whenever the idea of roughness or storm is implied, the plural is 
used even in circumlocutions. See .En. i. 596. 

(9.) CuRRUS. TVTien used of one car, the word is almost always 
in the sing., ..En. vi. 838. But see x. 574, and xii. 350, where the 
sound has decided for the plur., currus. 

(10.) CuRSUS. This word is used both in the sing, and plur., 
sound being generally the ground of the poet's choice. The plur.. 
however, denotes a more keen course, or one wliich is many times 
repeated, and is erratic, .En. vii. 8. 

(11.) We alwavs find per campos and not per campum. but see 
JEb. xi. 903. ■" 

Timor and metus in the sing, denote a special object of fear; but 
in the plur., several. 

Liter ccedem Rutulorum^ " whilst the Eutulians slay." But inter 
ccedes Rutulorura. "whilst the Kutulians are slaughtered." See 
iEn. viii. 492. 

X. — The Prepositioxs Ad and Ix. 

Ad and in are found in MSS. to be constantly used the one for 
the other, more especially in the phrases in auras and ad auras. 
The former of these, however, means " towards the heavens" (air), 
the object spoken of being supposed to touch the earth, or at least 
to be but the shortest way elevated above it. While the latter 
signifies " completely oif the ground, and up into the air." See 
Geo. ii. 363; ^En. ii. 699; [consult also our note on .^n. ii. 759]. 

Ad astra means, "up towards the stars," and is generally used 



APPENDIX. 

to signify, " blow a man up to the stars with praises," like our 
vulgar phrase, " blow one sky-high ;" while in astra signifies to 
place among the stars permanently, i.e., to deify. See Eel. v. 51 ; 
2En. vii. 99. 

XI. — Hiatus. 

Hiatus in Virgil is often found in those lines which are formed 
on a Greek model, i.e., those which terminate in a quadrisyllable, 
(and this, moreover, is frequently of Greek origin,) or which have 
a spondaic ending. This is to be attributed to the poet's fondness 
for imitating his great masters. In admitting hiatus, the following 
laws seem to have been observed: — 1. The last syllable of the 
former of the two words ends in a long vowel, most usually either 
i or 0, and that vowel is in arsis, as ^En. ix. 291; Eel. iii. 63; Eel. 
viii. 41; Eel. ii. 24; ^^n. i. 16 [where see our note]. 2. In thesis, 
hiatus is rarely admitted, unless a long vowel is shortened before 
the succeeding one. Eel. ii. 65; vi. 44; 2En. iii. 211; Eel. ii. 58; 
iEn. i. 405. 3. A punctuation mark, great or small, is placed 
between the two concurring vowels, as will be seen by most of the 
examples already given. This takes place almost invariably in 
those verses not formed on the Greek model, where the last syllable 
of the former word is in arsis. 

For examples of other vowels besides i and o in hiatus, see Eel. 
viii. 44; Mn. iv. 235; ^n. xii. 648; Eel. vii. 63. The vowel u is 
not found in hiatus unless JEn. viii. 72 be considered an instance. 

XII. — Lengthening of a Short Syllable by Arsis. 

In using this liberty, Virgil follows Greek models principally, and 
observes the four following laws: — 1. A short syllable is lengthened 
by arsis when it is preceded by another short, as Eel. i. 39 ; JSn. i. 
308, 651. 2. When a short syllable is thus lengthened, it is fol- 
lowed by a punctuation mark, as in the above examples. 3. In 
very many of these examples, it is to be noted that the lengthened 
syllable is in caesura, either the penthemimeral or hephthemimeral, 
or concludes a choriambic measure (as Geo. ii. 211, at rudis enitdit 
impulso ; iii. 76, allius ingreditur), or an anapsestic (as Eel. vi. 
53, latus nkenm molli fidtus Jiyacintho) — all which circumstances 
readily offer the explanation that accent is the effective cause of 
the change. In Dactylic rhythm sometimes the same peculiarity is 
seen, but principally when the first feet are Dactyls, followed by a 
short syllable; as Tilyrus Idnc aherat^ etc. 4. The syllable length- 
ened by arsis is usually followed by a long syllable. This affords 
a resting-place for the voice, and avoids the disagreeable sound of 
several short syllables coming together. 

The conjunction que is very often lengthened by arsis; but it is 
to be observed that, when this is the case, (a) the rhythm is chori- 
ambic; (/>) the peculiarity occurs only in the second or fourth foot, 
which are especially suited for the choriambic cadence ; (c) que is 
followed by a word beginning with a mute and a liquid {twice by 
the semi-vowels I and 5, ^n. iii. 91; xii. 363); {d) que is always 
doubled. 

240 



APPENDIX. 

XTII. — The Caesura after the First Foot. 
The first foot of each verse is naturally fitted for strong and em- 
phatic expressions, because at the beginning of a line, when we 
iiave taken a fresh supply of breath, we use a full and powerful 
voice, which, if not roused anew, falls away in the middle and 
end of the verse. We must take care, therefore, that we do not 
diminish this force of the voice, which would be the result did we 
make a caesura after the first foot. 1, Sometimes, however, the very 
harshness of this triemimeral caesura lends vigour and expressive- 
ness to the verse, as at ^n. i. 135, Quos ego; and at iv. 237, 
Naviget [where see our notes]. 2. When the first word of the line 
forms a dactyl, caesura is sometimes admitted, because the quick 
measure does not allow any length of pause after the first foot. 
See Muiiera^ Mn. iv. 623. 3. A caesura after a spondee in the first 
foot is very rugged and inelegant, as if we began Mr. iv. 623 by 
the words Miinus^ nullas ; instead of Munera, nuUus. And when- 
ever Virgil does use a spondee in the first foot, he adopts one of 
the following expedients to avoid the harshness which we have 
noticed, (a) The spondee is part of a trisyllable word, with the 
ultimate elided as Coepere, altemos in Eel. vii. 19. See also Geo. i. 
14. (.6) The copula which connects the sentences immediately 
follows the spondee, as Ducunt, e/, in Geo iii. 317. See also ^n. 
i. 433. (c) Instead of a copula some particle is repeated, as Noram, 
sic, Eel. i. 24. See also Eel. viii. 98, where saepe is repeated, (d) 
There is Yery great emphasis laid on the spondaic word, as in the 
case of ingens^ 'Mn. iii. 635. 

XIV. — The Prepositions in, a, and e, not unfrequently 
omitted in the Codices, or inserted rashly. 

I. Virgil avoids the concurrence of the adj. and subst. by inter- 
posing a prep., as pcnetrali in sede, ^n. iv. 554. II. By this means 
the prep, often prevents the cacophony of two similar sounds fol- 
lowing one another in arsis as Me hello ex tanto^ Mn. ii. 718, which 
would read awkwardly, if written ex hello tanto. III. Prepositions 
are often found in the thesis of the fourth foot, the preceding syl- 
lable being usually elided, as ^n. i. 19, Trojano a. The efl'ect of 
the preposition in this position is to strengthen the verse, which is 
now getting weak towards the end. IV. The preposition in is very 
often thrown out, or put in, before or after the letter m, as ^n. ii. 
447, 533. V. Especially, in is omitted or inserted before the ab- 
latives of medius^ medium. (1.) It is inserted (a) when medius, 
medium, are used strictly in reference to middle space, as ^n. i. 
441 ; (6) when in is equal to iniei-, as ^En. i. 491 ; (c) when the 
poet indicates the action which is done, and not the place where it 
is done. In this case it is nearly equal to dum, or inter, as Geo. 
iii. 486. Saepe in honore deinn, etc. (2.) In is omitted (a) when 
medius, medium, are not used in their strict signification, to indicate 
a place which is central in reference to others, but when they are 
taken as equal to in, or per, or inter, as Geo. iii. 466 ; ^n. iv. 
620 ; (ft) when medius is used in reference to time^ as Geo. i. 297 ; 
^n. i. 358. 

241 



APPENDIX, 

XV. — Est, when omitted, and when expressed. 
In MSS. est is often either omitted, when it onght not, or is in- 
serted unnecessarily. The omission or insertion depends on one 
of two things — (1) euphony, and (2) the character of the sentence. 

I. Est is expressed (a) at the end of a verse, when the pen- 
ultimate word ends with either of the short vowels, a or e ; thus 
Eel. iii. 72 ; ^n. i. 386 ; (b) in clauses introduced by some con- 
junction or relative, Eel. vii. 43 ; Mn. x. 710; ^n. v. 235. But 
^En. i. 78, quodcunque hoc regni, though apparently an exception. 
is not so in reality, as a little reflection will show. The conjunc- 
tion uhi, however, whether referring to time or place, does not take 
est^ Geo. ii. 180. (c) Est is expressed in an apodosis, .SEn. i. 406 ; 
v. 710. (c/) When of two clauses connected by a conjunction, the 
former has a finite verb, the second will have est expressed, ^n. iv. 
370 ; V. 679. But ^^n. vii. 486, and Geo. iv. 444, form exceptions, 
(e) Est is expressed in the phrases aequum est, multum est, and such 
like, governing tiie infinitive, Geo. ii. 272 ; iEn. x. 84 ; xii. 803. 

II. Est is omitted (a) in clauses not introduced by some con- 
junction or relative, Geo. i. 215 ; ^n. i. 529 ; (b) in precepts, 
Geo. i. 178 ; iEn. ii. 118 ; (c) in exhortations, Mn. vi. 261 ; (d) 
in exclamations, ^n. i. 460 ; x. 850 ; (e) and generally in short 
and pithy expressions, iEn. ii. 291 ; iv. 373. So also, in excited 
language, when the writer is hastening on to the sequel, or when 
he studies brevity, as ^n. iii. 658 ; note especially ix. 236-8. 
(f), est is commonly omitted in such phrases as visum, placitum, 
datum, licitum, Mn. i. 283 ; ii. 428 ; and similarly it is omitted 
after si cupido, when an infinitive follows, Mn. ii. 349. The 
omission or insertion of est is often to be attributed to the ear, as 
in Geo. ii. 195 ; ^n. i, 602 ; and often to the necessities of the 
metre, as Eel. viii. 24 ; ^n. iv. 151. 

XYI. 

[This Qnaestio is occupied with tiie discussion of various readings, 
and has not been thought worthy of translation, as much of its 
matter is already contained in our "Notes."] 

XYIL— The Pkoxoun Is. 

Is is more properly a personal than a demonstrative pronoun, 
like the third pers. pron. in Greek and German, it has two forms 
in the oblique cases, thus : 

N. Is o; avTos Der (er) 



G. ejus sui oLvrov iuvTod dessen seioer 

D. ei sibi, etc. auToi iauru, etc. dem (ihm) sich, etc. 

As we use nouns to denote simply either a certain thing or person, 
•AS Cicero was an orator, i.e., he whose name was Cicero was an 
orator ; or to comprehend the ideas of the power and nature of that 
thing or person designated by the name, as Quid Fronlo ad Ciceronem, 
i.e., who would compare that orator who is called Fronto, to that 

■242 



APPENDIX. 

Other orator whose name is Cicero ;— in like manner do we employ 
jU'onouns in this twofold signification. Thus iEn. i. 1, llle ego, 
ijui quondam^ is an example of the former meaning; and Geo. ii. 42, 
Noil ego cuncta meis amplecti versihus opto^ (i.e., I am not such a man, 
so rash, or so unreasonable a man, as to expect, etc.,) is an instance 
of the latter. 

Is, then, is employed in the two significations noted above. 
It denotes (a) a certain thing or person, without any strong de- 
monstrative or restrictive force, but simply as repeating the subject 
of the sentence ; as ^n. ii. 114 -, vii. 48 ; ii. 194, ea fata, (b) 
Is refers to the power and nature of the persons or things indicated; 
as Mn. i. 529 ; iii. 376. (c) From the absence of a demonstrative 
force in is, and from its being used to denote power and nature^ there 
arises a new signification partaking of the character of both, viz., its 
indicating what is merely the subject of tJwught; as quod est id ftu- 
tnen represents fiumen, not as a particular river, but merely as the 
subject of meditation and inquuy; whereas quod est hoc fiamen asks 
the name of some river present, or considered present. 

[For the difference between id and hoc, in ^n. i. 23 and 61, see 
Eiote on line 61.] 

The pronoun is has, in other writers, a strong demonstrative 
power, but in Virgil it is thus used only three times, ^n. viii. 86, 
705, and xii. 420, but the two last may be referred to the second 
ip) head, above, and the pronoun may be translated " such." 

XVIII.— The Peoxoun Ipse. 

I. Both the form and the power of ipse show that it is made up 
of is and the inseparable particle pse : and thus v/e meet in Plautus 
^eapse (i.e., ipse), eampse, eopse. In prose we find the word reapse, 
i.e.-, re eapse, i.e., re ipsa. In the foregoing section it has been 
said that is denotes a certain thing, or person, or the nature of a 
certain thing (>r person; this pronoun, therefore, will contain both 
these ideas, while the syllable pse adds the notion of distinction and 
opposition. Ipse is therefore a personal pronoun, with the power 
of distinguishing and opposing, and diftering from is in this, that 
it applies to all three persons, while is is confined to the third. 

XL l2)se therefore serves to distinguish and oppose persons and 
things. Eel. L 39, ipsae, ipsi, and ipsa, are opposed to Amarylli, 
m line 37, with the meaning, ""It is not Amaryllis alone that be- 
%vaiis thy absence, but even t]iQ very trees, fountains, and groves.'"' 
(a) By virtue of its disjunctive power, it is used like «^r«j, to sig- 
nify a person not especially mentioned by his own name, but easily 
inferred from the general tenor of the preceding part of the sen- 
tence, Geo. ii. 523 sqq. (b) It is used when the writer returns, 
after an interval, to the principal personage in the description, as 
in Geo. iv. 454-464; ^n. iv. 504-519. (<?) It specifies him on 
whom our main attention is centred, Mn. viii. 585 sqq. (d) When 
several persons or things of the same kind are spoken of, so that 
one is to be distinguished from the others, ipse is employed almost 
in the sense of etiam, or adeo, Geo. i. 5-16 ; JEn. iv. 452-466. (e) 
Hence ipse denotes eminence or excellence, JEw.. ix. 811 ; (f) and so 

243 



APPENDIX. 

also dignity and reverence arising therefrom ; thus it is often joined 
to the name of Jupiter, Geo. iv. 149 ; ^n. iii. 356. (9) It signifies^ 
personal agency^ i.e., that one does something without the assistance 
of others, Mn. iii. 456; vi. 302; and in this sense it is often joined to> 
manui so that ipse nianu is equal to viea, or tna, or sua manu^ Geo. iii. 
396. (h) It is often equal to spon(e, Eel. iv. 21 sqq. ; ^n. v. 843 ; and 
sometimes to ultra, Mn. vii. 103. (i) It sometimes distinguishes 
the whole from a part, so as almost to be equal to totus^ Geo. iii. 
387 ; ^n. xii. 300 sqq. ; and so to mark out one part from that 
which is better, Geo. i. 296 ; ^n. vii. 814. (j) By ipse, a person 
is, as it were, opposed to and contrasted with himself, so that it is 
almost equal to idem, Mn. v. 767. (k) From the disjunctive power 
of ipse arises the restrictive, so that ipse is said of him qui per se 
spectatur, Eel. v. 54 ; ^n. iii. 570. (l) Allied to this is the mean- 
ing ''alone,'' solus, Geo. iv. 201 ; iEn. v. 201; iv. 474. (w) The 
restrictive power is also seen in the nearer detinition of time and 
place, Geo. iv. 75 ; ^n. ii. 550. Hence ipse equals 72t turn erat : 
Mn. ix. 561, ipsura pendenlem, i.e., ut pendebat in miiro. 

III. Ipse is often attached to personal and possessive pronouns, 
and generally in such a way as to have one of the meanings enu- 
merated above, Geo. i. 103 ; 2Eu. v. 789 ; and when joined to these 
pronouns, it merely increases the force of the expression, Geo. L 
34 ; ^n. xii. 393. 

IV. Ipse has reference to the nature of persons and things ; thus 
Geo. iii. 239, ipso monte, " than a very mountain " as to height. 
We usually give the force of the pronoun in this sense by additional 
emphasis only, without any separate word. It is employed also to 
represent the actual appearance of something which presents itself 
iu all its completeness, as imagined or described, JEn. viii. 352 ; 
ii. 172. Finally, it is used of one who has some peculiar inherent 
power over certain things, Geo. iii. 267; iEn. v. 12; and, on the 
contrary, of him who does such things as are contrary to lils nature 
or character, Mi\. ii. 518. [In this last sense it is almost equal to 
ultra, as explained in our note on iEii. ii. 145.] 

XIX.— The Pronoun Iste. 
Isle is made up of the pronoun is and the particle te, and is 
used by Virgil, and, indeed, by all writers, with a reference to the 
second person, Eel. i. 19 ; ^n. xi. 408. The same remark applies 
to istic and istinc. But sometimes this reference to the second 
person is rather obscure, as in Mn. v. 397 ; ix. 427. 

XX.— The Pronoun Hic. 
I. Ilic is a definitive rather than a demonstrative pronoun, for its 
])Ower is to define and circumscribe anything within certain limits. 
This may be done in two ways, either (1) so that it comprehends 
the whole, restricted within certain limits ; or (2) that it separates 
one or more things from the rest, and confines them within limits 
peculiar to them. So (1) hic mundus means " this world, in re- 
ference to all the parts of which it is made up, and all the ideas 
which the word suggests ;" and (2) Jiic vir, some peculiar man, as 



APPENDIX. 

separated from his fellows. Examples of the former use may be 
found at Geo. iv. 559 ; iEn. i. 81 ; and of the latter, Eel. vli. 33 ; 
^n. iv. 237. 

II. Hence liic is referred to a subject defined with considerable 
accuracy, Mi\. iii. 49 ; vii. 563. Hie is found as equal to meus^ 
particularly when it refers to something belonging to the person 
just introduced as speaking, iEn. iv. 680, 652. 

III. Hie often defines time and place^ and thus present time, or 
immediate future time ; and also propinquity of place, (a) Time, 
^n. X. 629. (/>) Of place, Mn. iii. 396. 

When we define anything, we separate it from others; hence Tdc 
is so used as that a thing is opposed to that to which it is joined, 
Eel. iii. 5 ; ^n. i. 261. From the preceding remarks we shall be 
able to explain the junction of liic ilk, as in Mn. iii. 558, haee ilia 
Charyhdis. 

XXI. — The Pronoun Ille. 

1. Ille refers to what is remote from the speaker, either in time 
or place, (a) Of place, ^n. vi. 756-767, 837 sqq. (6) Of time, 
^En. iii. 558; vii. 110 (ille=olim)', vi. 782. 

2. Ille is very frequently used to distinguish and oppose persons 
and things, Geo. iv. 92. Hence it represents him who answers, or 
him to whom answer is made, -zEn. i. 254. And hence it is em- 
ploved when we return to the subject, after an interval, Mn. i. 
713. 

3. Ille is employed to denote famous events, or great and well 
known men, notorious for their virtues or vices. For our minds 
are so constituted that we admire and esteem, even too highly, 
what is removed far from us ; hence this pronoun means something- 
excelling in some way; and so what is excellent in any way becomes 
well known and famous, or notorious (in a bad sense) and infamous, 
^n. i. 617; ii. 540; iii. 401. 

4. Ille sometimes indicates the subject obscurely, as o, and aire? 
often do in Homer, the subject itself being introduced later in the 
sentence, Geo. iv. 457 ; ^n. v. 609. 

5. Lastly, ille denotes simply the third person, without the 
addition of any other notion: the expression, however, is rendered 
more emphatic and forcible, Geo. ii. 434; iii. 215; JEn. i. 1 sqq. 

Olli and ollis are never used in the Eclogues and Georgics, and 
in the -^neid only in dignified and calm narrative ; never in 
speeches. 

XXII. — Qui and Quis. 

On Eel. i, 19, Iste deus qui sit, da, Tityre, nohis^ Spohn, after 
mentioning the opinions of others, says, ""nescio quis sim can be 
said only by a drunk man who does not know his own name, out 
nescio qui sim may be used by one who, though in full possession 
of his mental faculties, may yet not know his own character, an 
doctus, an pulcher, an bonus sit.''' Quis would thus be equal to tI;, 
and qui to -roTo;. 

Others are of opinion that the word following qui or quis decides 

245 



APPENDIX. 

which is to be used, qui before consonants, particulaiiy sibilants, 
and quis before vowels and the letters t and d. 

But Wagner is inclined to pronounce that in Yirgil the distinc- 
tion is that quis is used in direct questions, and qui in indirect, 
whether the name of a person or his nature be signified. (Direct), 
Eel. ii. 68 ; ^n. i. 615 ; v. 670. (Indirect), Eel. i. 19 ; ^n. iii. 
608 [where see our note]. 

XXIIT.— The Ad\t:eb Hic. 

I. Hic^ the adverb, arose from the old ablative of the pronoun 
hic, in the same wav as qui (the old abl. of the relative) for quo or 
qua. So hue was made from hoc, and, indeed, this latter form is 
used instead of hue in ^n. viii. 423. But as the ablative signifies 
both the place where something occurs and the time at which it 
occurs, it is evident that hic must contain both these ideas, and 
that it is therefore, in its pi'imary signification, an adverb of time 
as well as of place. 

II. As to use, hic defines more accurately either place or time. 
(a) Place, Eel. i. 43 ; .En. iv. 252. (h) Time, Geo. iv. 264 ; iEn. 
iii. 369. 

III. Hence, as the great object of descriptive writers, whether 
of prose or poetry, is to introduce us to affairs as if in progress 
before our eyes, Virgil often uses this adverb ; and that, too, in 
arsis, and very frequently at the beginning of a line or sentence, 
and almost always with a present tense. 

XXIV.— The Pakticle Jam. 

1. Jam denotes time— past, jjresent, or future— compared with 
some other time ; and in this respect differs from other particles 
of time, as nunc, ium, 2Eu. iii. 51 ; v. 738; xi. 139. 

2. Hence it is often joined (a) with negative particles, Geo. iii. 
252 ; ^n. iv. 431 ; (h) with imperatives which command the ces- 
sation from, or the beginning of something. Eel. viii. 61 ; JEn. iii. 
41 ; (c) to the comparatives of adjectives or adverbs, iEn. vi. 304; 
xii. 179. 

3. Jam is used of that which has not yet taken place, but which 
will come to pass by and by, JEn. i. 272 ; xi. 708. 

4. Jam, when joined to other particles of time, retains its power 
of comparison, as jam turn, jam olim, Geo. ii. 403; iEn. viii. 349. 

5. Jam is not unfrequently employed when, from a comparison 
of two periods, the time of an event is fixed; in this case quum 
usually follows, ^n. iii. 135 ; v. 159. But here it is to be^ ob- 
served that ja??i is used when the second member of the proposition 
serves to illustrate and explain the first, hut jamque is found when 
the first illustrates the second. 

6. Jam indicates the changes and progress of events and of 
times, Geo. iii. 360 ; ^n. i. 419 ; vii. 53. And hence it marks 
transition in a progressing narrative of action and circumstances, 
<ieo. ii. 57 ; Mn. xii. 704. 

7. Jam jam is said of that which is expected to take place imme- 
diately, JEn. xii. 754. 



APPENDIX. 

XXY.— TuM AND Tunc. 

I. JaliD, on Eel. iii. 10, says that ^'- tunc is an adverb of time, 
and is found wliere tliere is a distinct indication of time only. But 
turn is properly an adverb of order^ being used, however, to express 
time also, when an idea of order and sequence is implied along 
with that of time." Voss, on Tibullus i. 1, 21, is of opinion that 
" the poets use tunc before vowels, but turn before consonants, 
unless when there is necessity for an elision." The truth seems 
to lie between these two judgments, and to be as follows :— (a) 
Tunc is not the same as turn properly used, nor can tunc be substi- 
tuted for turn ; (b) turn is sometimes different from tunc, and some- 
times equal to it; (c) tunc is not used unless before vowels when 
elision is to be avoided. 

II. Turn denotes advance from a past to a subsequent time. 
But tunc signifies some fixed and definite period, either past, pre- 
sent, or future, without any idea of foregoing or succeeding time. 
See Geo. i. 136 to 145. 

III. (a) By turn various times are compared with one another, 
yEn. i. 18 ; vii. 643. (b) It indicates the succession of times or 
events, Geo. i. 181 ; ^n. vi. 3. (c) It is used in enumeration 
and description. Eel. ii. 45-50. (d) Turn vero renders the narra- 
tive more lively and the phrase more emphatic, and indicates 
strong excitement of mind, Eel. vi. 27. (e) Like s^ra, sTrwra,, and 
other adverbs, turn is attached to participles or adjectives, iEn. v. 
382 5 xii. 5. 

XXVI.— Adeo. 

1. Adeo, in its primary sense, is equal to usqrie ad id, or eo. 2. 
Hence it is equal to tarn, tarn valde, ita, Eel. ii. 25 ; -^n. i. 567. 
3. Sometimes the force of adeo cannot be expressed by any sepa- 
rate word, but only by emphasis, ^En. vii. 427. 4. Adeo, when 
joined to nunc and jam, increases their force, ^n. ii. 567. 5. It 
is found joined to an adverb of place in Eel. ix. 59. 6. It is 
sometimes almost equal to etiaiii, except that it is stronger; but it 
is thus used only in the Georgics, Geo. i. 24, 94. 7. It is occa- 
sionally joined to vix, Mn. vi. 498. 8. Lastly, it is sometimes 
explained by ergo or igkur, ^n. iv. 533. 

XXVIL— Ultro. 

I. Ultra and ultro are ablatives of the obsolete adj. ulfer, o -Tripocv. 
The former is properly used de loco, and the latter de motu, but 
use has sanctioned ultra as applied to motion also. Ultro is equal 
either to u? ro Tr'ipKv, or to -^ipc/./oSiv -, and from the former use it be- 
comes (d) almost the same as insuper, or adeo, Geo. iv. 203 sq. ; 
iEn. V. 55. Hence (b) lutro is sometimes used of hira who acts 
contrary to what is usually done or ought to be done, [or what 
you would expect to be done,] Eel. viii. 52 ; iEn. ix. 676, and ii. 
145 [where see our note on ultro]. 

II. (a) Since ultro is equal to •^ipa.ioSiv, it seems to have been 
most anciently and most strictly used concerning an enemy coming 
from a distance and waging war, ^n. ii. 193 ; xi. 286. (6) Hence 

2i7 



APPENDIX. 

of one who does an act without being challenged or asked to do 
it, Eel. iii. 6Q ; and thus of one who addresses another without 
having been previously saluted, ^n. ii. 279. (c) Then of one who 
presents himself first to view, ^n. ii. 59. [But all the above 
cases, as well as JEn. ii. 145, which Wagner considers as an ano- 
malous example, may be readily explained on the principle laid 
down in our note on Mn. ii. 145]. 

XXVIII. — Primus, Peimum, Pkimo. 

I. Primus and primum are words of order, and are applied to 
number^ time, or place. 

II. Primus and primum are used (a) in enumeration and detail, 
when turn and deiwJe are often omitted, Geo. i. 162 sqq. ; iii. 384. 
(6) In speaking of place, Mm. i. 541 ; v. 341. Hence of the fore- 
most or front part of anything, ^n. iii. 426. (c) From place, 
primus is transferred to dignity, Mn. viii. 6 ; xi. 331. 

III. (a) Primus and primum are used of time, -^n. ii. 117 ; iii. 
545. (6) They are often joined to adverbs, or to conjunctions 
of time, as turn primum, nunc primum, etc. (c) Hence primus is 
equal, occasionally, to prius, ante, Mw.. i. 24, [but see our note on 
this passage], {d) Primus is used to signify the cause or the 
author of a thing. [Peculiarities in the use oi primus will be found 
explained in the notes on the passages where it is met with.] 

lY. Primo is rarely used by Yirgil, Geo. iv. 310. It is usually 
an adj., as in M\\. i. 613. 

XXIX. — Participles. 
Piirticiples are often used for one another, as the present for the 
future (iEn. ii. Ill); but this is very rare. The perfect particip. 
is sometimes used for the pres. part., aud the fat. part, passive for 
the pres. part, passive. The participle appears to be sometimes 
used for the finite verb, and sometimes, in Greek fashion, for the 
infinitive. [But the examples of such peculiarities have been com- 
mented on in the Notes, in their proper place.] 

XXX, — The Infinitive Absolute. 

1. What is vulgarly called the "historic infinitive," ought rather 
to be called the infinitive absolute. In most ancient times, before 
the verb was divided into moods and tenses, the infin. only was 
used, a method adopted, as we see, by lisping infancy, and by 
rude and savage tribes. The usage is thus retained in standard 
prose writers, not only in impassioned, but even in sedate narra- 
tive. There is a natural softness in phrases with this infin., and a 
something calculated to soothe the mind, as iEn. ii. 775. 

Turn sic adfari, et ciiras his demere dictis. 

2. (a) But most frequently some violent excitement of mind — 
such as fear, or terror, is expressed, Mi\. ii. 685 ; iii. 666. (6) It 
denotes diligence, perseverance, zeal, quickness, M\\. i. 423. (c) 
Sometimes this absolute infin. expresses what is wont to be done • 
Geo. i. 199 ; ^En. iv. 420. 

248 



APPENDIX. 

XXXI . — Interrogation. 

1. Since the indicative indicates what is certain, or what is 
supposed to be certain, and the subjunctive what is doubtful, or 
supposed to be doubtful, it is natural to imagine that the same 
difference will be found in interrogations expressed by these moods. 
And so it is. 

2. The indicative is used when, in a matter which reallj exists, 
or in a case which has actually taken place, we wish (1) to express 
either (o) joy, or (6) grief, or (c) astonishment, or (d) indignation, 
or (e) remonstrance, or such like, (a) Mn. vi. 687 ; (6) x. 846 ; 
(c) Eel. ix. 17; (d) Mm i. 39; (e) Mm iv. 32. Moreover (2), the 
indie, is employed when we wish to deny firmly, ^n. iv. 368. 
(3) When that indicated by the verb is certain, but the how, or the 
hy whom done, remains doubtful, Mn. ii. 678. (4) In ordering, 
encouraging, or dissuading, ^n. ii. 596. (5) In irony, ^n. x. 92. 
(6) When a negative is added, so as to make a strong assertion. 

3. The future is used in interrogative s, to express (1) opposition, 
rejection, or aversion, Mm iv. 534. (2) Longing anxiety and 
expectation. Eel. viii. 7. 

4. The subjunctive is found (1) when we deny that anything 
can be done, or could have been done, or will ever be done, in this 
way or that other way, ^n. v. 28 ; iii. 186 ; xii. 947. (2) When 
w^e indicate our ignorance of what ought to be thought or done, 
or our anxious deliberation thereon. Eel. vii. 14; M\\. i. 327. (3) 
When quis is equal to quis est, or qui, Mm ii. 390. (4) When we 
hint that more than w^e state might be added, JSn. vi. 601. 

5. It is remarkable that, though 4 (2) would lead us to expect 
quid agam, we always find quid ago, as Mn. iv. 534. And what 
is equally remarkable is, that in the other persons we cannot use 
the indie. : thus we do not say quid agis, but agas. This is per- 
haps a close imitation of the Greeks, both in mood and in the /brnj 
of the word. 

6. The infinitive in interrogation expresses complaint, or un- 
willingness to do something, ^n. i. 37, [where see our note]. 

XXXII.— Nec and TS'eque. 

Nee and neque are frequently interchanged by copyists — the 
latter much more frequently into the former, than vice versa — but 
they are by no means identical in use and meaning. The choice 
of nec or rteqne seems to have been guided by either of the fol- 
lowing considerations : — (1) euphonious sound, and pleasing 
rhythm ; or (2) force and dignity of expression. 

I. (1) Hence, — to return to sound and rhythm, — in the thesis of 
the Jirst foot (usually a dactyl) w^e find neque, with only two ex- 
ceptions, Eel. V. S'2 ; ^n. ii. 197 ; iii. 242 ; but see Geo. iv. 198 ; 
^n. V. 783. 

(2) In the third foot, on the contrary, nec is preferred to neque 
(unless when a vowel follows), because the poets commonly made 
the third foot a spondee, to mitigate the force of the anapaestic 
rhythm, Eel. vi. 11 ; Geo. iv. 128. 

(3) In the second foot, both neque (Eel. i. 41) is found, and also 



APPENDIX. 

mc ; but negue principally in those lines wliicli have the hephthe- 
mimeral caesura. 

(4) In the fourth foot nee (the stronger and harsher form) is 
more frequent than neque, because, as this is the weak foot of a 
hexameter (the breath becoming somewhat exhausted in reciting 
the line), the stronger form is necessary to support the rhythm, 
and to make the spondee, which in this position is the favourite 
foot. Eel. ix. 35 ; -/En. i. 601. But if neque be found in the fourt?i 
foot, it denotes either quickness of movement^ as Geo. iii. 277 ; or 
some excitement, Geo. iii. 252 ; or because the first part of the 
line moves slowly fi'om the prevalence of the spondee, as -^n. v. 
453. 

(5) Before vowels neque is preferred to nec^ Geo. i. 95 ; ^n. 
vi. 733. 

11. The force and dignity of style. (1) Nee, as has been said, 
is the harsher form, and hence neque is used in transition, Geo. i. 
514 ; Mm. ii. 376. That nee is the stronger form may be deduced 
even from this, that very few words terminate in the letter c. 
tience [as we have before noticed] nee would be a hard and dis- 
agreeable sound before vowels, and is consequently avoided. (2) 
Nee is used for non., but forms a stronger negation ; and so it is 
employed in repeated negation., Eel. ii. 56 ; Geo. i. 36. In some 
cases it is repeated three, and even four times. Eel. x. 29. (3) 
When neque precedes, nee for the most part follows ; for as the repeti- 
tion of the negation strengthens an expression, so the negative word 
itself ought to be stronger, Eel. ix. 35 ; x. 62. Farther, when nee 
precedes, and the negation is equal to ovn—ovTi, nee and not neque 
follows. Thus nee is used before vowels, as ^n. ii. 432. (4) On 
the contrary, when non or any mild negation precedes, followed 
by a vowel, neque is almost always found in the second clause, 
Geo. ii. 138 ; Geo. i. 425. [The remainder of this article is occu- 
pied with minute disquisition, which we do not deem it advisable 
to translate]. 

XXXIII. — Apposition and Epexegesis. 
Apposition is that explanation of a noun or circumstance which 
is effected by a substantive [or a clause] appended in the same 
case, as Aeneas, Tronm ductor. 

I. Apposition is fourfold : for (1) by the subjoined noun is indi- 
cated the genus of the thing mentioned. Eel. ii. 11. (2) The genus 
having been specified, the species is noted by the apposition, Geo. 
ii. 442. (3) Some other characteristics, either properly belonging 
to the principal substantive, and necessary to it; or accidental and 
unnecessary, are added by the apposition, to define what, or lohat 
kind a thing is. Eel. ix. 22 ; Geo. i. 63. (4) The fourth kind is 
what is termed the parenthetic : it may be explained by a relative 
clause, as inter densas, umbrosa caeumina, fagos, i.e., quae habebant 
nmhrosa eaenmina. 

II. Epexegesis admits the copula (whereas apposition does not) 
and by its aid so connects two words or clauses, more or less dif- 
ferent from one another, as that they coalesce into one notion, Geo. 



APPENDIX. 

ii. 192 ; ^n. i. 61. [See our note on JEn. i. 2, where epexegesis 
and its kindred figure, hendiadjs, are explained.] Epexegesis 
and apposition differ in this, that while in the latter the explanatory 
word or phrase may be omitted without detriment to the meaning; 
in the former the words connected cannot be omitted without 
something being wanting to complete the sense of the passage. 

There is a peculiar kind of epexegesis, in which, after a whole 
class has been mentioned, the writer goes on to specify individuals, 
either persons or things, Geo. i. 498 ; iEn. v. 240 ; viii. 698. 

Sometimes in epexegesis, instead of a copula we have a preposi- 
tion repeated, as pro, in -^n. ii. 183. 

XXXIV.— Et, Ac, Que, Atque. 
These conjunctions, though properly employed to couple words 
and phrases of similar construction, are often found connecting 
unequal members, and words not properly co-ordinate, so that they 
are sometimes equal to aut^ vel, ve, etc., Geo. ii. 428 ; ^n. vii. 
707; iii. 329. [The student will find annotations on peculiar cases 
interspersed throughout our "Notes."] 

XXXV. — Et, Que, Ac, Atque : their Various Significations 

AND Uses. 
Sometimes the poets use copulative conjunctions to connect 
words or clauses, when we should expect stronger and harsher 
particles. Ac and atgue are not thus used by Virgil, but que and 
et are frequently put for sed^ at, antevi, rursus, or nmn. 

I. Et or que is equal to sed (1) after a negative, ^Sn. vii. 50 ; 
x. 343. They have the same signification when we say that a 
thing takes place contrary to what is usual, or to what we desire, 
vEii. iv. 76 ; or when we dismiss one subject and pass to another, 
^Bn. ii. 148. (2) When the discourse rises to a climax, que=at, 
Geo. iii. 199. (3) In the enumeration of things similar, the copula 
is equal to autem, Geo. ii. 26; Mn. v. 121. (4) In full and minute 
description, it stands for nam, M\\. x. 618. (5) The copula is 
also frequently inserted when the writer hastens to what follows, 
and when a thing is mentioned as hastily done, /En. v. 602-4 : 
i. 82. Hence it sometimes follows vix or una, M\\. ii. 692 ; v. 
857. 

II. Copulas are also advantageously used to express certain 
feelings and emotions of the mind. (1) Earnest attention, like 
x.a.i roTi in Greek, ^En. iii. 263, 537. (2) Indignation, especially 
et, ^n. iv. 215 ; xii. 645. (3) Threatening, Eel. ii. 43 sq. (4) 
Exhortation and encouragement, M\i. xi. 372 ; Geo. ii. 433. (5) 
Anxious fear, iEn. i. 670 sq. (6) Irony, ^n. x. 881. (7) Curi- 
osity in inquiry. Eel. i. 27. (8) Et adds much force and dignity 
to the phrase in Mw. iv. 654, and much spii'it and vigour to Eel. 
iii. 64. 

III. (1) By means of a copula the discourse is continued after 
an interruption of considerable length, Mn. v. 109-113 ; 839-42 ; 
ix. 176-9 ; Geo. ii. 434-7. (2) Hence sometimes the copula con- 
nects a parenthesis to what follows, a? in those two notable pas- 

251 



APPENDIX. 

sages, Mn. x. 187, and 874. (3) It is also used of one answering, 
^En. i. 325 ; x. 628. (4) It is put after an imperative (a future 
following), to express the result consequent on the action expressed 
by the imperative, Eel. ili. 106. 

TV. (1) Ac and atgue. Ac always heads a sentence or clause : 
it never stands even second ; nor is it found before c, g, q, (x,J : it 
is met with once before 6, in ^n. vi. 287 ; but it is especially fond 
of the consonants t and v. (2) Atqm is found before vowels — more 
rarely before consonants. (3) The poets were fi-equently guided 
in the choice of copulas by the sound, for ac and atqiie are more 
full and emphatic forms than et and que. (4) Hence ac is banished 
from the lighter compositions, and occurs only tAvice in the Bucolics, 
at iii. 4, and at iv. 9. In the former passage it seems to be used 
to add force and weight to the light and weak sound of a number 
of monosyllables coming together, and in the latter to suit the 
dignified style of the verse. (5) Et and ac are much more fre- 
quently found in arsis than in thesis— (a) in the first foot, with 
velut or veluti following, Geo. iv. 170; ^n. i. 148; (b) in the 
second foot, with usually a dactyl preceding : a spondee precedes 
only three times, JSn. ii. 632 ; vii. 18, 77. It is met with twice 
in the thesis of the second foot, iEn. iv. 135: viii. 117. (6) The 
above remarks confirm what w^as stated previously, that ac is a 
heavier particle than et. Hence it expresses (a) great alacrity and 
energ}% JEn. ii. 553 ; xii. 683. (b) It is used in sentences full of 
grief and indignation, iEn. i. 409 ; iv. 214. (c) It sums up and 
closes, with especial emphasis, a number of preceding clauses, 
^En. iv. 231 ; ix. 413. (d) It is not unfrequently employed in 
sedate and dignified discourse, and especially in the trite phrase, 
ac talia fatur: hence we have it in the second arsis in iEn. viii. 
70. Sound often decides the use of ac. (7) In the thesis of the' 
third foot, ac is found more frequently than in that of the first and 
second, which is explained by the circumstance, that since the 
legitimate caesura usually occurs in that position of the third foot, 
a new sentence is often begun, Geo. ii. 281 ; ^n. v. 715. But 
still, even here, ac is mu^h more frequently in arsis. (8) In the 
fourth foot, ac is very rarely found in arsis, because this would divide 
the line into two equal parts, which is very inelegant, Geo. iii. 
429 ; JEn. iv. 330. Since, as before stated, the fourth foot is, 
from its position, the weakest in a verse, it requires some stay to 
maintain its weight and force ; this is supplied by ac being 
placed in the thesis, iEn. ii. 216; iv. 222. (9) Ac and other 
monosyllables are rarely found in the arsis of the fifth foot, Geo. 
i. 29 ; iEn. ix. 441. 

V. (1) Et connects clauses between which there is no natural 
relation, JEn. x. 810 ; Geo. iv. 136. (2) Hence it is employed in 
enumeration, examples of which use are abundantly common. 
(3) It so connects two sentences as that the second explains or 
amplifies the former, JEn. iii. 627 ; vi. 524. (4) It joins ideas 
which follow one another in natural sequence, or which are con- 
nected by some common bond, ^n. xii. 726 ; xi. 685. (5) It 
connects cause and effect, Mn. v. 374 ; and this is often exempli- 

252 



APPENDIX. 

fied when an action^ as the eflfect, follows words as the cause : so 
Haec ait, et ; Dixerat^ et, etc. 

VI. (1) Aique is more usually found before vowels than before 
consonants ; but in the latter position it is frequently met with, 
Eel. ii. 15 ; iii. 11 ; ^n. i. 147, etc. It is a much stronger and 
more emphatic form than que or et. (2) Its power is particularly 
conspicuous in joining the same words. Eel. iv. 56 ; ^n. v. 596. 

(3) And so also in coupling contraries, Geo. i. 505 ; -^n. i. 543. 

(4) It frequently joins two imperatives. Eel. viii. 12 ; and such 
phrases as divum pater atque Jiominum rex : atqiie ita fatur. (5) It 
is elegantly used in the enumeration of several things, Eel. ii. 49 ; 
viii. 99. (6) Atque is most fi'equently found in the arsis of the 
first., second, and third feet, and in the thesis of the fourth. When 
it is found in the arsis of the third or fourth foot, the preceding 
word usually ends in a syllable suflPering elision. (7) Que— atque 
=Ti—}cai, Geo. i. 182. 

XXXVI.— The Particle Ve. 

I. (1) Both the form and signification of ve show that it is de- 
rived from vel. Hence (2) it sometimes happens that vel follows 
ve in the second clause, as in ^n. vi. 318. And so (3) ve is 
sometimes doubled by the poets where a prose wiiter would have 
used vel, Mn. viii. 205. (4) It is also used for aut, Mn. iii. 681 ; 
V. 325. (5) Also for sive, Mn. vii. 603 sqq. ; x. 108. 

II. (1) In (a) comparative, (b) interrogative, and (c) negative 
clauses, no well-marked distinction is kept up by the poets be- 
tween the particles ve, vel, sive, aut, unless that vel is excluded 
from excited narrative, (a) JEn. ix. 680; x. 641. Qi) Mn. vi. 
374 ; X. 92 sq. ; vi. 842 sqq. (c) ^n. ii. 785. 

Ve is almost always used in interrogation, when, to a preceding 
interrogative pronoun, another is added, Geo. iv. 445 ; -^n. ix. 
376. This usage is so fixed that ve is used in such a case even 
when the interrogator desires an answer to be given to every 
point of his inquiiy, as will be seen by a study of the examples 
quoted. When the pronoun is not repeated, a second interro- 
gation may be added to the preceding one by que, as in iEn. 
iii. 101. 

III. When tie or si precedes, a following clause is not unfre- 
quently joined to a foregoing by ve — a circumstance not to be 
wondered at when we recollect that these particles unite to form 
neve and sive, Mn. vii. 332 ; i. 682. 

IV. Ve and que are often interchanged, especially when a nega- 
tion precedes. (1) When the succeeding clauses are in a manner 
contained in the meaning of the foregoing, so as to form an epex- 
egesis, (Geo. ii. 85 sq. ; ^n. xi. 736,) que or et is used. (2) 
When such things are joined, as are in theii' own nature so closely 
connected as not to be deemed separable, or such as are commonly 
looked on as united, ^n. ii. 534 ; x. 609. 

Si follows the same laws as we in these regards, .^n. vii. 264 ; 
xii. 204. 

V. As w^e have seen copulating particles used for disjunctives, 

R 253 



APPENDIX. 

SO, vice versa, we often find disjunctives for copulatives, Geo. iv 
198. Neve or 7ieu and nee are sometimes interchanged. Neve or 
neu is the softer and lighter form, and except when it is doubled, 
is preceded by ne, or an imperative ; but nee is stronger, and does 
not allow a negation before it except vrhen it is doubled, or when 
the clause added by nee is an explanatory one. Hence neve has 
the power of advising against, of dissuading, of deprecating, and of 
cautioning ; so that it is often explained by noli with the infinitive, 
Geo. i. 80, 180 ; ii. 298 sq. 

Nee has the power of forbidding, or diverting from, or, generally, 
indicates a heart greatly excited, Eel. ii. 34 ; Geo. i. 36 sqq. 

XXXYIL— At. 

1. (a) At implies strong opposition, Eel. i. 60 sqq.; iii. 64 sqq. ; 
^n. xi. 429. (6) Frequently with a negative following, as Eel. 
vi. 49 ; Geo. i. 67. (c) With the opposition somewhat smoothed 
down and concealed, Geo. ii. 210 sq. ; ^n. x. 522. 

2. (o) Hence at serves particularly to express transition, in re- 
ference to circumstance, person, or time, Geo. iv. 100; ^n. i. 267. 
So in one having recourse to prayers, ^n. viii. 572. (6) And so 
also the discourse is continued by at, after an interruption, ^n. 
X. 474. (c) And heuce, when a certain relation exists between 
two subjects, and something is inserted to break the thread of the 
narrative, at is used to recall to us the subject first mentioned, 
^n. V. 178. {d) Thus dixit, et, is used when the same subject 
applies to both verbs, but dixit, at, when there are different subjects, 
(e) Cause and effect, the beginning and the issue, and such like 
ideas, are similarly opposed by at, Geo. iv. 415. (f) At is often 
used to begin a new story, iEn. iv. 1 [where see our note], (g) 
When any strange, unexpected, sudden, or horrible thing takes 
place, ^n. ii. 225 ; iv. 279. 

3. Hence since at is employed in transition, it comes to be used 
in enumeration, Geo. ii. 442 sqq.; ^n. vii. 691. And hence to 
denote progress. Eel. iv. 18-26. 

4. At is so used sometimes as if that to which it refers were 
suppressed, -^n. ii. 559. 

5. It is expressive of irony, JEn. vii. 297. 

6. It is often written for sed, autem, vero, Geo. ii. 238-246. 

XXXVIII.— Gnatus, and Natus. 

1. Gnatus and natus are not interchangeable. For (a) gnatus 
is never used as a participle, but always as a substantive ; (b) gnatus 
is the antique and dignified form, while natus is the common and 
every-day one. (c) Hence gnatus is less frequently used, since it 
is found only in animated and impassioned discourse. Thus gnati 
is the approved reading in iEn. vi. 116 ; xi. 178 ; x. 525. (d) 
Hence, as the vocative does not readily express grave and especial 
emphasis, we always find nafe, and not gnate. In ^n. vi. 869, 
however, gnate is written with entire propriety. 

2. From what has been said, it will be seen that gnatus ought 
not to find a place in compositions of a liuhter and less dignified 

254 



APPENDIX. 

kind, but only in the lofty and sublime. In the Georgics and 
Eclogues/^therefore. the natus form should always be written. 

XXXIX. —Manners and Customs of the Heroic Age assigned 
TO A Later Period. 
[In this and the following Qucestio, we content ourselves with 
merely enumerating the passages selected by Wagner for obser- 
vation, and refer students to our notes on the several topics, 
which will be found at their proper places] .^n. i. 343, 427 : 
ii. 503; iv. 215, 457; v. 113, 760; vi. 69, 366, 430, 809; vii. 183; 
X. 116, 449 ; xi. 19, 83 ; xii. 269. 

XL. — YiRGiLius Dormitans. 
Eel. V. 27 ; X. 59 ; Geo. iii. 248 ; JEn. ii. 339, 359. 567 ; iv. 
236 ; V. 252 ; vii. 123 ; viii. 13, 597 ; ix. 589 ; x. 6, 156, 238, 
350 ; xi. 1, 29, [and a few others, which will be found discussed 
in the " Notes."] 

XLI. — EpuLiE EEPOSTiE, Geo. iii. 527. 
[For the substance of this Qucesdo. see our note on the passage.] 



255 



METRICAL INDEX. 



[N.B.— J. long or short mark placed over the first vowel of a diphthong applies to the entire 
diphthong.'] 



BOOK I. 
Line 

2. Italiam fato profugus Lalviniaque | renit 

{La!\^njaque | by synixesis or synaeresis. 1.) 
16. Postliablta coluisse Sa|?;?o,- klc \ Illius ai-ma. 

{SAxm—Fintil vowel not elided. 2.) 
41. Uiilus ob nos.' et fiii-ias ajacis oiilei. 

(Oilei — Synizesis or synaeresis.) 
73. Connulbio jungam stabiU, propriamque dicabo. 

{Synizesis or synaeresis in Connubjo, 3 sylls. 3.) 
120. Jam valid' lHolnei ?i^| vera jam fortis achatae. 

(Ilionei — Synizesis or synaeresis.) 
181. Eur' adse Zephyrumque vo|c<I^ dehinc | talui fatur. 

(d'hmc — Synizesis or synaeresis.) 
195. Ylna bonus quae | deinde cd\dls onerarat acestes. 

(delude — Synizesis or synaeresis.) 
256. Oscula llbavit naj toe dehinc j talia fatur. 

(See above, 131.) 
308. Qui teueaut n' luculta xiA\et homi\\\&?,\\Q feraene. 

(^idet — Final syllable lengtMned by the arsis.) 
332. Jactemur doceas Ignar' homiuumque lo\cdrilin- 

qii" EiTaraus 

(qu' ErramvLs—Synapheia. i.) 
405. Et ver' Incessu patu|Fi ded j 111' ubi matreui. 

(dea — Final vowel saved from elision by the pause. 5.) 
448. Sxea cui gradlbus sui'gebaut^ llmina ] nexce- 

qu" JEra trabes .... 

{qu' yEre trabes — Synaph^ia, see above, 332.) 
47S. Per terr' et versa pul|fi5 irtjscrlbltur liasta. 

(pul^-Is — Last syllable lengthened by arsis.) 
611. lS.o\ned pet\it dextra laevaque Seresttim. 

;,Iliouea — The penult long, according to the Ionic dialect 6.) 
617. Tun' III' aeneas quern Dardanljo artjchlsae. 

(Dardauio — Final vowel not elided, 7. See above, 16. Spondaic verse.) 

1 For aa expiauation, see note on line 2. But synizesis should always make a s) liable long, whereas 
the one in quesiiou is short. We should rather say, therefore, that the pecnliaiity arises from tlie 
interchange of i and j witJi one another (so u and v), which often took place among the Romaics, ie., 
from 8 being used sometimes as a vowel and sometimes as a consonant. Here, of course, it is a 
consonant, 

2. For an explanation of the principle, see note. .En. iii. 211. 

3. The second syllable in omnitbium is always lou{;; see note on line ~X 
■t. Consult note on Book i., line 3 12. 5. See note ou line 405. 

6. In Ionic, IXiov'/jCi, in AttXc^ IXlOVUZ. 

7. The true principle has been esplainea iu the note on line 211, Book iii. 



METRICAL INDEX. 

Line 

€51. Pergama cum pete|re< mlconcessosqu' hyrneiiaeos. 

(Peteret — Final syllable lengthened by arsisS) 
668. Latora jacteliwr ddi\\s Jiinonis iniquae. 

(Jactetur — Final syllable lengthened by arsis,) 
698. Aurea \ composuTt sponda, mediamque loca-vat. 

(Aurea — A dissyllable, by synizesis or synaeresisJ) 
726. Atria : dependent lychni laquearibus | dureis. 

(Am-eis — A dissyllable; see line above.) 



BOOK 11. 

16. JEdificant sectaqu' Tntexunt | abieie \ eostas. 

(Abiete — Pronounced dbjete, of three syllables. 1.) 
264. Et Mene | IMs et \ ipse doll fabricator e \peils. 

(Menelaus — Four syllables. Epeus — Three syllables.) 
411. Nostror' obrm|7w«r c^j-rlturque miserrima caedes. 

(Obruimur — Final syllable lengthened by arsis.) 
442. Haerent 1 pdrieti\hu.s scalae postesque sub Ipsos. 

(Parietibus — To be p7'onounced pdrjetlbus, four syllables. 2.) 
492. Custodes suffeiTe valeut: labat. [ driete | crebro. 

(Ariete — To be pronounced drjete, three syllables. See line preceding.) 
563. Et direpta do|?>2ws et \ parvi casus iuli. 

(Domtis — Final syllable lengtheiied by arsis.) 
745. Quern non Incusav" amens hominumque di&\driim- 

qW Aut quid in 

(qu' Ai:t quid in — Synspheia. See i. 332.) 
774. Obstupuj^ s^(?<t?|ruutque com' et voxfaucibus haesit. 

(Steteruut— ^'ysiofe. 3.) 



BOOK III. 

48. Steterunt — Systole, as in line 774 of the preceding booh 
74. Xeretdum m'3i\tri et | Neptu|7?c7 rt(?|gaeo. 

(In matri and Neptuno the final vowel not elided. 4.) 
91. LimTiiSl^we ZaMJrusque dei totusqug moverl. 

(Liminaque — The que lengthened by arsis.) 
112. Idaeumque ■ne\miis: Innc \ fidS silentia sacris. 

CNemus — Final syllable lengthened by arsis. 5.) 
122. Idoni6l?/m di}\cem desertaque litSrS Cretae. 

(Idomenea — Penult long, according to the Ionic dialects 6.) 
136. Connubiis. See note 3 on foregoing page. 

211. Insulae loiiio in inagno quas dira CSiaeno. 

(Final syllables ofinsulce and lonio shortened, in imitation of the Greelt mode. 7.) 

212. nurpyi\3,Qc\\i& colunt SlTae PhineiS postqnam. 

(IlarpyioD — Harpyi, a spondee, the yi being a Greek diphthong. 8.) 
464. Bond (?^lhTnc auro gTSvi|a secjtoqu' elgphanto. 

(Dghinc — Here made a dissyllable, though usually a monosyllable f the vowd c is 
shortened before the i, and the final a in gra%ia lengthened by the arsis.) 



1. See first note on previous pnjre. 9 Consult ih-st note on prevrons pagew 

3. i.e., taking as short a syllable usually long. 

4. The true prinriple is stated in the note on line 211, Book iii. 

5. The pause after nemus. as required by the sense, must also bo taken Jnto account 

6. Consult note 6 on previous pajre. 

7. On this peculiarity, see note on the line in the Commentary. 



8. The diptliong yi answers to tlie Groek Ui. Thus, Harpijia^ Apcrwa. 



METRICAL ENDEX. 

Line 

475. Conjttgr anchl|5(7 TYnt^lris dignatg silperbo. 

(A]ichisa — Final syllable lengthened hy the arsis. 1.) 
504 Atqu' idem ca^,s^ts ii\nkm faciemus utramque. 

(Casus — Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
578. Fam' est encgladi sem|Zi«<;7»i | fulmine c5rpus. 

_ (Semiustum — To be pronounced sem-iViS-tmn., three syllables, by synizesis. 2.) 
602. Hoc sSt giit Scio me DanSTs e classibus tiiium. 

(Scio — one syllable, by synizesis.) 
606. Si T;)eTe\d hd>}ihi\iim manibus pemsse juvabit. 

(Pcieo— Final rowel not elided. 3.) 
6S1. Constiterunt. Systole— see note 3, above. 



BOOK IV. 

64. Pectori|6?7^ m_hi\ans splrantia consulTt exta. 

(Pectoribus — Final si/llable lengthened by the arsis.) 
126. Cormubio. Consult Book i., line 73, of this Index. 
IGS. Connubiis. See line above. 
222. Ttim sic MercurT' all6quiU«7r acltalia mandat. 

(Alloqmtm-— /"/naZ syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
235. Quid struit aut qua | s/^e //iflmic' iu gente moratur. 

(Spe~Final vowel not elided. 4.) 
302. Thyids iW | audito stimulant trieterica Baccho. 

_ (TliyiSs — A dissi/llable~yi a diphthong. 5.) 
558. Omnia MercurTo simllis vocemque co\ldrem- 

qW Et . . . 
_ (qu' Et . . . Synapheia — see note on Book i. 332.) 
629. Imprecor arm' armis ; pugnent Ipsiqug n6p|5<es- 

qu' Hc'ec . . . 

iqu' Hfec. Synapheia — see line preceding.) 
667. Lameutis gemituqu' et femine|o «?i7|latvL 

(FemmQo— Final vowel not elided. 6.) 
6SG. ;Sgm«a«r|memqu6 sTuu german' amplexS fSvebat. 

(Semiammem — To be pronounced SQm.-^3m.-n\&m.. 7.) 



BOOK T. 

261. Victor apud rapidum STmoenta subliZr^T | alto. 

(Ilio — Consult note on Book ill., line 211. 8.) 
269. Puniceis ibant eviiicti tempora | taeniis. 

_ (Tasniis — To be pronounced tsen-jis, as a dissyllable, by synizesis or synaeresis.) 
284. Olli sen-a da tur upSr \ baud ignara Ifinervae. 

_ (J)a.im— Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
337. Eraicat Euiya|?i7s et \ munere victor amici. 

(Euiyalus — Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
352. Dat. Sallo villis oneros' atqu' uiiguibus | dureis. | 

(Aureis — A dissyllable by synizesis or synaeresis.) 



1. There is no occasion for our here having recourse to a Doric nominative in as. 

2. Make the i of semi a consonant: thus, sem-Jus-tum, etc. 

3. The true principle is stated in note, Book iii. 211. 

4. Consult nota on line 211, Book iii., where the explanation is given 

5 In Greek Quia.:, Compare note on line 212, Book iii. in this Index. 

6. The true principle is stated iu the note on line 211, Book iii. 

7. Consult note 1, first page of Jlet. Index 

8. Observe that the final vowel in Ilio is short here, because, after one of the two short times in t.lie 
long is cut ofi', the remaining one is iu the thesis, not the arsis of the toot, and, tliorefore, as it has no 
stress of the voice laid upon it, it remains short. 



METEia\L INDEX. 

Line 

4'2'2. Et magnos memtror' artus magn' ossa \a\cerios-\ 

qu' Exuit 

(qu Exuit — Synapheia. See note L 3-32.) 
4-32. Genua lab ant vastos quatit aeggr anhelitus artus. 

(Genua — To be pronounced genva, as a dissyllable. 1.) 
521. Ostentans artemque pat'er a;r umqug sonantem. 

<Pater — Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
589. Parieti^hus textum eaecTs Itgr ancipitemque. 

(Parietiljus— .See Book iL. line 442.) 
663. Transtra per et remos et -plcias' abiSte puppes. 

(Abiete — See Book ii., line 16.) 
697. Implenturque super puppes sevaliUsta ma' descunt 

Semiusta — To be pronounced sem-jus-ta. 2.) 
735. Concur elysTun^qug collo Aj7c'casta Sibylla. 

{Qo\o— Final voicel not elided. 3.) 
753. RobOra na%"igiis aptaut remosque Tu\dentes- 

qu' Exigrui. . . 

(qu' Exigui — Sytiapheia. See L 332.) 
826. Nesaee Spioque Thaliaqne C5Tn6doccque. 
853. Xusqu' ainitte'Mf (JcM'losque sub astra tenebat. 

(Amittebat — Final syllable lengthened by the arsU^) 



BOOK YL 

33. Bis patriae cecTdore manus. Quin protenus | omni.a. 

(Omnia — To be pronounced omn-ja, by synizesis or synaeresis. 4.) 
126. TrC'S anchlsra|(frt/t/cj!ns descensus avenio. 

(Anchisiada — Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
201. Ind' ubi vener" ad fau'cfi grrw r" J lentis avemL 

(Grav'olentis — The e being elided. 5.) 
254. Pingug su|/)er die i infundens ardentibus extls. 

(Super — Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
280. FPrrei qu" Eumenidrim thalam' et Discordia demens. 

(Ferrei — A dissyllable, by synizesis or si/naeresis.) 
287. Briareus — Three syllables, eus being a diphthong.) 
289. GorgOnes | HUrpyi aequ' et fonna triwrporis umbrae. 

(HarpiTi, a spondee, yi being a diphthong. 6.) 
412. Deturbat iiixatque foros, siniiil ampit | Slveo \ 

(Alveo — A dissyllable, by synizesis or synaeresis.) 
507. Jsonicn et anna locum ser'raw^ t^amlce nequIvL 

(To — Voicel shortened in imitation of the Greek. 7.) 
602. Quos sdpfr atra silex jam jam lapsura (^\d^ntl\ 

qu' Iinminet .... 

(qu' Imminet — Synapheia. See i. 332.) 
653. Per campos pasciintiir equi. Quae gratia cdrruiim. 

(Curriium — Two syllables, by synizesis. Most copies read cumun.) 
678. Desuper ostenVdi dehlnc \ sunima cacumina linquunt. 

(Uehinc to be pronounced dhinc, by synaeresis. See L 131.) 
768. Et Capys et NQmiUor et | qui te nomine reddet. 

(Numitor — Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.J 



1. The poets occasionally take advantage of the double power of u, and make it a consonant in 
words where such a change is necessary or convenient. Here, therefore, the u is regarded as a con- 
sonant, and the e in gtnua is long: by position See note 1, first page of Index. 

2. Consult note 1, first page of Index. 

3. The true principle is stated in the note on line 211, Book iiL 

4. Consult note 1, first page of Index. 

5. The word grateolentii ought to be written grare olentis, separately. 

6. Consult note on line 212, Book iii. (Index). 

7. Observe that te loses one of its short times, and that the other remains short, because iu the thesis. 
Cousblt note on Une 261, Book v„ and on line 211, Book iiL 



METRICAL INDEX. 



Line _ BOOK VIL 

33. Assuetae ripls volflcres et flumlnis | alveo. \ 

(Alveo. A dissyllable, by synizesis or synaeresis.) 
96. Connublis. Consult note on line 73, Book i. 
160. Jamqu' iter emensi turres ac tecta La] ^rno] 
r' Ardua .... 

(r' Ardua. Synapheia.) 

174. Eegibus omen e|rai; hoc \ illis curia tcmplum. 

(Erat. Final syllable lengthened by tM arsis.) 

175. Hae sacris sedes epidls : hie J ariete \ caeso. 

(ariete, to be pronounced a.T-jet-e. 1.) 
178. Antlqu' e ce\dr5 Ud\lasqvie paterque Sablnus. 

(Cedro. Consult note on line 16, Book L) 
186. Spicula|que, clipe|!qu' e|reptaque | rostra calrinis 

(que lengthened by arsis.) 
190. Au7-ea | percussum virga versumque venenis. 

(aurea. A dissyllable by synizesis or synaeresis.) 
226. Submovet 6cea|;2o et \ si qu' extenta plagarum. 

(Oceaiio. Consult note on line 16, Book 1.) 
237. Praeferimus manibus vittas ac verba pre\cantia. 

(Precautia, to be pronounced precant-ja, by synaeresis. 2.) 
249. Talibus i]io\nei dic\tis defixa Latiuus. 

(Ilionei. Four syllables, by synaeresis.) 
253. Conniiblo. Consult note on line 73, Book L 
262. Divitis iiber agri Trojaev' opulentia | deerit. \ 

(Deerit. A dissyllable, by synaeresis.) 
303. Proffut optato conduntiir Thybridis | alveo. \ 

(alveo. A dissyllable, by synaeresis.) 
333. Connubiis. Consult note on line 73, Book i. 
389. EHoe ] Bacche firemens solum te virgine dignum. 

(euoe. Two diphthongs, as in Greek tvct.^ 
398. Sustinet ac natae Tumique calnit hyme\naeos. 

(Canlt. Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
436. Ore refert classes invectas Thybridis | alveo. \ 

(alveo. A dissyllable, by synaeresis.) 
470. Se satis ambobus Teucrisque venire La|imts-| 

gw' Hsec ubi . . . 

(qu' Hsec ubi. Synapheia.) 
485. TyrrYveus. Two syllables, eus being a diphthong. 
508. Saine as the preceding. 

532. Tyrrhej. Two syllables, el being contracted by synaeresis. 
555. Connubi'et. Consult note on line 73, Book 1. 
609. Cent' ae|m ciau\dmrt vectes aetemaque fern. 

(aerei. Two syllables, by synaeresis.) 
631. Ardea Crustumeriqu' et turrige|ra€ (Snjteninae. 

(Turrigerae. Consult note. 3.) 
769. Paeonliis re»5|cat' herbis et amore Diauae. 

(Pasonlis. Three syllables, the last contracted by synaeresis. 4.) 



BOOK VIII. 

98. Cum muros arcemqne pro] cm? et \ rara domorum. 
(Procul. Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 



i Consult note on line 16, Book ii 2. Compare line 16, Bookii. 

3. One of the times of the diphthong (b is considered as elided before the initial vowel of the next 
word, and then the remaining one, being in the arsis of the foot, is lengthened hj the stress of the voice. 
Compare vrith this the note on line 211, Book iii. 

4. "We cannot say Paeoni, the vowel o corresponding here to an (^ in Greek. 



[N.B.— A long or short mark placed over the first vowel of a diphthong applies to the entire diphthong.] 



METRICAL INDEX. 
Line 
194 Semihdm.i\nis Caci facies quam dira tenebat. 

(Semihominls. To be pronounced semjhominis. 1.) 
228. Ecce furens animis aderat Tirynthms | omnem- \ 

qu' Accessum .... 

(qu' Accessum. Synapheia.) 
292. Rege sub Etirys|</zeo/a|tis Junonis iniquae. 

(Eurystheo. Three syllables, last contracted by synizesis or synaeresis.) 
298. Nee t' uUae facies nou terruit ipse Ty phoeus. 

(-phoeus. Two syllables, eus being a diphthong.) 
337. Vix ea | dicta de\hmc progresstis monstrat et aram. 

(dehinc. The voioel e shortened before tlie following one.) 
363. Alcldes subi|F< hdec | Ulum regia cepit, 

(Subiit. Last syllable, lengthened by the arsis.) 
372. Vulcan alloquitur thalamoqu' haec conjugTs | anreo. [ 

(Am-eo. Two syllables, by synaeresis.) 
383. Anna rogo genetrix uato. Te f ilia | JS^erei. | 

(Nerei Two syllables, by synaeresis.) 
553. PeUis obit totum praefulgens unguibus | dureis. \ 

(Aureis. Two syllables, by synaeresis.) 
599. Inclusere cav' et nigi-a nemiis 1 abietS \ cinguut^ 

CAbiete. To he pi'onounced ah-i&iQ. 2.) 



BOOK IX. 

9. Sceptra Palatini sedemque peUlf Eu\&n(h:\. 

(Petit. Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
32. Quum refluit campis et jam se condidit ] Slveo. \ 

(Alveo. Two syllables, by synaeresis.) 
291. Hanc sine me spem ferre tiiii az/ldentior ibo. 

(Tui. Consult note on line 16, Book i.; 
477. Evolat infelix et femlnelcJ wZfillatu. 

(Femineo. Consult note on line 16, Book 1.) 
480. Teloriimque memor C0Q\lum dehinc \ questibus implet 

(dehinc. To be pronounced d'hiric, by synaeresis.) 
501. Illoinei monW | et miiltum laciymantis iuli. 

Ilionei. Four syllables, ei being contracted by synaeresii 
569. Dioneus. Four syllables, eus being a diphthong. 
610. Terga fatigalweZs has\ta nee tarda senectiis. 

(Fatigamiis. Final syllable lengthened by tfie arsis.) 
647. Antiqu' in Buten hie Dardanilo rtw|chisae. 

(Dardanio. Consult note on lines 16 and 617, Book i.; 
650. Omnia longaevo similis vocemque co\lorem-\ 

qu' Et crines .... 
(qu' Et crines. SynapJieia.) 
674. .(16i^l!j|biis juvenes patriis in montibus aequos. 

(Abietibus. To be pronounced ab-jetihns. 3.) 
716. Inarime Jovis imperiis Imposta Ty|/»/ioeo. | 

(-phoeo. Two syllables, eo being contracted by synaeress.) 



BOOK X. 

18. O pater o hdmi\nvim divumqu' aeteraa potestas. 
(o homi — The interjection is never elided.) 
51. Est rima|</iMS est \ celsa Fa\phus, o<lqu' alta Cythera. 

(Amathiis. Final syllable not lengthened by the arsis, but naturally long, because 
answering to -ovi in Ch'eek. Paphtis, however, has the last syllable lengthened 
by the arsis.) 
67. Italiam fatis petilli! auc I toribiis; esto. 

(Petit. Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
116. Hie finis fandi soUo tUm Jiipiter | dureo. \ 

(aureo. Two syllables, by synaeresis.) 
129. Nee Clytio genitore minor nee fratre Mc\nestheo. \ 
(Menestheo. Th7-ee syllables, by synaeresis.) 

1. Consult note on line 578, Bk. iii. 2. Consult note on line 16, Bk. ii 3. Consultnoteon line. 16, Bk. ii. 



METRICAL INDEX. 
Line 

136. Inclusumbux I od«« | oricia terebintho. 

_ (Buxo. Consult note on line 16, Book L) 
141. Maeonia generose Ao.md vM ! pinguia culta. 

(Domo. Consult note on line 16, Book L) 
156. Extemo commissa duicr. ^ineia puppis. 

(DucL Consult note on line 16, Book i.) 
3-34. Steterant. Systole. 1. 
378. Deestjam | terra fugae : pelagTis Trojamne peteuras. 

(Dees^, To be pronounced dest, by synaeresis.) 
3S3. Per medium qaa spina da,\b(it Msitamqae receptat. 

(Dabat. Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
394. Xam tibi_Th5'-inbre caipUt £"« andiiixs abstulit ensis. 

(Caput. Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
39G. Semtam\mesque micant digiti ferrumque retractant. 
JSemianimes. To be pronounced &emja.mmes. 2.) 

402. Rhoeteus. Two syllables, eus being a diphthong. 

403. CaeditJ semiam\m\s, Rutaorum calcibus arva. 

(Seroianimis. To be pronounced semjaramis. 3.) 
433. Tela manusque si\nit h'lnc | Pallas instat et urguet. 

_ (SiuiL Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
4S7. I n' ea demqne via saji\guls dm wausque sequuntur. 

(eadem. To be pro?wunced xa-dem, so that un' ea makes a spondee. — Sauguis. 
Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
496. Exanimum rapiens immania p5iidera | baltei. 

(BalteL Two syllables, ei being contracted by synaeresis.) 
720. Graius hom^ infectos Iinquens proru|^S5 ^^?7ze Inaeos. 
(Profogus. Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
1 64. Cum pedes mcedit medll pSr maxima j Nerei. 

_ (Nerei. Two syllables, el being contracted by synaeresisA 
781. Stermtur mtellx aUeno vulnere | cdel{lm-[ 
qu' Aspicit . . . 
(qu' Aspicit. Synapheia.) 
872. Et fiiriisagitatus a,\mdr et | conscia virtus. 

_ (Amor. _ Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
S95. Clamor' incendunt coelum Troesque IA\tlnt-\ 
qn' Advolat .... 

(qu' Advolat. Synar-heij.) 



BOOK XL 

31. Ser%-abat senior qni PaiThasIjo £'?7;andro. 

(Parrhasio. Co-nsuU note on line 16, Book i.) 
69. Seu mollis violae, seulanguen'^Zs 7i^a'cinthT. 

(Languentis. Final syllable lengthened ly the arsis.) 
111. Ova., tis eqm\d' et vivis concedere veUem. 

(Oratis. Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
:K)0. Ardent es spectant socios se\rniustaque [servant 

(Semiusta. To be pronounced semiustsu 'i.) 
262. Atrides Fro] fei J/enellaiis ad iisque coliimnas. 

(ProteL Two syllables, by synaeresis.) 
26-3. Idome nei Liby\coii' habitantes litore Locros. 

(IdomeneL_ Four syllables, by synaeresis.) 
323. Considant si tantus H'mer et | moenia condant. 

(Amor. Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
383. Proinde_ td] n' eloquio solitSm tibi meque timoris. 

(Proinde. Two syllables, by synaeresis.) 
469. ConcHi' ipse paUer et \ magn' Incepta Latinus. 

(Pater. Final syllable lengthened by the a)'sis- ) 
480. Causa mali tan|fi' od?!los dejecta decerns. 

(TantL Consult note on line 16, Book i.) 

1. See note in Metrical Index, on 774, Book iL 2. Consnlt note on line 57S. Book iii. 

3. Consult note on line 57S, Book iii. 4. Consult note on line 578, Book iii. 



METRICAL INDEX. 

Line _ . 

609. Constiterat subit' erarapunt clamore fxelmentes- \ 

qu' Exliortantur . . 

(qu' Exhortant ir. Synapheia.) 
635. Semtanilmes volvunt 'ir equi pugn' aspera surgit 

(Semianlmes. To he pronounced semjanimes. 1.) 
667. Adversi longa transve:berat | abiete \ pectus. 

(Abiete. To he proiounced ab-jete. 2.) 
890. Arietat \ in portas et diiros objice postes. 

(Ai-ietat 1 To he proiounced ar-jetat. S.) 



BOOK XII. 

13. Congredior. Fer sacra palter et \ concipe foedus. 

(Pater. Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
31. Promiss' eripui gener|o ar7n' \ impia sums!. 

(Genero. Consult note on line 16, Book L) 
68. Si qms e\bur aut \ mixta rubent ubi lilia multa. 

(Ebur. Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 

83. PilQnmo quos Ipsa decus dedit 1 Ort|tbyia, \ 

(Orithyia, /owr syllables, the yi being a diphthong (w) in Greek, and the secoiid 
syllable being also a diphthong C^O in the original Greek.) 

84. Qui candore nives ant\eirent \ curslbus auras. 

(Anteirent. To be pronounced ant'irent, by elision.) 
87. Tpsed^lhlnc auro squalent' alboqu' orichalco. 

(Dehinc. The e shortened before the next vowel ) 
232. Fatalisque mainUs in\fens" etruna Turno. 

(Maniis. Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
356. Semianllmi lapsoque supervenit et pede coUo. 

(SemianlmL To be pronounced semjanimi. 4.) 
36.3. Chloreal5'?<e Syba, r'lmqne Daretaque Thersilochumque. 

(Chloreaque. Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
401. Paeo|nt' in moirem senior succinctus amictu. 

(After the elision of the urn in Pseonium, the ni' coalesces with the following in, to 
form, as it were, a single syllable by synaeresis. Consult the note on li?ie 7C9, 
Book vii.) 
422. QuTppg do' lor ominis stetTt Imo vulnere sanguis. 

(Dolor. Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
535. Hie ruent' HyU|o aw?!mlsqu' immane frementl 

(HyUo. Consult note 07i line 16, Book i.) 
541. Pectora ucc misero clypei iTiora»pr6fiut | aerei. 

(.^rei. Two syllables, ei being contracted by synaeresu:) 
550. Et Messapus oquum dorni] tor et \ fort Is asilas. 

(Domitor. Final syllable lengthened by arsis.) 
648. Sanct' ad vos anT|77ia at\qa' istius inscia culpa?. 

(Anima. Final syllable saved from elision, and lengthened by the arsis 5.) 
668. Et furHs agitatus a\mdr et \ conscla virtus. 

(Amor. Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
706. Moenia qulqu' Imos pulsabant | ariete | muroS': 

(AriSte. To be pronounced ar-jete. 6.) 
772. Hie hast' aeneae sta|5a^ hUc \ impetus illam. 

(Stabat. Final syllable lengthened by the arsis.) 
821. Connubiis. Consult line 73, Book i. 
847. J7h' eoidemque tfllit partu paribtLsque revinxit 

(eodem. Two syllables, by synaeresis. — mi' eo, a spondee.) 
883. Te sine frater e\rtt o \ quae satis | dlta f/.^ihlscat. 

(Erit. Final syllable lengthened by the arsis. — ^Dehiscat. 
The vowel in de shortened before the following one.) 
905. Genua ?a|bant gelldus concrevit fiigore sanguis. 

(Genua. To be pronounced genva. 7.) 

1. Cons\Ut note on line 578, Book iii. 2. Consult note on line 16, Book ii 

3. Consult note on line 16, Book ii. 4. Consult iiote on line 578, Book iii. 

5. Consult IVagner, QuatU Virg., xi. 3, and xii. 10. 

6. Consult note on line 16, Book ii. 7. Consult note on line 432, Book v. 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



♦ 



^GIS, 


A. viu. 435 


CUEEUS, . 




A. 


vii. 163, s. 575 


Altaee, . 


A. V. 95 


Ctlindeus, 




G. i. 178 


Alveaee, 


G. iv. 34 


Cymbalum, 




G. iv. 64 


Amentum, . 


A. ix. 665 


Cymbiuji, . 




A. iii. 6G 


AifCHORS, . 


A. i. 169 








Ancile, 


A. vii. 188 


Dolphin, . 




A. m. 718 


Ansa, 


E. iiL 45 








Antenna, 


A. iii. 549 


Ensis, oe Cultek, 




A. ii. 155 


Apex, 


A. viii. 664 








Aka (Sepulchri), 


A. iv. 495 


Falarica, or Phalaeica, 


A. ix. 705 


Aeatrum, . 


. G. i. 170, 172 


Falx, 




E. iii. 11 


Ajicus, 


A. V. 501 


Fasces, . 






A.vi. 818 


Aeea, 


G. i. 178 


Faselus, 






G. iv. 289 


Aries, 


A. ii. 492 


Fax, 






G. i. 292 


Avena, 


E. i. 2 


Fereteum, 
Fibula, 






A. vL 222 
A. iv. 139 


Beaks of Ships, . 


A. i. 35 


Fistula, . 




E. 


1.2; A. V.871 


BiDENS, 


a ii. 355 


FOLLIS, 






A. viii. 453 


BlG^, 


A. X. 575 


Forceps, . 






A. viu. 453 


BiPENNIS, 


A. ii. 679 


Feenum, . 




A. 


iv. 135, X. 575 


BtrcciNA, . 


A. vii. 519 


FUNALIA, . 






A. i. 727 


Bulla, 


A. xii. 942 


FUNDA, 






A. vii. 686 






Fusus, 




G. iv. 348 


Caduceus, 


A. iv. 239 








C-ffiSTUS, . 


A. V. 405 


Gabinus Cinctus, 




A. v. 755 


Calathus, 


E. ii. 46 


Galea, 




A. ii. 175, 393 


Calcar, . 


A. vi. 882 


Galeeus, . 






A. viL 688 


Canis, 


A. iv. 131 


Genius (Loci), 






A. V. 95 


Canistrum, 


A. viii. 130 


Gladius, . 






A. il 804 


Cantharus, 


E. vi. 17 


Glans, 






A. vlL 686 


Carcer, . 


A. V. 145 


GUBEENACULUM, . 




A. V. 8 


Carchesium, 


A. V. 77 








Casa, 


E. ii. 29 


Haept, 




A. iu. 216 


Castellum, 


A ix. 43 


Hasta, 




A. ii. 175, 393 


Chlamts, 


A. iii. 484 


Hecate, 




A.iv.511 


Circus, . 


A. V. 145 


Heljiet, with Wild Beast 


's 


CiTHARA, . 


A. i. 741 


Skin and Teeth, 




A. vii. 666 


Clavus, . 


A. V. 8 








Clipeus, . 


. A. ii. 175, 393 


Incus, 




A. viii 453 


COLUMNA ROSTRATA, 


G. iii. 29 


Infula, 




A ii. 224 


CONUS, 


A. ii. 393, iii. 468 


Impeditus, 




G. iii. 347 


COENU, 


A. iii. 549, v. 501 








COEONA (NaVALIS), 


A. viii. 684 


Janus, and Temple op. 


A. 


i. 294, vii 180 


Cortina, . 


A. iii. 92 


JUGUM, 




A. X. 575 


Cothurnus, 


. A. i. 337, ii. 479 








Crater, . 


A. i. 724 


Lacus, 




A. viu. 453 


Crista, . . j 


k. ii. 175, 393, iii. 468 


Lacunae, or Laqueak, 




A. i. 726 


Cultee, or Ensis, 


A. iL 155 


Lanx, 






G. IL 194 



INDEX OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



LiMUS, 


A. ii. 224 


Rostrum, . 


A. i. 35 


LiTUUS, . . G. iiL 


183 ; A. vii. 186 


Rota, . . A. vi. 616, vii. 163 


Loaves op Bread, 


A. i. 701 






LORICA, 


A. iii. 467 


Sagitta, . 


A. V. 501 


Lyra, . A. iii. 71 


8, V. 871, vi. 646 


Saxum (Millstone), 


G. L 267 






Serra, 


G. i. 143 


Malleus, . 


A. viii. 453 


Sbetum, . 


E. vi. 16 


Meta, 


A. V. 145 


Sceptrum, 


A. vii. 173 


Messoe, 


E. ii. 10 


Scutum, . 


A. ii. 441 


MiTRA, 


A. iv. 216 


SCTPHUS, . 


A. viii. 278 


MoLA Salsa, 


A. iL 224 


Securis, . 


A. iL 224 


Muebx, 


A. V. 205 


Shepherd with Dog, &c 


E. iiL 5 


Naves, . 
Navis Tureita, . 


A. iii. 549 
A. viu. 693 


Ships, 
Sistrum, . 
Solium, 


A. iu. 549 
A. viii. 696 
A. viii. 178 


OCREJE, 


A. ii. 393 


Subtemen, 


A. iiL 48,3 


OSCILLUM, 


G. ii. 389 


Talaeia, . 


A. iv. 239 


Palla, 


A. i. 648 


Tela, 


A. iii. 483 


Paema. 


A. iL 175 


Testudo, . 


A. ii. 441 


Patera, 


A. i. 729 


Tholus, 


A. ix. 408 


Pecten, . G. i. 294 ; 


A viL 14, xi. 576 


Thorax, 


A. u. 393 


Pelta (Lunata), . 
Pero, 


A. L 490, iL 479 
A. vii. 690 


Thi;esus, . 
Tibia, 


A. vii. 390 
A. ix. 618 


PiLENTUM, 

Pinna, 

Phaler^, 

Pharetea, 

Plaga, 

Plaustrum, 

Pons, 


A. vui. 666 
A. vlL 159 


Toga, 

Traha, or Teahea, 


A. i. 282 
G. I 164 


A. v. 310, iv. 135 

A. V. 501 

A. iv. 131 

G. L 163 

A. X. 288 


Tribulum, 

Triclinium, 

Tripod, 

Trop^um, 

Tuba, 


G. 1. 164 

A. L 698 
. A.iii. 92, 360 
A. xi. 6 
A. ii. 313 


Peelum, . 
Peistis, . 


G. ii. 242 
A. X. 212 


TUGURIUM, 

Tympanum, 


E. L 68 
A. ix. 619 


Peoba, 
Pfra, 


A. i. 35 
A. iv. 495 


Vannus, . 


G. L 166 






Venabulum, 


A. iv. 131 


Quincunx, 


G. iu 277 


Venator, 

Veru Sabellum, . 


A. iv. 131 
A. vii. 665 


Rasteum, 


G. i. 164 


Victima, . 


A. ii. 224 


Redimiculum, 


A. ix. 616 


VINEA, 


A. iL 492 


Rete, 


A. iv. 131 


Vitta, 


. A. u. 133, 224 



INDEX 

OF MATTERS EXPIAIXED AXD PREQUEXTLY EECURRIXG I2s" THE NOTES. 



Ablative absolute, - - A. vli. 261 
Absolute case (iwm. oraccus.), G. iii. 464 
Abstract for concrete, - A, ii. 579 

" substantives modified by 
adjs. suited only to concretes, A. 1. 202 
Ac, Virgilian use of, - - E. liL 4 
•' in arsis of fourth foot, - G. iii. 429 
" introducing comparisons, A. i. 148 

Accusative after intransitive verbs, A. i. 67 
" absolute, - - A. i. 573 

" and infinitive vrithout 

governing verb, - - A. i. 37 

Accusative of cognate signification, 

after intransitive verb, - A. xiL 680 
Accusative used adverbially, A. viii. 114 
of reference or limita- 
tion, - E. L 55 ; A. i. 228 ; viL 60 
Accusative of dm-ation of time, E. iv. 46 

" Greek in a, - - E. i. 5 

Acheloia pociUa, - - - G. i. 9 

Ad auras, and in auras, E. L 57 ; A. iL 759 
Adeo, talis, &c., equal to nam, E. i. 11 
" equal to autem, - - E. iv. 11 
Adire for accedere, - - E. ii 45 

Adjective in apposition to subst., A. viL 61 
" in active or pass, sense, A. xi. 363 
" in neut., Tvith subst. in 
masc. or fem., - E. iii. 80 ; A. iv. 570 
Adjective as adverb, E. i. 28 ; G. iii. 28 
" in neut. plui'al for adverb, E.iiL8 
Adolere, - - - - E. viii 65 
Adverb and neuter plural con- 
founded, - - - - E. iii 8 
Adverb for preposition, - A, vii 1 92 
" for adjective, - - A. i. 13 

and neuter of pronouns 
governing genitive, - - A. vLL 552 
M elided before short vowel, A. x. 179 

^gis, A. viii 435 

Alii and pars opposed, - E. i 65 

Alliteration, G.i3S9; A i83,- iii. 183; ix.89 
Ambarvalia, - - - E. iii 76 

Amy dee, - - - - A. x. 564 

Anacolouthon, - - - A. i 237 

Anadiplosis, - - - A. x. 691 

Anaphora, - A. ii 602 ; iii. 247 ; x. 805 
Aoristic perfect, - G. i 49 , A. ii. 1 

A point in space, and motion from 

often confounded, - - A. vii 106 
Aposiopesis, - - A. i 135; xi. 415 

Apposition, genitive of, G. iii 423; iv. 422 
Arcturus, - - - - A. i 744 



Arena, used for '-mould," G. i. 105; ii 232; 
[A V. 336 
Ariusian wine, - - - E. v. 71 

Aisis, E. i 39 ; A. i 308, 569, 668 ; vii. 398 
Ascoliasmus - _ _ G-. ii. 354 

Atque coupling words not strictly 

parallel, - - - - G. iv. 219 

Atque used epexegetically, - A. x. 698 

Attraction,- - - A. ii. 377; A-i 411 

" Inverse, - - A. i. 573 

" of demonstrat. pron., A. vii. 595 

of the verb, - A. xi. 311 



Buccina, 



A. vii. 519 



Cacophony, - - A ii. 27 ; iii. 203 

Cforg, - - . . G. il94 

Chiasmus {x.^cciry/o:'), _ x. vs.. 279 

Chimneys, - - - - E. i 83 

Cicada, - - - _ E. ii. 12 

Compounds of animus (theii- pe- 
culiarity of declension), - A. iv. 8 
Conjunctions coupling words not 

parallel - - . g. iv. 219; ii 428 

Constructio prcegnans, G. i 375; ii 332 ; 

[A. ii. 18; x. 746; xi 187; xii. 811 

Construction changed, A. xi. 250, 338, 738 ; 

[xii 501 

" changed from accus. 

to relative clause, E. iii 41; G. iv. 150 

Construction changed from accus. 

to conjunctive cfause, - G. ii. 121 

Corona tonsa, - . - a. v. 556 

Coronare vina, - . , a. i. 724 

Corripere (.spatia, campum, <tc.), A. i. 418 ; 
[v. 145 
Credulus, syntax of, - - E. ix. 34 
Cuius, a, um (obsolete), - E. iii 1 

Dardanus, history of, - A. i. 380; iii. 167 
Dare in circumlocution, A. i 63 ; ix. 323 
Dative after verb of motion, or 

prepos.foraccus.,E.ii.30; A.i. lSl:xi. 594 
Dativus Ethicus, E. viii 6: A. i. 261 

Dicere for canere, - - E. iii. 55 

E and i in ablative of participles, E. iii 27 

Ecce, - - - - - E. iii, 49 

Effetus, - - - - E. i 50 

En, expressing anxiety, - E. i 68 

" with the nom. and accus., A. i. 461 



INDEX. 



Epanadiplosis, - - - A., xi. 358 
Epanalepsis, - - - A. i. 750 

Epexegesis, - - G. L 174 ; A. i. 2 

Equidem, - - - A. iv. 12; v. 56 
Est, "it is possible," - - G. iv. 447 
" omitted in relative clauses, G. iii. 144 
Et, expressing wonder, - E. i. 27 

" " indignation, - E. ii. 44 

" connecting different cases (abl.. 
andnom.), - - G. i. 142 ; iv. 219 
Explere with the gerdtive, - A. ii. 587 

Falx, E. iii. 11 

Fetus, - - - - - E. i. 50 

Finis, as masculine or feminine, A. i. 241 

Fistula, - - - - E. ii 37 
Foreign names irregular in quantity, A. i. 343 

Frequentative perfect, - A. iii. 681 

Futurum concessivum, - A vi. 848 

GaUnus Cinctus, - - - A. vii. 612 
Genitive in z, for is, A. i. 30; ii. 276, 476 
" with filius, &c., omitted, A. i. 41 
" after vana and the like, A. x. 631 ; 
[xii. 19 
" objective or subjective, Giv. 110 
" in i for ii, - - E. i. 33 

" in i and ei (Greek), E. viii. 70; 
[G. iv. 545 
" rafter victus, truncus, &c. G. iv. 491 
Geuitor and genetrix, - - G. iv. 363 
Gerund for pres. participle, - A. ii. 6 

Gerund and infin. distinguished, G. L 305 ; 
[A. ii. 350; v. 638 

Halley's comet, - - - E, ix. 47 
Hamadryads, - - - E. x. 62 
Heliacal risuig and settuig, - G. i. 218 

Hendiadys, - - - E. ii. 8 ; A. i. 2 
Hiatus, - - E. ii. 53, 24; A i. 16 

" with hiteijections, - E. ii. 65 

Homoioteleuton, - - A. iiL 656; x. 805 
Humi, ... - A. i. 193 

Hyades, - - - - A. i. 744 

Hyades, etymology of, - G. i. 128 

Hvpermeter verses, G. i. 295 ; A. i. 332 ; 
[iv. 029 
Hyphen (a figure of speech), A. i. 198 

Hysteron Proteron, - - A. ii. 353 

Hypozeugma, - - E. i. 59; A. i. 623 
lUe, anticipating the Subject, G. iv. 457 
" repeated, - - - A. i. 153 

Im in accus., and not in, - E. ii. 1 

Improbus, - - - - G. i. 119 

Jncuhatio, - - - - A. vii. 88 
Indefinite followed by demonstra- 
tive, - - A. iii. 27, 95 ; xii. 92 
Indie, instead of subjunctive, A. xi. 1 12, 115 
Infinitive in apposition to the sub- 
ject, - - A. i. 704; ii. 10; v. 638 
Infin. and gerund, G. i. 305; A. ii_. 350 ; v. 038 
" of purpose depending on adj., A. xii. 2 
" for subjunc. with ut. A- i. 527; vii. 214 
" active for passive, - A. xii. 211 
" for gerund, - - G. i. 305 
" after verbs of longing, E. ii. 43 
" instead of accusative with 
ad, or subjunctive with ut, E. iv. 54 
Infinitive after adjs., as felix, 

paratus, - - - - E. v. 1 

In somnis and Insomnis, - A. i. 353 

Inverse syntax, G. i. 143 ; ii. 141 ; A. ii. 549 



Ipse, 
Iste, 



Jam used in transition, 
Janus, temple of. 



E. iii. 74 
E. i. 19 

A. xL 213 
A. i. 291, 294 



Lacertus, - - - - E. ii. 9 

Laevus and sinister, - - E. i. 16 
Lavere, parts of, used by Virgil, A. x. 727 

Liber (Bacchus), - - - E. vii. 58 

Limus, - - - - A. xii. 120 

Litare, its meanings and uses, A. iL 1 18 

Litotes or Meiosis, - - A. ii. 91, 396 

Manners and Customs of .^neid, 

not Homeric, - - - A. i. 469 

Mare, pelagus, and pontus distin- 
guished, - - - - A. i. 181 
Medio and in medio, - - G. iii. 237 
Mesozeugma, - - - A. ii. 462 
Monere, Avith ut or ne, or with in- 
finitive, - - - - G. i. 457 
Monosyllabic termination of line, G. i. 181 ; 
[A.ii.250; viii. 83 
Moribunda, - - - - G. iii. 488 
Motion from and position in con- 

foimded, - - E. i. 54 ; A. vii. 106 
Multa and multum as adverbs, G. iii. 226 
Mundus and mundane doctrine, E. iii. 60 

JSfam omitted - A. vii. 447 ; xi. 172 

Names of Countries, &c., in accus. 

without preposition, - A. i. 2 

Ne for nonne, - - - A i. 40 

Nee and Neque distinguished, A. i. 260 
Neuter adjective, with substant. 

in different gender, - - E. iii. 80 
Neuter verbs becommg transitive, A. i. 328 
" adjs. governing the genit., A i. 310 
Nominative for vocative, - A. viii. 77 
Nonfornonne, - - A, ii. 596; ix. 144 
Numerals, circumlocutory mode of 

expressing them, - - A. i. 71 

Object changed from simple ace. 

to relative clause, - - E. iii. 41 
Objective genitive, G. iv. 110; A. i. 462 
Onomatopoeia, A. i. 53 ; viii. 596 ; xi. 875 

Palumbes, three forms in nom., E. i. 58 
Parcae, - - - - E. i. 47 

Participles in neut. used as substs. G. ii. 398 
" of deponent verbs used 
passively, - - - A iii. 125 

Participle of perfect passive for 

present passive, G. i. 206; A i. 481 

Participle for finite verb, - A. xii. 758 
Patronymics, - A. ii. 82, 787; iiL 21 
Pater applied to rivers, - A. vii. 685 
Penates, - - - - A. i. 704, 6 
Perfect indie, two forms of 3d pi., E. x. 15 
Per herbam, and per herbas, G. ii. 527 

Person of verb changed, - A. xi. 24 
Pilmn, - - - - A. xii. 121 

Pleonasm, - - - - A. i. 614 

Plural of substs. signifying affec- 
tions of the mind, - - A. i. 11 
Plural verb with sing, subst., A. xi. 145 
Polysyndeton, - - - E. iv. 51 
Precor with dative and accus., A. viii. 127 
Preposition after its case, A. i. 348; vi. 451 



mDEX. 



Preposition in different line from 

its case. - - - - G. ii. 345 

Preposition repeated, - - A. ii. 358 

Primo, Virgilian use of, - G. iv. 310 
Proleptic use of adjec, E. L 60; G. i. 44 ; 
[A.iL736; ix. 693 
Proper names for appellatives, A. i. 177 
" for personal prou., A. i. 48 

Proscissio, - - - - G. i. 97 



Protozeugma, 



A. i. 623 



Qua as correlative of plur. nouns, G. i. 90 
Que coupling unequal members, G. ii. 428 
" as an expletive, - - E. iii 34 
" as equal ''then" G. iv. 69: A xiL 81 
" coupling words not co-ordi- 
nate, - - - A. i. 31; ii. 5 
<2Me="when," - - - A. xL 296 
'Quiaudg-uMdistinguislied, E. i, 19; ii.19; 
[A. iii 608; viL38 
Quid si, with subjunctive, - E. v. 9 
Quisquam in negative sentences, A. xii. 761 

Rapidus, - - - - E. il 10 

Ee long in composition, - A. vii 450 
Relative in neuter, with mascul. 

antecedent. - - - E. iiL 13 
Relative clauses, double, - G. L 203 

Relatives (whether pronouns or 
conj unctions) equal to conjunc- 
tion and demonstrative, - A. i. 232 ; 
[ii. 546 ; x. 673 
Riguus and irriguus, - G. ii. 485 ; iv. 32 

Sardonic herbs, - - - E. vi'. 41 
Satumia, idea implied in, - A. iii. 629 
Sceptrum, - - - - A.viL173 
Shadow cast by sun, - - E. iL 67 

Sic in wishes (optative), E. ix. 30 ; x. 4 
Singular in apposition to plural A. ix. 257 



Singular in a collective sense, G. iv. 227 
Subjective genitive, - - G. iv. 110 
Substant. used as adj., R iv. 1 : A. i. 273 
verb omitted in rela- 
tive clause, G. iii. 144; ii. 180; A. ii. 546 
Substantive with prepos.=adjea, A. xi. 464 
S5mapheia. - . . _ A. i. 332 

Synesis, E. u. 71; A. i. 70: ii. 31; vii. 624 
[xi. 81, 145, 172, 888 
Synizesis, - - - A. i. 2, 73, 131 
'2,x,nf/.ix, xaS oXov x.ct.\ f^spo?, A. x. 699 ; 
[xu. 161 

Tapeinosis, - - - - A. iv. 7 
Thyrsus, - - - - A. viL 390 
Transitive verbs becomiug neuter, A. i 234 
Triclmium, - - . - A. i. 693 

Triones, - - • - A. 1. 744 

Truncus with abL or genitive, G. iv. 310 



Ultro. - 
Ursa Major, 



A. ii 145 

G. i. 138 



Verb with conj. equal to particip.. G. iii. 354 
" agreeing with nearest subject, E. i. 59 
" resolvable into a (simpler) 
verb and a substantive, G. iv. -397; i. 513 
Verb resolvable into a substant. 

verb (est) and substantive, G. ii. 73 ; iii. 179 
Via, or ratione, '-understood," E. iii. 15 
Vu-girs farm, site of, - - E. L 21, 49 
Vurgilius Dormitans, A. vii. 123; ix. 450,590; 
[x. 8, 558; xi. 539 
Vitula for juvenca, as puer for 
juvenis, - - - - E. iii. 29 



Yew Tree, - 
Zeugma, 



E. ix. -30; G. iL 256 
G. i. 93 ; A. ii. 258 



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